Town in Cusco, Peru
Can you drink tap water in Machu Picchu?
Can you drink the tap water in Machu Picchu?
Don't drink the tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water. Hotels offer refills; be careful with ice and raw salads in cheap places.
Key facts
- In Machu Picchu: Drink bottled or filtered water. Hotels offer refills; be careful with ice and raw salads in cheap places.
- Across Peru: Drink bottled or filtered water everywhere; many hostels have refill stations. Be careful with ice and raw salads in cheap places.
- Safely managed drinking water: 49% of people in Peru (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water across Peru
| Place | Tap water |
|---|---|
| Lima | No, drink bottled |
| Cusco | No, drink bottled |
| Machu Picchu | No, drink bottled |
| Arequipa | No, drink bottled |
| Sacred Valley | No, drink bottled |
| Huacachina | No, drink bottled |
| Máncora | No, drink bottled |
| Huaraz | No, drink bottled |
| Puno | No, drink bottled |
| Paracas | No, drink bottled |
| Iquitos | No, drink bottled |
| Nazca | No, drink bottled |
| Puerto Maldonado | No, drink bottled |
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Machu Picchu?
Don't drink the tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water. Hotels offer refills; be careful with ice and raw salads in cheap places.
Can you drink tap water in Peru?
Drink bottled or filtered water everywhere; many hostels have refill stations. Be careful with ice and raw salads in cheap places.
More about Machu Picchu
Going to Machu Picchu solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Machu Picchu 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
- Machu Picchu official tickets (Ministry of Culture)
- PeruRail
- Inca Rail
- Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (SERNANP)
- PeruRail tickets to Machu Picchu
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 Spotted something out of date?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.