While on vacations, generally don’t think about feeling sick for any reason, which in the case of visiting Mexico, could be for eating too much spicy food, a light headache or even getting a cold because of the change between the hot climate of the area and the air conditioning of almost all establishments in Cancun. We do not mention things like intestinal infections or so for the sole reason that it is barely impossible for tourists to get that, since the regulations for food establishments and hotel restaurants are extremely strict on that matter.
On the other hand, there are people who simply need their regular medication or that got sick just before getting on the plane to Cancun. For both kinds we have some advices that may be of use when traveling to Mexico on a beach vacation in Cancun.
1.- No prescription for medicines, except antibiotics and narcotics.
Yes, if you have a light stomachache or a muscular soreness –the regular stuff- you can go the nearest drugstore/pharmacy and get the pain killer of your choice.
2.- Not every drugstore keeper speaks English, so…
We suggest you to make a list of the medicines you could buy here in Mexico, without prescription, that are similar or the equivalent to those you take at home. That way there won’t be any inconvenience at the moment of asking for the right drug for your discomfort or disease. Also, take into account that you are responsible for what you buy, so it would be better for you to research on the net or ask your homeland doctor for the best medicine option, in Mexico, for you and your family.
3.- It’s late at night and you feel sick…
Be sure to identify those 24-hour drugstores on your way to your hotel, or even ask at the resort front desk if they have some phone numbers just in case you need to take your medication and you are out of it or you start feeling sick all of a sudden. Remember that it is also good to go to the doctor instead of self-medicate your symptoms, but if you know perfectly well what you need to take since it’s an allergy or a sinus episode, then you are free to call the drugstore and they will provide you with what you need. There are even pharmacies that will deliver medicines to the door of your suite.
4.- You are allergic to some medications or medicine’s active ingredients…
If you go to the doctor’s they will ask you this, and it is very important so that you can get the right treatment for your medical condition. If you don’t speak Spanish and your doctor doesn’t speak English, then you can ask the concierge or someone at the front desk of your hotel to help you out calling a doctor to the resort in order for them to interpret both the doctor and you.
5.- If you need to go to the doctor´s…
First of all, there may be a doctor at your resort and second, if you need to move to a hospital in order to get a treatment, then you should know that it is not as expensive as in the States and then all hospitals in Cancun Downtown are about 20/30 minutes from Cancun Hotel Zone, so it won’t take too long for you to arrive. Here we leave you the addresses and phone numbers of some hospitals you can go to in case of a serious health problem.
Amerimed Hospital
Nichupte Avenue (between Bonampak Ave. and Tulum Ave.)
More accurately in Plaza Las Americas Shopping Mall.
+52 (998) 881 34 00
Hospiten
Bonampak Ave. – Lt 7, MZ 2, SM 10
77500 Quintana Roo
Mexico
cancun@hospiten.com
+52 (998) 881 37 00
+52 998 881 37 00
+52 (998) 881 37 37
Galenia
Av. Tulum Lote 01 Mza 01 SM 12,
Complex Sta. María Siké and Nizuc Street,
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
(998) 891 52 00