Mexican Caribbean health: vaccines, dengue and cyclosporiasis before you travel

A getaway to Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum is more fun when health holds no surprises. This guide summarises what the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say on their Mexico travel page, consulted in November 2026. It is not a substitute for a doctor: before booking, see your travel clinic.

Recommended vaccines

The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers aged one or older and typhoid vaccination for most travellers. It notes the typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective, so safe food and water habits still matter. The CDC also asks all international travellers to be up to date with MMR (measles).

Dengue: prevent it by avoiding bites

There is no vaccine or medicine that prevents dengue. Protection means avoiding mosquito bites: repellent with 20% or more DEET, clothing that covers the skin, permethrin-treated clothing (never applied directly to skin) and air-conditioned or screened rooms. Think of it especially at dawn, at dusk and on cenote or jungle excursions.

Cyclosporiasis

The CDC flags an increase in cyclosporiasis cases among travellers returning from Mexico, including Cancun and the Riviera Maya. It is an intestinal infection linked to contaminated food or water; wash your hands well, avoid raw or undercooked food of doubtful origin and tell your doctor about persistent diarrhoea after you return.

Food, water and swimming

Follow safe habits: wash your hands often, avoid contaminated water and floodwater, and do not swim in unchlorinated fresh water such as lakes, ponds or rivers because of leptospirosis risk. The CDC also advises avoiding undercooked beef and unpasteurised cheese.

Alcohol: a separate warning

The UK's travel advice warns that deaths and serious illness have been caused by drinks containing methanol in Mexico, and that you cannot detect it by taste or smell. Drink at trusted venues, never leave your drink unattended and do not accept drinks from strangers.

Checklist for couples

Check vaccines early, buy travel insurance with repatriation and adventure-activity cover, pack repellent and a small first-aid kit, and agree what you will do if one of you feels unwell. Recommendations change: always check the CDC page and your foreign ministry's advice before you leave.