Will you get sick if you are from the United States and you go to Dominican Republic and drink water there?

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dawn

Tap water in the Dominican is not safe to drink because of the way it is purified, however, the resorts will supply bottled water and vegetables, fruits, etc. are safe to eat because they are washed in bottled water. We were told by our rep. that it is safe to brush your teeth and shower, because you are not ingesting the water. We were there in Feb. /07 and had no problems.

tridenttropicaltwist

Yes, you most likely will get sick, due to the unfortunate conditions of the Dominican water treatment. I have lived in the DR (SamanÃ¡), and I never drank the water. No Dominican that I know drinks the water. There are bottles and plastic bags of water (contrary to a previous post, those little water bags won't make you sick. It's the same water companies that you'll find bottles from, just in a cheaper, smaller bag).

If you take in some water from brushing your teeth/rinsing your mouth, that's fine, and water boiled when used for cooking is also perfectly fine.

All that said, different people are affected differently when they travel. Some of the previous post talk about illness, and that could be due to their bodies not being used to certain natural bacterias and stuff (it's like how some people get sick from well water in the US). The food, the climate, the plants, the tiny amounts of water could all affect you differently.

Hope you and your family have a great vacation! It's a beautiful island, even if it does have its problems just like every other country. Have fun!

Galathea

Drinking purified bottled water is definitely recommended and is available everywhere in the Dominican Republic. Hotels and restaurants use purified water to clean and cook their food, and purified water is used to make all ice. It is not recommended that you drink tap water.

So there you go, there's nothing to worry about. Just use tap water for showering and brushing your teeth !

Have fun !

tess

I've travelled all over the world. I get sick about 50% of the time. It's not always the water,sometimes it's the food, but drink bottled, and do your teeth with bottled too. Its usually supplied by the hotel, and if not its pretty cheap to buy.
Take some Pepto Bismal and Immodium just incase.

leeloo

I've been there and if you are worried about this buy bottled water. When I was there, I didn't expose myself to that much tap water, but you shouldn't have any problem using the local water for showering and brushing your teeth. In fact, some of the better resorts have a notice in the bathroom letting you know that the water is potable.. but like I said, if you are worried, drink/ use bottled.. and you don't have to worry about anything cooked in water... boiling water usually kills off anything that is harmful.

Although, if the Norwalk virus is around, all bets are off!

I love the DR.. its so beautiful there and the people were just so nice and accommodating... I am sure you and your family will be fine.

Enjoy!

el_platano1410

I would not suggest drinking it if you do not live there. If are a local you will not get sick. I lived there 9 years and never got sick, to be safe just buy bottled water.

dianndeltol

yes you will! Always get bottled water. I went there a couple of years ago and I had to call the hotel first aid because I was piuking everywhere! The doctor said it was the water. It also happened to me in Aruba!

Mami

Don't drink the water that comes In a small pouch. They sell those over there and my mom told us that we could definitely get sick because that water Is contaminated.

Happy Feet

Hi, IÂ´m a local tour operator and here are the facts:
Wat Galathea told you in her answer is the right one!
But, wat many people forget is when they arrive here in this warm semi-tropical country, they wanna drink cold, very cold
drinks and their stomach is not used to this strong treatment
from warm to very cold! And this is one of the major problems
it is not only the water (tab water) but the to fast consumption of TO COLD DRINKS especially the first 4 to 5 days! You must give your body the time to adapt itself!
If I can be of any help or info just contact me! Enjoy your stay!
Gilbert

x3 HotMess

Girl the water in Dominican Republic would not make you sick unless if you get dirty water from a place but I am Dominican and I have never got sick by the water it all depends !

I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IT IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY TO BE IN AND I HOPE YOU DON'T GET SICK!!!! HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

NYCLady

It is recommended that you drink bottled water. Tap water is safe for showering, etc. Most people use bottled water for cooking as well even though it is not necessary.

Anarose V

I went to Santo Domingo and drank their waters and nothing happened to me. But its all depends if a current storm had hit or not. in clear seasons waters is very clean and natural. But as always it is better to drink bottled water than tab water. Good Blessings

chiqui

Please get bottled water, resorts provide bottled water FREE!
Before taking a trip remember to take a bottle with you.

Jennifer C

A close girlfriend of mine just went, and got sick. She didn't even say if she drank the water or not, but even if she didn't, it's used in the cooking.

Her stomach is always sensitive, but her husband's isn't, and he's still trying to recover as well.

Be careful!

Hannah

Try to drink bottled water and you'll be fine. Bottled if clean , the water is unclean though so try to stay clear. Even use bottled water for cleaning your teeth, I have just come back yesterday!!! It was great fun!!! I advise the hotel Fun Tropicale!!!!

Sunshine

I cant speak for everyone, but I got sick while in the Dominican Republic. I didnt drink the water, the resort provided bottle water. However I did use the facet water to brush my teeth with. They also use the water during cooking. I hope this helps you.

mbpisano

my family and I traveled to several islands in the past and one of them was punta cana, in the dominiccan republic, it was by far the WORST, island i have ever been to, the poeple are unfriendly and rude, the island has devastating poverty, and to top it all of to answer your ????, out of 4 people in my family 2 of us were hospitalized for 6 out of 8 days there, for more useful information , i would advise looking at a webiste called tripadvisor.com and do some research on your specific resort, stay away from the grand paradise, paradise it certainly wasent! good luck, maribeth

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