South America
Can you drink the tap water in South America?
Last reviewed September 2026
South America runs mostly in the caution band. Major cities in the south, like Santiago and Buenos Aires, are more reliable, but across much of the continent travelers stick to bottled or filtered water. On our index the 12 countries in South America average 52/100 — but that average hides a wide spread, from Chile (74) down to Venezuela (34). Scores above 70 mean tap water is generally safe to drink. 40–69 means treat it with caution — filtering or bottled water is wise. Below 40 means it’s best avoided straight from the tap.
Tap water safety in South America, ranked
Every country in South America, highest score first. Tap any country for its full breakdown.
Traveling in South America: what to do about tap water
Because the range across South America is so wide, the safe rule is to check the specific country before you go rather than assume the region is uniform. In any country scoring under 70, treat the tap water — a rolling boil handles microbes, a certified filter or sealed bottled water covers the rest, and it is worth being cautious with ice and raw produce too. Where a country scores 70 or above, the tap water is generally safe to drink and a refillable bottle is the cheaper, greener choice.
See also our guide on tap water safety while traveling and the full methodology.
Common questions about tap water in South America
Can you drink the tap water in South America?+
It varies by country. Of the 12 countries in South America on our index, 2 rate as safe to drink, 8 are best treated with caution, and 2 are best avoided from the tap. The safest is Chile (74/100); the least safe is Venezuela (34/100).
Which country in South America has the safest tap water?+
Chile, scoring 74/100 — safe to drink. Open its page for the full breakdown.
Do you need bottled water in South America?+
In the countries that score below 70 you should filter, boil, or buy bottled water; where a country scores 70+ the tap water is generally safe and bottled water is optional. Check the individual country before you travel — the range within South America is wide.