We're excited to announce that CanIDrinkTheTapWater.com now provides complete tap water safety coverage across every country and territory in South America. With the addition of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, travelers and expats heading anywhere on the continent can check our South America tap water safety guide
Three New South America Tap Water Guides
🇬🇾 Guyana
Tap water in Guyana is not safe to drink without treatment, even in the capital Georgetown. Aging infrastructure managed by Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and elevated flood risk along the coastal strip make bottled or filtered water the recommended choice for all travelers. Our full guide covers Georgetown water quality, interior river risks, ice safety, and the best filtration options for eco-tourism trips into the rainforest interior.
🇸🇷 Suriname
Suriname's tap water — including in Paramaribo — is not recommended for drinking due to aging distribution infrastructure and post-treatment contamination risks. The country's interior presents additional challenges, with mercury contamination from gold mining operations documented in several river systems. Our Suriname guide covers urban water options, interior safety, and why a heavy-metal-capable filter is essential for jungle travel.
🇬🇫 French Guiana
French Guiana stands apart from its neighbours. As an overseas territory of France, Cayenne's tap water is treated to EU standards and is generally safe to drink — making it one of the few places in northern South America where you can confidently turn on the tap. However, the story changes dramatically inland, where mining-contaminated rivers and remote indigenous communities present real water safety challenges. Our guide covers both the safe urban reality and the precautions needed for interior expeditions.
Why Complete Regional Coverage Matters
South America is one of the most diverse continents on earth when it comes to water safety — ranging from Switzerland-standard tap water in parts of Chile and Argentina, to genuinely hazardous conditions in rural Bolivia, Guyana, and the Amazon interior. Having complete coverage means no traveler is left searching for answers when planning a trip across borders, and no expat is without reliable local water information.
With all 13 South American countries and territories now covered, CanIDrinkTheTapWater.com is one of the most comprehensive free tap water safety resources for the continent available online.
What's Next?
We're continuing to expand across other regions — with Asia, Europe, and Africa all in active development. Subscribe to stay updated as new countries are added, or explore the full South America water safety guide below.
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