City in Bolívar, Colombia
Can you drink tap water in Cartagena?
Can you drink the tap water in Cartagena?
Don't drink the tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water, and ask for ice from purified water; tap is treated but often tastes poor and varies by pipe.
Key facts
- In Cartagena: Drink bottled or filtered water, and ask for ice from purified water; tap is treated but often tastes poor and varies by pipe.
- Across Colombia: Safe from the tap in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled or filtered on the Caribbean coast, in small towns and rural areas.
- Safely managed drinking water: 74% of people in Colombia (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water across Colombia
| Place | Tap water |
|---|---|
| Medellín | Yes, drinkable |
| Cartagena | No, drink bottled |
| Bogotá | Yes, drinkable |
| Santa Marta | No, drink bottled |
| Cali | Filter or boil |
| Salento | Filter or boil |
| Guatapé | Filter or boil |
| San Andrés | No, drink bottled |
| Minca | No, drink bottled |
| Palomino | No, drink bottled |
| Villa de Leyva | Filter or boil |
| San Gil | Filter or boil |
| Jardín | Filter or boil |
| Barranquilla | Filter or boil |
| Pereira | Filter or boil |
| Leticia | No, drink bottled |
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Cartagena?
Don't drink the tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water, and ask for ice from purified water; tap is treated but often tastes poor and varies by pipe.
Can you drink tap water in Colombia?
Safe from the tap in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled or filtered on the Caribbean coast, in small towns and rural areas.
More about Cartagena
Going to Cartagena solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Cartagena meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF)
- CDC: food and water safety for travelers
- Cartagena tourism (Corpoturismo)
Verdicts reflect official utility statements and what locals actually do. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.