Dangers & Annoyances
Mexico, especially its big cities, has a crime problem. Be savvy about where and when crime could occur and keep yourself out of harm's way.
Be aware that bandits occasionally hold up buses and cars on intercity routes, especially at night. Deluxe and 1st-class buses use toll highways, which are less prone to hold-ups. Mexico City taxis are notorious for (sometimes violent) robberies. Don't take a cruising cab; phone a radio taxi service instead.
Pick-pocketing and bag-snatching are risks in large cities and crowded areas frequented by large numbers of tourists - wear valuables underneath your clothing.
Robbery, or mugging, is less common than bag-snatching and resistance may be met with violence, so give them what they want.
Leave most of your valuables in a sealed, signed envelope in your hotel's safe. Stash money about your body and only carry a small amount of ready money in a pocket.
Use ATMs only in secure locations and try to use them during working hours.
Don't accept food or drinks from strangers as there have been cases of drugging followed by robbery and assault. Be wary of attempts at credit card fraud. One method is when the cashier swipes your card twice (once for the transaction and once for fraudulent purposes). Keep your card in sight at all times.In beach resorts be aware of ocean riptides and undertows. Like in any country, lone women should exercise caution in desolate places, including beaches.
Local Health Conditions
malaria
Transmitted by mosquito bites, the main symptoms are high fevers, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, weakness, vomiting, or diarrhea. Severe cases may involve the central nervous system and lead to seizures, confusion, coma and death.
Chagas' disease
Chagas' disease is a parasitic infection transmitted by triatomine insects which inhabit crevices in the walls and roofs of substandard housing. The triatomine insect lays its faeces on human skin as it bites and the person becomes infected when he or she unknowingly rubs the faeces into the bite wound or any other open sore. It is rare in travellers but if you are staying in a poorly constructed house, especially one made of mud, adobe or thatch, you should be sure to protect yourself with a bed net and good insecticide.
cholera
Cholera is an intestinal infection acquired through ingestion of contaminated food or water. The main symptom is profuse, watery diarrhea, which may be so severe that it causes life-threatening dehydration. The key treatment is drinking oral rehydration solution but antibiotics are also given.
dengue fever
A viral infection found throughout Central America, Dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite preferentially during the day and are usually found close to human habitations, often indoors. They breed primarily in water containers such as barrels, cans, plastic containers and discarded tyres. As a result, Dengue is especially common in densely populated, urban environments. Dengue usually causes flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle aches, joint pains, headaches, nausea and vomiting, often followed by a rash. The body aches may be quite uncomfortable, but most cases resolve uneventfully in a few days.
hepatitis
Several different viruses cause hepatitis; they differ in the way that they are transmitted. The symptoms in all forms of the illness include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, feelings of weakness and aches and pains, followed by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-coloured faeces, jaundiced (yellow) skin and yellowing of the whites of the eyes. Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated food and drinking water. Seek medical advice. Hepatitis E is transmitted in the same way as hepatitis A; it can be particularly serious in pregnant women. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood, blood products or body fluids, for example through sexual contact, unsterilised needles (and shaving equipment) and blood transfusions, or contact with blood via small breaks in the skin. The symptoms of hepatitis B may be more severe than type A and the disease can lead to long-term problems. Hepatitis C and D are spread in the same way as hepatitis B and can also lead to long-term complications. There are vaccines against hepatitis A and B, but there are currently no vaccines against the other types. Following the basic rules about food and water (hepatitis A and E) and avoiding risk situations (hepatitis B, C and D) are important preventative measures.
rabies
Rabies is a viral infection of the brain and spinal cord that is almost always fatal. The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is typically transmitted through an animal bite, though contamination of any break in the skin with infected saliva may result in rabies. Most cases in Mexico are related to dog bites, but bats and other wild species remain important sources of infection. Local health authorities should be contacted if someone has been bitten, to determine whether or not further treatment is necessary.
typhoid
Typhoid fever is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated by a species of Salmonella known as Salmonella typhi. Fever occurs in virtually all cases. Other symptoms may include headache, malaise, muscle aches, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain. Either diarrohea or constipation may occur. Possible complications include intestinal perforation, intestinal bleeding, confusion, delirium or (rarely) coma. Unless you expect to take all your meals in major hotels and restaurants, a typhoid vaccine is a good idea. It's usually given orally, but is also available as an injection.
yellow fever
Yellow fever no longer occurs in Central America, but many Central American countries, including Mexico, require yellow fever vaccine before entry if you're arriving from a country in Africa or South America where yellow fever occurs. If you're not arriving from a country with yellow fever, the vaccine is neither required nor recommended. Yellow fever vaccine is given only in approved yellow fever vaccination centers, which provide validated International Certificates of Vaccination ('yellow booklets'). The vaccine should be given at least 10 days before departure and remains effective for approximately 10 years. Reactions to the vaccine are generally mild and may include headaches, muscle aches, low-grade fevers or discomfort at the injection site. Severe, life-threatening reactions have been described but are extremely rare. |
