2007-05-14 13:24:42 · 7 answers · asked by Writerbuggg 1 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Health & Safety
It gives you the runs, but damn those
agua frescas are good.
2007-05-14 13:33:28 · answer #1 · answered by Rocio 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because mexico does not have the same water filtration as the US. Here are some facts I found.
"The water table in the Yucatan is very close to the surface, and is contaminated by garbage dumps and runoff."
"In some cases the sewer and water lines run very close together, so you can imagine the problems if they both get even a small hole."
"Yet the rural inhabitants of Mexico do drink it with no ill effects. This is mainly because they have built up a tolerance to it from drinking it all their lives. Many visitors to Mexico would consider the drinking water to be undrinkable, because so many of them become violently sick for 24-48 hours if they drink it. The reason is that the water is home to many and various single-celled organisms, which, as a group, are generally considered to be parasites. These inhabitants of the water do not mind being swallowed at all. They expect it, and love being swallowed. The parasites will use the unwary drinker as a host and, as a reward, will make the drinker violently ill for what often seems like an eternity. "
hope this helps!
2007-05-14 20:38:59 · answer #2 · answered by iwantu126 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most decent places in Mexico, i.e., larger hotels & resorts all filter their water. They also supply your room with bottled water. Same at most restaurants. If you go to a grungy stank looking place, you take a chance. The water situation has improved tremendously in Mexico due to the fact that more money is made by having healthy tourists!
2007-05-15 22:47:16 · answer #3 · answered by LA Law 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The water is often not purified as well. You may also have problems just because water contains different minerals than you're used to. It pays to be careful and follow the rules to drink bottled water and drinks with no ice, etc... Having said that, we eat salads and brush our teeth with tap water and usually have no problems. But check out our page on Pepto-Bismol.
When we travel anywhere I always take Pepto-Bismol with us. My little hubby used to get sick everywhere... and once we started taking Pepto-Bismol as a preventative he has no problems. We try not to drink the water in some countries, but we eat everything everywhere. You can check our site for more details: http://www.mousetourstravels.com/pepto-bismol.html
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! http://www.mousetourstravels.com
2007-05-16 09:19:33 · answer #4 · answered by Travel Mouse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do not purify the water in the same manner that America does, and the water contains amoeba that cause severe intestinal diarrhea.
2007-05-14 20:32:42 · answer #5 · answered by Olive Green Eyes 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its not treated and purified like in america, so bacteria and viruses that live in the water can cause you to get extremely sick
2007-05-14 20:35:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If boiling it can't save it......
2007-05-14 20:32:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋