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justenanderson · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:17 am Post subject: How's the water?

We're leaving for CR in June and I am debating on what to bring for water purification purposes. I don't really want to be sucking down iodine tablets for a year or more, but my MSR filter doesn't prevent viruses from getting through.

How much of a problem is the tap water for long-term travelers in CR? What do you do to keep yourself safe?

I read the CDC website, but they seemed a little overly cautious for someone who'll be in country for an extended period.

Thanks a million!

jprimm · Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 91

The water is fine..Leave your tablets in the U.S. unless you are going to other countries.

roadballmint · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 10

The CDC website is extremely overly-cautious. Unless you're going to live in a remote village and do farm work all day, you can basically ignore most of what they say.

Jprimm is right- the water is fine. Purification tablets would be a waste of money and space. One of the government's goals is to provide clean tap water to all citizens, and they've mostly succeeded. But do confirm with a local if it's OK for drinking before you start chugging down tap water (95+% of the time it is). In more isolated areas some places draw their water supply from a river or lake so the water isn't suitable for drinking. It's not that common, but I'd ask just in case.

tanblanca · Joined: 08 May 2010 Posts: 8

I have had tap water here in Quepos and it was really good. I'm not a fan of tap water, but this tasted better than any i'd had in the states, and I haven't gotten sick or anything.

There is also plenty of bottled water for sale in markets, if you prefer. 600ml for about 450 colones, or so.