Coca tea to the rescue
June 2024
Happy to see you back for another newsletter from the Andes!
I am sitting this cold morning, wrapped in a blanket, warm socks and with my first cup of hot coffee, writing this blog post. Yes, it's cold here right now. La Paz, one of the highest cities in the world at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level, makes us very aware of the altitude, especially now in winter with very cold nights and mornings.
However, it’s important to mention that the days right now are incredibly beautiful, with sun and a crystal blue skies!
More than just the weather and weather questions, many travelers ask us about altitude, altitude sickness and how they will feel and how their bodies will react upon arriving in the Andes.
The truth is, it's different for everyone. You might feel fine on one visit and experience tiredness or headaches the next.
Or maybe you won’t feel much at all. But don't worry, whatever you feel, there are ways to help your body adjust.
Even if you feel just fine, it can still be good to follow these suggestions to keep feeling great!
Rest and Take It Slow Upon Arrival
Rest on Your First Day: When you arrive in La Paz, take it easy for the first few hours or even the whole day. Avoid strenuous activities and allow your body to adapt to the altitude. Even walking can be tiring at high altitudes, so move at a slower pace to avoid overexertion.
Monitor Your Body: Pay attention to how you're feeling. If you experience symptoms of altitude sickness, take breaks and rest more often.
Gradual Increase in Activity: Slowly increase your activity levels over the first few days. Gentle walking is fine, but avoid more heavy exercise or activities.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Light
Drink Plenty of Water: Drink more water than usual to avoid dehydration caused by high altitude.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: These substances can dehydrate you and worsen altitude sickness symptoms.
Eat Light and Frequent Meals: Opt to go for smaller, more frequent meals instead of heavy ones. Carbohydrate-rich foods can help prevent nausea, a common symptom of altitude sickness.
If you still feel affected by the altitude, there are remedies available at pharmacies, and oxygen is available in many places, though it's usually not necessary.
We recommend drinking coca tea, which you can find in many hotels, cafes, and restaurants around the city. Coca leaves have been used for centuries by locals to help with altitude sickness.
They contain natural compounds that improve oxygen uptake in the body, reducing symptoms like headaches and nausea. Drinking coca tea or chewing coca leaves can help you feel better and adapt more quickly to the high altitude of La Paz.
Check out this video about coca tea.
But most importantly, don’t stress too much about it.
Stress can make symptoms worse, and most people feel the difference in air and altitude but don’t need to take any medicines or pills. Just enjoy some coca tea, embrace the traditions, and feel the magic of the Andes.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and get a code for a free coca tea at our sister restaurant Tambo when you arrive in La Paz.
You will also get the latest updates and news about what is going on in La Paz this week!
See you around!
