The TL;DR
You can absolutely buy water at Coachella—but you don’t have to.
Here’s the quick rundown:
- Campers: bring all the water you want—but keep it at your site
- Water bottles sold inside: $4–$6 each
- Refill stations: free, plentiful, but sometimes crowded
- Best plan: bring an empty reusable bottle and top off often
Yes, you can buy bottled water on Coachella grounds—but it’ll cost you
If you’re headed to Coachella, staying hydrated is just as important as planning your outfit.
Desert sun + dancing for 8 hours = your body will be begging for water by noon. But if you’re new to the fest, you might be asking: how do you buy water at Coachella—and more importantly, do you have to?
Coachella sells water at multiple food and drink stands throughout the venue and campgrounds. Expect to pay around $4 to $6 per bottle, depending on brand and vendor. Water is widely available, but those dollars add up—especially if you’re dancing through three days of 90-degree heat.
If you’re planning to buy all your water inside the venue, budget accordingly. Most people easily go through four to six bottles a day, which could mean $60-plus on water alone across the weekend.
The smarter move: bring a refillable bottle and use the free stations
Here’s the hack most veterans swear by: Coachella has free water refill stations throughout the venue and campsites. You just need to bring your own empty bottle or hydration pack (like a CamelBak) and fill up as needed.
Rules to know:
- Bottles must be empty at entry (security will make you dump any liquids).
- Stick to non-glass, reusable water bottles—nothing oversized or suspicious-looking.
- Hydration backpacks are allowed if they meet size requirements and are empty on arrival.
Pro tip: Those refill lines get long mid-afternoon. Try to top off in the morning or while others are at main sets.
Can you bring your own water to Coachella?
Camping at Coachella? You can bring in as much water as you can fit in your car. Stock up on gallons and cases for your site. But you can’t bring it into the actual festival grounds. So, again, reusable bottles are your best friend.
If you’re not camping and just attending the fest daily, plan to bring an empty bottle and hit the refill stations once inside.
Festival veteran advice: Staying hydrated like a Coachella pro
Hydration at Coachella isn’t as simple as chugging bottles.
In fact, too much water too fast can do more harm than good. Drinking water nonstop without balancing electrolytes can lead to water toxicity—a dangerous drop in sodium levels that can make you feel worse, not better.
Instead, aim to sip throughout the day, not chug.
A good rule of thumb is to drink a 16.9oz bottle of water every two hours, sipped—not slammed. This equals out to about eight ounces per hour, depending on heat and activity.
Also, start hydrating days before the fest, not just the morning of.
Electrolytes, salty snacks, and shaded breaks = game changers
Over and over, Coachella veterans repeats the same advice: don’t just hydrate—balance.
Bring:
- Electrolyte packets (like Liquid I.V. or hydration tablets) to mix into your water
- Salty foods to help retain fluids
- Fruits and veggies with high water content (watermelon and cucumber = elite festival fuel)
- A wet bandana or cool towel around your neck for added temperature control
Also? Get familiar with air-conditioned tents like Yuma and Sonora. They’re not just for music—they’re lifesavers during peak heat.
The bottom line: Plan ahead to prevent H2O issues
You can buy water at Coachella—but if you want to survive the sun and save your cash, the smart move is to BYOB (bring your own bottle), sip consistently, and load up on electrolytes.
Whether it’s your first fest or your fifteenth, the desert doesn’t care—it’ll dry you out all the same.
Stay cool, drink up, and save money for something more exciting. Like fries. Or merch.
