Prevention of malaria morbidity relies on the use of personal protection from mosquito bites, appropriate chemoprophylactic drugs, and early investigation of symptoms in returning travellers. Malaria chemoprophylaxis must be tailored to the individual patient's travel and personal needs, and no chemoprophylaxis is completely effective. Chloroquine alone is adequate for those areas with P vivax, or sensitive P falciparum but in most circumstances the choice will be between mefloquine and doxycycline. The specific area visited, the time spent there and the individual's medical history will help determine the final choice.