Author; Robert H. Page, MD and Curtis P. Page, MD are authors of the MEXICO: Health and Safety Travel Guide and the Healthy Traveler Regional Series. For more information visit medtogo.com

Mexico, like most Latin countries, has a macho culture. Familiarizing yourself with the general roles of men and women and learning the behavioral codes will enable you to maneuver throughout the country with little to no worries. Fighting the status quo could very well get you in trouble.

Understanding Male/Female Behavior in Mexico.

The differences in the traditional roles of men and women are much more apparent in Mexico. Here, men are the providers; they bring economic well-being and security. They are chivalrous with women; they open doors, pick up the bills, never walk in front, and almost always surrender their seats. It is unheard of for Mexican men to leave women to travel alone at night. Women, on the other hand, are traditionally the caretakers; they offer physical and emotional support and care for the needs of the family and home. They are considered with very high regard and many are very religious.

Cancun Vacation Tips: Sunburn and Sun Safety

Excessive UVA and UVB energy from the sun causes the skin to burn, which can lead to pain and discomfort that will interfere with a fun vacation. The darker your skin is naturally, the more you are protected, but even very dark-skinned people can get sunburned. People with fair skin or many moles must be especially careful, as they are at an increased risk for developing skin cancer.

Don’t be fooled by those clouds overhead or the cool breeze. UV light easily penetrates most cloud coverage, and a cool breeze can fool you into thinking you’re not getting much sun. Infants are particularly vulnerable to sunburn, as their skin is thin and lacks protection against the sun’s rays. Never use sunscreen on children under the age of six months, which means infants need to be kept out of the sun at all times.

If you plan to go into the water, be sure you use waterproof sunscreen. Many waterproof formulations will last for about an hour in the water, and can be especially useful if weather is hot and you become sweaty. Make sure you reapply each time you leave the water, even if the brand says it’s unnecessary.

Important note: if you have sensitive skin, avoid sunscreens with PABA, a common ingredient that can cause irritation; instead try a formulation with titanium dioxide (a non-irritating, non-chemical compound).

What to Do if You Get Sunburn

Pharmacies and Prescription Drugs

Robert H. Page, MD and Curtis P. Page, MD are authors of the MEXICO: Health and Safety Travel Guide and the Healthy Traveler Regional Series. For more information visit medtogo.com

In recent years, thousands of North Americans have traveled to Mexico to purchase pharmaceuticals at a fraction of U.S. costs. While there are obvious benefits to this practice, there is and always will be questions about the authenticity of the medications.

Availability and Use
With the exception of controlled substances such as narcotics, stimulants, sleeping pills, and barbiturates, you can purchase most pharmaceuticals in Mexico without a doctor’s prescription. As a general rule, once a pharmaceutical is approved for use in any European or North American country, it is made available in Mexico.

Vacation Advice for Traveling with Disabilities

Mexico is making access for people with disabilities more easier. It is moving at a slow rate but you can see some progress toward it. Within the hotel zone the side walks are being replaced with smooth ones that where before they where broken up with out ramps. In tourist towns such as Cancun I have seen the most progress. There is more accessibility to hotels, restaurants and malls.

The Cancun Airport has under a major renovation towards disabilities with larger bathrooms, more elevators, ramps to get off the planes and attendants ready to help. There are also taxi companies getting involved in a movement to getting transportation vans with lifts and with in the next year should have them. However there are taxis that are ready to help with transferring people to their hotels if needed or you can rent a car from the airport to accompany your needs.