Los Cabos Alert! Tourists Warned To Watch What They Eat Right Now 

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Last Updated 2 months ago

No trip to any destination in Mexico is complete without indulging in some authentic Mexican food, which is much different from the Americanized version you’ll find at home.   

In Los Cabos, there is a mixture of family-owned Mexican restaurants offering traditional dishes, high-end Mexican restaurants offering everything from classics to creative fusions, and smaller casual dining spots and food stalls with Mexican street food staples.   

The latter, street food, is mostly why Los Cabos tourists are being warned to watch what they eat right now. 

Reason #1 – The Stormy Season 

The hurricane season in Los Cabos, like anywhere else, takes place during the summer months.   

This means that the destination can experience some pretty rainy days, even when a hurricane doesn’t directly affect the region.   

Although no storms have made landfall yet in Los Cabos this year, there have been a few storms off of the coast that have caused heavy rainfall. 

The Dangers Caused By Excessive Rain 

Excessive rainfall often leads to flooding in Los Cabos, which is the case with the recent rain that the destination has received.   

Flooding can, and has, in the past, led to sewage spills, some of which happen near street food stalls.   

Preparing food near the unsanitary conditions caused by sewer spills can result in contamination. 

How Los Cabos Is Protecting Tourists From Foodborne Illness  

The risk of contamination is why health officials are touring the streets to ensure that businesses selling food items properly clean the surrounding areas.   

Businesses that do not sanitize the areas around their food stalls in areas where sewer spills have occurred can face suspensions to prevent them from selling food.   

According to the State Commission for Protection Against Health Risks (Coepris) “no suspensions have been issued” this time around, but it’s important to be vigilant when choosing where to eat.   

Reason #2 – The Summer Heat 

Another issue to consider when it comes to enjoying street food in Los Cabos is the summer heat.   

It’s much more difficult to keep food cold when the temperatures are higher.   

This is why Coepris officials are monitoring food vendors to ensure that sufficient refrigeration is being used to keep food cold on hot summer days.   

How The Heat Affects Street Food In Los Cabos 

It’s common knowledge that bacteria begin to form when food is not kept at the right temperature.   

It makes sense that this is more of a problem when temperatures are consistently in the 90s.   

Bacteria can lead to foodborne illness that can not only ruin your vacation but make you very sick for days, or worse, so it’s important to be careful of what and where you eat while visiting Los Cabos during the hot summer months.   

What To Watch Out For 

Fortunately, there are some signs you can watch out for to help you avoid eating at the wrong food stalls.   

In the case of sewage spills, you’ll likely notice a foul smell in the area, and you can also look for sludge in the streets surrounding the stall.   

When it comes to foodborne illness caused by a lack of sufficient refrigeration, it’s pretty easy to detect just by taking a look around.   

You might want to avoid any food vendors that don’t seem like they have a setup that includes proper refrigeration.   

Other Dining Options In Los Cabos 

Sometimes, it might be better to avoid food stalls and street food vendors altogether during the summer months.   

There are plenty of options for enjoying an authentic Mexican meal at a brick-and-mortar dining establishment.   

If you’re staying at an all-inclusive, they’ll offer plenty of dining options as well, which will be a much safer choice if you’re visiting Los Cabos during the summer.