While stomach disorders aren't likely to be a big problem in the Caribbean, taking a few common-sense precautions will lessen the chances greatly. Steer clear of unpasteurized dairy products and unrefrigerated food, and wash and peel fresh fruit and vegetables. When buying street food, stick to obviously popular food vendors and restaurants, and wash your hands well before you eat.

Drink only bottled or boiled water , or carbonated drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks and ice cubes. If you are outside of cities and this is not possible, make water safer by both passing it through an "absolute 1-micron or less" filter as well as adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. Filters and tablets are available from travel clinics and good outdoor equipment stores.

Swimming or bathing in rivers and lakes has risks as well, particularly giardia, a bacterium that causes stomach upset, fever and diarrhoea, and schistosomiasis , a freshwater flatworm found in parts of Antigua, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico and St Lucia that can penetrate unbroken skin; both are treatable with antibiotics. If you suspect that you have either of these, seek medical help.