No one likes to come down with a cold or flu. Getting sick and missing work or school can be very inconvenient. But when you are on vacation, the last thing in the world you want or expect is to contract some sort of illness. When traveling outside the country for a vacation in Mexico, you should keep in mind these habits and tips that will help to keep you healthy.

Before you even leave for your vacation in Mexico be sure to hydrate yourself by drinking lots of fluids. Once you arrive at your destination be sure to drink only distilled or bottled water. Climate and altitude changes can have an effect on your body. Give your body time to acclimatize to its new environment and don’t go overboard your first day in Mexico. Eat sparingly the first day and only what your body is fairly familiar with. Make sure that any fruits or vegetables that you purchase get washed in distilled or bottled water and peel them if possible.

Washing your hands often can also keep you remain healthy. Taking along some antibacterial soap would be a wise idea. To go along with that you should have a small first aid kit that would include several different sizes of band-aids, antibacterial ointment, alcohol swabs, and any over the counter pain medication you might need. It is advisable to check with your physician before you leave the country to see if there are any preventative medications you should take to help in preventing common illness to that region. This is an important step to take especially if you are over 65 years of age, have an acute or chronic illness, or are pregnant. And any prescription medications you have should be kept in their original bottles with legible labeling that will prevent any misunderstandings.

Try to avoid over-indulgences of alcohol while in Mexico, as this will lower your body’s resistance to disease and raise the risk that you may become ill. If you do feel like you are coming down with something seek medical attention immediately and avoid contact with the general population. This is especially true if you are on a cruise ship or staying at a resort that has buffet dining. Besides, you want to be able to remember the great times that you had on vacation, so drinking in moderation would be a good way to keep your senses keen.

If you have any food allergies you should be especially careful about what you eat. Make sure you inquire of any restaurant staff where you dine about what is in each dish and if there are any items you are allergic to that it may be cooked in.

Going on vacation on a cruise ship is still a very popular choice for many travelers. Quite a few cruise ships make embarkations in Mexico on both coasts. This type of vacation combines the luxury of a floating resort with excitement of exploring a different culture with day excursions. There are some great shore excursions available for cruise guests that range from swimming with dolphins to exploring ancient Mayan ruins. But, what considerations should be made when deciding on whether to take a cruise ship to Mexico?

To begin with, as of January 1, 2008 all United States citizens will need to have a valid passport for any travel to an international destination, including Mexico. You will need to present your passport to your cruise ship when checking in. Whenever you disembark for a shore excursion in Mexico you will need to show your passport as well.

Staying healthy on a cruise ship has never been more important with the rash of food poisonings and disease outbreaks aboard several ships in recent years. Make sure you are in good health before you travel and ask your physician if you might need any preventative medication, especially if you are older than 65, have had acute or chronic illnesses, or are pregnant. Good sanitary practices, such as frequent hand washing and the use of antibacterial soap, will also help reduce the risk of illness. If you begin to feel ill, inform the medical staff on board right away and avoid contact with the general population to lessen the risk of spreading a disease.

Packing light and leaving valuables at home are advised. Anything that you can’t afford to lose would be best placed in an in-room safe. Avoid bringing large amounts of cash or more than a couple of credit cards. On the ship, you can have most purchases charged to your room and once on shore, most purchases can be done with Pesos acquired from a currency exchange. Also avoid using a handbag, fanny pack, or outside pockets for your currency. If you need a larger amount of money consider using a money belt.

When you go ashore you should ask questions of your ships tourist counselor about any unsafe areas of the port of call that you should avoid. They will have suggestions for what to avoid as well as where the more common tourist areas are located. Staying close to those confines will help to keep you safe.

If you are a retired traveler and want to visit Mexico you have a great advantage over the average tourist. Not having the hassle of dealing with a work schedule lets you travel when and where you want and gives you the option of vacationing in the off season. You can save a substantial amount of money and avoid huge crowds by doing this.

The summer months are the slowest time of year for tourism in Mexico and the best time for great deals. If you enjoy shopping and organized tours more than spending time at the beach then this time of year would be perfect for you. Although the temperatures are much higher in the summer most shops and tour-buses are air-conditioned, so the heat might not be as much of a concern. Also, with smaller crowds of tourists, as well as more visitors in your age bracket, it is much easier to get around and much quieter at night.

You will find that the infrastructure in Mexico lags behind that of the United States and, if you are handicapped, you may find it difficult to go to certain places. There are few wheelchair ramps or handicapped restrooms in Mexico and in some areas there aren’t even handrails for most stairways. If this will be an issue you should speak to your travel agent about the area that you will be visiting. Try to stay with groups of people when walking through public areas and avoid traveling at night. Older travelers might be seen as easy targets for theft or assault. This is one reason that seniors usually prefer to travel with tour groups.

Staying safe and protecting your property while on vacation in Mexico is important for any traveler, but can be more challenging for a senior citizen. Older tourists may be targeted for theft or confidence scams because of the perception of being an easier mark. Common sense approaches, such as staying with groups and using a hotel safe to secure valuables, should be used, but the best approach is to avoid areas where crime is prevalent. Speaking with a travel agent or tour operator before you make travel arrangements can be the best way to get information on safer, more secure destinations.

There are many tour operators that put together group tours and provide organization to your trip that will supply all the necessities and take all the work of planning activities out of your hands. If you would rather vacation independently you are still able to access many senior discounts to lodging and restaurants. Always ask for any discounts when making the reservation for your room or ordering your meal, as many places will refuse to honor a discount once the order has been made.

Most of us have heard of Puerto Vallarta and it may bring images to our minds of tropical scenes and exotic travels. Maybe we remember that this was where the Love Boat made a stop once a week. But there may be a question as to what attractions and activities can be found in this coastal Mexican city.

Puerto Vallarta is located on the West Coast of Mexico, south of the Baja Peninsula. The weather all year round is beautiful and the cost of living is low, which may be why over 20,000 Americans own vacation homes there.

Puerto Vallarta may be best know as the location for the 1963 movie “Night of the Iguana” starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Actually, most of it was filmed a few minutes drive down the coast in Mismayola, but walking tours can point out buildings in town where Burton stayed and had his affair (or one of his marriages with Elizabeth Taylor. – Who can keep track?) The U.S. media gave a lot of attention to the couple and to all the infighting among director John Huston and the film’s stars and the publicity put Puerto Vallarta on the map. Today, most bus and walking tours will make some mention of the film and point out applicable sights of interest.

While there are so many reasons to visit Puerto Vallarta, it is the beautiful beaches that lure most people to return again and again. Puerto Vallarta sits on 25 miles of beaches within Banderas Bay, Mexico’s largest bay. Being located on the bay is what opens the possibility of so many different types of water sports and activities. The large marina is home to an abundant population of sports fishing boats. Most of the boats can be chartered to take you to any of the hottest fishing spots, where you can try your hand at wrestling one of the large fish the area is known for.

Another popular activity is to take a tour out to the island of Yelapa where you can seem to step back in time and see small village life as it still exists in Mexico. In addition to tours, there are many programs available for swimming with dolphins, a popular resort town activity that has increased tremendously in recent years. Whale watching has also become big business in Puerto Vallarta.

Most resorts are situated right on the water and provide all sorts of activities, such as windsurfing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Of course, you may just like to hunker down under a palm tree with your favorite adult beverage and shop from all the roving vendors that carry their wares up and down the beach.

But if lying on the beach all day drinking and shopping gets a bit mundane, you may feel the need to hit the links. There are several championship quality golf courses in the immediate Puerto Vallarta area. Clubs and shoes are available to rent, so don’t worry if you didn’t bring any of your own equipment with you.

When determining the best time to visit Mexico for a vacation, you should keep in mind what type of weather you are hoping for, what kinds of activities or festivals you would like to participate in, and what kind of prices you are willing to pay. It may be that cost is a factor and you just want to lie around a pool all day sipping margaritas. Another vacationer may want to avoid the rainy season and fish. While yet another may want to time their vacation in order to join in on the festivities of Carnival.

As far as weather goes, the best time to visit Mexico depends on where your chosen vacation spot will be. August and September get the most rain throughout Mexico and they also coincide with hurricane season which affects both the east and west coasts. The weather during this time of year can be very hot, humid and sticky. Central Mexico is situated on a high plain, which provides cool nights even during the summer. The southern coastal areas are always warm and can be very hot in the summer. And if you are thinking of vacationing in Baja California, be aware that it is a desert that just happens to be next to the ocean. It will be hot and dry most of the year regardless of the neighboring surf.

The winter months in most of Mexico can be quite pleasant. Most of the coastal beach cities and resorts will have daytime temperatures ranging in the 70′s and 80′s. Winter in some of the higher elevations in the middle of the country can have daytime highs anywhere from 50 degrees to anywhere in the 70′s range and nighttime lows at or below freezing.

There are literally thousands of festivals and observances all over Mexico and if there is a particular one you wish to attend, there are many websites available to get information about them. Some of the festivities are observed nationwide and can be celebrated everywhere from Cabo San Lucas to Cancun.

Carnival (or Carnaval) is celebrated five days before Ash Wednesday, usually in the first week of February. During this time parades, parties, and dancing in the streets are present everywhere and can provide great fun. Another holiday that is celebrated nationwide is Mexico’s day of independence. Cinco de Mayo is observed on May 5 every year as a celebration of the Mexican army’s defeat of the French in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla and is a great source of national pride for all of Mexico. And, of course, Christmas festivities are everywhere in this predominantly Christian country with mini-fiestas beginning in mid-December to celebrate the journey of Mary and Joseph leading up to Christmas Day.

The best time to visit Mexico for you might be when the off-season rates for lodging drop in price. August through September is cheaper in areas most affected by the rainy season. In the same way, summertime sees lower prices in many locations because of the high heat and humidity.

When traveling to Mexico for a vacation, it is good to be mindful that you are in a foreign country and that some areas may not be as safe and secure as your hometown. While most of Mexico is very safe for visitors, you should always be proactive in protecting yourself and your property while traveling. Hotel employees, tour operators, taxi drivers and others involved in the tourist industry have their best interests invested in keeping you safe and secure, but there are always those who may take advantage.

When walking in public markets and shopping areas, it is always best to keep a low profile while at the same time appearing confident. Walk with a sense of purpose and avoid looking lost, even if you are, as this will be a signal to unscrupulous types that you might be an easy mark. Don’t wear eye-catching jewelry or flash a lot of cash for the same reason. A middle-class look will work best as it doesn’t stand out as much, but still elicits respect. If you appear to be intoxicated, sick, tired, or physically weak you may become targeted for foul play.

It would pay to be extra cautious at night or in locations where there aren’t many people present. If you plan on going out at night, inquire at your hotel’s front desk about any areas that would be best to avoid and make sure to take a taxi or a tour rather than walk or hitchhike. Be vigilant when you use an ATM at night and make sure you always have someone with you. Also, some bars and clubs may have criminal elements that may try to drug your drink or try to isolate you somewhere where they can relieve you of your possessions. If this unfortunate event does happen to you, just let the money go and most muggers will not act violently towards you. Always remember that your life is much more important than any money, no matter how much.

Because of the sometimes unstable political unrest in Mexico, protests or political rallies can take place, often without much warning. The best action to be taken here is to simply leave immediately or avoid an area where such activities are happening. The Mexican Constitution states that foreigners cannot participate in political activities and can be deported or detained if they do. You may not intend to participate, but if you were present the case might be hard to prove otherwise and, in any case, it is not worth the risk.