Coca Tea in Peru: Benefits, Side Effects & How to Drink 2027

Curious about coca tea? Learn about its real benefits for altitude sickness, possible side effects, where to try it in Peru, and if it's legal to bring home.

If you are planning to travel to Peru and haven’t yet tried coca tea, get ready to discover a drink that is a true cultural and medicinal tradition of the Andes. Used by travelers to alleviate altitude sickness, also known as ‘Soroche’, this infusion will help you enjoy your adventure without the effects of high altitude. In this blog, we’ll give you 5 reasons to try this drink, so valued in Andean medicine. Keep reading and find out why you can’t miss it!

What is Coca Tea and Why is it So Important in Peru?

Nobody in Cusco can tell you exactly when coca tea started to be brewed. Before the Incas, probably. It’s just always been there. Andean communities brewed it long before anyone called what tourists get “altitude sickness”. They just knew that thin air makes you sick and this leaf helps. Headaches, nausea, the exhaustion that hits harder up here. A cup of coca tea takes the edge off all three. It gives you something closer to a slow lift than a caffeine jolt. Ask a local about it, though, and altitude barely comes up. It is just tea! The kind you drink because your grandmother did, and hers did too.

This tea is consumed by both local communities and tourists, especially in the mountainous areas. In addition to its medicinal benefits. It symbolizes the connection with our Inca ancestors, representing a tradition that has endured through time. Drinking it not only helps with adjusting to the altitude but also brings us closer to the cultural roots that are an integral part of Peruvian identity.

5 Reasons to Try Coca Tea in Peru

When you visit Peru, coca tea could actually become your best ally. Here is why you should try it during your trip.

Relief for Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is a common issue for travelers arriving in destinations like Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, or Machu Picchu. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, and nausea, and can affect your experience. Coca tea improves oxygenation in the blood and reduces these symptoms, helping you adapt better to the altitude.

Naturally Energize Your Body

If long walks or intense days of exploration leave you feeling drained, coca tea can give you an energy boost without the harsh effects of caffeine. Its properties gently stimulate the nervous system, helping you stay active throughout your trip. Whether you are hiking to Humantay Lake, trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or exploring the Colca Canyon, this medicinal infusion will help fight fatigue and make the most of every adventure.

A Unique Cultural Experience

There is a reason coca tea shows up in almost every hotel lobby in Cusco before it shows up on any restaurant menu. It is not a tourist gimmick! The leaf has been chewed and brewed in the Andes since way before the Incas. It is used in offerings, and it is passed around during work in the fields. It is always kept close simply because the altitude here can be brutal and exhausting even when you are acclimatized! The porters on the Inca Trail are the best example! So when someone hands you a cup at 11,000 feet, it is worth knowing what you are actually holding. This is actually a custom that is older than most of the ruins you came here to see!

Improves Digestion After a Heavy Meal

Peruvian cuisine is flavorful, but it can also be rich and packed with new tastes for travelers. If you feel bloated after enjoying a traditional dish like rocoto relleno or causa limeña, a cup of coca tea can help soothe the discomfort and aid digestion.

It Is super Yummy!

Yes! It has a flavour like green tea and is definitely unique. It is also loaded with all the vitamins from A to Z! It is also loaded with calcium, so it is extremely healthy too!

Where and How to Enjoy Coca Tea in Peru?

Coca tea is easy to find in Peru, especially in the Andean regions. It’s offered in hotels, restaurants, markets, and cafes. In places like Cusco, many accommodations provide coca leaves and hot water in the lobby, allowing visitors to help with their acclimatization at any time. You can also purchase coca leaves or tea bags in supermarkets and souvenir shops to enjoy throughout your trip. Even on trains to Machu Picchu, it’s common to find it as part of the experience.

Precautions When Drinking Coca Tea During Your Trip

You can’t take it outside of Peru: Coca leaves are prohibited in most international airports, so it’s not recommended to transport or take coca tea outside of Peru.
Not recommended for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure: While coca tea is natural, its stimulating effects may not be suitable for some. It is better for them to stay hydrated with water or mild teas like chamomile or mint during their trip.
Avoid excessive consumption at night: While it helps with altitude sickness, its energizing effect is similar to coffee and may interfere with sleep.

Is Coca Tea Legal?

Coca tea is completely legal to drink in Peru. It is also legal in Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile, where it’s a normal part of daily life and sold openly in supermarkets, hotels, and pharmacies. You can enjoy it freely throughout your entire trip with no restrictions.

The complication starts at the airport on your way home. The coca leaf is classified as a controlled substance in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, however. This is because it is the raw source of cocaine. That classification applies to coca tea bags too, even though a cup of coca tea contains only a tiny fraction of the alkaloids needed to feel any narcotic effect. It is important to know that the coca leaf is a natural leaf and would need to be altered with more than 12 chemicals before it even resembles cocaine. However, the stigma is there, and it is the base ingredient, hence the legal restrictions.

Can I Bring Coca Tea Home With Me?

No! Don’t pack coca tea, coca leaves, or coca candy in your luggage when leaving South America if you are headed to the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia. The reason is simple. The coca leaf is legally classified as a controlled substance in these countries because it’s the plant cocaine is made from. It doesn’t matter that the tea itself has no real narcotic effect. Customs law treats the raw leaf and anything made from it (tea bags, candy, powder) the same way it treats the drug itself. Because of that classification, customs authorities actively screen for it, and travelers caught with it have had it confiscated, with potential fines or further legal consequences. It doesn’t matter if it is sealed, bought from a shop, or a small souvenir amount. The restriction applies regardless of the quantity you are carrying.

A Few More Things to Know

It can affect a drug test. This is because coca tea contains trace cocaine alkaloids. Drinking it can cause a positive result on a sensitive drug screening for a day or two afterward. If you have an upcoming test for work, sports, or any other reason, bear this in mind.
There is no exception for small amounts or personal use. Even a single tea bag tucked into a suitcase is treated the same as a larger quantity under these laws.
Decocainized versions do exist but are not what you will find in Peru. A small number of specially processed, cocaine-free coca products are legally sold in the U.S., for example. These come from licensed importers, not the traditional tea you will be offered at your hotel or on the hiking trail.

The takeaway: Enjoy coca tea as much as you like while you are in Peru. It is a safe, legal, and deeply rooted part of Andean life. Just plan to leave it behind when you pack for home.

Ready to Experience the Benefits of Coca Tea?

Coca tea is the perfect companion for your journey through the Andes, offering a natural way to adapt to the altitude and maintain your energy during your explorations. This infusion, which is part of traditional Andean medicine, has been used for centuries to help local communities face the challenges of high altitude. As you explore iconic destinations in Peru, such as Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, or Humantay Lake, coca tea will be your ideal ally, providing both physical and cultural support.

To make the most of it, it is recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 1 or 2 days before your adventure, allowing your body to better acclimatize and be ready for the challenges of the altitude. Coca tea will be essential for your well-being, but it’s also important to rest and take the time to adapt. With these precautions and coca tea as part of your experience, your adventure in Peru will be much more special!

And remember…

Traveling is about discovering, learning, and creating unforgettable memories, and Peru is the perfect destination for all of that. Its landscapes, history, and culture make every experience unique, filled with moments that will change your life.

We invite you to explore our Peru packages. Your experience in Peru is just one step away. Contact us now and start living the unique adventure you’ve always dreamed of.

More information: