Los Cabos lies at the bottom of the Baja Peninsula and gets some of the best fresh water in the region. The local waters come down a thousand feet from the very tall mountain range of Sierra de La Laguna north of Cabo. The Cabo San Lucas water supply is piped from aquifers or from desalination plants in the area. They are then treated locally and usually undergo further treatment at the hotel or restaurant level. Los Cabos tries to ensure that the tourist industry won’t suffer because of bad water.
Is the water in Cabo San Lucas safe to drink?
The short answer is, not exactly. While the water in Los Cabos is very pure, you still need to be careful. The water distribution pipes and other factors can become contaminated. Drinking water directly from the pipe is therefore not encouraged.
In spite of all the safeguards taken for a clean water supply, there are still reports in Cabo and Baja of tourists getting sick. While local water can be blamed for some of these illnesses, a large percentage of these cases can be attributed to tourists who push their bodies to their limits to maximize their precious vacation time. Staying up all night, drinking too much, and getting little or no sleep can wreak havoc on the body’s defenses and create a favorable condition for infection to enter the body.
Take extra precautions
While the water may be safe for drinking after leaving the treatment plant, it may catch impurities and get contaminated on its way to your tap. Extra precautions, therefore, should be taken. There is no public data currently available concerning the quality of water in Cabo San Lucas. On average, however, Mexico’s water quality is 59 percent.
You can still have fun and be safe when visiting Cabo San Lucas. There are certain steps you must take to minimize the risk of getting sick. These include:
- making sure you are consuming purified water and ice
- avoid eating over-spicy foods
- drinking moderately
- getting enough quality sleep
- being generally aware
Every city varies in its water’s mineral content. It is best to ask your hotel’s staff or local residents regarding the water quality in the area.
Tourists anywhere in the world can sometimes experience stomach problems following a change in drinking water. Stay safe by drinking only purified or bottled water. When in doubt, simply ask for bottled water or agua purificada (purified water).
Visitors who do get sick usually find the bug only lasts for a day or two. They are back on their feet in no time and in vacation mode again. If you experience stomach distress after drinking contaminated water, watch your diet and get plenty of rest. Don’t forget that Pepto Bismol and Lomotil can help a lot to get your stomach back in shape.
