How to Avoid "Montezuma's Revenge"

Montezuma's Revenge can seriously derail your vacation. Although most often associated with travel to Mexico, Montezuma's Revenge can occur in any country where the food safety standards are different than are own. By being aware of the foods and drinks that can cause the illness, you can avoid getting Montezuma's Revenge and save your vacation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Drink bottled water at all times. This includes rinsing your teeth after brushing. Bottled water for sale in other countries is usually fine, but stick to international brands just in case.
2. Use bottled water for washing fruits and vegetables. When cooking in your hotel, bottled water is safest for food preparation unless you will be bringing water to a boil.
3. Eat hot cooked food. Since you will probably eat out to sample the local cuisine, be mindful of eating only foods that have been cooked at a temperature high enough to kill any microorganisms found in the water.
4. Skip the ice cubes. Even if you order bottled water in a restaurant, you could still catch Revenge from the ice cubes. Also avoid drinks that will likely have been mixed with tap water such as coffee, tea and lemonade.
5. Choose food wisely. Other than contaminated water, Montezuma's Revenge may hit you if you get too adventurous with your choices. Take pity on your stomach and try not too load up with too many spicy or exotic foods all at once.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can cause distress similar to Montezuma's Revenge. Drink plenty of bottled water throughout the day.