City in Magdalena, Colombia
Can you drink tap water in Santa Marta?
Can you drink the tap water in Santa Marta?
Don't drink the tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water; Santa Marta has had water supply and quality problems, and tap is not recommended.
Key facts
- In Santa Marta: Drink bottled or filtered water; Santa Marta has had water supply and quality problems, and tap is not recommended.
- 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 Santa Marta?
Don't drink the tap water. Drink bottled or filtered water; Santa Marta has had water supply and quality problems, and tap is not recommended.
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 Santa Marta
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Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF)
- CDC: food and water safety for travelers
- Parques Nacionales Naturales (Tayrona)
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 Spotted something out of date?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.