Does oxygen in a hotel room actually help?

Yes, if you are struggling to sleep, many upscale hotels in Cusco provide oxygen canisters or pumped oxygen in the room. It is a legitimate aid for severe shortness of breath at night.

Is coffee safe to drink?

Limit your caffeine intake for the first two days. It is a diuretic and can exacerbate dehydration, which makes altitude sickness symptoms worse.

How to handle altitude sickness in Cusco

Prioritize rest for the first 24 hours, stay hydrated with coca tea or water, and avoid alcohol and heavy meals upon arrival. If you plan on doing strenuous trekking, spend at least 48 to 72 hours acclimatizing in the city before starting.

Pre-departure preparation. Consult your doctor about Acetazolamide (Diamox) at least two weeks before your trip. Start taking it 24 hours before arriving in Cusco if you are prone to altitude sensitivity.
Arrival management. Do nothing physically demanding on your first day. Check into your accommodation, drink a cup of mate de coca (coca tea) provided by the hotel, and take a long nap to let your body adjust to the 3,399-meter (11,152 ft) elevation.
Hydration and nutrition. Double your normal water intake. High altitude is dehydrating. Avoid red meat and heavy, greasy fried foods; stick to soups, grains, and light carbohydrates for the first 48 hours to aid digestion.
Monitor your vitals. If you experience a severe headache that doesn't subside with ibuprofen, nausea, or dizziness, descend to a lower altitude immediately—such as the Sacred Valley (Pisac or Urubamba), which is about 600 meters lower than Cusco.

Does oxygen in a hotel room actually help?: Yes, if you are struggling to sleep, many upscale hotels in Cusco provide oxygen canisters or pumped oxygen in the room. It is a legitimate aid for severe shortness of breath at night.
Is coffee safe to drink?: Limit your caffeine intake for the first two days. It is a diuretic and can exacerbate dehydration, which makes altitude sickness symptoms worse.