Advice needed for trip to Mexico

Basil_2

Mexico (Playacar) - Do I need to take Malaria tablets?

I'm not too keen on taking them as they seem to have a lot of side effects.
I'm not sure what to do and would really appreciate any advice from folks who have been there.

lucyc58

We are going in October and have been told that they are not required for that area. Probably best to check with your GP. The world health organisation website states that you may be at risk from Malaria in some rural areas but these aren't usually visited by tourists. http://www.who.int/ith/countries/listm/en/index.html

puffinmuffin

You should be fine without, the coast is pretty safe from malaria but i would confirm with my GP. I had Avaclor (sp?) when travelling in central america but i was in jungle ares. had no side effects, tasted disgusting though

Becles

We went to Playa Del Carmen which is just north of Playacar. Our GP and the pharmacist both said we didn't need malaria tablets.

If you want to go on trips, do look at the ones run by www.playa.info

They keep the group small, so there are just a maximum of 12 people on the trip. Mitch the tour guide is fantastic. He's really into the local history and culture and will tell you far more than you will learn on a tour company trip, and it's all done as if you were chatting to an old friend.

As the group is so small, the tour runs at the pace of the group. If you want to stay a little longer in one place, just speak up and they will accomodate your wish.

If you go on the trips where you visit Mayan ruins, Mitch always makes sure you get the best official guide. The man who took us round Chichen Itza grew up playing in the ruins as a child, and has worked there since it first opened for tourists, so there was nothing he didn't know about it!

All your food and drinks are included. One trip included a beach BBQ and another we stopped at a traditional Mexican eating place and sampled various local dishes. Both trips had a full cool box of bottled water and soft drinks to help yourself to, and a bag of nibbles such as crisps, nuts and biscuits kept getting passed around to keep the hunger pangs away.

I can't recommend the trips highly enough. We had two brilliant days out with them, and I certainly would go out again if I get the chance to go back.

It's a lovely country and I really enjoyed our holiday there. You'll have a brilliant time!

completely_lost

Nope I went to Cancun last year around that area and was fine.

IvanOpinion

Check with your doctor .. you are always better safe than sorry.

My BIL (an aid worker) managed to pick a parasite up the last time he was away (not Mexico) despite having every shot and tablet under the sun. For someone who is 5'11" and now weighs less than 7 stone he is not exactly in the best of health.


Ivan

mrsmess

we went in march to riviera maya and did not bother but took lots of insect spray etc because my husband gets eaten alive.

completely_lost

Yeah I forgot to say make sure take insect repellant with you as I did get quite a few insect bites.