Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Dominican Republic?
No, tap water in the Dominican Republic is not safe to drink, including in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana resort areas. Bottled water is standard practice island-wide.
Water Source
Municipal treatment exists in cities, but distribution infrastructure is old and supply is often intermittent, requiring rooftop cisterns that can compromise water quality.
Contaminants & Concerns
Bacterial contamination from aging pipes and storage tanks is the primary concern across both urban and resort areas.
Regional Variations
Not safe anywhere, including Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, and Puerto Plata. All-inclusive resorts typically supply bottled or filtered water for this reason.
Water Hardness
Moderate, roughly 100–250 mg/L, varying by region..
Do Locals Drink Tap Water?
No, most Dominican households rely on delivered bottled water (garrafón) rather than tap water.
Tips for Travelers
- •Bottled water is provided at virtually all resorts and hotels
- •Use bottled water for brushing teeth
- •Avoid ice outside of resorts and reputable restaurants
Recommended Precautions
- •Drink only bottled water
- •Use bottled water for brushing teeth
- •Avoid ice from non-resort sources
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
- •WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP)
- •National and municipal water utility public quality reports