My husband and I are seriously considering taking an all inclusive southern resort vacation this winter, probably to Mexico, the Dominican or Cuba (I'm Canadian)- as they tend to me the least expensive. We went about five years ago before I had crohns and had a great time. This year however both of us are seriously considering if it would be worth it. It's so common to hear of healthy people getting sick from food/water in these countries, even though they do provide you with filtered water at the resorts. I'm worried that what would be common travellers diahrea for a regular person will make me seriously sick.
I asked my GI for advice. He didn't tell me to either go or not go. But said if I do go and got an infection it could be really bad. And said I'd have to be so careful with what I ate it may not be worth it and suggested I go to another country (Bahamas, Bermuda, or US like Florida, etc) where there wouldn't be the same issues. That would be a lot more expensive though.
Has anyone gone on any of these all inclusive trips and how did it go? Or does anyone know of any resorts that are very careful about the production of their food and drinks where I wouldn't have to worry as much? I'm having a hard time finding info on the internet.
Reply posted for Mnqshann.
I went to the Dominican Republic 3 years ago. I was very concerned also. I actually took my own water ( just in case) which I never needed. I also got a script for an antibiotic from my doctor in case I got travelers diarrhea which I also didn't need.
Had a great time. It was an all inclusive resort their were lots of bathrooms and they were also close to the beach. I always anticipate the worst and most of the time it works out.
Im planning another trip to Aruba. This time I don't plan on taking my own water but will take the antibiotic (just in case).
Reply posted for adelaney.
My husband and I went to an all inclusive in the Dominican Republic. We stayed at the Paradisus Palma Real. It was incredible. There are also lots of bathrooms located around the resort although if you are out on the beach, getting to one in time could be a problem. We stayed in a royal service suite, which were close to the beach, so I could always run back to the room in an emergency. I really didn't have any problems with the food and there were a bunch of different restaurants in the resort to choose from. When I travel, I usually try to eat very little and take a lot of immodium which seems to help me cut back on trips to the bathroom. I also always wear a pad when I'm traveling to give me some extra assurance in case I can't quite make it. The only thing that did give me some anxiety was the trip from the airport to the resort, which took a little while and there were very few possibilities for bathroom stops lol. Also people drive like crazy there!! It is possible to travel with Crohns, but it just takes a lot of preparation and for me starvation lol.
Reply posted for adelaney.
We went to Dominican all inclusive and it was fine . There is lots of good food to make choices from. Anywhere out of the country I would use bottle water. We just got back from acapulco mexico and we ate all over and you could always fine plain chicken or beef somewhere . The thing with aca is it is always 90 and not much rain...
Reply posted for adelaney.
I'm diagnosed with UC.. I recently went to DR and Mexico and had no serious issues...my husband however, who isn;t diagnosed with crohns or ulcerative colitis, had a horrible time when he drank the water in Jamaica.
I would recommend taking your own bottled water, don;t eat anything too spicy and stock up on your medication.