Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay.
Drinking water outside main towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Hepatitis A is common. Outbreaks of dengue fever occur in the area as well as dengue haemorrhagic fever .