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Hi,

I just returned from Costa Rica and thought it was important to point out that
we need to be concerned with traveller's diarrhea as well as gluten.  It can be
hard for some of us to know if we had gluten or it's just the water.  I found a
good website on this subject by linking from travelsmith.com on the free
traveller's information area.  It is recommended that you take 2 pepto bismol
tablets 4 times a day, this is ok if it's only for a couple of weeks.  I also
checked with my doctor who recommended this.  I got a prescription for cipro in
case I did get TD anyway.  The pepto is supposed to reduce incidence of TD 60%
of the time.  Immodium does not prevent TD, only treats it.

In Costa Rica, the locals did not believe us about TD, but we ignored them
because we got it bad in Cancun, where they claim to have purified water in all
the hotels.  Avoid ice, unless they made it from bottled water and don't eat
salads or fruits unless you peel the fruit yourself.  Get your fruits from
juices.  Also of concern is whether or not the milk and cheese is pasteurized.
Only some of the people understood what this meant.  Look on the milk boxes to
see if it says that it was heated at high temperature.  Don't buy locals
cheeses.

One Costa Rican told us to have a little water each day to build up a tolerance
but this is ridiculous when you are only travelling for a week or two.  Expect
to spend a lot on water, and don't worry about it, it's worth it.  Learn how to
say "no ice" and other important phrases in Spanish if you want to eat outside
of resort areas.

As if we don't have enough to worry about....but this could save you from
ruining your vacation, like ours was ruined in Cancun.  We were very careful
and did not get sick this time.

Diane, PA

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