The wife and I have been to Cancun three times now and have never taken any antibiotics or any other meds and have never gotten sick. Guess it doesnt hurt to have something like pepto bismol on hand though.

: Over the past 3 years we have always taken a preventative
: antibiotic before and during our stay in Mexico and
: have never had any problems getting sick. We are going
: in Feb. for a week staying at Xpu-Ha Palace Resort and
: I am thinking about not taking an antibiotic
: beforehand but to have it on hand in case we need it.
: Has anyone had any problems in this area with being
: sick? We will also be doing the all day snorkeling
: trip to Nohoch Nah Chich one day and visiting Xel-Ha
: another day. Thanks!

In all the 13 years that I have been going to Cancun it has always been the foods that people are not use to that is the problem. Your system takes time to absorb the different spices and other ingredients that we are not accustomed to. So stay with the basic foods for a few days then fold the other items that you are not use to after a short period. The water in the hotels is not problem. hopes this helps.

If you take an antibiotic as a preventative measure, you are contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Just use lime--I was there last summer and got the wonderful illness. The waitresses gave me coke with lime juice in a 12 oz. glass and told me to sip it.."you will be better like that!". It worked!!!

Taking a "Preventative Antibiotic" is a very dangerous habit. For anyone else reading this, preventaive antibiotics not only contribute to resistant strains of disease, but when you actually really need them, they might not work for you any more. Please, if you have any questions, speak with your physician. Self medicating is a very dangerous habit...for you, and for everybody else as well.

Put fresh lime on your fruit plate at breakfast, on your tacos, in your drinks. Locals do it for a reason and it tastes good as well.

Really works, good advice Susan

mh

: Taking a "Preventative Antibiotic" is a very
: dangerous habit. For anyone else reading this,
: preventaive antibiotics not only contribute to
: resistant strains of disease, but when you actually
: really need them, they might not work for you any
: more. Please, if you have any questions, speak with
: your physician. Self medicating is a very
: dangerous habit...for you, and for everybody else as
: well.

That is so true, there are quite a few drug resistant viruses because of it and if doctors and the average person continues to prescribe and take them we will not have a defense.

It's good that you aren't taking antibiotics for preventative measures, but if you do happen to get sick while you are there (and I know quite a few people who have), I've heard Cipro is the one to have around.

If the other measures mentioned here don't work, you can try this. After I've paid a large sum of money to go on vacation, I quite frankly don't want to spend the time sick. There is nothing wrong with taking medicine if you are legitimately ill.

Its not the food that will drag you down. Its the dehydration (alcohol consumption contributes to the problem)
A very dear friend suggested Grape Pedialite. I drink a glass each morning and night I am on Isla.

I was told that taking acidophilus tablets a couple of weeks before I go at the end of August and then twice a day while there should really help with getting anything while in Cancun. It's suppose to put good bacteria in your system and help prevent bad bacteria from doing much harm. Taking this is better than an antibiotic, because this won't cause your system to become resistant to the antibiotic.

I will also be taking pepto and such with us just incase.

I agree with the water. On my trip in May of last year I went with a friend and his family to Isla Mujeres, with out making a long story, After spending most of the day traveling to the Island, and on the Island. Eating very little execpt a jalapeno and other stuff while having beer here and there. Then getting back to the resort and drinking a lot with very little water. I went to my room to change when I got there my tum-tum started to do back flips, needless to say I spent that night in bed.
After that I made sure I drank water while drinking and I made sure I also drank stuff with ice in it. Didn't really have a problem after that.

Your problem was probably caused by the booze, but...

I love Isla Mujeres. It's my favorite place in the whole world. Fact is, though, that drinking the tap water there can do really bad stuff to our insides. I recommend that no-one allow Isla tap water to reach their lips - not even when brushing teeth. Please remember, this comes from a guy who loves this wonderful island... but that tap water can make you miserable.