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Voykit pocket guide · Peru
La Rinconada
Skip La Rinconada unless you are a miner, a journalist or an extreme-altitude researcher: the world's highest permanent settlement at 5,100 m, but dangerous, muddy and built around a gold mine. Zero tourism infrastructure.
La Rinconada sits at 5,100 m on the edge of a gold mine in the Peruvian Altiplano. It is the highest permanent city on Earth, but the town is dangerous, unpaved and has no hotels, restaurants or sights for travellers. The only reason to go is work, research or a very specific documentary project. For everyone else, Puno and the Lake Titicaca area are safer and more rewarding.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry season, less mud)
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar (heavy rain, roads worse)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/ 30–50 (not applicable; no tourist services) · Mid S/ 50–100 · High S/ 100+ (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · Ambulance (SAMU) 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
Get in
By air
- JUL · Inca Manco Cápac International Airport (Juliaca)
- about 3–4 h by bus/taxi to La Rinconada
Typical fares
- Bus Puno → La Rinconada
- about S/ 15–25, 6 h (check)
- Taxi Juliaca airport → La Rinconada
- about S/ 150–250, 3–4 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking only. Streets are unpaved and muddy; wear waterproof boots.
See and do
Known for
- Highest permanent settlement in the world (5,100 m)
- Gold mining town
- Extreme altitude and cold
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Puno | Bus, about 6 h on unpaved roads | 6 h |
| Juliaca | Bus or taxi, about 3–4 h | 3–4 h |
| Sillustani | From Puno, bus or tour, about 1 h | 1 h from Puno |
| Chucuito | From Puno, bus or colectivo, about 30 min | 30 min from Puno |
Sleep
- La Rinconada town
- No tourist accommodation; basic lodging for miners only. Sleep in Puno or Juliaca instead.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Buenos díasBWEH-nos DEE-ahs |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWES-tah |
| Help | ¡Ayuda!ah-YOO-dah |
| Where is the hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital?DOHN-deh es-TAH el ohs-pee-TAHL |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- High crime: murder, robbery, assault. Do not walk alone at night.
- Extreme altitude: 5,100 m — altitude sickness is life-threatening. Acclimatise in Puno (3,800 m) for at least 2–3 days first.
- No medical facilities for tourists; nearest hospital is in Juliaca.
- Unpaved roads: the bus from Puno takes about 6 h on rough dirt roads.
La Rinconada is one of the most dangerous towns in Peru. Violent crime, including murder, is common. Do not visit as a tourist.
One and two days
No timed day plan for La Rinconada yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Highest permanent settlement in the world (5,100 m)
- Gold mining town
- Extreme altitude and cold
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: La Rinconada, revision 5299853 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5299853
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/la-rinconada). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.