Mexico alcohol warning issued after Playa del Carmen death
Holidaymakers are being warned of the risks of drinking alcohol in Mexico after the death of a young American woman at a resort led to accusations that some all-inclusive hotels were serving tainted drinks.
The US State Department has updated its safety and security advice for Mexico, warning travellers to ‘drink ‘in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.’
"There have been allegations that consumption of tainted or substandard alcohol has resulted in illness or blacking out," it said.
"Following these reports and in consultation with our Posts in Mexico, we updated our Country Specific Information for Mexico to provide updated safety information regarding potentially tainted alcohol," a department official told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Milwaukee area resident Abbey Connor was found dead in a pool at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, near Playa del Carmen, earlier this year after drinking tequila shots. Her 22-year-old brother Austin also blacked out but survived.
Following its initial report of the circumstances surrounding Connor’s death, the Journal Sentinel newspaper said it had received similar stories from more than three dozen people who experienced mysterious blackouts.
These allegedly took place at several different resorts in the region.
The UK Foreign Office has not updated its travel advice for Mexico and has not issued any specific warning about drinking alcohol in resorts.
The US State Department also warned of unscrupulous practices and price gouging at some private hospitals in Cancun, the Maya Riviera, and Cabo San Lucas.
It advises travellers to ‘obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care in these locations’.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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