Not Safe
Mexico
·
Last reviewed:
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Cabo San Lucas?
No, tap water in Cabo San Lucas is not safe to drink. The Los Cabos water system serves a desert region with limited freshwater, and despite desalination supplementing supply, the water is not potable at the tap.
Hardness
Variable
Country
Mexico
Rating
Not Safe
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard
Water Source
The Los Cabos municipal water system supplies Cabo San Lucas from a combination of limited groundwater wells and desalination plants. The arid Baja California Sur peninsula has very little natural freshwater.
Contaminants & Concerns
Bacterial contamination risk from aging distribution pipes and storage tanks. High mineral content from groundwater sources. Desalinated water quality can vary at the point of use.
Tips
- •Drink only purified or bottled water — resorts and hotels provide it as standard
- •Use bottled water for brushing teeth and rinsing produce
- •Sealed ice at resort restaurants is typically made from purified water and is safe
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
- •CDC Travelers' Health destination pages
- •The municipal water utility's published quality data