Bottled Water
Even though Puerto Vallarta's water is tested regularly and is safe, tourists and locals alike consume a lot of bottled water. Pretty much very store in Vallarta sells bottled water, it is uncommon to go more than two blocks and not find a place to purchase some and all bottled water in Vallarta is safe, as is the soda pop, beer and other soft drinks.
Ice Cubes
Ice machines are a rare sight in Puerto Vallarta. Only a few of the larger hotels have them. Most places get their ice, delivered daily, from one of the water purification plants in town. Bags of ice from the purification plants are so inexpensive it would be cost prohibitive for a business to make their own.
Almost everywhere you go you'll find "ice tubes". They are crystal clear; cylinders shaped, and have a hole in the middle. If you need ice, you can also buy it at many stores for just a few pesos per bag. Just look for an upright freezer with the word "HIELO" (Spanish for ice, pronounced "yellow"). It's made from the same purified water that goes into the bottles.
Drinks with Ice
Almost every bar and restaurant in Puerto Vallarta receives daily deliveries of large bags of ice, produced by one of the water purification plants in the area, like Bajo Cero. The drinks you are served will contain "ice tubes", which are completely safe. Depending on your drinking habits, and your tolerance level, having too many tropical tequila drinks can leave you with a hangover in the morning, so don't blame it on the ice.
In Hotels
Most large hotels have a water purification system or use reverse osmosis, but most likely, they will provide your room with bottled water. Don’t worry about brushing your teeth, you can use tap water, but if in doubt, use bottled water.
The water purification company of Puerto Vallarta has received certification of purity for human consumption for the past eight years.
This means that the water in Puerto Vallarta meets US standards for drinking when it leaves the purification plant; it is unclear if the pipes carrying the water away from the plant are of high standards, so it is best to stick with bottled water.
