Quito is also the capital city closest to the equator. Later in the day, we travelled up to 9,600 feet and I started to get another headache. Just breathe deeply and relax. Many hotel provide coca tea bags for their guests. People traveling to Quito from lower elevations can experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness. Pack some headache tablets . Longitude: -78.183406 Latitude: -1.831239 Elevation: 1394m / 4573feet Barometric Pressure: 86KPa The city lies in a valley hemmed by volcanic peaks. Tanager Photo by Peter Wendelken. The area within 2 miles of Quito is covered by trees ( 52%) and grassland ( 43% ), within 10 miles by grassland ( 41%) and trees ( 41% ), and within 50 miles by trees ( 52%) and grassland ( 25% ). BLUE-NECKED TANAGER Tangara cyanicollis Perched in the Sun along the Río Nambillo near Mindo ECUADOR. The city is a popular tourist attraction, but several tourists traveling from low altitude areas experience altitude sickness upon landing. SWALLOW TANAGER Male Tersina viridis Eating Orange Pico Pico Fruit in a Tree in Mindo in Northwestern ECUADOR. There are some products (diamox) which some people suggest help and others don´t. The first country on the main list, Bolivia, is a country with multiple capitals; La Paz is the seat of the government while Sucre is the constitutional capital. Diamox, in my opinion, is overkill and it can have some serious side effects. Do be aware that it can show up in urine drug tests so if your employer requires random tests you should avoid it. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. With the elevation of 2850 meters above sea level, Quito is the second highest capital in the world; La Paz in Bolivia is arguably the highest. The last 500 feet are practically an uphill climb and is one of the hardest hikes I've ever completed. Guided Motorcycle Tour in the Andes, Amazon and Pacific Regions of Ecuador ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47618207', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Quito for the first time a couple of weeks ago and found that the altitude affected me quite badly. We were just there, and we could notice a difference in breathing, but it wasn't too bad. Once I got moving again, a local suggested that I try some of the high cocoa content chocolate that is on sale everywhere. Altitude sickness can cause headaches, drowsiness, and shortness of breath because of the lack of oxygen that high up. Quito is slightly cooler, with annual temperatures averaging 3 degrees Fahrenheit lower (based on a 40-year average) than Cuenca’s. I took a lower dose than prescribed and still had some side effects (tingling in my fingertips and face). Volcan Pichincha – Hike to the top of this 15,696 foot volcano. I took Diamox before I flew to La Paz, Bolivia, which is several thousand feet higher than (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I found that it really helps to drink a lot when you fly into a high-elevation city, especially coca tea (which is widely available in Bolivia and Peru, and I'm guessing it will be an option in Ecuador also). OZOMENE ALTINOTE Actinote ozomene, a BUTTERFLY IN THE GRASS, Reserva Las Gralarias near Mindo, Ecuador. Caffeine has been shown to be effective for reducing altitude headaches. But is it also the most beautiful of all cities on the continent? If you are flying there is not much you can do. Most people get a headache and shortness of breath. Diamox, in my opinion, is overkill and it can have some serious side effects. At an altitude of 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, Quito is the second highest Capital City in South America. Ride the Teleferiqo. Best way to travel - new Quito airport to historic center. No need to worry about altitude-related health problems or … posted by brokkr at … CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER Male Colaptes rivolii at the Nest in the Tandayapa Valley of northwestern Ecuador. I was in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Hummingbird Photo by Peter Wendelken. Full Day Quito City Tour Including Teleférico and Mitad del Mundo, 5-Day Tour Quito's Highlights & Surroundings, Baños Tour from Quito - 1 Day- Private Tour, For those who have gone to Ecuador during the pandemic, Quito one day guided tour for adult & teen, Quito Ecuador find a deal to travel look up online discounts, best transport from Quito airport to Quito hotel. WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN Female (a hummingbird) Florisuga mellivora Hovering in Sleeping Hibiscus Bush in Mindo, ECUADOR. STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus at Sachatamia Lodge above Mindo in Northwestern ECUADOR. Getting lower means a quite long bus ride. I got hold of a 75% cocoa bar and ate half of it - fifteen minutes later, I was absolutely cured. How to Deal With Altitude Sickness When in Ecuador Hydrate, hydrate and… oh, did we say hydrate? https://www.tripsavvy.com/ecuadors-highest-mountains-1637004 If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I'm wavering now over whether I will take it in Ecuador. Otavalo, town, north-central Ecuador, in the highlands of the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 8,441 feet (2,573 metres). It is something that most people acclimate to after they are in the city for a couple of days. Im landing in Guayaquil - going straight to Cuenca and working my way up to the altitude in Quito, but I get the feeling I will need them for the drive through Cajas. FLAMING RED: PALE-MANDIBLED ARAÇARI Pteroglossus erythropygius in Pico Pico Tree in Mindo, Ecuador. This page shows the elevation/altitude information of Quilotoa, Ecuador, including elevation map, topographic map, narometric pressure, longitude and latitude. more. Quito is located at about 9,350 feet (2,850 meters) above sea level. Water is key in helping oxygenate the body and bring it back up to speed with the thinner air found up at these altitudes. Also worth consuming is any range of hot herbal teas, especially coca-leaf tea if your hotel offers it. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40040906', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Peru. We also did the Cotapaxi hike where you can really notice it, but as long as you rest when you need to, it seemed ok. We were worried prior to the trip as well, but it did not make much difference and we would not worry about it if we went again. The oldest of all South American capitals, Quito is notable for its well-preserved old town. It is situated on the lower slopes of the volcano Pichincha, which last erupted in 1666, in a narrow Andean valley at an elevation of 9,350 feet (2,850 meters), just south of the Equator. No problems. The cabin pressure while you are sitting in your seat on the airliner will be approx. Elevation of Quito is 2930.11 meters or 9613.23 feet and the elevation of Coca is 253.34 meters or 831.17 feet, which is a difference of 2676.77 meters or 8782.06 feet. While the altitude in Quito is a grand 2850 meters (9,350 feet), Guayaquil lies close to sea level. 8000 feet, when you arrive in Quito you will be 1500 feet higher..Dont worry about it. Weather: Similar. The elevation of the new airport is at 7,800ft compared to the 9,200ft of the old airport making it a safer destination for planes. Sponsored ad. Coca tea is not that widely available but you can get it in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The ascent takes about twenty minutes, traveling 2,237 linear metres. My recollection is that you start the drug about 24 hours before your arrival, but check that with your doctor. Elevation : 7 meters / 22.97 feet, 3. I spent fifteen hours in bed, drifting in and out of sleep, before feeling slightly better. Avoid alcohol for the first few days, and take it easy exercise-wise. Altitude effects are pretty random - one trip you could get them, the next time no. Although Quito is not the most populated city in Ecuador – the port city of Guayaquil has a greater population – it is a true metropolis. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sur… Abrupt changes in elevation such as this sometimes have ill effects on travelers. Had no side effects other than my favorite one - no appetite. Thanks for all the replies, puts my mind at ease. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40025852', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airplane cabins are pressurized to 8000' and Quito is 9200' so chances are you will be fine. These 25 … Didn't take anything when we were there, felt a slight headache, but not even enough to bother w/drugs. We walked all over, taking things slowly. Photo by Peter Wendelken. I think what is key here is to just take it easy and its good to know there are some remedies out there, just in case :). I think I will probably skip the Diamox for my upcoming trip to Quito and just use breathing strips on my nose to help with the apnea. The city of Quito in the Republic of Ecuador is the second-highest capital city in the world at an altitude of 9,350ft above the sea level. Graham's recommendations are sound; don't try to gogogo the first couple of days 'til you see how you are. If La Paz is considered the national capital, then it is ranked number one on the list. American Airlines’ flights to Quito, Ecuador, would be to one of the highest-altitude airports in its system. up the cable car), take it easy on the stairs, don´t try to see everything in the city. You could read up on that and make a decision. Be sure to adjust to the elevation first in Quito before attempting to hike this volcano. Quito is also a little wetter, with annual rainfall averaging 48 inches compared to Cuenca’s 29. Everyone I was traveling with who didnt take Diamox had severe symptoms - 1 older woman needed oxygen. Quito is at 9000 feet ( 2850 meters ). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40024710', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Quito. Many hotel provide coca tea bags for their guests. andespanoL1003170 explored Feb 15 Thank you. I will be traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Within hours of arriving, I developed a splitting headache and was pretty much unable to function. But really serious problems (such as pulmonary edema) usually don't develop at elevations below 10,000 feet. Tanager Photo by Peter Wendelken. However, if Sucre is specified, then Ecuador's capital, Quito, is the national capital at the highest elevation. I wonder if it could have been the caffeine in the chocolate?? You can drink the tap water safely in Bogotá but not in Quito. Coca can help some people. SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN TANAGER Anisognathus igniventris on a Stalk of Gunnera Fruit at Yanacocha in Northwestern Ecuador. Largely destroyed in the 1868 earthquake, the town has since been rebuilt. Since I had problems in Colorado years ago, I didnt want to take the chance and took Diamox in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Most people get a headache and shortness of breath. Hummingbird Photo by Peter Wendelken. Within 50 miles also contains extreme variations in elevation ( 18,576 feet ). No medical sources , bar one , recommends preventive medication for flying in directly to Quito from low altitude. I've also had trouble sleeping because of the apnea triggered by high altitude (I stop breathing and then wake up gasping). It might seem anal to make this point , but I´d say from experience that above or below 3000 makesa real difference in a first stop.