Hi all, i was planning to spend four days (not long i know but the best i can do) in Mexico City (flying in from San Francisco). But having done some reading i am worried about spending most of my short trip suffering the effects of altitude sickness. any thoughts or advice please? cheers

Hi - I wondered about that too. But spent a very active first day in DF - walked miles!!

I'm relatively old and flew in from Europe, But a lot must depend on your own constitution.

If you are arriving early in the day then do take it easy. If you are arrriving late in the day, go to bed early, get up in the morning and head out.

NZSophie..
When I lived briefly in Mexico City, I had severe altitude sickness..
Mexico City is so huge and very dangerous..
Why don't you go somewhere in Mexico like Cabo or PV where it will be beautiful weather and the water is gorgeous to swim and its about $200 each way from SF on Alaska Air..and takes about 3+ hours to get there..
I hope you will take our advice!

The danger in La Ciudad is highly exaggerated.
Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and be aware of the altitude and potential polluted air.
There are indeed scores of great places throughout Mexico, but Mexico City is certainly on everyone's list.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Tahititam is so incorrect about almost everything $200 plan fares on Alaska to PV Utter Nonsense. Art times around $400 but last week $561. I have never experienced any problem with altitude. To discourage anyone not to experience the joys of Mexico City is just plan Criminal in My Estimation & to send anybody to a fake destination like Cancun should be a Capitol Offense! ( Now That's a joke folks so no letters please).

Sb,
Glad you said it, lol.
M

Please don't lump Puerto Vallarta in with Cabo and Cancun. That's simply not fair in my opinion.

Oh, darn, Stew!

Up until the line about "that's a joke", I was with you 100% !!
;-)

(And what is *UP* with all that nonsensical noise about altitude sickness??? Are there some worrywarts around here, or WHAT!?!?!)

See ya!
Mark

sorry! i dont mean to be a 'worrywart'!! - even the Fodors guidebook warns about altitude sickness. i've never been in a situation to experience it and would just hate to waste precious time missing things because of it. thanks, i appreciate all your advice.

stewbear..
Rates this week were $200 each way approximately on Alaska Air on Expedia with hotel from SF to Cabo was around $680 for 4 days/3 nights..
When you can learn to spell and write correctly, it would be great to have somewhat of a civil conversation with you!
I lived in Guadalajara for over a year and know Mexico and Mexico City very well..

mikemo..
how sad that you would agree with stewbear when he is so incorrect!

I love Mexico City and always spend time there on trips to Mexico. However, I HAVE experienced symptoms I would attribute to the altitude, mainly headaches, that I think vary with the weather, and my husband has sometimes been short of breath. Always best to be moderate in food and drink as well.

I avoid airfares as they change in milliseconds: SO is a 45 year A/L vet at all levels.
M

Mark,
Some older gringos and younger with health problems may not tolerate the transition from sea level to 7000 ft on day one.
M (MD, etc.)

I have visited Mexico City a dozen or so times and have never had problem with altitude sickness. As with any large city MC does have it's dangers but I never have had a problem. The important thing is to stay alert and use common sense and you will be fine. Mexico City is great and there are many things to do. Take care and enjoy everything that Mexico City has to offer.

Hello NZSophie, I would strongly suggest you talk to your physician that has your medical history before you book a flight to Mexico City. I have had problems a few times with altitude sickness and my physician of 30 years strongly advised that I not go to Mexico City even though I have a friend there. I have been to Mexico many times but always along the westcoast of Mexico and have never had a problem as I have been at sea level. Anyway, that is my thought and advice. Best regards.

Lots of anecdotal experience at altitude here, so pick your poison.
M (MD: NBME; ABIM; ABNM; ABR)
PS, we live at nearly 6800 ft 3 hours N of La Ciudad.

Parts of Albuquerque, New Mexico, are at 6,400 feet above sea level. So, if you've been to N.M. and haven't had problems, you might not have them at 600 feet higher in Mexico City.
I'm a frequent traveler from coastal New England to Albuquerque, and sometimes I think I might be sleepier than usual for the first day or two ... but it might be the 2-hour time difference, too.

Just one last thought. I had triple By pass in October '03. I never had any problems in any Mexico mountain City Before or After including Patzcuaro at over 7,700 Feet higher than DF

The one wild card in this discussion is the variation depending on climate conditions--when the pollution is bad, all sorts of things can happen, and altitude alone is not the only factor.

I've travel to Mexico city about 5 times in the last 7 years, and I lived in Milwaukee for the past 30 years where the altitude is less than a 1000 feet. I have never experiensed any health problems. I think is a crime not to experiense what this wonderful city has to offer. It has to be one of the most exciting and interesting city not just in Mexico or this continent but in the world.