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Drinking Water in Mexico and
Avoiding Illness on your Mexico Vacation
Don’t ruin your Mexico vacation constantly
worrying about getting sick! Drinking water in Mexico and eating at local
restaurants requires a few cautions and common sense!
You hear it all the time " don't drink the water in Mexico. "
Stories about “Montezuma’s revenge” abound. While this can and does
happen, if you use common sense, and follow some simple guidelines,
you should be able to minimize trouble drinking water in Mexico and
avoiding illness.
All major hotels, resorts and restaurants have water purification
systems and use purified ice. You can drink the tap water and
yes, you can brush your teeth in it.
A large part of Mexico’s economy is tourism. They don’t want you to
get ill; they want you to come back again and again.
Now, if you are like my wife and I, we enjoy getting out and about
and sampling the cuisine at local café’s and eateries. I sure don't
want to jinx ourselves, but so far on every Mexico vacation, by
following a few simple precautions, we have avoided problems.
When
dining off the beaten path:
• Ask for, or buy bottled water. Ask to
open the bottle yourself, or
if the waiter opens it, listen for the plastic “click, or snap” of
the lid opening. If you don’t hear it, ask for another and open it
yourself. Some smaller establishments may refill a bottle from their
faucet and make you think you are getting bottled water.
• Drink beer or bottled beverages. Avoid drinks with ice in them.
• Avoid raw vegetables such as salads (may be washed in water).
Cooked is OK - as are larger restaurants and hotels/resorts.
And of course, there is no substitute for common sense:
• Take it easy the first few days. Ease into local eating and
drinking habits.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids. Drinking
the amount of water in Mexico
should follow your normal habits at home, or MORE, because or higher
temperatures and humidity. Don't become dehydrated!
• Always wash your hands before eating (you do this at home, right).
• Use caution, or avoid eating from open-air food stands. • Take
along Pepto-Bismol and/or Imodium (anti-diarrhea) tablets, just in
case.
• And last but not least - Respect the almighty Tequila God. Don’t
blame the partying and alcohol for your woes!
If you have a problem, Mexico has pharmacies (farmacias) which
dispense prescription drugs, without prescriptions. Most pharmacists
are very helpful and knowledgeable of your medical concerns and can
recommend something for you. However be aware that drugs may be sold
without the customary warnings as to side effects.
Heed this simple advice and your Mexico vacation should be healthy
and trouble-free.
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