Is it safe to eat in Mexico on excursion? (Xcaret)

[U.R._Courageous]

We are going on the Disney Magic on Oct. 22 and we are going on the Xcaret Archaelogical park excursion in Mexico. It is an all-day excursion, and we are wondering if it is safe to eat in Mexico, or will we run the risk of getting sick? We have heard horror stories about Montezuma's revenge and we don't want our cruise ruined. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Anewman]

Never been on a cruise yet but have traveled through Mexico(cuz I am Mexican).

IMO the number one reason persons get sick is not because of food served but because of dirty hands. Just imagine how many hand railings/door knobs/currency/etc... some persons touch b4 grabbing a taco from a street vendor(no bathrooms to wash hands). And then when they do get sick they blame the vendor. I would carry some towelettes and/or some purell.

And when it comes to food, I do not eat buffets in Mexico. If eating from vendors or taco stands make sure the food looks REALLY hot. If there is a cutting board being used, how does that cutting board look? Some prefer sit down restaraunts(and some are great) but, can you see the kitchen conditions from wher you are sitting. I would rather eat from a stand/vendor that meets my guidelines.

 

[Heyentah]

I agree with Anewman, but hasten to add one more point: "it's the water." The water purification system is not as efficient as here in the states. Good excuse to drink a bit of wine with your meal. Carry your own bottled water, or drink only sealed beverages without ice.

 

[Rena75]

I agree with Anewman, but hasten to add one more point: "it's the water." The water purification system is not as efficient as here in the states. Good excuse to drink a bit of wine with your meal. Carry your own bottled water, or drink only sealed beverages without ice.

That what I was always led to believe, that it was the water. You have to be careful not to eat things that have been washed in the water, too - like salads, fruit, etc., or have water added to them.

I live only 2 hours from Mexico and when we go, we never eat there - we wait until we are back over the border just to be safe!

 

[Denine]

From someone who ate at a buffet in Acapulco on a Disney excursion, dont do it! So many people that ate lunch at this restaurant got bad food poisioning, me included. It wasn't just at the same time. We all had different excursions that ended up at that restaurant.

That being said, we have eaten in Mexico, but not a buffet and was fine. We have eaten in other countires and have been fine. Just don't eat at a buffet!

 

[chickie]

I would think that a place like Xcaret, which caters to travelers, would be a safe place to eat/drink. We went there last year and ate at the restaurant there. Good food. You may want to buy bottled water, or ask for your drink with no ice.
Xcaret is a really cool place. It really is an all day trip! We had a great time!

 

[inkkognito]

Not only should you beware of water but anything that is potentially made of unboiled water. My husband and I ate in Xcaret...dined on the same items, but he drank coffee and I drank a godly-tasting concoction called something like "rice water" that tasted a lot like coconut milk. As good as it was, it was NOT worth the results! Thank goodness we had packed Immodium.
Barb

 

[my3kids]

We ate a wonderful meal at Xcaret. My son ordered water and I wouldn't let him....made him get a soda. But, the soda was not canned, it was fountain so I said no ice. My family was mortified and the server looked a little insulted. But the food was wonderful, no one got sick, and the price was very reasonable. Xcaret was created for tourists. I'd feel a lot safer eating there than from a roadside stand. Great trip BTW.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Buffets are always more dangerous than food that was made just for you. wether you are in Mexico or the states. If the temp. they are holding the food is to low you are at risk.

As far as the water goes it's not so much that it's bad it's that our body system is not ready for it. If the locals got that sick all the time they wouldn't offer it. It is very much like if you never eat hot/spicy food then eat very hot/spicy food it would do more than burn your mouth.

Ovoid tap water in all forms. Good time to drink a beer with your lunch.
If you are not adventurence with your food now is not the best time to start trying new things.

 

[joshua121301]

I have eaten at Xcaret on several occasions, and the food was not only safe, but quite good. The Beer is good too!! Xcaret is a wonderful day and shouldn't be missed,, have a great time.

 

[num1tigerfan]

we have been on several trips to cancun, cozumel, & Tulum. We have always been fine but have always drank bottled water, requested no ice, and wass careful not to eat things like lettuce that would've been rinsed with water before serving.

 

[magiroux]

We have been to Mexico twice (once on DCL & once to Cancun).

Both times DD got sick. DH took her Burger King in Cozumel and she had diareah all night. In Cancun, DH (see a pattern here) got her a frozen slush from a street cart and it was coming out both ends (if you know what I mean) for 6 hours strait.

Yes, DH is an idiot.

 

[joshua121301]

I have made 24 trips to Cancun and have yet to experience the "Revenge" I do ask for bottled water, but don't restrict my food choices at all. Salads at Ruth Chris are great!! The water at Xcaret is bottled under their own name, so who knows if that comes straight out of a faucet!! But drink it I did and no effects. Go have fun and don't worry!!!

 

[tam012864]

Oh I was planning on doing the Beach Break in Cozumel--maybe we should order sandwiches from the ship and bring our own beverage---do not want to get sick!!!! I had food poisoning about 20 years ago while visiting Tujiana--do not even want that again--and I ordered a canned soft drink--but being 19-not thinking I ordered "ice" I seen little green monsters for days after that!!!Thanks for the heads up----

 

[laujac]

We have done the beach break on Cozumel twice... ate at the buffet both times... ordered vodka and tonics (with ice) and have not gotten sick. From reading all of these posts I am wondering if it not so much the cleanliness of the resort as much as it is luck on our behalf??? There were 5 of us each time... no one got sick... go figure!!!

 

[webray]

We had no problem at all eating in Mexico, in fact we recommend it.

The food and margaritas are fantastic. We enjoyed lunch and dinner in Cozumel, lunch in Mazatlan, lunch in Acapulco and lunch in Cabo (all while we were cruising disney of course). We have eaten in restaurants recommended by our taxi drivers and taken recommendations from other cruisers on this message board. We have never once had a problem..just lots and lots of fun.

In the tourist areas the water is filtered and very safe.

Enjoy!

 

[Mortlives]

The organism in Mexican water that makes tourists sick is apparently restricted to the mainland. We've always been told that Cozumelian water is safe.

 

[vavalynn2]

would love to hear how the excursion went. we are considering it for our feb cruise.