by Jane Moore
Depending on your destination country in Latin America, it can be hard to determine whether tap water is safe to drink. To avoid any issues, many international travelers simply drink bottled water during their stay. Aside from the mounting cost of purchasing water for the whole party, it also can generate a large amount of plastic waste each day.
We spoke to our dedicated concierge, Gerardo, about where the water comes from in Costa Rica, if it’s safe to drink and what to do if you don’t feel comfortable drinking the water here.
Can you drink the water in Costa Rica?
Yes. It’s completely safe to drink the tap water over the majority of the country. That includes your luxury vacation rentals in Guanacaste! Costa Rica is quite notable in Latin America as 92.5% of the population has access to drinking water. The local government here has worked closely with the National Water Institution “Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados” (AyA) to create an extensive piped water infrastructure that reaches both cities and rural areas of the country. They have done this by maximizing their natural resources, raising up community-based operators, as well as implementing new projects that improve the reach of the program. As a result, the water here is incredibly pure – and the local authorities are constantly seeking out new technologies to continue to build on their high standards. If you run the water from the tap here, you’ll find that it runs clear as it’s been filtered multiple times.
What about Peninsula Papagayo?
Peninsula Papagayo has four wells that collect local freshwater, as well as a direct water supply from the National Water Institution, AyA. The region also has its own dedicated water purification plant onsite, where water is disinfected by chlorination and purified using a reverse osmosis process. It’s then pumped to distribute around the peninsula. There is a dedicated sustainability team that runs thousands of tests on potable water throughout the year, as well as daily monitoring of resources via smart meters – so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
It’s worth noting that the water contains a higher concentration of minerals and chlorine in the water than in neighboring countries, so some people notice that it tastes slightly different to the water they’re used to drinking at home. The water is hard, as opposed to soft, and fluoride is not added as standard.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Guanacaste resorts?
Absolutely. As drinking water is sourced from the purified and filtered resources on Peninsula Papagayo, the drinking water is also safe to consume in local resorts. So you can also safely enjoy eating raw fruits and vegetables, as well as freshly pressed fruit juices. Many properties here also have their own individual filters to further enhance water purity, and all fridges filter water as standard too.
As part of your welcome package at the villa, you’ll also be gifted a stylish and reusable aluminum bottle designed by RainForest Water as a sustainable alternative to single use plastic bottles. So you can easily fill it up with tap water at home – or at one of the refilling stations across the Peninsula resorts – before venturing out to explore all that the area has to offer. The bottles are yours to keep, so the beautiful flora designs are bound to bring back memories of Pura Vida when you’ve returned back home, too.
Is bottled water widely available?
If you prefer to drink bottled water during your stay, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s available widely – even in the most rural areas of the country. It’s also relatively low cost compared to other countries around the world. It’s also possible to purchase water by the gallon, which will reduce the amount of plastic bottles that you will go through. When using bottled water, we encourage you to recycle any plastic waste. The good news is that the majority of local venues offer recycling points on their premises. Of course, you’ll also find recycling points within your luxury vacation rental too.
Have a specific question about your upcoming trip to Peninsula Papagayo? Our dedicated concierge team is always on hand to answer your queries and handle all the little details of your vacation – so you can focus on being present in the moment with the people that matter most to you.
