How to NOT get sick in Mexico
How to NOT get sick in Mexico
Updated April 7, 2022
If you want to avoid food poisoning in Mexico (and getting sick in general), I’m here for you. Mexico is my favorite country in the world and it’s my absolute favorite place to eat. I can’t afford to miss out on all of its incredible food, beaches, ruins, museums, or mountains so it was imperative I learn how to avoid Mexico food poisoning.
I love the country so much that I began leading Day of the Dead group tours in Mexico and helping solo travelers plan their own Mexican adventures about five years ago. I’m proud to say that none of my clients have ever gotten sick during their travels but I always encourage them to bring a water filter and electrolyte tabs just in case.
Like many countries, Mexican food, climate, and friendly bug populations can put a damper on vacation. Follow the steps below to ensure a safe, fun trip, complete with plenty of tacos and tequila!
Enjoying a huarache in Mexico City
Nobody has gotten sick on my Mexico group tours
Skinned-knee but diarrhea-free, waterfall jumping in San Luis Potosi
Mexico Food Poisoning
Food poisoning in Mexico is definitely a real thing and I’ve suffered from it more times than I can count. To avoid picking up a Mexico stomach bug, understand that, contrary to common belief, it’s not as simple as washing your hands and avoiding street food. A lot of street food in Mexico is very safe to eat. Similarly, some brick-and-mortar restaurants may be unsafe. Even if you wash your hands, if the cooks didn’t, you’ll have a problem. Even if you take all the necessary precautions in restaurants and take an intestinal support pill (like I do), you may still pick up a Mexico stomach bug if you accidentally drink a glass of tap water. Read on to learn more about food poisoning in Mexico and some non-food related contributors to sickness. After all, so called “Mexico Sickness” is not just about what you eat, but it’s also related to heat, alcohol, and bugs.
Jungle Diarrhea: My Personal Experience Getting Sick in Mexico
During my first trip to Mexico in 2000 (thank you, high school Spanish Club!), I suffered from heat stroke in Acapulco and had to spend my last day of the trip in the hotel room, nauseous and badly sunburned. When I went back in 2002, I ordered a gigantic meaty sandwich from a street cart just before boarding my plane home, then spent the next week in the bathroom regretting it. I went vegetarian shortly after but that didn’t stop me from eating meat-free meals from questionable sources.
On a road trip through San Luis Potosi in 2015, I sampled a Mexican friend’s tamarind juice at a street festival. It was delicious so I ordered one for myself. Then I ordered another. I woke up the next morning, dizzy and sweaty while my local friend experienced no symptoms. We only had a few days left in the region so I proceeded to go hiking through Aztec ruins in the jungle, looking for dense foliage to duck behind and squat. I laid low at our campsite for a couple days, having to hop on rocks to cross a river at night to get to the bathroom, praying to make it all the way to the toilet and hoping that the night security guard wouldn’t be standing close enough to hear me in the bathroom. He was. After a couple days, I went on a waterfall jumping tour and thanked God that I didn’t have any accidents. Can you imagine some aspiring Youtube celebrity with a GoPro catching me underwater pooping myself? That is NOT how I want people to learn about my Mexico City group tours!
After a whale-watching hitchhiking road trip through Baja California in 2016, I enjoyed a torta sandwich at a street food cart in Mexico City before boarding a plane to Havana to attend President Obama’s inaugural visit to Cuba. I was dizzy during the flight; had to lie down on the ground outside the airport for two hours, as Obama’s arrival had closed down the freeways; and I was so sick that I couldn’t leave the house all week. I had to watch all the action from a staticky black and white TV in between shuffling to/from the bathroom. I’d like to say I made it all the way to bathroom every time but I’m not sure that would be entirely true. My friend nearly reported me to immigration, fearing I had Zica, then was convinced I had a problem with my ovaries. Later, she was certain I had appendicitis. As it turns out, as I would learn from the medic station at the Rolling Stones’ Havana concert, it was just really bad food poisoning in Mexico. By the way, there were no bathrooms at the concert so I had to walk around the neighborhood, knocking on doors and asking strangers to let me in.
Since then, I’ve learned how to avoid getting sick in Mexico and haven’t had any further incidences. Furthermore, I’m very happy to say that nobody on any of my group trips to Mexico has gotten sick.
Tacos, the perfect snack, can be safe to eat in Mexico
Esquites, street corn served with mayonnaise, lime & chile
Food is typically safer in restaurants catering to tourists
Mexican Street Food Safety
Mexico has some of the best street food in the world. Mexican street food is world famous for good reason but it’s also known to cause Montezuma’s Revenge. As a long-time street food connoisseur myself, I would NEVER tell anyone to avoid street food altogether, unless that person has minimal travel experience and an extremely sensitive stomach. That said, there are a few basic warning signs to look for among Mexican street food vendors. To avoid food poisoning in Mexico, bypass food stalls with the following red flags:
The same person handles raw meat and fresh veggies/tortillas
The same person handles food and money
There is nowhere for the cook/vendor to wash their hands
Food (raw meat, in particular) sits in the open air/sun for extended periods
Preventative Measures
As basic as it sounds, hand washing is a simple way to avoid getting sick while traveling. If soap and water aren’t available (and they often aren’t), be sure to have antibacterial hand sanitizer with you. Many street food stalls in Mexico have a large container of hand sanitizer for customers to use.
If you have a sensitive stomach, certain probiotic pills can help build up your gut health and decrease your chance of getting sick. My nutritionist recommended to me her favorite “intestinal support” pills. She told me that for best results, I should begin taking them a week BEFORE the trip then continue taking daily while traveling. You may also want to pack anti-diarrhea medicine, such as Imodium, and speak to your doctor about a prescribed antibiotic to keep on hand in the event of serious illness.
Do NOT Drink the Water in Mexico
Tap water in Mexico is NOT safe to drink. You may see some locals drinking it but that does not mean that it is safe for travelers that are not accustomed to it. What some visitors may interpret as “Mexico food poisoning” may actually be from drinking tap water.
Fine dining restaurants and establishments catering to tourists typically use bottled water in ice cubes and drinks but it’s a good idea to verify with your server or bartender. Be especially cautious of fresh juices, which are often fresh juice blended with water. This is particularly the case at street food juice stalls, though I’ve drunk gallons upon gallons of street juice since many stalls do use bottled water.
Filtered or bottled water is the safest way to go. However, when purchasing bottled water from street vendors, DO NOT let the vendor twist off the cap, as it’s possible they’re trying to sell bottles that have been re-filled with tap water. This problem is not rampant but it does exist in Mexico and many other countries. Always confirm the bottle cap is properly sealed and twist it off yourself.
Though some people advise using bottled water to brush your teeth in Mexico, I’ve never experienced a problem brushing with tap water (nor have dozens of people on my Mexico group tours). Just be sure to not swallow the water that you use to brush.
Want to help the environment and avoid bottled water altogether? Try a reusable water bottle with a filter. My favorite water filter can be found in my travel store and is featured in the video below. It got me through a three-week trip to Mexico, plus four months in Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, and Malaysia! I’ve also used it during several months of travels in Egypt, Palestine, and Jordan.
Raw Fruits and Veggies
Be careful when it comes to salads and fruit. Raw fruits and vegetables may or may not have been washed with purified water and in some cases, they may not have been washed at all. When in doubt, douse your food with fresh lime juice. Lime wedges are ALWAYS served with food in both restaurants and food stalls and the juice helps kill bacteria. To be extra safe, stick to fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas and mangoes. Prepared fruit (such as sliced guava, papaya, and pineapple) may look delicious, but you don't know how clean the preparer's hands were or how long the fruit has been sitting out in the sun, exposed to insects and airborne bacteria.
Spicy Food Gone Wrong
Spicy food may be the essence of Mexican cooking but it’s not for everyone. Note that green sauces are often the hottest (and most flavorful!) so don’t be fooled by what looks like a cool avocado sauce. Also note that some sauces, especially on street carts, may be prepared using tap water. If you’re suspicious and can’t confirm, it’s best to opt for a squeeze of fresh lime juice, a scoop of pico de gallo (fresh, chunky salsa), and/or a whole jalapeno.
Sunstroke and Heat Exhaustion
Heatstroke (sunstroke) is real and it can totally ruin your vacation. During my first trip to Mexico in the summer of 2000, I got too excited about the sunny beaches in Acapulco and wound up spending two days passed out in my hotel room nauseous and with a terrible headache (not to mention a serious sunburn).
Sunstroke is most common in summer months, when temperatures are at their highest, and/or in conjunction with strenuous physically activity such as hiking through Mexican jungles - with our without jungle diarrhea :) - and climbing Mayan ruins. Per the Mayo Clinic, if you feel you’re suffering from heatstroke, get in the shade, remove excess clothes, cool your body (ice, water, fans), and seek medical help.
If you’re too exhausted to walk home, take an Uber. It’s in many Mexican cities, it’s safe, and you can even save on your first few rides with my Uber discount code.
Juices/smoothies are often made with tap water
Fun, colorful market picture for no reason :)
Typical meaty Mexican street food selection
Eating Meat in Mexico
I’m vegan and lead Vegan Mexico City tours - what the heck do I know about eating meat in Mexico? Well, I began traveling to Mexico as a happy (and extremely naive) meat eater in 2000, enthusiastically scarfing down Cubano sandwiches from every street cart in sight. Mexican Cubano sandwiches are nothing like actual Cuban food (where spaghetti, pizza, and mustard are oddly popular), and are loaded with astounding amounts of ham, pork, sausage, cheese, and mystery meat. You would think that several days in the bathroom would have taught me my lesson but questionable meaty tacos on my next trip also resulted in additional quality time on the toilet.
If you’re going to eat meat in Mexico, avoid eating it rare. Opt for medium-well done, even in nice restaurants. Found a cute shack on a non-touristy beach offering fresh grilled fish and ceviche? Know that seafood is particularly dangerous and should be completely avoided at street food stalls and restaurants that don’t have proper refrigeration. Follow the street food safety tips above and take special note of meat left out in the sun/air all day.
Alcohol and Overeating
While tainted tap water may be an easy scapegoat for sickness, certain bouts of illness can actually be attributed to over-indulging in alcohol and food. Rich, salty, or spicy foods and alcohol can dehydrate you so it’s extra important to stay hydrated (with filtered or bottled water). Sip water throughout the day and alternate alcohol with water during a boozy night out. A pinch of salt and a bit of lime in water can work wonders for hydration and can help you avoid missing a day of fun due to a self-induced headache.
Enjoy alcoholic drinks in Mexico, just not too much
Enjoy street food in Mexico, just take precautions
Take precautions in mosquito-prone areas
Insect-borne Diseases
Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas all exist in Mexico but fortunately, they are rare, especially in large cities and resort areas. If you’re heading to rural areas, you’ll want to reduce risk by covering up (long sleeves and pants) and using strong bug repellent. The higher the percentage of the active ingredient, the stronger the protection.
Zika has been recorded in parts of Mexico so the CDC recommends that pregnant women avoid Mexico entirely. Malaria has also been recorded in Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Durango and Narayit along the Pacific Coast and Chiapas, Campeche, and Tabasco in the south. Dengue fever is endemic in Tabasco, Jalisco, Guanajuato and Quintana Roo, with increased risk along both coasts, including Baja California. Peak season is during the rainy months of July through October.
Vaccinations for Mexico
See your doctor to make sure you’re up-to-date with all routine vaccinations, such as: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and polio. Additionally, the following vaccinations are recommended for travelers to Mexico:
Typhoid
Hepatitis A
Rabies (Recommended for travelers who plan to spend time with animals in rural locations, where animal bites are a risk.)
Malaria (Recommended for travelers who plan to visit Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Durango, Narayit, Chiapas, Campeche, and Tabasco)
Join a Day of the Dead tour to Mexico City
Travel Insurance
If you’ve read my post Why You Should Buy Travel Insurance, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of travel insurance, and of World Nomads, in particular. Travel insurance is an important part of any trip abroad and could come in very handy if things in Mexico don’t go exactly as planned.
Share Your Own Travel Stories
I’d love to hear about your own experience traveling to Mexico or other countries where food safety is a concern. Do you have any tips and tricks you’d like to share? Please leave a comment below!
Also check out these tips traveling to Mexico for the first time!
AirBnBs in Mexico
Like most developed countries, Mexico has loads of AirBnBs to stay in. Granted, while AirBnB does have its ethical issues as a company, it’s usually a safe and convenient option for travelers. If you’re new to AirBnB, you can redeem my $40 discount code when you are create a new account with AirBnB. Some of my favorite cities in Mexico are Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Puebla and all have AMAZING food.
Packing for Mexico
I’m currently working on a separate article about how to pack for a trip to Mexico but know that you should bring lots of sunblock and wear sun-protective clothing. It’s cool in the winter and can get quite cold overnight so you’ll want to pack layers. I tend toward breathable products that are multi-purpose. You can find a list and description of my favorite products in my Travel Store.
