Capital city in Pichincha, Ecuador
Can you drink tap water in Quito?
Can you drink the tap water in Quito?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Quito treats its water, but most people drink bottled or filtered; use bottled in hostels and for brushing teeth if you are sensitive.
Key facts
- In Quito: Quito treats its water, but most people drink bottled or filtered; use bottled in hostels and for brushing teeth if you are sensitive.
- Across Ecuador: Quito and Cuenca treat their water, but most visitors drink filtered or bottled. Avoid tap water and ice on the coast and in the Amazon.
- Safely managed drinking water: 70% of people in Ecuador (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water across Ecuador
| Place | Tap water |
|---|---|
| Quito | Filter or boil |
| Galápagos Islands | No, drink bottled |
| Cuenca | Filter or boil |
| Baños | No, drink bottled |
| Montañita | No, drink bottled |
| Guayaquil | No, drink bottled |
| Otavalo | No, drink bottled |
| Mindo | No, drink bottled |
| Vilcabamba | Filter or boil |
| Puerto López | No, drink bottled |
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Quito?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Quito treats its water, but most people drink bottled or filtered; use bottled in hostels and for brushing teeth if you are sensitive.
Can you drink tap water in Ecuador?
Quito and Cuenca treat their water, but most visitors drink filtered or bottled. Avoid tap water and ice on the coast and in the Amazon.
More about Quito
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Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF)
- CDC: food and water safety for travelers
- Metro de Quito
- Quito Airport (Quiport)
- Hospital Metropolitano
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 Spotted something out of date?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.