Mexico is a beautiful country with a vibrant food culture. However, travellers often fall sick due to the difference in bacteria in the water and food. The term Montezuma's Revenge has become a blanket term for diseases one can acquire in Mexico from tap water. To avoid this, it is imperative to never drink tap water and only drink from sealed bottles. It is also advisable to avoid ice in drinks, fruit juices that are not freshly squeezed, and food that has not been thoroughly cooked. Salads, smoothies, and raw produce should be avoided, as they may be washed with tap water. It is also important to wash your hands frequently and carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Tap water | Avoid drinking tap water, brushing teeth with tap water, or eating food washed with tap water |
Street food | Avoid, unless it's popular with locals |
Raw seafood, undercooked eggs, and rare meat | Avoid |
Unwashed produce | Avoid |
Salads and smoothies | Avoid |
Fruits | Safe to eat if you peel them yourself |
Ice | Avoid |
Fruit juices | Only drink if freshly squeezed |
Spicy food | Be cautious |
Sunstroke | Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and seek medical help if you experience symptoms |
What You'll Learn
Avoid tap water
Drinking tap water in Mexico is a surefire way to ruin your trip. The term "Montezuma's Revenge" has become a blanket term for diseases that one can acquire in Mexico from drinking tap water. The water in Mexico has bacteria that differ from what people may have immunity to in their home countries, so even slight exposure could be dangerous. Being fully vaccinated is not enough to prevent illnesses like typhoid, which can be contracted from unclean water.
Drinking or using unclean water will almost always make you sick and may even cause unpleasant symptoms like high fevers, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, tremors or chills, vertigo, and other uncomfortable, dangerous things. Each year, thousands of travellers are struck down with violent food poisoning in Mexico. However, travellers can almost always avoid these illnesses by taking the proper precautions.
Never drink tap water. Never eat things washed with tap water (fruits, vegetables, ice made with tap water, etc.). Do not accept ice in your drinks, as it is likely made with tap water unless you are staying in a high-end resort. Request your drinks "sin hielo" (without ice). Do not drink fruit juices unless they are freshly squeezed, as they may have been reconstituted with tap water. Only ever use bottled water to brush your teeth.
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Be cautious of street food
Street food is a staple of Mexican culture, and it would be a shame to miss out on it. However, it is important to be cautious when consuming street food to avoid foodborne illnesses. Here are some tips to help you enjoy street food in Mexico without compromising your health:
- Look for busy stands with long lines: Long lines usually indicate that the food is not only delicious but also safe to eat. Locals know which places are good and safe, and a high turnover of customers means the food is less likely to spoil.
- Check for proper hygiene practices: Ensure that the person handling the food is not also handling money. Look for stands with at least two employees, where one person is dedicated to cooking and the other to handling payments. The presence of hand sanitizer is also a good sign.
- Observe the food preparation: Make sure the food is cooked thoroughly, especially meat, seafood, and poultry. Avoid raw foods, including raw salsas, seafood, and undercooked eggs. Opt for hot foods that are served hot and cold foods that are served cold.
- Wash your hands: Remember that your hands are one of the dirtiest parts of your body. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before eating to reduce the risk of transferring bacteria to your mouth.
- Be cautious with beverages: Stick to bottled or canned drinks, as local water in Mexico can cause illnesses like "Montezuma's Revenge." Avoid drinks with ice unless you are certain that the ice is made from filtered water.
- Choose your produce wisely: It is generally recommended to avoid raw fruits and vegetables, especially those that cannot be peeled. If you do choose to eat produce, wash it thoroughly with filtered or bottled water, or use a produce wash.
- Listen to your body: If a particular street food stand has long lines of locals, it is probably safe to eat there. However, remember that locals may have different immunities than you, so use your best judgment. If a place doesn't seem right or the food doesn't look fresh, move on.
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Don't eat unwashed produce
Eating unwashed produce is a surefire way to ruin your trip to Mexico. The tap water in Mexico contains bacteria that differ from what your body may be used to, and even a slight exposure could make you very sick. This is why it is important to avoid eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, or produce with visible dirt on it.
Fruits and vegetables are often washed with tap water, which can make you ill. Even if you are the one peeling the fruit, it is important to ensure that it has been washed with purified water. If you are unsure, it is best to stick to fruits that have a peel, such as bananas, kiwis, and mangos. You can also use bottled water to wash your produce.
In addition, be cautious of prepared fruit, such as sliced fruit that has been sitting out in the sun. It is not always clear how long the fruit has been sitting out or whether the preparer washed their hands, so it is best to avoid this type of produce.
It is also important to be cautious of street food. It can be tempting to try the unique and vibrant dishes prepared by street vendors, but it is impossible to know the sanitary conditions of their cooking and preparation. If you do decide to indulge in street food, opt for stands that have a line of locals, as this may indicate that the food is being prepared safely and is less likely to make you sick.
In summary, to stay safe and healthy during your trip to Mexico, be sure to wash all produce with purified water, avoid produce that may have been washed with tap water, and be cautious of street food and prepared fruits and vegetables. Taking these precautions will help ensure you have a enjoyable and healthy trip.
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Avoid spicy food
Mexico is known for its spicy food, but it's not for everyone. If you're not used to it, it's best to avoid spicy food when travelling to Mexico. Here are some reasons why:
It can be hotter than you expect
Some sauces, especially on street carts, may look harmless, but they can pack a punch. Green sauces, for example, are often the hottest, so don't be fooled by their colour. Always test a small amount first to check you can handle the heat.
It might be prepared with tap water
Some sauces may be prepared using tap water, which can cause illness if you're not used to the local bacteria. If you're unsure, opt for fresh lime juice or pico de gallo (fresh salsa) instead.
It can be dangerous if you have a sensitive stomach
If you have a sensitive stomach, spicy food can irritate your digestive system and cause discomfort. It's best to stick to milder dishes and gradually increase the spice level if you want to challenge yourself.
It can lead to dehydration
Spicy food can be dehydrating, especially in the Mexican climate. It's important to stay hydrated, especially if you're drinking alcohol, so alternate spicy dishes with plenty of water.
It might ruin your enjoyment of other foods
If you're not used to spicy food, eating a lot of it can overwhelm your taste buds and make it harder to appreciate the flavours of milder dishes. Mexico has a diverse cuisine, so it's worth exploring a range of flavours, not just the spicy ones.
Remember, you don't have to avoid spicy food completely, but it's a good idea to be cautious and listen to your body. Start with milder dishes and gradually increase the spice level as you become more accustomed to it. Enjoy the delicious variety of Mexican cuisine, but take it at your own pace!
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Be wary of juices/smoothies
When travelling to Mexico, it's important to be cautious about what you eat and drink to avoid getting sick. One thing to be wary of is juices and smoothies. While it's safe to drink bottled water in Mexico, tap water is not safe to drink and can make you very sick. Even ice made with tap water can be dangerous.
Fresh juices and smoothies may be blended with tap water, so it's best to avoid these unless you know they've been made with purified water. Even in tourist spots and luxury restaurants, it's possible to get sick from juices and smoothies made with tap water. It's always better to be safe than sorry!
If you're unsure about whether the juice or smoothie you're about to drink is safe, ask the vendor or server about the source of the water. In some cases, street vendors may try to sell bottled water that has been refilled with tap water, so it's important to check that the bottle cap is properly sealed and twist it off yourself.
To stay hydrated during your trip to Mexico, stick to sealed bottles of water, and if you're feeling adventurous, try some of the country's famous street food—just be sure to look for vendors with high turnover and good hygiene practices.
Frequently asked questions
The SENASICA office of Mexico prohibits the following foods from entering the country, as they are deemed to present a risk of introducing pests or disease:
- Fresh, dried, or frozen pork
- Fresh, refrigerated, or frozen poultry
- Fresh, refrigerated, or frozen beef
- Balanced food for any species (except for dogs and cats)
- Food with beef, sheep, or goat meat for dogs and cats
- Sandwiches, cakes, hamburgers, pizzas, etc. with unsealed meat and dairy content
- Live fish or turtles
- Live, raw, and dried crustaceans
- Frozen Totoaba (fish)
- Predators of any size
- Hunting trophies
- Insects
- Poppy seeds
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Medication prepared with marijuana or acetylmorphine
To avoid getting sick, it is recommended that you do not eat or drink:
- Tap water
- Food washed with tap water (fruits, vegetables, ice, etc.)
- Food that has not been cooked thoroughly
- Raw seafood, undercooked eggs, and any meat that is not completely cooked
- Unwashed produce or any produce with visible dirt on it
- Salads or smoothies made from produce that has not been washed and dried or is still wet from being washed
- Fruit juices unless they are freshly squeezed
- Street food
It is generally safe to eat food that has been cooked thoroughly. Fruits that you can peel, like bananas, kiwis, and mangos, are okay, as long as you are the one peeling them. It is also safe to eat at reputable restaurants that serve food directly to patrons.
To avoid getting sick, it is important to wash your hands before eating, avoid buffets, and use bottled water to brush your teeth. If you must wash your hands with tap water, be sure to dry your hands thoroughly and follow up with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.