Here are a few tips to help avoid illness.
#1 wash your hands often with antibacterial soap,or wipes, especailly before eating.
Large resorts and hotels in Cancun's Hotel Zone advertise purified water. Most do have their own water purification systems in the hotels, but remember a system is only as good as it's upkeep. You will hear from many people who drink the tap water at their hotel with no problems, and others who have become sick. To be safe, we never drink from the tap and also use bottled water for teeth brushing. Why risk it?
Ice is normally purchased from the bottled water companies, so go ahead and have that margarita.
Don't sing in the shower :) Try not to swallow water, from the shower.
Very Important
Drink plenty of bottled water to prevent dehydration
So many great new things to try! Just don't over-do it, that goes for all those yummy tropical drinks and that ever-flowing cold cerveza too. I know, it's an All-Inclusive and you want to get your money's worth, but pace yourself! Most of you don't start drinking alcohol at 10 AM at home do you? Your poor body will be in shock:)
Salads, they are a bit on the risky side, many hotels probably wash uncooked produce in purified water or a special solution to kill bacteria, but this isn't guaranteed.
Fruits, peeled fruits like banannas, melons, pineapple are wonderful, go for it! and don't forget the wonderful fresh squeezed juices.
Seafood, heavenly! Take it easy on the butter that comes with that lobster, too much of that rich stuff will definitely do a number on the tummy. If you don't care, then go for it, it's sooo good!! :)
Meat & Chicken, good, but many places won't have the quality you're used to in the U.S.. Several of the chain restaurants import their meat from the states. If you order a hamburger, make sure it is cooked well, to ask for something to be cooked well done, ask for it "bien cocida"
Veggies, I know you're on vacation and you don't want to eat your veggies, but do it, they are wonderful! Usually steamed...yum!
Pasta, can't really go wrong here, many wonderful Italian restaurants in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
Important tips, that lime they serve with almost everything you order, use it, squeeze it on your meat, veggies, and seafood. Our local Mexican friends tell us the acid in the lime will help keep any bacteria in balance.
Another great preventitive is Acidophilus, many people swear by taking an acidophilus supplement about a week before their trip and continue taking it during their stay helps keep the travelers diarrhea away. Never take an antibiotic as a preventitive, taking antibiotics when you do not have a bacterial infection is dangerous to your health. Taking antibiotics when they are not necessary is what causes "super bugs". If you become ill on your vacation definitely see a doctor.
Sun, the sun is very strong, don't forget your sunscreen, fair complected people should use at least a 15 spf. I know, you have one week to get the best tan of your life and go back home and make all your friends jealous. It's not worth that nasty burn that will risk your health and make you miserable on vacation, tan wisely :) The snorkel parks, like Xel-Ha, Xcaret request eco-safe sunscreen only to protect the reef anf fishies you will be swimming with. They will give you small tubes for free at the park, but for many people this is not enough. You can purcahse additional sunscreen at the park, or you can buy it before you go to Mexico. We recommend Caribbean-Sol
or Batab sold by Entertainment-Plus.
Mosquitoes, in the Cancun Hotel Zone mosquitoes won't be a problem. If you are going on a tour inland, like Chichen-Itza, or someplace like Hidden Worlds, anywhere away from the water you should take aalong some insect repellant. A brand I have purchased in Mexico that works well is called Autan and you can buy it at most pharmacies.
Sea Lice, actually jellyfish larvae, also called agua mala, can be a problem late April through June, (we spend alot of time there in June and have never experienced this, just lucky I guess) Rinse off after coming out of the ocean. Be sure to rinse your bathing suit out well also. If you do get the rash go to a local pharmacy and they will give you a cortisone type cream to help stop the itch. A very good product you can buy to protect yourself is called Safe Sea
Copied from U.S. Customs website
Prescription medications should be in their Original containers, it is advised that you travel with no more than personal use quantities, a rule of thumb is no more than a 60 day supply. If medications or devices are not in their original containers, you should have a copy of your prescription with you. Medicinal purchases that you make abroad may be subject to FDA restrictions, which are detailed on our web site.
From the U.S. dial 011-52-998, then the number
U.S. Consulate
located at Plaza Caracol
phone number 883-0272
Canadian Consulate
located at Plaza Caracol
phone number 883-3360
Hospital
We recommend Hospiten 8881-3700
Police
Emergency Dial 066
