Sickness + Injuries:
Traveling to Mexico can be an enriching and exciting experience, but just like any trip, it's important to be prepared for unexpected circumstances. Dealing with sickness and injury while in Mexico requires some understanding of the local healthcare system and taking necessary precautions.
Preventative Measures:
Before traveling to Mexico, it's advisable to purchase travel insurance. This can provide peace of mind and financial assistance in case of unexpected illnesses or injuries. While not a mandatory document for entry, having travel insurance is recommended for any trip to Mexico. Travel insurance provides coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events. Safety Wing & Travel Insurance Master are both well regarded and have a long history of service to travelers. Compare and choose your best policy.
Practicing good hygiene, staying hydrated, and being cautious with food and water consumption can help prevent common travel-related illnesses such as food poisoning or dehydration. Many who get sick in Mexico might have partied too much vs. having food or water issues.
Are shots required to enter Mexico? No - CDC, CDC Yellow Book, Canada
Healthcare Options:
In the event of sickness or injury, it's important to know where to seek medical help.
Mexico has a mix of public and private healthcare facilities.
The quality of care in private hospitals and private clinics is very good. English is spoken.
In resort areas you will find “American” hospitals with the high quality services. Costs will be the highest. Keep your receipts and submit to your travel insurance or your home insurance.
Public hospitals will provide more affordable care. They maybe be called Hospital Publico or Salud. There could be language barriers and longer wait times. This is a good time to be using Google Translate on your phone.
In small towns there are smaller health clinics also called Salud. These have less services and you might need to transfer to a larger city.
For non-emergency situations, seek guidance from the hotel staff for the closest pharmacy or walk-in clinic.
There are pharmacy (farmacia) chains located throughout the country. In some cities, there are several per block.
Farmacias - Benavides / Del Ahora / Guadalajara / San Pablo / Similares / Yza are all reliable.
A pharmacists can diagnose your condition and dispense medication without additional medical exams.
Walk-in clinics (consultorios) pay-as-you-need are a very affordable option. Many pharmacies have these on location or close by.
In you are in a rural area, every small town has a Salud (health care clinic).
Lomitil is a popular medication for an upset stomach / traveler’s diarrhea and readily available at pharmacies.
Probiotics are a good practice to keep your stomach health up before and during your trip.
Bring a small supply of anti-diarrhea and upset stomach tablets.
Hydrate often and follow good water and food safety practices.
Wash your hands often and bring some travel sanitizers.
Norovirus info: CDC - Mayo Clinic - WebMD
There are no restrictions bringing your personal prescription drugs to Mexico. It’s recommended to transport in the original prescribed bottle.
Of course some will swear by a shot of tequila to cure all … your choice :-)