Thread: Drinking Water?

On the Azuero, do most people use the 5 gal garafons in their homes? Is ice in restaurants - frozen pina coladas, margaritas ok?
Thanks.

Originally Posted by cjr

On the Azuero, do most people use the 5 gal garafons in their homes? Is ice in restaurants - frozen pina coladas, margaritas ok?
Thanks.

I always drink straight from the tap and I'm still here

Which is weird because I can't stand the taste of the tap water in Canada - it's Brita or bottled water.

Thanks CyberKat17. I've read that tap water is ok in the cities, but am wondering specifically if garafons are offered for sale in the more rural areas of the Azuero.

A Brita or Calgon water filter is $18 if you don't like the taste of the local water.

Not a matter of taste....am wondering about the safety & the quality of water in more rural areas. Thats the reason for the garafon question. Do locals drink untreated tap in the rural areas of Azuero?

How about Bocas? I just wrote myself a script for levaquin just in case of GI revenge.

I've heard that the entire Pacific side is ok - and my personal experience hasn't contradicted that.

I use a Katadyn Exstream XR Water Purifier Bottle when I'm hiking.

I've had tap water/ice all over Panama and I've never run into problems. Actually, all the tap water I've had in Panama has always tasted better to me than any tap water I've had here in the States.

I also eat all the food the street vendors sell and (so far) I've never had any problems with that either!

YMMV.

Hey guys I have been reading over at winners post about tons of garbage piled up all over the city. What is the story in El Cangejo?
I planned to stay in the city for a week but if it is full of garbage I might bug out to the interior sooner. With all the trash piled up for months what is the rodent and pest situation? It smelled pretty bad in the heat when I was there for carnival and trash service didn't run for just a few days, how about now? Thanks to anyone who can give a report from the ground. It will be easier to change plans now than after I arrive.

Drinking water is fine anywhere - if you're out in the middle of no where interior, then a simple boil would be fine. But, no, Panama water all over is drinkable.

Trash - no big deal. You'll be fine in El Cangejo.

Originally Posted by davidp

Drinking water is fine anywhere - if you're out in the middle of no where interior, then a simple boil would be fine. But, no, Panama water all over is drinkable.

Trash - no big deal. You'll be fine in El Cangejo.

Thanks for the response about the trash. Maybe Don is embellishing a bit. Since El Cangrejo is a tourist area maybe they are seeing to this area first.

The Panama water according to researcher`s one of the safest to drink and the taste is very pleasant. I use bottle water when I go to do something outside.

i have been here 3 years , drank tap water ,well water and water straight out of creeks . eat in lots of local fonda places , never once had a prolbem ,dont worry and just come enjoy your holiday