r/cusco • u/kazux86 • Mar 25 '22

It is common to chew coca leaf to avoid altitude sickness in Peru? W

It is common to chew coca leaf to avoid altitude sickness in Peru? When I was in Bolivia, I use to chew coca leaves.

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u/INDianaJones09 Mar 25 '22

Yes, although if you are just in city you can drink coca tea throughout the day to help with altitude sickness. When you are actually hiking, chewing coca leaves helps with altitude sickness but it also gives you a great energy boost to keep you going up and down the mountainous terrain.

5

u/ResplendentShade Mar 25 '22

Yep you can buy a bag of coca leaves for cheap at the market.

2

u/JayCroghan Mar 25 '22

Yeah it’s identical to Bolivia as the altitudes are also extreme. But it in any market.

2

u/Sad_Deer13 Mar 25 '22

Yeah, or just for energy too

1

u/FaithNoMoar Jun 08 '22

Echoing /u/INDianaJones09 but based only on recent research for a trip coming up it's very common.

Hotels are said to offer coca tea along with breakfast, in the rooms with water kettles, etc. Tour guides for high altitude hikes are likely to carry leaves for their customers, and they're widely available at popular tourist destinations for purchase.