Hepatitis - Several different viruses cause hepatitis and they differ in the way that they are transmitted. The symptoms in all forms of the illness include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, feelings of weakness and aches and pains, followed by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-coloured faeces, jaundiced (yellow) skin and yellowing of the whites of the eyes. Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated food and drinking water. Seek medical advice. Hepatitis E is transmitted in the same way as hepatitis A; it can be particularly serious in pregnant women. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood, blood products or body fluids, for example through sexual contact, unsterilised needles (and shaving equipment) and blood transfusions, or contact with blood via small breaks in the skin. The symptoms of hepatitis B may be more severe than type A and the disease can lead to long-term problems. Hepatitis C and D are spread in the same way as hepatitis B and can also lead to long-term complications. There are vaccines against hepatitis A and B, but there are currently no vaccines against the other types. Following the basic rules about food and water (hepatitis A and E) and avoiding risk situations (hepatitis B, C and D) are important preventative measures.
Rabies is a viral infection of the brain and spinal cord that is almost always fatal. The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is typically transmitted through an animal bite, though contamination of any break in the skin with infected saliva may result in rabies. Most cases in Mexico are related to dog bites, but bats and other wild species remain important sources of infection. Local health authorities should be contacted if someone has been bitten, to determine whether or not further treatment is necessary.

Malaria is transmitted by mosquito bites and the main symptoms are high fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, weakness, vomiting, or diarrhea. Severe cases may involve the central nervous system and lead to seizures, confusion, coma and death.
Cholera is an intestinal infection acquired through ingestion of contaminated food or water. The main symptom is profuse, watery diarrhea, which may be so severe that it causes life-threatening dehydration. The key treatment is drinking oral rehydration solution but antibiotics are also given.

Chagas' disease is a parasitic infection transmitted by triatomine insects which inhabit crevices in the walls and roofs of substandard housing. The triatomine insect lays its faeces on human skin as it bites and the person becomes infected when he or she unknowingly rubs the faeces into the bite wound or any other open sore. It is rare in travellers but if you are staying in a poorly constructed house, especially one made of mud, adobe or thatch, you should be sure to protect yourself with a bed net and good insecticide.

Best time to go

The months between September and June are often the most pleasant in the coastal areas. This is the cool, dry season. But July and August tend to be most popular months for foreign travellers. The highlands of Chiapas and Oaxaca, and the central, inland regions of the state of Juarez are temperate and the nights are chilly from December to February.

Upon arrival

Once you’ve reclaimed your baggage and cleared customs, you will be warmly welcomed to Mexico, assisted with your luggage and taken you to your hotel by private air-conditioned minivan/bus. Please do not leave the airport terminal building unless you have made contact with Amazing Peru staff. Also ignore the calls from taxi drivers as your private transport has been provided for you.
Food and drink

Drink only bottled water. Pasteurised milk is widely available. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Avoid street food vendors and the cheaper restaurants.
What to eat

To try some typical foods, here is a selection of what we recommend.

Tamales - Meat wrapped in corn dough, covered with a layer of banana leaves and then boiled.
Mole poblano - Chili and chocolate sauce with grated coconut
Mexican taco, enchilada, burrito, quesadilla – The original !!
Machaca - Cured, dried and shredded pork or beef mixed with eggs, cilantro, chilies and onions
Gazpacho - chilled veggie soup spiced with chilies

What to drink

Tequila (Mescal)
Margaritas,
Beer: Corona, Sol, Dos Equis, Bohemia, Modelo
Highlights
Mexico City (altitude 2200m)
If you can deal with the traffic and the smog, it’s definitely worth arriving a few days early to explore Mexico City. There is simply so much to do, you can’t possibly get bored.
The Zocalo - Every exploration should start here, at the historical centre of Mexico City. It is surrounded by government buildings, cathedrals and restaurants
Palacio National - Famous for its colourful murals by Diego Rivera (one of Mexico’s most popular artists)
Catedral Metropolitana - Must be visited as it remains probably one of the most impressive in all of Mexico. Built by the Spanish in the 1520s, it was erected directly above the sacrificial ceremonial site of the Aztecs where rows of skulls were displayed. You could easily spend a full afternoon wandering around the many temples and museums housed within.
The Alameda - Probably the prettiest park in Mexico City, lined with colonial mansions and museums. A good place to buy handicrafts.
Museo Nacional de Arte - open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday.
Museo Nacional de Artes e Industrias Poplares - Displays and sells high quality handicrafts from all over Mexico. Open from 9am to 6pm every day
Museo Nacional de Historia - Found in Zona Rosa and provides an excellent account of the history of Mexico. Open from 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday.
Museo Nacional de Antropologia - Also in the Zona Rosa. A world famous museum of anthropology is Open from 9am to 7pm Tuesday to Sunday.

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