Travellers’ Diarrhea: How to Prevent It Before a Trip to Mexico, Peru and Beyond

Last updated: August 2026

A long-awaited vacation can quickly become stressful when stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea interrupt your plans. Travellers’ diarrhea is one of the most common health problems affecting international travellers, particularly in destinations where food handling, water treatment or sanitation standards may differ from those in Canada.

Canadian travellers visiting Mexico, Peru, Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East or parts of Asia may face an increased risk. However, travellers’ diarrhea can occur anywhere, including at resorts, restaurants, cruises and private homes. Your individual risk depends not only on the country you visit, but also on your itinerary, accommodations, food choices, health history and type of travel.

The good news is that careful food and water choices, proper hand hygiene and an individualized pre-travel health plan can significantly reduce avoidable exposure.

Quick Answer: How Can You Prevent Travellers’ Diarrhea?

The most effective precautions are:

• Drink water that is commercially sealed, properly boiled or disinfected.

• Eat food that is fully cooked and served hot.

• Avoid raw or undercooked meat, seafood and shellfish.

• Peel fruit yourself or wash produce using safe water.

• Avoid ice unless you know it was made from purified water.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

• Carry oral rehydration salts in your travel health kit.

• Discuss destination-specific prevention and treatment options with a travel health professional before departure.

Vaccines such as Dukoral may be considered for certain travellers, but they do not replace careful food, water and hygiene precautions.

What Is Travellers’ Diarrhea?

Travellers’ diarrhea is an intestinal illness usually spread through contaminated food or water. It can also spread between people when appropriate hand hygiene is not followed.

It may be caused by several different organisms, including:

• Bacteria such as certain types of E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter

• Parasites such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora

• Viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus

Because many different organisms can cause the illness, there is no single vaccine or medication that prevents every case of travellers’ diarrhea.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause, but commonly include:

• Loose or watery stools

• Abdominal cramping

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Bloating

• Fever

• An urgent need to use the bathroom

Many mild cases improve within a few days. However, significant fluid loss can cause dehydration, particularly in young children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Is Travellers’ Diarrhea a Concern in Mexico and Peru?

Yes. The Government of Canada identifies Mexico and many developing regions of Central and South America as higher-risk destinations for travellers’ diarrhea. Canadian travel advisories for both Mexico and Peru recommend frequent handwashing and careful food and beverage choices.

This does not mean that every traveller to Mexico or Peru will become ill. Risk can vary considerably between:

• Resort travel and backpacking

• Urban and remote areas

• Short and extended trips

• Professionally prepared meals and food served in uncertain conditions

• Bottled or treated water and untreated local water

• Business travel, adventure travel and visiting friends or relatives

Even travellers staying at high-end hotels should continue to follow food and water precautions.

How to Eat and Drink More Safely While Travelling

Choose Safe Drinking Water

Drink water only when it is:

• From a commercially sealed bottle

• Properly boiled

• Correctly disinfected or purified

Check that bottled water is sealed before it is opened. Use safe water for brushing your teeth and preparing oral rehydration drinks.

Ice should only be consumed when you are confident it was made using purified or disinfected water.

Choose Food Carefully

Select food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot. Avoid food that has been sitting at room temperature for an extended period.

Higher-risk choices may include:

• Raw or undercooked meat

• Raw fish or shellfish

• Unpasteurized dairy products

• Raw salads

• Pre-cut fruit

• Food kept on uncovered buffets

• Food prepared under uncertain hygiene conditions

Fruit that you peel yourself is generally a safer option than fruit that has already been cut.

Practise Proper Hand Hygiene

Wash your hands with soap and safe water for at least 20 seconds, particularly:

• Before eating

• Before preparing food

• After using the bathroom

• After touching animals

• After caring for someone who is unwell

When soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Does Dukoral Prevent Travellers’ Diarrhea?

Dukoral does not prevent every type of travellers’ diarrhea.

Dukoral is an oral vaccine authorized in Canada to help protect against cholera and diarrhea caused by heat-labile toxin-producing enterotoxigenic E. coli, also known as LT-producing ETEC. It does not provide protection against all other bacteria, viruses or parasites that can cause diarrhea.

The Canadian Immunization Guide states that the overall benefit of cholera and travellers’ diarrhea vaccination is limited and that it is not routinely recommended for most travellers. Prevention continues to depend primarily on safe food, safe water and good hygiene.

A travel health professional may consider Dukoral for certain travellers, including some people:

• Who have previously experienced repeated or severe travellers’ diarrhea

• Who have health conditions that could make dehydration or diarrhea more serious

• Who are immunocompromised

• Whose trip could be seriously affected by even a short illness

• Who will have higher-risk food or water exposure

• Who will be travelling in remote areas with limited access to medical care

The decision should be based on a personalized assessment rather than the destination name alone.

When Should Dukoral Be Taken?

For prevention of diarrhea caused by LT-producing ETEC, the Canadian schedule generally consists of two oral doses given between one and six weeks apart, with the final dose completed at least one week before departure. Protection, when achieved, is expected to begin approximately one week after the series is completed and may last for about three months.

The appropriate schedule can depend on:

• The reason for vaccination

• Age

• Previous doses

• Departure date

• Current health

• Other oral medications or vaccines

• The traveller’s individual risk

Dukoral is authorized for people two years of age and older, but it may not be appropriate for every traveller. A healthcare professional should confirm whether it is indicated and provide the correct administration instructions.

What Should Be Included in a Travel Diarrhea Kit?

A practical travel health kit may include:

• Pre-packaged oral rehydration salts

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Disinfecting wipes

• A thermometer

• Regular prescription medications

• A copy of your medication list

• Travel insurance information

• Any medications specifically recommended or prescribed after your travel health assessment

Do not rely on sugary soft drinks, energy drinks or alcohol as substitutes for proper oral rehydration products. Oral rehydration salts contain a measured balance of fluid, glucose and electrolytes.

The Government of Canada recommends carrying oral rehydration products and discussing treatment options with a healthcare provider before travelling.

What Should You Do if Diarrhea Starts During Your Trip?

The first priority is preventing dehydration.

Drink safe fluids regularly. For moderate or significant diarrhea, use a commercially prepared oral rehydration solution mixed with safe water. Children, older adults and people with existing medical conditions may become dehydrated more quickly.

A healthcare professional may recommend certain symptom-relief or prescription medications based on the traveller’s age, health history, destination and severity of illness. Anti-motility medication should not be used when there is bloody diarrhea or fever unless a qualified healthcare professional has advised otherwise.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

Contact a healthcare provider promptly if you experience:

• High fever

• Blood or pus in the stool

• Persistent vomiting

• Severe or worsening abdominal pain

• Dry mouth or intense thirst

• Rapid pulse

• Reduced urination

• Dark-coloured urine

• Dizziness, weakness or other signs of dehydration

• Diarrhea that continues for more than 48 to 72 hours

Medical assessment may also be needed sooner for children, pregnant travellers, older adults, immunocompromised individuals and people with chronic medical conditions.

Should You Visit a Travel Clinic Before Going to Mexico or Peru?

A pre-travel consultation is more than a vaccine appointment. Your recommendations should reflect:

• The exact country and regions you will visit

• Urban, rural or remote travel

• Resort stays, cruises or backpacking

• Trip duration

• Planned activities

• Food and water exposure

• Your vaccination history

• Current medications

• Allergies and medical conditions

Government of Canada guidance recommends consulting a healthcare provider or travel health clinic approximately six weeks before departure. Even when a trip is approaching quickly, it may still be worthwhile to obtain an assessment.

Travelling From Vancouver? Prepare Before You Leave

If you are planning travel from Vancouver to Mexico, Peru, Central or South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East or another international destination, Ocean Travel Clinic can provide an individualized travel health assessment based on your itinerary and health history.

Your consultation may include:

• Destination-specific health recommendations

• Review of routine and travel vaccinations

• Food and water safety counselling

• A plan for managing travellers’ diarrhea

• Advice about oral rehydration supplies

• Discussion of Dukoral when clinically appropriate

• Review of other destination-related health risks

Book a travel health consultation with Ocean Travel Clinic in downtown Vancouver before your departure.

Recommendations are individualized. No vaccine or preventive measure can eliminate every risk of illness while travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is travellers’ diarrhea common in Mexico?

Mexico is identified by the Government of Canada as a higher-risk destination for travellers’ diarrhea. Risk still varies according to location, accommodation, food handling and individual behaviour.

Is travellers’ diarrhea common in Peru?

Travellers to Peru are advised to practise careful food and water precautions and frequent handwashing. The level of risk can vary according to the itinerary and type of travel.

Does Dukoral prevent all food poisoning?

No. Dukoral only targets cholera and certain LT-producing ETEC bacteria. It does not protect against every bacterium, virus, parasite or other cause of foodborne illness.

Does everyone travelling to Mexico need Dukoral?

No. Dukoral is not routinely recommended for every traveller. Whether it may be useful depends on individual health, itinerary, previous illness, trip type and potential consequences of becoming sick.

Can I still get travellers’ diarrhea after taking Dukoral?

Yes. Dukoral does not provide complete protection, and careful food, water and hand hygiene remain essential.

What is the most important treatment for travellers’ diarrhea?

Maintaining hydration is the most important initial step. Oral rehydration solutions may be appropriate when diarrhea is moderate or severe.

When should I visit a travel clinic?

Ideally, arrange your travel health consultation about six weeks before departure. An appointment may still be useful when your travel date is closer.