Quick refresher: The tap water in most of the Dominican Republic isn’t treated to drinking standards. It can contain bacteria, parasites, or other contaminants that your system isn’t used to. Locals typically don’t drink it either — so you’re in good company.
Understanding why water delivery is essential starts with knowing about water safety: Can You Drink Water Bávaro Safety Guide 2025
So How Do You Get Drinking Water Delivered to Your Rental Unit in Bávaro?
Whether you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or with your kids in tow, here are a few simple, tried-and-true ways to get fresh, purified water delivered right to your door.
1. Determine what size water jug you’ll need.
Most rental units in Bávaro provide two or more 19 liter (5 gallon) large water jugs with either a pump or a dispenser.
If not, you can order 1 liter and 2 liter bottles too.
These are easier to carry and you can also just pick them up at local colmados, grocery stores, and supermarkets.
2. Order a “Botellón” (Large Water Jug)
This is how the locals do it — and it’s super affordable!
Before ordering:
- If your property manager has not already provided a location from which to order water, find the closest Colmado near your condo What is a Colmado? You may want to stop in to make sure they have what you are looking for and to establish a relationship. Be sure to ask for their WhatsApp phone number.
- Make sure you know your address (they can be trickly in Dominican Republic). Ask your property manager if you are unsure.
- Make sure you have Dominican pesos in small bills as delivery drivers rarely have change for larger bills. Cost: Typically around $1.50–$3 USD per refill (yes, seriously!). That’s about 88 – 180 pesos. e typically just pay with 100 pesos bills and have the driver keep the change as a tip (propina).
- You will need one empty bottle to “trade in” for each bottle you order. If this is your first order and you have no empty bottles, you’ll typically need to pay a small deposit (usually around 25-50 pesos) for each bottle, which you’ll get back when you return the empty bottles with your next order.
- This is a common practice in the Dominican Republic to encourage recycling and reduce costs for both the store and customers.
To place an order:
Use WhatsApp (an app for your phone) to message your selected colmado in Spanish. <insert link to how to use whatsapp> We’ve provided some translations below but you can also use Google Translate <insert link to how to use google translate> to generate what you want to say and copy and paste it into your WhatsApp message.
English: Do you have water jugs for delivery?
Spanish: ¿Tiene botellones de agua para entrega?
English: I would like to order 1 large bottle of water to (your address as provided by your property manager)
Spanish: Me gustaría pedir 1 botella grande de agua a la (your address or location pin).
English: Please ask the driver to text me when he arrives at the gate. Thank you.
Spanish: Por favor, pídale al conductor que me envíe un mensaje cuando llegue a la puerta. Gracias.
When the driver arrives, you often will get a message like this:
Spanish: La puerta
English: The door (meaning the driver is at your gate or door)
Note: The driver may not have a phone to text you. In this case, the colmado will typically text you with the following:
Spanish: Va llegando
English: It’s coming (This usually means the driver is on his way and because the colmados are so close by, you rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes at your gate or door)
You Can Also Use Delivery Apps to Have Water Delivered (Yes, They Have Those!)
While ordering directly from the colmado is easier, there are apps like PedíGo, Hugo, or PedidosYa that work in many parts of the Dominican Republic and can deliver water right to your rental apartment, condo, or Airbnb. While we know they exist, we have never used these apps ourselves.
To use them, just download the app to your phone, set your location, and search for “agua” or “botellón.” You can also get snacks, groceries, and more delivered with it. Bonus!
Other Ways to Purchase Water
Grab Bottled Water at the Supermarket or Colmado
Need something fast and portable? As previously mentioned, you’ll find 1 liter to 2 liter bottles in almost every corner store or supermarket. Great for beach days, hikes, or just chilling on the patio.
Tip: Stock up on a few when you first arrive so you don’t run out in the middle of the night.
What About Ice?
Make sure any ice you use is made with purified water — especially if you’re making smoothies or cocktails. Buying ice at a colmado is safe. Or, you can use ice trays and make your own using water from your jug.
Pro Tips for Water on Vacation
- Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it from your jug to cut down on plastic.
- Keep a few small bottles in the fridge for grab-and-go hydration.
- Use purified water for brushing your teeth too — better safe than sorry!
- Equipment You’ll Need – Find out where to buy water pumps and how to use them properly: Water Bottle Pumps Bávaro Where Buy How Use
Whatever You Do: Don’t Let Water Worries Ruin Your Stay
You’re in paradise — don’t let the water situation stress you out! With just a little know-how, you’ll be hydrating like a Dominican local in no time. Whether you’re chilling in your Airbnb or heading out to explore Bávaro, clean water is just a few clicks or steps away.
Long-Term Considerations: For a permanent water solution, consider installing: Water Filtration Systems Bávaro Complete Setup Guide Expats
