Tap water is supplied for drinking in many parts of Costa Rica, but a national reputation cannot confirm the water at a particular tap. Check the system serving your accommodation, any current restrictions and the condition of the property’s plumbing or storage tank.
If the supply is uncertain, use a known safe drinking-water source while you confirm it. A clear appearance is not a water-quality test.
Costa Rica has a drinking-water standard
The Ministry of Health’s legislation collection lists Decree 38924-S, the Reglamento para la Calidad del Agua Potable. It establishes quality requirements for drinking-water systems. The rules apply to public and private operators; a community-run system is not entitled to supply water to a lower legal standard.
The regulation has been amended since its original 2015 publication. For example, an official 2025 amendment adds procedures concerning pesticide alert values. Use current rules and notices rather than assuming the last change occurred in 2018.
Find out who supplies the property
Suppliers include AyA, municipal systems, ESPH and community associations known as ASADAs. Ask the owner or accommodation manager for the actual operator and system name, then check with that operator about current service and quality notices.
The supplier’s category alone is not a guarantee of safety or a reason to reject the supply. A well-run community system and a large utility both need monitoring, maintenance and appropriate responses to incidents. Old national averages do not describe every system today.
Look for the latest notice, not just an old news report
Water-quality incidents can be specific to an intake, distribution system or service area. In January 2024, the Ministry of Health instructed affected communities not to consume water after hydrocarbon contamination. That historical notice illustrates why local instructions matter; it does not mean those same restrictions remain in force today.
Check the date, exact affected area, permitted uses and any later notice lifting or changing the restriction. Ask the supplier or Ministry of Health if the information is unclear.
Boiling is not the answer to every problem
The CDC distinguishes different water advisories. Boiling can address certain microbial hazards, but it does not make water contaminated with harmful chemicals or toxins safe.
Follow the specific local instruction. A boil-water notice, a do-not-drink notice and a do-not-use notice are not interchangeable. Use safe alternative water for drinking and food preparation when required, and check whether the restriction also affects ice, brushing teeth, washing food or bathing.
Do not assume a household filter removes the contaminant involved. Treatment methods have different capabilities. For a private well or a suspected problem, seek appropriate testing and professional advice.
Check the storage tank and plumbing
The water reaching a property and the water leaving its storage tank are related but separate questions. Ask how the tank is protected, maintained and cleaned, and who is responsible for it.
A tank can help manage interruptions, but its presence does not establish water quality. Nor does installation of a filter, by itself, establish that the final supply is safe. Ask for maintenance information and any relevant testing instead of relying on appearance.
Questions before renting or buying
- Which operator and system supply this address?
- Are there current consumption restrictions or recent quality results?
- Does the property use a private well or stored water?
- Who maintains tanks, filters and internal plumbing?
- What happens during interruptions, and what safe alternative supply is available?
For travel where water safety is uncertain, the CDC’s travel-water guidance explains precautions, including using a safe source for drinks and food. People with particular medical needs should ask their clinician about additional precautions.
Reviewed September 6, 2026 against official Costa Rican regulatory and health sources and CDC guidance. Water safety must be checked for the specific supply and current conditions.