A Mom’s Guide to Water and Food Safety in Mexico

Traveling to Mexico with your little ones is an incredible experience filled with culture, but when it comes to water and food safety, the challenges are real—especially for parents. Before our two-month stay, we knew that tap water in Mexico wasn’t safe to drink due to contamination risks and inconsistent water treatment. However, with a bit of planning and some smart gear, we navigated these challenges and kept our family hydrated and healthy.

Here’s what worked for us

1. In-Home Water Filtration Systems

In Mexico City, our Airbnb came equipped with a reverse osmosis system, which was an absolute lifesaver. It allowed us to drink filtered water directly from the tap without worrying about buying bottled water all the time. If your accommodation has this, it makes a world of difference in ensuring you have safe, reliable drinking water throughout your stay.

2. Portable Water Solutions

At our next location in San Miguel, we didn’t have the luxury of an osmosis system. Initially, we used a compressor for large water jugs, but when it stopped working, we switched to a siphon straw to drink out of their 20L plastic containers. It was a bit more hands-on, but it did provide a filtered water option. These siphon straws work well with large bottled water jugs and are an affordable option if your accommodation doesn’t have built-in filtration.

3. Cleaning Fruits and Vegetables

For fresh produce, we took extra steps to ensure everything was clean:

• Boil water if you don’t have access to purified or reverse osmosis drinking water. Recommend boiling for at least 5 minutes if using tap water

• Using Baking Soda

  1. Fill a bowl or sink with water.

     • Use enough water to submerge the produce.

  2. Add baking soda.

     • Use about 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 2 cups of water.

  3. Soak your produce.

     • Let the vegetables or fruits soak for 10–15 minutes.

  4. Scrub gently.

     • For items like apples or cucumbers, use a produce brush. For delicate items like berries, skip scrubbing.

  5. Rinse thoroughly.

     • Use clean, running water to rinse off any baking soda residue.

• Using Vinegar

  1. Mix water and vinegar.

     • Combine 3 parts water with 1 part white vinegar in a bowl or sink.

  2. Soak your produce.

     • Submerge your fruits and vegetables in the mixture for 5–10 minutes.

  3. Rinse well.

     • Rinse under running water to remove any vinegar smell or taste.

• Baking Soda vs. Vinegar

  • Baking soda is excellent for removing pesticides and residues.

  • Vinegar is effective at killing bacteria and mold.

  • Avoid mixing baking soda and vinegar for cleaning produce because they react and neutralize each other’s effects.

• We avoided buying pre-cut fruits from street vendors unless we were sure they were washed with filtered water.

Tips for Moms Traveling to Mexico

1. Check Water Filtration Options Before Booking

Before booking accommodations, ask if there’s a filtration system in place. A reverse osmosis will provide you with safe drinking water straight from the tap, making your stay much more convenient.

2. Bring a Travel Water Filter or Siphon Straw

If your accommodation doesn’t have a filtration system, pack a travel water filter straw. These can be used with bottled water and are particularly helpful when you’re staying somewhere without reliable water access.

3. Use Bottled Water for Sensitive Uses

Even if you have a filtration system, we preferred to use bottled water for sensitive uses like brushing teeth and rinsing baby bottles. It’s a small precaution that helps give peace of mind, especially when traveling with little ones.

4. Teach Your Kids About Water Safety

Make sure your kids understand the importance of not drinking water straight from the tap. We also avoided ice cubes or drinks that might have been made with unfiltered water when eating out.

Final Thoughts

Navigating water and food safety during our trip to Mexico was manageable with a few key strategies in place. Whether it’s using an osmosis system, a siphon straw, or sticking to bottled water for certain uses, these steps made a big difference for us. Don’t let concerns about water safety hold you back from exploring Mexico. With the right preparation, you can ensure your family stays hydrated, healthy, and enjoys all the amazing experiences Mexico has to offer! Click here to learn more about traveling safely.

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