"Precautions" during a vacation to Mexico?

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afrhscott6055

Yes you drink bottled water. No big deal, it is everywhere.
Be careful with the food's preparation, stale cooking oil will make you sick.
You did not say how old your best friend is. If you go to the interior, and the person is less than 18 years of age, the adult must have a notarized permission signed by BOTH parents.
If you are going to be drinking alcohol, take the same precautions for staying safe.
Now the good news: You will really enjoy yourself.

well it's hardly a hugely difficult precaution to drink bottled water and yes, you should. why take a chance? other than that, no your way around, don't stay out too late (one thing is public transportation stops), be safe like you would in any big city.

Tangent

I went on a 10 day cruise from LA to Acapulco to Extapa to Puerto Vallarta to Cabo and back... That was the greatest vacation I have EVER had. Especially in Acapulco.

I wouldn't be too worried about the water. Think about it... About 70% of the population is in poverty. Do you think these people can afford to BUY bottles of water throughout their life??? But it might make your GF feel better if you bring water with you, so do it for her.

Just stay in the common areas, where most tourists go. Don't try to venture out for an experience. Like any other city, there are good places and there are bad places.

The problem is, the only time you read about Mexico is when there is something bad going on.

As for us... We went on a 2 hour horse back ride in Acapulco, through a rural town. Then that evening, we were escorted by a local tour guide (hired by the cruise line) through several bars where we actually stumbled back to the ship somewhere around 2:00am, and we also spent the entire day on a Jeep tour through the back roads of Puerto Vallarta. So like I said, just stay with the groups and you will have a freakin' great time.

ghost

Cancun has more Gringo's than Mexicans. I'd drink the bottled water. It will prevent Montezuma revenge.

Ash

WEll I've been in MExico in Acapulco with my family and we had a great vacation there. Yes everybody is right about drinking water and street food especially if you don't eat street foods.

YoMera

I'm in Mexico every few weeks, and while it's true that you cannot drink the water from the tap, there is no problem drinking non-bottled water or having ice in your drinks in restaurants since they all use purified water (even Mexicans don't drink water from the tap!) Some people even use bottled water to brush their teeth, but I use tap water and am just careful not to swallow any. Some people suggest steering clear of fruits and vegetables that haven't been peeled, but again I've never had a problem. I also eat at taco stands and haven't had a problem with that. However, if you stick to restaurants in the tourist area, you'll have no problem whatsoever. Mexican food is great...don't shy away from anything! By the way, Cancun is the most touristy city I've ever visited in Mexico, so you really have nothing to worry about.

Lola

you just need to be careful because they use different spices that your stomach may not be used to but it wont kill you
just give you a tummy ache

Independ"ant"

Well in Cancun you really won't experience much of the real culture of the country. Its like Forida but with more of a hispanic flair. Everyone speaks english and you'll meet more Canadian/US citizens there, than Mexicans. I would suggest bottled water and definitely don't use ice in your drinks. I mistakenly used ice and crapped my pants within 45 minutes but that was 20 yrs ago. Some people can handle the different bacteria but most foreigner's systems can't.
Im not sure how they filter the water in hotels now. When I used to go there they only had 4 large hotels and the sewage from the hotels where pumped into the ocean at night right where people used to swim. While walking on the beach near the ocean edge, if you notice underground pipes going into the ocean, than the hotel is flushing waste into the water.
As far as street vendors go....it depends on the vendor. More people get sick at the hotels because they don't cook the food as thoroughly as the vendors, hotels cater to foreigners desire for undercooked meat and such. The problem with vendors anywhere in the world is how they store the food before they cook it. Ive personally never had a problem eating at them but stick to the tamales and stuff that doesn't spoil easily.
The beaches are beautiful when they keep on top of clearing out the seaweed and if there isn't alot of sand erosion from storms.
WEAR tanning lotion with a High SPF so you don't get burned. Many idiots go there, get smoked their first day and are in pain the rest of their vacation as well as developing melanoma 10 yrs later. Don't kid yourself and say "I tan easily"...you'll burn...even Mexicans living there wear sunblock.
Remember moderation...sun as well as liquor...food poisoning is 3rd on the list as for posionous problems to worry about for most tourist.

lksproodle51

You will care about the water if you get sick and it ruins your vacation-Bottled Name brand water only and don't eat any food from street vendors.

gamerunner2001

Listen, drink bottled water period! The locals do it so that should be a strong indication of why you should as well. Eat at established restaurants that make it clear that they wash lettuce in purified water, not tap. Common sense, don't stop at every street vendor and buy a B.B.Q pig sandwich that was chopped on a wooden block that hasn't seen the sight of soap or water in years. If you do get the "Squirts" try Lomotil, available at the Farmacia's or if you find yourself sick buy some Kaomycin, a liquid like sulfa med that won't keep you out of the sun and within a couple days will rid you of any nasty little "Rata's"..
Do not go to a Farmacia and complain of being sick, they love to sell you the most expensive and strongest antibiotic available. CIPRO, that's the stuff they recommend if we get exposed to Anthrax, readily available but really not for the little bugs that you can pick up in Mexico..
Have fun, life is about exploring and trying new things, go for it...

Rinky Dink

stay away from the peyote

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