Several Canadian tourists say they became sick with diarrhea and vomiting after returning from a stay at the Royalton hotel in Cancun. CTV News
Dozens of Canadian travellers say they became seriously ill after staying at a resort in Cancun, Mexico. Many report vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea, and some required hospital care after returning home.
Several guests who stayed at the Royalton Splash Riviera in Cancun in February describe what they believe was a widespread food-related illness at the property.
Families Say Illness Spread Quickly
Kelly Bennett travelled from Hamilton to Cancun with her extended family. She said the trip began well, with warm weather and time by the pool. However, by the third day, members of her group started getting sick.
“We went down five, six at a time,” Bennett said. She added that she saw other families facing similar symptoms.
“Many families were unwell, confined to their rooms. You could see it in the hallways, parents with children, towels that had been cleaned up—something was going around for sure."
Bennett said children in her group spent much of their time resting by the pool or staying in their rooms. Adults struggled with repeated trips to the bathroom.
After returning to Canada, doctors diagnosed some members of her family with food-borne parasites and norovirus, which spreads quickly and often causes vomiting and diarrhea.
“My son is still not well,” Bennett said. “He has parasites in his stool. The five of us have already provided 15 stool samples.”
She also claimed that one member of her group received a non-disclosure agreement after cancelling an outing due to illness.
Another Couple Shares Similar Experience
Warren Carriere and his girlfriend Nicole travelled to the same resort. Carriere said Nicole became seriously ill and later spent several days in hospital after returning to Vancouver Island.
“It was a nightmare,” he said. “Vomiting, diarrhea, severe cramping, severe stomach pain, nausea, symptoms that you would relate to some sort of food-related sickness.”
Doctors later confirmed a positive test for E. coli in her case. E. coli bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness and, in some situations, lead to food recalls in Canada.
Several other travellers have shared similar stories online. A Facebook group formed by recent guests continues to receive posts from people who say they also fell ill after staying at the resort.
The resort did not provide a response to requests for comment.
Experts Weigh In
Wayne Smith, from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, said Mexico remains a popular destination for Canadians. He noted that nearly 2.8 million Canadians travelled to Mexico last year.
“Last year, 2.8 million Canadians went to Mexico. And this January and February, there are big numbers. This is the type of news that they don’t want,” Smith said.
Smith also questioned the strength of non-disclosure agreements signed during a medical emergency.
“No court will enforce that,” he said, suggesting that individuals may have signed under pressure.
He advised travellers to carry proper medical insurance, including “cancel for any reason” coverage.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch said such outbreaks happen from time to time. He encouraged travellers to take extra care with food choices.
“We have an adage: boil it, peel it, cook it or forget it,” he said. “Some of the fresh produce may have bacteria or a virus on it that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.”
Changes at the Resort
Bennett said she noticed changes before leaving the property. Staff greeted guests with hand sanitizer at restaurant entrances, and some employees wore masks while speaking with visitors.
For many families, the vacation ended with medical visits instead of memories. Travellers continue to monitor the situation and share updates as more information becomes available.
