How long does altitude sickness last in La Paz?

Most people feel significantly better by day 3-4. Mild symptoms like slight breathlessness when climbing stairs can persist for 1-2 weeks until you're fully acclimatized.

Should I take altitude sickness pills before arriving?

Diamox (acetazolamide) can help if taken 1-2 days before arrival, but it has side effects. Start with natural methods first. You can buy Diamox at La Paz pharmacies for 80-120 bolivianos if needed.

Is it safe to drink alcohol in La Paz?

Avoid alcohol completely for the first 3 days. It dehydrates you and worsens symptoms significantly. Even after acclimatizing, you'll get drunk much faster at altitude.

What if I have a connecting flight through La Paz airport?

El Alto airport is even higher at 13,323 feet. If you have a layover longer than 4 hours, consider staying at the airport rather than going into the city to avoid double altitude adjustment.

Can I exercise or do tours immediately?

Absolutely not. Skip the walking tours and bike rides for your first 3 days. Even locals take it easy when returning from lower elevations. Book tours starting from day 4 at the earliest.

How to Handle Altitude Sickness in La Paz

La Paz sits at 11,975 feet, so altitude sickness is common. Rest for 24-48 hours upon arrival, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and consider coca tea. If symptoms worsen or include severe headaches, confusion, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

Plan your arrival carefully. Book accommodation near the airport in El Alto initially, or choose hotels in the lower Zona Sur area (10,500-11,000 feet) rather than the city center. Avoid scheduling activities for your first 24 hours.
Rest completely on day one. Stay in your hotel. Sleep as much as possible. Your body needs time to start producing more red blood cells. Even light walking can trigger symptoms during the first 24 hours.
Hydrate aggressively but smartly. Drink 3-4 liters of water daily, but sip slowly throughout the day. Chugging water can cause nausea. Add electrolyte packets to every second bottle to replace minerals lost through increased breathing.
Try coca tea immediately. Drink mate de coca every 2-3 hours. Buy it at any corner store for 3-5 bolivianos per box. Steep 2-3 leaves for 5 minutes. Locals swear by it, and it genuinely helps with mild symptoms.
Eat light, frequent meals. Stick to simple carbohydrates: bread, rice, pasta, crackers. Eat small portions every 2-3 hours rather than large meals. Heavy or fatty foods make nausea worse and require more oxygen to digest.
Monitor symptoms closely. Mild headache, fatigue, and slight nausea are normal for 2-3 days. Seek medical help immediately if you experience severe headache, confusion, difficulty walking, persistent vomiting, or trouble breathing.
Descend if symptoms worsen. If symptoms don't improve by day 3 or get worse at any point, take a bus to lower elevations like Copacabana (12,500 feet) or better yet, Santa Cruz (1,400 feet). Even 1,000 feet lower makes a difference.

How long does altitude sickness last in La Paz?: Most people feel significantly better by day 3-4. Mild symptoms like slight breathlessness when climbing stairs can persist for 1-2 weeks until you're fully acclimatized.
Should I take altitude sickness pills before arriving?: Diamox (acetazolamide) can help if taken 1-2 days before arrival, but it has side effects. Start with natural methods first. You can buy Diamox at La Paz pharmacies for 80-120 bolivianos if needed.
Is it safe to drink alcohol in La Paz?: Avoid alcohol completely for the first 3 days. It dehydrates you and worsens symptoms significantly. Even after acclimatizing, you'll get drunk much faster at altitude.
What if I have a connecting flight through La Paz airport?: El Alto airport is even higher at 13,323 feet. If you have a layover longer than 4 hours, consider staying at the airport rather than going into the city to avoid double altitude adjustment.
Can I exercise or do tours immediately?: Absolutely not. Skip the walking tours and bike rides for your first 3 days. Even locals take it easy when returning from lower elevations. Book tours starting from day 4 at the earliest.