Be Ready for the Altitude in Latin American Countries

In South and Central America, sudden jumps in elevation are very common, and many travellers underestimate how much they can affect your body.

For example, Lago Atitlán in Guatemala sits over 1,500 meters above sea level, volcano hikes around Antigua can reach 3,000 meters, and Costa Rica’s cloud forests often sit above 1,500–2,000 meters. Even if you feel fine at lower altitudes, your body needs time to adjust to thinner air. Oxygen levels drop, and that can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue. We are both fit and healthy people and weren’t sure how much it would affect us, so the first day we flew into La Paz (the highest capital city in the world with over 1 million residents) in Bolivia, we decided to take it slow... and walk up a big hill into town, big mistake! Even a short walk had us struggling, so be prepared. If you only have a short holiday and have planned Machu Picchu or something similar, you may need a few days to adjust. Our symptoms were mild, but we got headaches a lot and experienced tingly hands and feet most days.

Pushing yourself too quickly, especially on strenuous hikes, can make these symptoms worse and spoil your first few days. To acclimatise safely, plan your first day at higher elevations as a gentle one, drink plenty of water, eat light meals, avoid alcohol, and take it easy with physical activity. Some travellers also find coca tea in Andean countries helpful — we had this most days — or, in extreme cases, medications like Diamox (acetazolamide) can prevent altitude sickness. We also took this to help, and it seemed to work, but please consult your doctor before trying diamox.

By taking altitude seriously and pacing yourself, you’ll enjoy the spectacular hikes and views the region has to offer!