Can You Drink Tap Water in the Galapagos?

How Is The Drinking Water Supply In The Galapagos?

Tap water in the Galapagos is brackish and unsafe to drink, even in Puerto Ayora, the province's most populous city. It comes from underground aquifers, mixing seawater, rainwater, minerals, and man-made pollutants. Residents have access for only two to four hours a day, and no official body calls the tap water of the three port towns safe.

In Ecuador, drinking tap water is generally unsafe, and that includes the Galapagos. Even in Puerto Ayora, the province’s most populous city, tap water remains brackish and unsuitable for drinking. This water is drawn from underground aquifers on the volcanic island, mixing seawater, rainwater, minerals, and man-made pollutants. Residents have access to this water for only two to four hours a day, making preservation a necessity.

For the 12,696 residents of Puerto Ayora (2022 census), potable water remains an ongoing campaign promise that resurfaces every election season but often goes unfulfilled or becomes an unfinished project. Efforts to provide drinking water to the main islands date back to 2001, when an international tender was issued by Gustavo Noboa’s government, followed by a failed attempt by Lucio Gutiérrez’s administration, and another unsuccessful try under Alfredo Palacio.

No official body calls the tap water of the three port towns safe to drink: neither the Galapagos National Park Directorate, the health ministry nor the CDC says so, and the park’s own water-quality page reports fecal coliforms in some samples. Puerto Ayora’s residents continue to face delays in their long wait for clean water.

How Did We Make Sure The Water We Drank Was Safe?

During our stay in Puerto Ayora we rented a small house, and the owner told us right away not to drink the tap water. We skipped ice, cold drinks, and salads washed with water, chose fruit we could peel, and requested bottled water. On our cruise, water was safe, ice used purified water, and purifiers stood at refill stations.

During our stay in Puerto Ayora, the capital of Santa Cruz Island, we rented a small house, and right away, we realized that drinking water is a major issue. The first thing the owner told us was not to drink the tap water. Freshwater is scarce in the Galapagos, and unfortunately, what little there is often gets contaminated by sewage.

To be cautious, we only ate at Galapagos Islands restaurants that seemed clean and avoided places that used wet glasses. Many places bring out glasses freshly rinsed, but that water is likely from the tap. We also skipped cold drinks and ice, which could be made with tap water, and avoided salads or any foods washed with water, since it’s hard to tell if the water is safe.

We stuck to fruits and vegetables that we could peel ourselves and avoided any raw or undercooked foods. Fresh fruit shakes and juices were tempting, but we only bought them from vendors that looked clean and used purified water.

Ecuadorians are incredibly friendly and often offer something to drink. At one point, I was sitting in someone’s kitchen as they prepared a drink with lemon and tap water, but I politely declined.

During our hotel stay, we always requested bottled water, and thankfully, drinking water was readily available when we went on a Galapagos last-minute cruise. The water on board was safe, and any ice made on the ship used purified water. Each cabin came with reusable aluminum bottles, and there were water purifiers in the main bar, pool bar, restaurant, and disembarkation area, allowing us to refill bottles throughout the cruise. After all the island activities, we’d bring the bottle back to the ship, but I ended up taking mine home as a little souvenir.

If bottled water isn’t available, or you can’t boil water, a high-quality water filter that removes bacteria and viruses can be essential. Adding iodine tablets to filtered water also makes it safer. We found water filters at camping and outdoor stores, but make sure the filter removes viruses and bacteria—otherwise, even clear water can contain tiny contaminants that can make you sick.

Residents frequently reminded us to use purified water even for brushing our teeth and to avoid letting any tap water enter our mouths while showering.

What Is The Bottom Line On Galapagos Tap Water?

Contaminated water or food could be the culprit if illness strikes during a trip. Ecuador is a tropical country with its share of bacteria and parasites, and the Galapagos Islands are no exception. A Sawyer water filtration system is recommended as reliable and lightweight. To stay safe, only drink bottled water, never from the tap.

If you fall ill during your travels, contaminated water or food could be the culprit. Ecuador, being a tropical country, has its share of bacteria and parasites, and the Galapagos Islands are no exception. I’d recommend grabbing Sawyer water filtration system, it’s reliable and lightweight.

While most cases of illness are mild, traveler’s diarrhea is a common risk for everyone. To stay safe, only drink bottled water—never from the tap.