4 Tips for Staying Healthy During a Family Trip to Mexico City

Whether your family trip to Mexico City is a two-week-long vacation or an overnight stay in transition to some other place, you need to come prepared. If some of your family suffer from any chronic conditions, you’ll have to stock up on all their prescriptions and research places they can visit beforehand. In case your family is all healthy and your main goal is to keep it this way, you can use these simple tips.

4 Tips for Making a Family Trip to Mexico City Safe and Healthy

Get vaccinated

To stay healthy in Mexico (or anywhere else) you should take all reasonable precautions. This means getting vaccinations mandated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no outstanding health warnings for traveling to Mexico City, but you should check out the CDC website just in case before your trip.

Don’t forget about seasonal diseases, like flu. If you travel during this time, be sure to take multivitamins, drink lots of fluids, and wear a facemask in public places.

Choose safe and healthy entertainment

Mexico City is an endlessly fascinating place because it’s huge and has dozens of attractions. To enjoy them fully during your family trip you’ll need to choose your tours wisely. Use the services of reliable agencies and guides. Check other travelers’ reviews before you set out on a free walking tour in Mexico City.

As for attractions like museums, galleries, etc. you should book/buy tickets online. This will save you the risks of standing in lines to get them. For parks and tours that involve walks out in the wilderness, keep a close eye on your kids. Research all poisonous plants and insects and make sure your entire family steers away from them.

Choose your food with care

A family trip to Mexico City must include quite a bit of culinary exploration as this place offers incredibly delicious cuisine. However, bear in mind that it might be spicier than you are used to. This means you should choose your meals with care and ask the servers for tips.

You also need to follow the basic food safety rules:

• Avoid all street food unless you are 100% sure that it’s cooked and stored in sanitary conditions
• Avoid cooked foods served at room temperatures during summer months
• Do not drink tap water (stick to bottles and cans)
• Do not add ice to your drinks unless you are sure it’s made of disinfected water
• Avoid all raw products except fruits and vegetables (wash those extremely well)

If you or some of your family develop a case of mild diarrhea, you can use over-the-counter medications from your traveler’s first aid kit. You can also buy some medications in local pharmacies. However, be sure to research those online before buying.

If food poisoning is severe, seek medical help immediately. You can get it in any hospital and many of them have English-speaking doctors. Your hotel should be able to recommend the best hospital nearby.

Be sure to check your health insurance coverage before your family trip to Mexico City. It must include emergency services as well as an ambulance.

Be aware of malaria

There is a risk of contracting malaria during a trip to some parts of Mexico. However, Mexico City itself is considered safe. Therefore, you should pack some antimalarial drugs and learn how to use them.

It’s also prudent to use anti-mosquito sprays with 50% of DEET for both comfort and safety. Note that they are prohibited for children under 2 years. If you have to take a baby on the trip, avoid all areas with any risk of malaria and take all possible precautions to keep any insects away from your child. Using bug netting will be a must.