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Travel Advice for Dialysis Patients

Chronic illness of any type can create a reluctance to travel far from home. This is especially true if you are a patient with kidney disease or needing dialysis, as you must find a vacation spot with both good medical facilities and excellent dialysis centers. We find that with proper planning you can still enjoy a great vacation. The best equipped hospitals in major cities listed in the Mexico: Health and Safety Travel Guide have fully adequate dialysis centers that are well staffed and capable of rendering excellent care. If you are a dialysis patient, with a little planning, you, too, can say “Yes” to healthy travel when you think of Mexico.

How To Plan Your Trip

Once you have decided to travel, discuss your plans with your kidney doctor. If you have special dialysis needs, make sure that your doctor prepares you with any necessary documentation that you can present to Mexican physicians. We also recommend that you have your home-based dialysis clinic prepare a copy of your latest dialysis record or “run sheet,” and take this with you. Also carry a copy of your detailed, written medical history (see International Travel and Medical Information Sheet). Remember to carry duplicate copies of all your necessary documents in a separate piece of luggage.

Because you will have less control over your diet when you are traveling, it is wise to review dietary do’s and don’ts with your nutritionist before you go. Restaurant food is replete with excess sodium and potassium. Portions are usually large, requiring restraint by the traveler. Take lots of healthy snacks that you usually eat at home in case you get stuck without a reliable food source. Once you have properly prepared yourself, review the medical facilities at your intended destination(s). A good place to start is with the Mexico: Health and Safety Travel Guide, which provides an overview of over 60 recommended hospitals throughout Mexico. The MedToGo guide lists contact phone numbers with English speaking doctors and hospital personnel who are often available 24/7. You will need to make arrangements with a dialysis center at your vacation spot at least 2-4 weeks in advance. The earlier you start planning your trip, the more assured you can be that your schedule and vacation will proceed smoothly.

Travel Checklist

  1. Plan and prepare your vacation at least 2-4 weeks in advance
    • Meet with your kidney doctor, primary care physician and nutritionist
    • Contact a reliable dialysis center and kidney doctor at your chosen destination
  2. Check with your insurance carrier to see if services will be paid for on your vacation and if so, what documentation you will need to have to make a claim.
  3. Carry all of your necessary medical documents and contact information with duplicate copies. Include a copy of your latest EKG.
  4. Carry all prescriptions for medications, needles or other diabetic supplies. Customs inspectors may demand to see written documentation of your medical condition(s) as well as a certifying letter from your doctor.
  5. Take extra medications in case of delayed flights, or in case you would want to extend your vacation.
  6. Plan on 3-5 hours, three times a week for dialysis on your vacation. Try to locate hotels with easy access to the hospital, and within a short distance. Many hospitals have special arrangements with nearby hotels and always ask for discounts.

Nutritional Guidelines:

  1. Appetizers: Avoid them, as they are often high in sodium and potassium.
  2. Meats: Broiled or baked meats are acceptable (i.e., beef, hamburgers, steaks, chops, poultry), as are broiled or baked fish, or eggs. Avoid stews or casseroles.
  3. Starches: Plain rice, macaroni, or noodles with butter or margarine are fine. Rolls, bread, Melba toast, or unsalted breadsticks may be used with butter, margarine, or jelly.
  4. Vegetables: Because it is rare to find unsalted, cooked vegetables in a restaurant, ask to have your vegetables steamed and unsalted.
  5. Salads: Mixed tossed salads are fine, but limit tomatoes to half of a large tomato. Avoid add-ons at the salad bar, such as peas, kidney beans and bacon bits. Conventional salad dressings contain excess sodium. Stick to plain mayonnaise or oil and vinegar.
  6. Desserts: Fruit, sherbet, ice cream, or cakes and cookies may be eaten. Be sure to avoid chocolate, nuts and coconut.
  7. Beverages: Choose those allowed on your diet and be cautious with the sodium content. Avoid alcohol.


Remember to keep your salt intake low throughout the day. If you are on a trip and are eating all your meals out, keep track of what you’ve eaten all day. Remember to ask your nutritionist for suggestions and ideas about Mexican food before you go.