I guess I sound like a pansy with all these worries. Maybe Aruba would be a better choice. I have been to Florida, Maui and California and just wanted to try something different since we were being invited and the room would be free. Our friends are using their timeshare and invited us along. I was cursed with a weak stomach and immune system so I have to be careful. Thanks for all the good advice.

If you are that uptight about the stomach, better stay home. Have been to Mexico many times with no problems but am careful. I eat the salads, the veggies and all the rest. Many people get sick but do so at many places. Change of climate, those awful buffets where food sits out in the hot weather for hours and people pick over it, the change of diet, all the fruit and fruit drinks and overindulging are many of the reasons people do get sick along with those who pick up infections from many sources. Those all inclusives where people have more alcohol in the blood than oxygen are probably the major reason people get sick. Go with caution. All resort areas are well aware that the NorteAmericano stomach is not used to the same baterica and are very accmodating. If you scrape your leg on coral while snorkling you can get one heck of an infection. If you cross a street you can get hit by a car. Stay home if you are that uncomfortable traveling (and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way!) To enjoy things, you have to take a risk or two or three.

Jackeline-<BR><BR>You "Mexican crazed people" need to be considerate of people who are smart enough not to go to Mexico on there vacation.<BR><BR>It is people like us who would rather go to an island that you can drink the water. <BR><BR>Mexico is for cheap people who can't afford a "real" vacation like Aruba.<BR><BR>So good ahead...go to Mexico, but don't try to persuade someone from traveling at all.<BR><BR>Sammy

Oh please. Discourage Mexico and encourage Aruba? That island is nothing more than a Miami Beach or Las Vagas transplanted to the Caribbean. No character, no charm, no history. least from Cancun you can get away from the commerical strip and enjoy some local culture and people. Aruba and Mexico are both inexpensive. Aruba because of the timeshares and the kind of people it attracts (or is the other way round?) with the booze cruises and drinking morning til nite and in Mexico the cost of living is much lower making it a great destination with lots of variety. No comparison, my friend.

I'd go back to Mexico even if it wasn't cheap. I liked it that much.

Samantha. If you read the posts on the board, you will find that the people who give the advice to go - including myself - are travelers who have been going all over Mexico for many years and have:<BR>1.) Never had a problem<BR>2.) Found smart ways to avoid having problems<BR>3.) Found easy ways to counter any problems they may have had<BR>As you yourself said, "this forum is to help make people make accurate travel decisions" You are correct, it is for people who can help allay unreasonable fears others may have for travelling by making helpful suggestions on how to avoid an unpleasant POSSIBILITY that is true of travel in many foreign countries.<BR>(By the way, thanks for posting my response again - maybe more people will get to read it!)