Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry season, less mud)
- avoid Dec–Mar (heavy rain, roads worse)
- Airport
- JUL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for La Rinconada105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about La Rinconada, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyLa Rinconada is one of the most dangerous towns in Peru.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJUL Inca Manco Cápac International Airport (Juliaca) (about 3–4 h by bus/taxi to La Rinconada).
- Getting aroundWalking only.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JUL Inca Manco Cápac International Airport (Juliaca) (about 3–4 h by bus/taxi to La Rinconada)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Jun
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Jul
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Aug
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Sep
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Oct
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)), coolest Jun (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jan (22 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
La Rinconada: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
22 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
20 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
18 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
May
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
5 rd
Jun
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Jul
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Aug
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
4 rd
Sep
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Oct
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
14 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking only. Streets are unpaved and muddy; wear waterproof boots.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 6 h
Bus, about 6 h on unpaved roads
Puno has hotels, restaurants and Lake Titicaca boat trips. Use it as your base instead.
Door to door: 3–4 h
Bus or taxi, about 3–4 h
Juliaca has an airport and more services; still no tourist draw, but a practical stop.
Sillustani
goDoor to door: 1 h from Puno
From Puno, bus or tour, about 1 h
Pre-Inca funerary towers on a lake shore. Combine with a Puno stay.
Chucuito
goDoor to door: 30 min from Puno
From Puno, bus or colectivo, about 30 min
Small town with Inca fertility temple. Easy half-day from Puno.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
La Rinconada town
No tourist accommodation; basic lodging for miners only. Sleep in Puno or Juliaca instead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 30–50 (not applicable; no tourist services)
- Mid
- S/ 50–100
- High
- S/ 100+
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
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La RinconadaLa Rinconada
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
US Embassy in Lima; no consulate near La Rinconada.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Puno → La Rinconada: about S/ 15–25, 6 h (check)
- Taxi Juliaca airport → La Rinconada: about S/ 150–250, 3–4 h (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello (BWEH-nos DEE-ahs)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¡Ayuda! — Help (ah-YOO-dah)
- ¿Dónde está el hospital? — Where is the hospital? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el ohs-pee-TAHL)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for La Rinconada. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry season, less mud) · avoid Dec–Mar (heavy rain, roads worse) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about La Rinconada
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