Moctezuma's revenge

Tourist digestive distress

Moctezuma's revenge is traveler's diarrhea, especially when contracted by visitors to Mexico.

The name invokes the Aztec emperor as though exacting posthumous vengeance on foreign intruders: I spent half my Cancún trip in the bathroom with Moctezuma's revenge.

Also spelled Montezuma's revenge.

dysenteryBloody intestinal infection
diarrheaFrequent liquid bowel movements
upset stomachGastrointestinal distress
travel insurancePolicy covering journey-related losses
bottled waterCommercially sealed H2O

foodborne illness · gastroenteritis · food poisoning · salmonella · stomach cramps · pathogens · E. coli · Aztecs · indigenous resistance · dehydration · street food · tap water · colonialism · tourist destinations · hygiene practices · conquistadors · Hernán Cortés · vaccinations

Opposites

gastrointestinal state

Moctezuma's revengedigestive health

Gastrointestinal system condition

regularity · constipation · intestinal fortitude

travel health experience

Moctezuma's revengeacclimation

Adjusting to new conditions

colonial/cultural narrative

Moctezuma's revengecolonial exploitation

Extracting wealth from conquered territories

Family

revenge, avenge, avenged, avenger, avengers, avenging, vengeful, vengeance, revengeful

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG