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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 01:38 PM
Can anyone vouch for drinking foreign tap water? I've only done it in Medellin, Colombia, and I can say that it's definitely safe to drink. Also I hear the water in Bogota is safe as well.
I'm curious about if the tap is safe to drink in Rio and Cordoba.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 02:32 PM
Cordoba def. Thats all the friends I stayed with drank and I had my fair share. Same as in Buenos Aires.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 02:46 PM
I just boiled a pot here in Rio. I don't know anyone who drinks there own water here but who knows.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 02:47 PM
if locals drink it , i drink it.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 03:51 PM
I had stomach disturbance my first several days in Rio. I don't know if it was water or what. I think you have to also be careful when swimming at the beach in Rio. I always swallow at least some water while body surfing. Maybe that was the cause. I would reckon that the ocean water in Rio has a lot of bacteria given that it rains frequently and you have runoff from all these favelas and stuff. Even in Los Angeles you're not allowed to swim in the water up to 3 days after it rains because of the elevated bacteria.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 03:52 PM
speaking of Rio, you coming down for Carnival/NYE?
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 05:41 PM
You can not drink the tap water ANYWHERE in Brazil.
Unless you like frequent visits the the loo anyway.
Tap water is drinkable in all of Argentina.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-20-2009, 05:58 PM
Even street (almost all) carts use purified water. Everyone knows not to drink or use the tap water here. No way in hell McDs use it for coke.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-21-2009, 10:09 AM
I wash all my fruits and what not in hotel bathrooms and haven't had any illness. Every now and then I have a bad day but I can't be certain what caused it.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-21-2009, 10:22 AM
I just realized I was using ice cubes made from tap water in my drinks....No issues.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-21-2009, 04:38 PM
I remember a couple years ago I met a hippie gringa in Bolivia who bragged about drinking the tap water, which is literally full of parasites and bacteria. I wonder whatever happened to her...
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-21-2009, 06:51 PM
I have a friend thats been traveling hardcore for about 20 years. He says hes developed an iron stomach. He used to get sick in the beginning, but has developed immunities.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
11-21-2009, 11:42 PM
Another way to tell if the tap water is ok is if the locals tend to use ice with their drinks.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
10-19-2015, 12:40 PM
Decided to revive this one for informational purposes. I remembered some overcautious BS on the internet about bogota.
The best tell I can say is, if theres an airport water fountain, you should be good. These are places where Ive actually tried the water.
Usa/Canada/Western Europe/Scandanavia - Yes
Poland - Yes
Bogota - Yes (rural áreas in colombia is a no)
México - Never, however some new hotels, buildings, might use purified water.
Panamá City - Yes
Buenos Aires - Yes
Cuba - Yes and No (I didnt have problems but apprantly its a no)
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Drinking the tap water abroad
10-19-2015, 01:32 PM
Its safe to drink in Ankara as well, but no one does it because water is dirt cheap in Turkey unlike North & South America.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
10-19-2015, 02:15 PM
Where I live in Mexico we don't drink the tap water. There are places all over where you can buy a 5 gallon drinking jug for 9 pesos. As a check, if you go to a new country and notice special places where they sell drinking water (large bottles for cheap, not the bottled stuff in stores) then don't drink the water. If the locals don't drink it, then neither should you.
Rico... Sauve....
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Drinking the tap water abroad
10-19-2015, 04:51 PM
New Zealand - Yes, although quality varies. The best can be found in Christchurch, the Auckland one tastes horrible in comparison (yet there won't be any problems for you when drinking it).
China (including Hong Kong) - No. I don't think Macau will be any different.
I found the tap water in Toronto undrinkable when I've been there a few years ago, but that's probably because European tap water doesn't have any chlorine in it.
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Drinking the tap water abroad
10-19-2015, 05:49 PM
I drank the tap water in Manila, Philippines and got sick with a horrible case of the runs for four days. Do NOT drink tap water in the Philippines, only distilled or bottled water! Also, avoid the ice cubes in restaurants, they may not have been distilled. Lastly, ask the waiter to bring the bottle to you directly so you can see them pour it, instead of wondering about the source.
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