Have you ever wondered if altitude sickness exists in Quito, Ecuador? You're not alone. The truth is, Quito's high elevation can cause serious harm to your body when you first arrive. We'll cover more about Quito altitude and 3 tips to prevent Quito altitude sickness.
Quito, Ecuador is located in the Andes Mountains at 9,350′ feet (2,850 meters). For reference, Denver CO is 5,280 feet above sea level and Flagstaff AZ is 6,909 feet above sea level.
Quito Altitude
Quito is a city of exceptional beauty, and is considered the second highest capital city in the world. The city's location at this high altitude makes it a popular tourist destination for visitors from other parts of Ecuador and from many other countries worldwide.
Many visitors wonder does Quito give you altitude sickness? Yes, many people can expect to experience some altitude sickness in Quito.
The air is thin at this elevation of 9,350′ feet. The high altitude and low oxygen levels of Quito can leave you feeling exhausted and lightheaded at the very least. But the effects of altitude sickness can be even more severe.
Research has shown 40-50% of people experience altitude sickness at elevation of 10,000 feet, putting Quito visitors at very high risk.³
Symptoms of Quito altitude sickness may include:
Altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness (AMS), generally occurs within 24 hours of arriving at high altitudes and can last for many days.
It is still important to be aware of the symptoms of Quito altitude sickness and take precautions that we discuss below on how to avoid them.
We highly recommend taking homeopathic altitude sickness prevention such as altitude sickness tablets when visiting Quito. Products like our Zaca chewable tablets help fuel your body with nutrients to help fight the stressors on the body from high altitude. You can take Zaca chewable tablets days before arriving and then every day on your trip.
If you’re not used to such high elevations, you may end up ill with altitude sickness that ruins your trip. This is why we’ve compiled this list of 3 tips for preventing Quito altitude sickness.
Here are three ways to prevent Quito altitude sickness:
Formulated with both altitude-recognized ingredients Glutathione and DHM, Zaca chewables are a top choice for altitude trips and long flights. These fast-acting chewable tablets provide your body with the herbs, antioxidants and nutrients needed by those who travel to high altitudes. Take Zaca a few days leading up to your trip, and then each day on your visit. Try Zaca chewable tablets today and feel better faster at high altitudes.
SOURCES:
1. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
2. Dihydromyricetin Improves Physical Performance under Simulated High Altitude
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2014/11000/Dihydromyricetin_Improves_Physical_Performance.6.aspx
3. Patient education: High-altitude illness (including mountain sickness)
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-altitude-illness-including-mountain-sickness-beyond-the-basics/print#
4. Quito, Ecuador
https://journeynorth.org/mclass/spring2007/Intro9.html
5. Quito Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quito