What is Montezuma’s Revenge? And How To Avoid It On Your Next Mexico Vacation
Looking for ways to NOT get sick in Mexico?
You’ve come to the right guide because I’ve been living in Mexico since 2018. Since then, I’ve learned a thing or two (or 86) about how to not get sick in Mexico!
I’ve also both been sick myself, and have witnessed plenty of others who have been sick in Mexico — so I wrote this article to help as many people avoid it as possible.
As all travelers want to know what to do to not get sick, this article will give you all my best tips so that you stay healthy on your vacation.
The tips in this article cover everything you need to know to avoid Mexico water sickness, food poisoning in Mexico, and all the other ways to get sick in Mexico that most travelers aren’t even thinking about.
By the end of this article, you’ll be an expert in how to avoid getting sick in Mexico so that you can have an amazing trip!
But first, let’s answer one thing: what is montezuma’s revenge?
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What is Montezuma’s Revenge?
Known as Montezuma’s Revenge in Mexico, the medical name for this sickness is Traveler’s Diarrhea, or TD for short.
It is generally considered the most common Mexico vacation sickness, and it’s not exclusive to Mexico. That’s right: TD can happen to any traveler in any country.
In fact, TD in India is called Delhi Belly (a play on words using the Indian city of Delhi, pronounced “deli” as in “deli belly”).
In short, be cautious in Mexico, but know that food-borne illness and water-borne illnesses occur everywhere.
How long does Montezuma’s Revenge last?
It will vary from person to person, so there’s no real answer — some people have it for one day, while some get it for 10 days.
What to do if you get sick from water in Mexico?
Go see a doctor immediately — especially if you’re sick in Mexico vomiting or have diarrhea, which can both lead to dehydration.
Later on in the article, you’ll learn about all the inexpensive walk in clinics found in pharmacies all over Mexico, where you can see a doctor fast and cheap.
How can you avoid Montezuma’s Revenge? Here are 5 tips on how NOT to get sick in Mexico
How to NOT Get Sick in Mexico: 5 Tips
1. Don’t Drink the Water in Mexico
No — You can’t drink the water in Mexico straight from the tap, this includes Mexico locals and Mexico visitors.
After Is Mexico safe?, the #2 most asked Mexico travel question seems to be, Can you drink the water in Mexico?
For travelers going to a specific place, like Cancun, you might be wondering, Can you drink the water in Cancun?
Here’s the answer for all Mexico travelers: No, Don’t drink Mexico tap water.
Don’t drink the water in Cancun, not in Mexico City, not in Tulum, not in Cabo San Lucas, not in Playa del Carmen, and not anywhere else in Mexico
Tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink for anyone — not locals and not visitors.
In short, no one drinks straight tap water in Mexico because it can lead to the so-called Mexican Water Sickness.
To make Mexico water safe to drink, you’d have to boil it or use a filterable water bottle like these Water-To-Go Bottles, which we’ll get to more in Tip #2, but here’s a rundown:
For me, I know that my Water-To-Go Bottle has been the #1 way to not get sick in Mexico.
I have been using the one I own to filter my drinking water since moving to Mexico in 2018. 📸 You’ll even see me with my bottle in the photo below!
As not even Mexico locals drink the tap water, it’s pretty easy to avoid unfiltered water while traveling to Mexico.
Since locals don’t want to get sick just as much as you don’t, there will be no instance when someone will be serving or offering tap water.
2. Get a Filterable Water Bottle
Now that you know you should avoid tap water to avoid a Mexico stomach bug, just what do you drink?!
The answer is, bottled water, which is readily available everywhere.
However, there are two things to consider about bottled water in Mexico:
- Not all bottled and filtered water is created equal, and of exceptional quality.
- Single use plastics from disposable water bottles are horrible for the environment.
Enter the Water-To-Go Bottle, a refillable water bottle with a built in filter — and your secret weapons for how to avoid Mexico sickness during travel.
As refillable bottles, they also ensure you’re practicing responsible, sustainable travel in Mexico by avoiding single-use plastics.
3. Don’t Avoid Mexico Street Food (But Be Careful)
In my years living in Mexico, I’ve seen people who only eat in high end restaurants and avoid salads get Montezuma’s Revenge, Mexico diarrhea, etc.
Though millions of people visit Mexico each year, only a small fraction got sick in Mexico, and most people do eat the delicious street food.
While you will see other articles telling you that avoiding street food stands and salads is a surefire way of how to avoid food poisoning in Mexico — this simply isn’t factual.
If it were, Mexico wouldn’t be one of the street food capitals of the world, and no one would be eating salads.
Some tips for choosing the best street food in Mexico?
- Look for long lines: long lines means a good reputation
- Look for taxi cabs: Cab drivers drive around all day, so they can eat anywhere they want — because of this, they also know where all the delicious, inexpensive, hygienic places are.
- Look for two employees: Make sure there are at least two people working, and that the one cooking the food is not the one handling the money.
- Look for hand sanitizer: If you don’t see a bottle of hand sanitizer, skip that stand for one that has some.
- Look at yourself: Remember that your own hands are one of the dirtiest parts of your body, and you’re about to use those to eat!
When possible, wash your hands before eating, and/or use hand sanitizer.
4. Prepare Your Stomach For Mexico
One of the best ways to prepare for Mexico travel is to prep your immune system and strengthen your gut health.
Some common supplements for you to consider include probiotics, Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, elderberry, and other general immune boosters.
👩⚕️ Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor! Please take this as friendly advice; not medical advice.
After a quick Google search, you’ll notice these are some of the more universally-recommended remedies for not getting sick in Mexico.
5. Don’t Pack the Whole Medicine Cabinet
General medicines are easy to get in Mexico, so you don’t have to pack too many over-the-counter meds.
If you need antibiotics or other medications, they tend to be readily available and less expensive than in the U.S. (though you’ll need a prescription).
You should bring anything prescribed that you need and anything you know will be handy where you’re going.
This includes Anti-Altitude Sickness Meds in Mexico City, and Anti-Hangover Meds in party towns like Cancun, Cabo and Tulum.
If you’re brand-specific with over the counter medicine, as in you only take Advil, you’ll want to bring your Advil.
While headache and pain medications are available everywhere, you might not always be able to find Advil (or a specific brand) while traveling to Mexico.
How to See a Doctor if You’re Sick in Mexico
Unlike in the U.S., going to the doctor in Mexico is inexpensive and quick.
For those wondering What to do when you get sick in Mexico — the answer is go see a doctor ASAP!
If you find yourself sick in Mexico, open Google Maps, find one of the big chain pharmacies near you, and go straight there.
These best Mexico farmacias include Farmacia Similares, Farmacia Yza and Farmacia Guadalajara.
Once there, you’ll want to head to their walk-in clinics — which are sometimes called consultorios.
Not all farmacias have these clinics, but most do.
Usually within 15 minutes or so, a doctor will see you, assess your symptoms, and since you’re already at a pharmacy, you can get any meds you need right then and there.
If you require further medical assistance, the doctor will let you know after the exam. If you have travel insurance for Mexico, you won’t have to worry about the costs.
Ready to Plan Your Next Mexican Vacation?
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
- The 30 Most Beautiful Cities in Mexico (#7 Will Shock You)
- Mexico Off the Beaten Path Places for Your Bucket List
- 20 Hot Springs in Mexico That are Calling Your Name
- Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Never Heard Of
- Best Waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina Mexico
- The Coolest Mayan Ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
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