Some friends want us to go to Cancun with them. We have never been but heard it is very easy to get sick from the food and water. How is the best way to prevent this and what medicines should you take with you? Also, is bathing and swimming safe if you have an unhealed cut. I am not trying to insult any place, but just want to have a good time and not get sick. Thanks

The water is very safe for swimming<BR>and you do not have to worry about infecting and cuts.<BR><BR>The tap water is purified. However, like most large cities people don't drink the water. Buy water in gallon jugs and than transfer to smaller plastic bottles.<BR><BR>For tummy problems just take along Acidophilus tablets that are found in the vitamin section of you store. Take 1 tablet 3 times dailey and you should have no problems UNLESS you forget that fresh fruit and fruit juices are natural laxatives. Pina Colada drinks are especially effective.<BR>Also, too much sun with too much booze and not enough water=trouble.

How to keep from getting sick in Cancun? Go someplace else!<BR><BR>Seriously, Cancun is a well developed place, you aren't talking the sticks here. Their water is purified and their food is safe. Wash your hands before you eat, take it easy on the fresh fruit and the booze and if it tastes funny, don't eat it. I'm not being a smartie here, I'm serious. My husband and I had food onece that tasted funny and we ate it and were sick for a long time. (not in Cancun)

Thanks for the advice. Like I said, I am not trying to insult the area but want to take all precautions. I have heard it is beautiful there. I have a sensitive stomach and don't want to ruin the trip. I am interested in seeing the Mayan ruins while in the area. Can you do this in one day or are they in different areas that would take longer than a day to visit? Thanks again.

When we go to cancun we stay away from the small (divy) restaurants in town and at the mall. Typically these restaurants use water that has not been purified and you are subjected to the bacteria. Watch out for salad type items that are cold/washed with tap water.<BR>We suggest La Dolce Vita-an excellent-excellent restaurant that we ALWAYS go to!!!

Always ask if the water is purified. Cancun is built for the tourist but watch buffets and foods left out in the heat. Nasty bacteria will get you every time before the water! Out of Cancun, just check where ever you go and drink bottled water. <BR>Do the charter flight to ChichenItza. Much better than a nasty bus ride. <BR>Take any medicine you would use at home. Immodium might come in handy if you have a problem.<BR>Been many times (but never to Cancun but south of there) and never had a problem. <BR>Salt water heals cuts quickly!

do not drink the water unless it is in a sealed bottled that you unsealed yourself. Also, do not eat the fruit peeled or unpeeled. I made the mistake of eating a small banana two days before I left Cancun. Three days later I was in the hospital for one of the nastiest cases of food poisoning they had seen in a long time. I got another week of vacation being pooked and prodded by the nurses every few hours. Just be very carefull and you should be ok&gt;&gt;&gt;

not that you didn't get sick but food poisoning from a banana? doubt that very much. could have been many things but fruit you peel yourself is fine. Suspect it was something else

I seriously doubt that you got food poisoning from a banana and especially that long after eating it.<BR><BR>My doctor told me (after I had a particularly bad case of travellers runs)to start the day with 2 imodium and 2 pepto bismol caplets. Worked great.

Why would someone want to go to Cancun and risk ruining there vacation from getting sick? It is beyond me. I guess people don't care if they are in the bathroom during there whole vacation with the runs and throwing up!! Not me though

In wasn't in Cancun, but I got sick in Acapulco from eating an omlette. They do not do something with their eggs that we in the US do- well that's what the doctor told me. Everything else we ate at the resort(Acapulco Princess) was fine.

Been to Cozumel which is much less built up than Cancun and we didn't get sick. I would avoid salads with dinner. Fruit is fine as long as you wash it with bottled water first or simply peel it. Brush your teeth and rinse with bottled water also. Immodium AD is a good thing to bring "just in case". Thankfully we didn't need it. Not sure about frozen drinks though. Good question for this board. I would stay in a high end resort, 4-5 star and stick with the bottled water even then.

Sheila, don't worry about getting sick. Have been all over Mexican Caribbean for 10 years and was sick one day.<BR>Just go have fun. You got some extremely good advice on what to avoid.<BR>A couple of extra points...If you want to see ruins, take a day trip to Chichen Itza and another to Tulum. If you're really crazy about ruins, I would also recommend Coba, but it is really hot there as it is far inland.<BR>As far as swimming in Cancun, water is clean, but some of the beaches have crazy currents - ask at the hotel. <BR>You can also get a lot of questions answered re Cancun on the Latin America forum (even though Cancun is on the Caribbean.) <BR>Anon, hello. (Don't go. You are SO mean. Ha,ha!) I wonder how Katherine is enjoying St. Kitts. I'm sure we'll hear!<BR><BR>

Hi,<BR>We stayed on Cozumel at a resort and they said that the hotel water was okay to drink. We drank it with no problems for a week. Just kept refilling our water bottles with that water. Most places have purified water, if they don't buy the bottled. We like many, watched out for fresh fruit. We got sick once from a piece of lettuce on a hamburger. Wasn't a big deal, only lasted one hour or so until the Immodium took effect. As for the fruit, go to a town market, buy it, and take it back to your hotel. Washing it and handling it yourselves is better than taking a chance at any restaurant.<BR>As for-why go to Mexico? Go- it's the best trip so far for us! By the way we went to Coba. It was great- not many people overrunning it. But- take PLENTY OF WATER TO DRINK!!!!

thanks to all that have replied. A couple we know went last year and some how she contacted a staph infection on her hands (she doesn't know how she got it). Has anyone else heard of this happening? I want to take all precautions to have a good vacation. I hate to spend money and then lay in the room sick. thanks again to everyone.

Sheila--with all due respect--you are not ready for mexico. I agree that vacation time is precious and expensive--you should go to some place that you are not so apprehensive about. Try the USA -- Florida Keys or So California.<BR>Great places and you will feel more at ease. Have fun!

Shiela-<BR>Try Aruba, you do not have to worry about the water or the food in one bit. They have the world largests water desaltinization, so there is no risk. And you still feel as though you are in the caribbean. Lots of fun, extremely friendly people and very safe.<BR><BR>Bon Voyage!

Sheila,<BR>By all means go. I truly believe half of the people who spread rumors about getting sick in Mexico either:<BR>1.) Have never been.<BR>2.) Know someone who knows someone whose cousin got sick. Getting sick in Mexico is truly an urban legend. Sure, it does happen, but you can also get sick in your hometown.<BR>If you follow the great advice you have gotten from the knowledgable posters (the ones who have actually BEEN to Mexico), you are extremely unlikely to get ill.<BR>As one poster pointed out, even if something does get you, Immodium will stop it in its tracks. <BR>Go have fun!

I think that you are incorrect when you speak for the general public about their experience's in Mexico.<BR><BR>I think that people are entitled to speak for themselves. I know quite a few people who got sick in Cancun...INCLUDING myself. So when you generalize and say that is a myth, you are incorrect.<BR><BR>This forum is to help people make accurate travel decisions. Who wants to ruin their vacations by being locked up in their hotel room for a week?<BR><BR>It DOES happen to people. And if someone is fearful of going to Cancun or somewhere else in Mexico, then they shouldn't go. I for one will NEVER go to Mexico again. All of our bodies are different and some of us have weaker stomachs then the rest.<BR><BR>True...people do get sick here in the US, but why is it that soooo many more get sick on their vacation in Mexico?<BR><BR>Open up your eyes Nancy, and quit speaking for the general public!!<BR><BR>Samantha<BR> By all means go. I truly<BR> believe half of the people<BR> who spread rumors about<BR> getting sick in Mexico<BR> either:<BR> 1.) Have never been.<BR> 2.) Know someone who<BR> knows someone whose<BR> cousin got sick. Getting<BR> sick in Mexico is truly an<BR> urban legend. Sure, it<BR> does happen, but you can<BR> also get sick in your<BR> hometown.<BR> If you follow the great<BR> advice you have gotten<BR> from the knowledgable<BR> posters (the ones who<BR> have actually BEEN to<BR> Mexico), you are<BR> extremely unlikely to get<BR> ill.<BR> As one poster pointed<BR> out, even if something<BR> does get you, Immodium<BR> will stop it in its tracks. <BR> Go have fun!

Sheila: By all means go! My first trip to a warm climate was Playa del Carmen, Mexico (haven't even been to FL yet). As long as you take just a few precautions, you'll be fine.<BR><BR>The sea is perfectly fine for swimming, with or without cuts.<BR><BR>If you're staying at a resort, all food and beverages should be fine but do brush your teeth with bottled water which they should provide.<BR><BR>Outside the resort, just to be sure, stay away from fresh fruits and vegetables. Never drink anything with crushed ice (margaritas) or with cubed ice. The "good" ice is the tublar-looking kind. (At least this was the case when I was there a couple of years ago). <BR><BR>I know it sounds overwheming now but it's basic stuff that will come to you naturally once you get there. I loved Mexico, even with these little glitches, and can't wait to go back. If you can stay healthy, you'll have an awesome time I'm sure.