Quito Elevation: How High is The Capital of Ecuador?

How Do You Prepare For High Elevation In Quito?

Building aerobic fitness before the trip helps your lungs handle thinner air, so spending time on the treadmill, at aerobics classes or jogging outdoors is useful. Ease into elevation gradually, spend your first couple of nights in a Quito hotel, and remember acclimatization starts over if you return from sea-level areas like the Galapagos or the Amazon.

If you’re planning a trip to Quito, it’s definitely worth preparing ahead.

We can’t recommend ChlorOxygen, Chlorophyll Concentrate Softgels enough; they really helped us adjust to the altitude. We started taking them about two weeks before our trip, and it made a noticeable difference.

Building aerobic fitness is also a great way to get ready for Ecuador’s high altitudes. The stronger your lungs are, the easier it is to handle Quito’s thinner air. In the months leading up to our trip, we made an effort to spend more time on the treadmill, at aerobics classes, or just jogging outdoors. Getting your lungs (and legs) in shape helps you feel more prepared and makes for a more enjoyable experience overall.

What Is Altitude Sickness In Quito?

Locals call it Soroche, and it can affect anyone arriving from substantially lower elevations, including Ecuadorians. International health guidelines say it can develop above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), and Quito sits just 350 meters above that threshold. In our experience, symptoms were mild for a day or two, and many people feel none at all.

Locals refer to altitude sickness as Soroche, and even Ecuadorians can feel its effects when traveling from sea level up to Quito. While it’s a common concern, there’s generally no need to worry—altitude sickness in Quito is rare, and when it does occur, the symptoms are typically mild.

According to international health guidelines, altitude sickness can develop at elevations above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), and Quito sits just 350 meters above that threshold. In our experience, we only had mild symptoms for a day or two, and many people, like us, don’t feel any negative effects from Quito’s elevation at all.

What Are The Symptoms Of Altitude Sickness In Quito?

Symptoms include headaches, sleeplessness, nausea, upset stomach, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, running out of breath when ascending stairs, and a decrease of appetite. These usually appear if you arrive in Quito from a substantially lower altitude, which many people do. They are generally minor and typically last only a day or two.

Altitude sickness has a lot of symptoms that you may suffer if you arrive in Quito from a substantially lower altitude, which many people do.

• Headaches
• Sleeplessness
• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy,
• Running out of breath when ascending the stairs
• Decrease of appetite.

These symptoms are generally minor and usually last for a day or two.

How Can You Avoid Elevation Sickness In Quito?

Stay hydrated, since drinking enough water is the best method for adjusting rapidly to minor symptoms. Avoid alcohol for a day or two, eat small, light meals, skip red meat, and do not rush into trekking or strong walks while you adjust. Avoid smoking, rest, and consult a doctor or descend if symptoms become severe.

Do not worry about altitude sickness; most people’s symptoms are minimal and will not interfere with the fun of your vacation. To avoid or minimize the effects of altitude sickness, you may follow our tips below:

• We highly recommend start taking ChlorOxygen, Chlorophyll Concentrate Softgels 2 weeks prior to your trip to Quito
• Staying hydrated by drinking enough water is the best method to adjust rapidly to minor symptoms of altitude sickness. 
• Alcohol will make you feel worse, so avoid it for a day or two. Eat small meals because large meals might aggravate nausea in certain people.
• You may need to use painkillers for headaches in some circumstances. Aspirin may be useful in alleviating the symptoms.
• Try not to do too much while you adjust to your new altitude. When individuals come and immediately go trekking in the mountains, they are more likely to encounter more severe symptoms, such as vomiting.
• Rushing out for a strong stroll is unlikely to make you feel wonderful, so avoid it.
• Aim for light, easy-to-digest meals, and avoid red meat for a day or two. Extra carbohydrates might also help you feel more energized if you’re tired.
• Avoid smoking so your lungs can concentrate on breathing in the thinner air.
• Allow yourself to rest and gradually acclimate to the shift and its consequences on your body.
• If you encounter more severe symptoms of altitude sickness, you should consult a doctor immediately and/or descend to a lower altitude.

What Remedies Help With Altitude Sickness In Quito?

Drinking plenty of water can often relieve headaches and other symptoms, and keeping chocolate or sugary snacks on hand provides a quick energy boost and lifts spirits. Oxygen inhalers might help you regain your breath. Coca tea, Gingko Biloba pills, and antioxidant vitamins C and E are used as natural options, though evidence for coca tea is inconclusive.

Staying hydrated is essential for managing and preventing altitude sickness—drinking plenty of water can often relieve headaches and other symptoms. We also found that keeping some chocolate or sugary snacks on hand was helpful. Not only do they provide a quick energy boost, but they also lift your spirits, which is a nice bonus when adjusting to the altitude.

These over-the-counter medications may also help alleviate altitude sickness:

• Paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen are examples of pain relievers. I would recommend taking ChlorOxygen 1-2 weeks ahead of the trip so it’s easier to deal with high altitudes.
• Diamox, an altitude drug containing acetazolamide.
• Oxygen inhalers might assist you in regaining your breath.
• Chlorophyll boosts the number of red blood cells in your body. The more red blood cells there are, the more opportunities for oxygen to be absorbed, thus, the effects of altitude sickness are reduced.
• Altitude sickness may be treated naturally with Coca tea, Gingko Biloba pills, and antioxidant vitamins C and E. Climbers have reported using all of these to naturally mitigate the effects of high altitude.

How Strong Is Sun Exposure At High Elevation In Quito?

Being close to the equator combined with high altitude means constant, intense sun that can quickly cause a burn. UV exposure increases about 4% for every 300 meters (1,000 feet) of elevation, and the UV index is frequently above 11 in Quito. Wear hats and UV-protected sunglasses, apply high-SPF sunscreen several times daily.

Source: a 2019 peer-reviewed study of Quito UV records.

Sunburn was a real concern for us while visiting Ecuador, especially in high-altitude areas. Being close to the equator, combined with Quito’s high altitude, means constant, intense sun exposure that can quickly lead to a bad burn. We noticed that UV light exposure increases about 4% for every 300 meters (1,000 feet) of elevation.

My wife and I made sure to wear hats and UV-protected sunglasses and applied a high-SPF sunscreen multiple times a day. Even on overcast days, we found that the tropical sun could burn, so we didn’t take any chances!

What Is The Bottom Line On Quito's Altitude?

Quito's altitude might seem intimidating, but many visitors experience only mild or no altitude sickness. With a few precautions, adjusting is easy. Drink enough water, take it easy for the first days, avoid alcohol, and protect yourself from the sun. Follow these recommendations and you can have a smooth and enjoyable time exploring Quito, Ecuador.

Quito’s altitude might seem intimidating, but most visitors experience only mild or no altitude sickness. We didn’t let it worry us too much, and with a few precautions, it was easy to adjust. Just follow our recommendations here, and you’ll have a smooth and enjoyable time exploring Quito, Ecuador.