Health

Will I need any especial vaccine?
No, sanitarian authorities in Zacatecas do not demand any especial certificate in order to enter the state.

Will I be affected by the altitude?
It is not too hard to adapt oneself to the 2496 metres above sea level of Zacatecas; however, you may feel a little physical discomfort during the first days, such as headache, nauseas and dizziness due to the lack of sufficient oxygen existing in the atmosphere.
If you were to feel these symptoms, just take a rest and drink something hot; the problem will disappear in a matter of hours.
In order to facilitate the process of acclimatisation, avoid moving around too much when arriving, eat frugally and avert fat and dishes too seasoned since digestion is slower in zones of high altitude. It is also advisable to drink plenty of water, re-hydrant beverages and infusions.

Is potable water reliable?
Many of the pipes in Zacatecas are as old as the city; this some times has a direct effect in the quality of the water. Hence, it is preferable not to drink it directly from the tap.
Some hotels in Zacatecas have additional purification systems; ask at the reception desk. They also use to put drums of water in the rooms.
Moreover, be careful when drinking a cold soft drink or having an ice cream in the streets; make sure they have been prepared with purified or boiled water.

What precautions should I take regarding food?
Food in Zacatecas is usually very spicy, over seasoned and greasy; its dishes are delicious but may provoke a few disorders in the digestive health of foreigners.
In order to avoid inconveniences, eat with moderation until your digestive system gets used to local flavours; be careful when you choose a restaurant, prefer those places presenting the proper hygienic conditions. It is not recommendable to eat at the vending stands on the streets.
Regarding fruits, prefer those that can be peeled, and in the case of salads, ask for them at well cleaned tourist restaurants only.
If in spite of all these precautions you were to suffer a stomach problem, do not be too scared since it is a rather common malady amongst travellers; they usually do not bring further complications.