Staying Healthy and Safe
Pharmacies and doctors

Farmacias are scattered throughout Cancun and can furnish you with most over-the-counter and prescription drugs. However, Mexican pharmacies are not staffed with medically trained personnel, nor are the names and formulae of drugs in Mexico the equivalent of those sold in the U.S. or Canada. Take your medications with you to Cancun, and do not count on the expertise of the pharmacy staff.

  • 24 hour drug store (hotel zone) Blvd Kukulcan, Km 8.5, Party Center Local phone: 883-0923
  • Pay Less Drugs (hotel zone) Blvd Kukulcan, Km 14, opposite the Oasis Cancun Second location opposite the Omni Hotel
  • Farmacia Canto (downtown) Avenida Yaxchilan #36 at Sunyaxchen, next to Hotel Caribe Internacional Local phone: 884-9330

Should your illness require medical attention beyond the scope of a pharmacy, most of the larger resorts have an English-speaking physician on call 24-hours a day. Get a doctor quickly by asking your hotel manager.

Consulates and Embassies have readily available lists of English-speaking doctors and dentists.

Verify with your health insurance company that your policy includes coverage while you are in Mexico. Most companies provide coverage for medical emergencies abroad, but you will want to confirm this information before your trip.
 
Emergencies

In the case of a medical emergency, dial 060, which is like 911 in the U.S.

  • Cruz Roja (Red Cross, downtown)
    Av Yaxchilan 2
    Local phone: 884-1616
    Open 24 hours for first aid.
  • AmeriMed (urgent care ER, hotel zone)
    website
    Blvd Kukulcan Km 4
    Local phone: 881-3400
    Urgent care emergency room located in the hotel zone. Medical training and expertise is up to U.S. standards at both the ER and hospital, and staff is bilingual. They have a home office in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • AmeriMed (hospital, downtown)
    Av Tulum Sur, Manzana 4,5,9 #260, Sm 7
    Local phone: 881-3400
    40-bed hospital in Plaza Las Americas.
  • Total Assist (downtown)
    Claveles #5 at Av Tulum, Sm 22
    Local phone: 884-1058
    Emergency hospitals with English-speaking doctors. Open 24 hours.
 
Crime

Cancun is generally a very safe place to travel, certainly comparable to small cities in the U.S. However, petty crime is not uncommon, even at prestigious resorts and hotels. As a precaution, leave unneeded credit cards at home, along with other valuables such as jewelry or expensive electronics. Carrying the bulk of your money in travelers checks and in a money belt is advisable to guard against theft. Most hotels have a safe deposit box, sometimes even within your room. It is good practice to take the bare minimum with you, and to lock the remainder away. You should make a photocopy of your passport and credit cards in advance of your trip. Mexican law imposes harsh penalties for violations such as drug possession and being a tourist does not exempt you from these penalties. It is also important to note that topless sunbathing is prohibited by law, despite its widespread occurrence at many hotels in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. American citizens should contact the U.S. Consular Agency in case of emergency (for example, a lost or stolen passport, or trouble with police).

  • U.S. Consular Agent, Cancun
    Plaza Caracol, Third Level, No. 320-323 Blvd Kukulcan, Km 8.5
    Local phone: 883-0272
  • U.S. Embassy, Mexico City
    Phone within Mexico: 01-5-209-9100
    Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Health and safety resources

Obtain updated medical and safety information affecting travelers to Mexico from the following sources:

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention
    Phone: (800) 311-3435
    website
    Epidemiological health information and outbreak warnings are provided by this government agency. They also have a toll-free CDC International Travelers information line at 877-FYI-TRIP.
  • U.S. State Department
    website
    Provides a Consular Information Sheet featuring health, safety, driving and other general information.
  • Travel Health Online
    website
    A database on international health, vaccine and medical services.
 
General precautions

There are no required inoculations for entry into Mexico. The risk of contracting Malaria in Cancun is low, but it increases in surrounding rural areas. Refer to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website for a regional breakdown. The CDC can help you determine, based on your itinerary, if you should have any vaccinations or take anti-malarial drugs.

The most common ailment to strike is usually nothing more than Montezumas Revenge (diarrhea), affectionately termed, turista (tourist) by locals. The bacteria in Mexicos food and water cause Montezumas Revenge, so preventing it means watching where and what you eat and drink. In Cancun, most major resorts and popular restaurants have water purification systems (ice is often made with this clean water as well). To be safe, ask if the water is purificada (purified), and request water sin hielo (without ice). If you are still uncertain, stick to agua en botella (bottled water). Avoid salads, fruit you can not peel, unpasteurized milk and milk products, as well as undercooked meat, fish and shellfish. Resist the temptation to overload on tequila and quesadillas your first night in Cancun ease into heavy spices and grease. Wash your hands frequently, as even money can be a source of germs.

The Caribbean sun is characteristically potent, and Cancuns rays are no exception. Take the standard precautions against sunburns: wear a hat, use 30SPF sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection, and spend long stints in the shade. Should you still end up burned, you can sooth the pain with aloe lotions, coconut oil, cool tea, vinegar, or Solarcaine. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, take lukewarm showers and stay under an umbrella. Keep in mind that, even in shaded areas, you are still catching the suns rays.

Although malaria is rare in Cancun, mosquito bites can still be nasty, especially in the humid months. In the evenings, wear long pants and spray exposed skin with bug repellent. If you are dining at an open-air restaurant, ask the waiter for an incense candle to put by your feet mosquitoes in Cancun will nibble at your legs. If you are bitten, applying limejuice to bites will reduce the itch, clean the wound, and act as a repellent.

According to the U.S. State Department travel advisory, Cancuns undertow is strongest from the Hyatt Regency south to the Sol y Mar resort. Do not underestimate the strength of the current it can, and has, relentlessly pulled swimmers away from the beach, and lifeguard supervision is minimal. Nortes (storms), can sweep in and abruptly blacken the sky, changing beach conditions without warning. Check the flags staked at the waters edge for the sea status black or red indicates that the ocean is unsafe.

Although you can find most supplies in Cancuns farmacias (pharmacies), a savvy traveler will toss the following into a suitcase before departure: Band-Aids, insect repellent with DEET, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, sunscreen, anti-diuretic, painkillers, and an after-sun lotion.