Welcome to La Rinconada, Peru, the highest permanent settlement on Earth, located at an astonishing 5,100 meters above sea level. This town is famous for its gold mines, stunning scenery, and its reputation as a place with minimal law enforcement. One daring visitor decided to capture his experiences in this unique town, revealing a place of both beauty and chaos. Join us as we explore the highest city on Earth with no laws.
La Rinconada sits on the edge of civilization, perched on a glacier in a remote and isolated location. While the natural surroundings are breathtaking, the human experience in this Peruvian mining town is intense. The visitor described it as a near-lawless place, where crime is rampant, and chaos reigns.
The economy of La Rinconada revolves around gold mining, but the system in place is shocking. Miners work for 30 days without pay, only to keep any gold they find on the 31st day. This “cachorreo” system has led to desperation among workers, with many barely making ends meet.
Describing La Rinconada as dangerous is an understatement. Crime is rampant, with illegal activities being a means of survival for many residents. The visitor witnessed fights, heard gunshots at night, and saw people being robbed on the streets. The nighttime atmosphere only adds to the sense of peril in this lawless town.
Despite the chaos, La Rinconada boasts incredible natural beauty, with stunning views and untouched landscapes. The visitor noted the paradox of being in one of the most beautiful places on Earth while witnessing the worst of human behavior.
Reflecting on the experience, the visitor described La Rinconada as intense and eye-opening. The town remains a place of dreams and nightmares, where survival is a daily battle. In this remote part of the world, beauty, isolation, and lawlessness coexist in a way that is both captivating and unsettling.
La Rinconada is a town unlike any other, where contradictions abound. For those seeking fortune, it may be a place of opportunity. But for most, it’s a perilous gamble. The visitor’s documentation sheds light on the precarious existence of those living in a place where rules are scarce, and survival is the only certainty. In La Rinconada, the cost of living is far greater than any treasure that may be found.
