Upset stomachs etc
 

I am taking my family to Mexico (Cancun)for the first time and very concerned with the water supply. Is it safe to eat away from the hotels and resorts. Are you risking it to eat downtown Cancun. I have two small children and treating "the bug" would not be easy.

I would just go to your local pharmacy and stock up before you leave. If in doubt don't eat or drink. Bring bottled water. Have fun.

I don't think you'll have any problems, but of course it's best to be prepared. Encourage the kids to wash their hands often, and carry lots of handi-wipes with you. Kids usually have a more sensitive tummy anyway and eating the spicier food might be a bigger source of an upset tummy. The tourist places, like Carlos and Charlies etc. all have purified water. It's the "little hole in the walls" or street stands to be wary of.<BR>If in doubt, order bottled cokes etc.<BR>You can get over-the-counter antibiodics easily down there, but it wouldn't hurt to bring along some imodium etc. Also, your hotel should have a doctor on call, and don't hesitate to use him immediately if one of you shouldn't feel well. We've been to Cancun 3 times, never been sick, and to PV probably 25 times - and the one time my husband got ill, the hotel doctor gave him a shot and it helped immediately.<BR>Bottled water is inexpensive and easily purchased anywhere.<BR>Enjoy your trip!

definately stock up on diahrea tablets. We went to Cancun in August for 2 weeks, had the best holiday ever but the worse runs. We stayed at the El Pueblito Hotel which was clean, food was okay but I think that with the heat and the change in diet you have to be extra careful.

We took a 2 year old Grandchild to Playa del Carmen 2 years ago.<BR>We had not problems. Of 6 of us, only her daddy got sick. He blamed Chili Rellano, I blamed a mixture of Tequila and Beer. I gave him an Imodium and he was fine the next day.<BR>All hotels and major resturants have purified water. Do not eat or drink from street vendors and when outside the hotel use only bottled water.

One tablet of Acidophilus (dried yogurt)taken 3 times daily keeps your good bugs from being outnumbered by Cancuns good bugs.<BR>Remember that fresh fruits and juices are natural laxatives. Pina Coladas are particullarily effective.

Do like many Mexicans do- drink one of the little bottles of yougurt drink, i.e. Yakult, each day. These are fulll active bacteria that is good for your intestinal tract. In my experience this had been really helpful in keeping my stomach happy on many, many trips to Mexico. Bascially the more yogurt the better.

Stock up on the imodium amigo. I was taking two tabs a days and still going once a day.

I am in Mexico often and have rarely had any problems. I am somewhat careful but mostly just use common sense and eat most anything I want.<BR>In case of a real problem, Lomotil is available everywhere, over the counter.<BR>(a prescrition in the U.S.) One or two of these pills works wonders.