Is the water hard or soft in Costa Rica?

Question

OK not a big deal, but it makes a difference what kind of shampoo I take with me there on vacation!

Answer 1

Most of Costa Rican cities and larger tourist areas have municipal sources of water. I have always found these to be what most Americans would consider soft. You won't taste an abundance of minerals and it does not leave stains or rings

Answer 2

Water in Costa Rica is hard. Rich in calcium and minerals. They use water softening techniques.

"Water Softening.  Removal of multivalent cations is achieved by ion-exchange.  Calcium and Magnesium concentrations are removed to lower carbonate hardness which causes scaling.  Iron and manganese, which cause taste and stain fixtures, are also removed by this process."

Answer 3

Most of it is mineral water coming directly from the volcanic springs.