What You’ll Find in This Guide to Safe Drinking Water in Costa Rica:
- Is tap water safe to drink in Costa Rica?
- Understanding AyA and ASADAS: the only trusted water sources in Costa Rica
- How Urritrek ensures safe drinking water for hikers
- When and where water is safe along El Camino de Costa Rica
- Water purification: what every hiker should carry
Hiking El Camino de Costa Rica is an unforgettable experience, filled with breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and personal challenges. But it also demands responsibility and caution, especially regarding something as essential as water consumption.
Many hikers, inspired by the idea of being immersed in nature, may assume that water from rivers, streams, or springs is safe to drink. However, this is not the case: the only source of potable water in Costa Rica comes from official municipal systems, such as AyA or legally registered ASADAS. Drinking from any other source, without proper treatment, poses a real risk to your health.
Our guides never recommend it and never will, but we kindly ask you, as a visitor, to heed this warning. In this article, we explain why following this guideline is essential.
What does AyA and ASADAS mean?
For a better understanding, it’s important for you to understand these two Costa Rican institutions, linked directly to water sources
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AyA (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados):
AyA is Costa Rica’s national water utility, similar to similar to national water utilities in Canada, Germany (UBA), or the US. It is a government-run agency responsible for supplying clean, drinkable water and managing sewage systems across urban and semi-urban areas of the country.
Think of it like your local Department of Water and Power—it ensures tap water is treated and safe for human consumption.
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ASADAS (Asociaciones Administradoras de los Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Comunales):
ASADAS are community-run water associations that manage rural water systems. They are legally recognized and regulated by AyA, but operated locally by trained volunteers or staff. Their role is to treat and distribute safe drinking water in areas where AyA doesn’t directly operate.
You can think of an ASADA as a rural version of a water utility co-op—certified and supervised by the national system and managed locally by the community.
The risk of drinking untreated water
Water that has not been properly treated can contain harmful parasites and bacteria. These microorganisms can remain active for long periods and cause serious illnesses—especially in people who are not accustomed to them and lack natural immunity. Even locals could suffer health issues if they consume untreated water.
The likely consequences of drinking from natural, untreated sources range from gastrointestinal discomfort to severe infections that could completely ruin your experience on El Camino—or even jeopardize your health.
Once again: this is why it is strictly prohibited to recommend or consume untreated water under any circumstances.
What are the main sources of water contamination?
Even in places that look clean or have “crystal-clear” water, hidden risks exist. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water can become contaminated by:
- Radiological contamination or vehicle fuel/oil runoff.
- Domestic, farm, or wild animals defecating near water sources.
- Runoff during rainfall that carries waste, bacteria, or chemicals.
- Human activities such as the use of pesticides, soaps, or other pollutants.
Urritrek’s Commitment to Safe Water
At Urritrek, we take this matter very seriously. Andrés Meneses, guide and coordinator, explains that each of our guides carries purification drops. They work by killing or inactivating harmful microorganisms—like bacteria, viruses, and parasites—that can be present in untreated water.
They’re small bottles of chemical disinfectants, usually containing either chlorine, chlorine dioxide or iodine. These substances are similar to those used in municipal water treatment systems (like AyA in Costa Rica), but in a portable, concentrated form for personal use.
After using purification drops, you must wait about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the clarity and temperature of the water. The water might have a slight chemical taste, but it's safe to drink and far better than risking illness.
It’s also important to understand that turbid or dirty water should be filtered first (through a cloth or filter) before using drops—chemicals don’t work well in muddy water.
Costa Rica is a special country regarding water
While Costa Rica’s water sources are generally safe, travelers should be cautious. Even if the water is clean, your body might not be used to the local microbes, which can lead to digestive issues. That’s why it’s essential to trust your tour guide’s advice on when and where it’s truly safe to drink.
However, this doesn’t mean that every water source in Costa Rica is safe to drink. To be clear: the only officially recognized sources of potable water are those provided by AyA or legally registered ASADAS. Any other source (even if it appears pure and natural) can be contaminated and may pose a serious health risk.
Follow basic water safety protocols
We also require each hiker to bring a personal water filter. We also work closely with local providers to ensure responsible practices. According to our terms, they are required to:
- Wash and dry all dishes properly.
- Wash fruits and vegetables with a few drops of chlorine.
- Boil any water used to make beverages like “frescos”.
- Provide safe potable water if their lodge or café does not have access to treated sources. If they are serving hikers, it is their responsibility to guarantee safe drinking water.
Where is water potable on El Camino de Costa Rica?
To give you peace of mind, here are the stages where water is considered potable (as long as it comes directly from the pipes):
- Cimarrones, 3X, Pacayitas, and Sitio de Mata
- Stages 7, 8, and 9 (ASADA sources)
- Stage 10: only in Palo Alto
- Stages 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 (well water)
- Stage 16: AyA water
Outside these zones, water must be treated or filtered before consumption. When in doubt, always ask your guide, he will know better.
You might also want to read: El Camino de Costa Rica: Go Solo or Join a Guided Tour?
Remember: Better safe than sorry
Along the way, you may be tempted to cool off with water flowing over rocks, or you might be offered a drink from a local stream. Don’t do it. Don’t risk your health.
Always carry your personal filter, follow your guide’s instructions, and drink only treated water.
Your body, your journey, and your overall experience will thank you. If you have any questions regarding the route, more safe advices, just contact us. If you’re ready to ask for a quote, just reach out.
