Welcome to La Rinconada, Peru – the highest permanent settlement on Earth, situated at a staggering 5,100 meters (16,700 feet) above sea level. It’s a town known for its gold mines, breathtaking landscapes, and, most notably, its reputation as a near-lawless place. One visitor decided to document everything during his time there, revealing a place filled with both beauty and chaos. Here’s a look at what this man experienced while visiting the highest city on Earth with no laws.
A Town at the Edge of Civilization
La Rinconada’s remote location and extreme altitude make it one of the most isolated places in the world. Perched on the side of a glacier, this Peruvian mining town has become home to thousands of people drawn by the promise of gold. Yet, while the natural surroundings are awe-inspiring, the human experience there is far more intense. The visitor described the town as “as close to a lawless place as it gets,” with rampant crime and little order to be found.1
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No Pay, Just a Chance at Gold
The town’s economy revolves around gold mining, but it’s a unique system that would shock most people. Miners in La Rinconada work for 30 days without pay, and only on the 31st day are they allowed to keep any gold they find. This labor system, known as “cachorreo,” has led to desperation, with many workers barely scraping by.2
Lawless and Dangerous
Describing the town as dangerous is an understatement. Crime is rampant, and many people resort to illegal activities just to survive. The visitor who documented his stay witnessed multiple fights, heard gunshots at night, and saw people being robbed in the streets. One local even recounted how, just a few weeks before the visit, a man was shot dead just a few streets away.
The visitor and his cameraman were given strict security instructions, particularly regarding the nighttime when the atmosphere becomes even more perilous. “The town completely changes after dark,” they were warned, adding to the already uneasy environment.
A Night of Chaos
The nights in La Rinconada are anything but peaceful. Throughout their stay, the visitor and his team heard constant screams and gunfire. At one point, the cameraman was nearly robbed while filming outside at night and quickly retreated indoors. Watching from their hotel room window, they witnessed at least three separate fights in just 30 minutes. One of the most memorable moments captured on camera showed two men hitting each other in the head in broad daylight, with nobody stepping in to intervene.
A Town for Society’s Outcasts
La Rinconada has become a refuge for people who have nowhere else to go. “It’s a place for the outcasts of society,” the visitor remarked, explaining that the town seems to draw in people with rough personalities and troubled pasts. Many of the residents are miners who have come in search of gold, but the harsh conditions and lack of opportunities keep them trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence.
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Beauty in Chaos
Despite the chaos and danger, La Rinconada is also a place of incredible natural beauty. Sitting at the foot of a glacier, the views are breathtaking, and the untouched landscapes are a stark contrast to the lawlessness within the town. The visitor noted this paradox, saying it was a “weird experience” to be in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, while simultaneously witnessing the worst of human behavior.
Reflecting on the Experience
After spending just one night in La Rinconada, the visitor described the experience as both eye-opening and disturbing. “It’s one of the most intense places I’ve ever been,” he concluded. The visit gave him a glimpse into a world where survival is a daily battle and where beauty and brutality coexist.
While many come to La Rinconada with hopes of striking it rich, the reality is that most leave with little more than what they came with. The town remains a place of dreams and nightmares, perched high in the Andes, far from the reach of law and order.
Final Thoughts
La Rinconada, the highest city on Earth, is a place unlike any other. Its beauty, isolation, and lawlessness make it a town full of contradictions. For those willing to take the risk, it’s a place where gold can be found. But for most, it’s a dangerous gamble. One visitor’s documentation has shown just how precarious life can be in a place where rules are few and survival is the only law. In this strange and remote part of the world, La Rinconada continues to attract people in search of fortune, but the cost of living there is far higher than anyone could imagine.