Mexico City Altitude Sickness: A Must-Read Guide And 6 Tips

Altitude sickness can affect visitors to Mexico City and surrounding areas. As a company that specialized in high altitudes, we'll give you the complete must-read guide about Mexico City altitude sickness and 6 tips how you can avoid it.

Mexico City Altitude

One of the highest major cities includes in the world, Mexico City sits at an elevation of 7,349 feet.

Mexico City Altitude:

• Mexico City altitude - 7,349 ft (2,240 m)

With over 9 million people, Mexico city it is the highest population high-altitude city in the world.¹

Whether staying in Mexico City altitude or visiting surrounding destinations, pyramids, hikes, or tourist spots ─ including the popular spots of Puebla City and Teotihuacan Pyramids ─ these altitudes are all very high.²

Altitudes of Destinations Near Mexico City:

• Puebla City altitude - 7,005 ft (2,135 m)
• Teotihuacan Pyramids altitude - 7,500 ft (2,300 m)
• Xochimilco altitude - 7,461 ft (2,274 m)
• Cholula or Great Pyramid of Cholula altitude - 7,050 ft (2,150 m)
• Izta-Popo National Park altitude - 11,105 ft (3385 m) to 17,802 ft (5,426 m)³
• Tula (Tula de Allende) altitude - 6683 ft 2037m

Mexico City altitude and the other local destinations have a very high risk for altitude sickness, which we'll cover in more detail below.

Mexico City Altitude vs Denver

If you're wondering what Mexico City altitude vs Denver is, you might be surprised. Being based out of Denver, we know there's a 2069 feet (630 meters) difference between Denver and Mexico.

• Denver altitude - 5280 ft (1,609 m)
• Mexico City altitude - 7,349 ft (2,240 m)

While altitude sickness is still a problem for Denver visitors, it only sits at 5280 feet in altitude. Mexico City altitude is at 7,349 feet, a significantly higher elevation.

Can You Get Altitude Sickness In Mexico City?

Yes, you can get altitude sickness in Mexico City.

University of Michigan reports that altitude sickness can start when "traveling to an altitude above 6,000 feet (1,829 meters)".⁴

Even in Denver at 5860 feet, some visitors can experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness. In Mexico City at 7,349 feet, this gives a high probability that you will feel some symptoms of altitude sickness, especially if you're coming from sea level.

Mexico City Altitude Sickness

With such a high altitude above sea level, it’s not surprising then that many visitors to this bustling metropolis will experience some form Mexico City altitude sickness.

Mexico City altitude sickness can give you symptoms with everything from headache and nausea to vomiting and fatigue. The severity of symptoms varies widely among people, and can easily turn your trip into a miserable experience.

Mexico City altitude effects may include the following:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue and weakness
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of face, hands or feet
• Irritability
• Feeling ill

BetterHealth Channel says altitude sickness can happen after at least four hours.⁵ We'd recommend monitoring yourself for Mexico city altitude effects between 4-24 hours after arrival.

To prevent a bad travel experience, be well prepared for Mexico City altitude sickness by following our six tips below.

What Causes Mexico City Altitude Sickness?

The main cause of Mexico City altitude sickness is lower oxygen levels. Mexico City will have nearly 5% less oxygen compared to sea level.⁶

When you travel to Mexico City from a low-lying area such as New York City or Los Angeles, your body needs time to adjust to the lack of oxygen at higher altitudes. This process is known as acclimatization.

Acclimatization takes place over several days and involves physiological changes in your body that help you adapt to lower oxygen levels increased respiration. At heights like Mexico City, visitors aren't always able to adjust fast enough and therefore experience some forms of altitude sickness.

Is Mexico City At A High Altitude?

Yes, Mexico City is considered high altitude.

Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico, an area of high plateaus in the center of Mexico surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. This puts Mexico City altitude at 7,349 feet high.

According to Mountain Medicine, Mexico City is at high altitude because it falls in their category between 4,900–11,500 feet (1,500–3,500 meters) above sea level.⁸ At these heights, oxygen levels drop drastically and altitude sickness becomes a concern.

6 Tips To Avoid Mexico City Altitude Sickness

With over 3 million tourists a year, Mexico City altitude sickness is a common occurrence for travelers and especially those who are not accustomed to the high altitude.⁹

If you're visiting Mexico City and plan to spend some time exploring its surrounding areas ─ you'll need properly prepare yourself for the Mexico City altitude that can setback your trip.

How do you avoid Mexico City altitude sickness? As a company based in Colorado with high altitude experience, we'll reveal to you our top tips.

Here Are 6 Tips To Avoid Mexico City Altitude Sickness:

1. Acclimate Slowly

2. Get Proper Hydration

3. Avoid Strenuous Activity

4. Rest Adequately

5. Limit Alcohol

6. Supplement Glutathione

In conclusion, follow these well researched tips to help avoid Mexico City altitude sickness ─ which includes acclimating slowly, getting proper hydration, avoiding strenuous activity, rest adequately, limiting alcohol consumption, and supplementing glutathione. 

 

SOURCES:

1. List of highest large cities
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_large_cities
2. 15 Best Day Trips from Mexico City
https://www.roadaffair.com/best-day-trips-from-mexico-city/
3. How to Hike In Izta-Popo National Park And See Active Volcanoes
https://slightnorth.com/izta-popo-hike-in-mexico-city/
4. Altitude Sickness University Of Michigan Health Service
https://uhs.umich.edu/travel-altitude-sickness
5. Altitude Sickness Better Health
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/altitude-sickness
6. Oxygen Levels at Altitude
https://wildsafe.org/resources/ask-the-experts/altitude-safety-101/oxygen-levels/
7. Mexico City Altitude Sickness: How to Prevent & Treat It 
https://travelmexicosolo.com/mexico-city-altitude-sickness
8. Effects of high altitude on humans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans#cite_note-10
9. Number of international tourist arrivals to hotels in Mexico City from 2010 to 2020
https://www.statista.com/statistics/806010/number-international-tourists-mexico-city/
10. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
11. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641
12. Mexico City Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_City
13. As someone who literally travels for a living, I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t realize Mexico City was this far above Denver elevation wise
https://www.reddit.com/r/mlb/comments/137zshy/as_someone_who_literally_travels_for_a_living_im/
14. Mexico City Altitude Recommendations: Best Guide to Avoid Altitude Sickness
https://two.travel/mexico-city-altitude-recommendations/
15. Mexico City Elevation – It’s a High Altitude City
https://crossbordercoverage.com/mexico-city-elevation/

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