You’d need a map, a mule, and maybe a miracle to find these places.
Most people can’t imagine living without highways, Wi-Fi, or coffee shops. But tucked into the corners of our planet are tiny villages so remote, they make you question how anyone ended up there—and why they stayed. These places aren’t just off the beaten path. They’re often inaccessible by car, surrounded by wild terrain, and cut off from the modern world in ways that seem unimaginable today.
Still, people not only survive in these far-flung outposts—they thrive. Generations have adapted to lives balanced on cliff edges, nestled in volcanic craters, or lost among tundra and jungle. While they may seem like relics of another era, these communities are living, breathing testaments to human persistence. If you think you’ve seen it all, wait until you explore these villages where isolation isn’t a problem—it’s a way of life.
1. Ittoqqortoormiit survives on the edge of Greenland’s frozen coast.
This village’s name is a mouthful, but its location is what really makes people stop and stare. Perched on Greenland’s eastern coast near Scoresby Sound, Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most isolated towns in the world, as reported by Kevin Hall at BBC.com. For most of the year, sea ice cuts off access by boat, and flights are rare due to the brutal Arctic weather. Getting here often requires a combination of air travel, dog sledding, and a hardy spirit.
Despite its remoteness, about 350 people call this place home. They hunt seals and polar bears, fish in icy waters, and live in colorful homes that pop against the endless white. There’s no rush hour, no traffic lights, and certainly no Starbucks. But there’s a tight-knit community that’s adapted to long, dark winters and frigid isolation in a way that’s almost poetic.
2. Supai exists at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The village of Supai, Arizona, isn’t just remote—it’s downright unreachable by car, according to staff at 12News. Tucked deep within the Grand Canyon, this Havasupai tribal community can only be reached by foot, mule, or helicopter. That’s right—no roads, no cars, and no grocery store runs unless you plan on a 10-mile hike down a steep canyon trail.
Supai is home to about 200 residents and some of the most stunning waterfalls you’ve never heard of. Mail is still delivered by mule train, one of the last places in the U.S. to do so. Tourists willing to make the journey are rewarded with turquoise waters and red rock beauty, but life for residents is no vacation. Supplies must be flown in or hauled down by pack animals, and medical emergencies require airlift. Still, Supai’s people have called this land home for centuries—and don’t plan on leaving it anytime soon.
3. La Rinconada teeters on a glacier high in the Andes.
At over 16,700 feet above sea level, La Rinconada, Peru, is the highest permanent human settlement on Earth. It’s wedged against a glacier in the Andes and is accessible only by treacherous mountain roads. The lack of oxygen at that altitude can cause serious health issues for outsiders, but for the estimated 30,000 people who live there, it’s just part of life.
What draws people to such an unforgiving place? Gold. La Rinconada grew rapidly as miners moved in to dig for fortune beneath the ice, shares William Finnegan at The New Yorker. There’s no running water, sanitation is a problem, and temperatures often stay below freezing. Still, it hums with activity, driven by economic desperation and dreams of striking it rich. Despite the brutal conditions, families endure and carve out a life above the clouds.
4. Tristan da Cunha floats in the middle of the Atlantic with nowhere to go.
Roughly 1,500 miles from the nearest continent, Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island on Earth. It’s part of a British overseas territory, and the only way to get there is a seven-day boat journey from South Africa. No airport. No cruise ships. Just one tiny port and a long, long ride.
The island has fewer than 250 residents, all descendants of a handful of families who settled there in the 1800s. They live in a single village, grow their own food, and govern themselves with a strong sense of community. There are no hotels, but visitors who manage to make the trip are usually treated like family. Isolation has created a unique lifestyle where everyone depends on each other, and outside drama feels like it belongs to another planet.
5. Oymyakon endures life in the coldest place on Earth.
Nestled in Siberia’s far reaches, Oymyakon is famous for being the coldest inhabited place on Earth. In winter, temperatures regularly dip below -60°C (-76°F). Cars must be kept running or stored in heated garages to prevent freezing. Eyelashes can freeze shut within seconds of stepping outside. This isn’t just cold—it’s survival on a knife’s edge.
Around 500 people live here, and they’ve adapted in astonishing ways. They eat mostly meat and fish since growing crops is nearly impossible. Children still attend school unless it’s colder than -52°C. There’s little tourism and even less contact with the outside world for much of the year. Yet, Oymyakon’s residents are famously tough, proud of their resilience, and stubbornly loyal to their bone-chilling home.
6. Coober Pedy hides underground in the Australian Outback.
In the sweltering heart of South Australia lies Coober Pedy, a town so hot and remote that most of its population lives underground. Temperatures regularly soar above 110°F, so locals build their homes, churches, and even shops in old opal mines beneath the surface. It’s not just a quirky gimmick—it’s a way to stay alive in brutal heat.
The town is known for its opal mining industry, and its alien-like landscape has even attracted Hollywood filmmakers. Above ground, it looks like a dusty ghost town. But head below and you’ll find a surprisingly cozy world carved from rock, complete with internet, plumbing, and even air conditioning. Life underground may seem strange, but in Coober Pedy, it’s just how things are done.
7. Whittier lives inside one single building in Alaska.
Whittier, Alaska, isn’t hard to reach by comparison—but once you arrive, you realize the entire town basically lives under one roof. Nearly all of its 200 residents occupy a 14-story building called Begich Towers. There’s a school, a post office, a grocery store, and even a police department—all within the same structure. During the harsh Alaskan winters, most people barely have to step outside at all.
The town is accessible via a single tunnel that closes at night, sealing Whittier off until morning. The isolation encourages community closeness, and residents appreciate the convenience and protection their building provides. While it may seem claustrophobic to outsiders, locals enjoy a kind of organized intimacy that’s impossible to find in sprawling cities.
8. Villa Las Estrellas makes Antarctica a permanent address.
You wouldn’t expect anyone to live year-round in Antarctica, but Chile’s Villa Las Estrellas defies that logic. Situated on King George Island, this tiny village is one of the only permanent civilian settlements on the continent. It has a school, a post office, and even a small hospital. Families live here as part of Chile’s broader effort to maintain a presence in Antarctica.
What makes it especially bizarre is how normal the village tries to be in such an extreme environment. Kids go to class. Families go on walks—bundled up, of course. But everything is controlled, from who can live there to what kind of surgery you’re allowed to have before moving in. (Yes, you need your appendix removed before relocating.) It’s Antarctica’s version of suburbia—if suburbia came with penguins and months of darkness.
9. Motuo is cut off from the rest of China by wild terrain.
For centuries, Motuo, Tibet, was the only county in China without a road leading in or out. Even now, reaching it requires hiking for days through treacherous jungle trails or taking a rough journey across one of the most dangerous roads ever built. Landslides, flooding, and unstable terrain are common obstacles. It’s about as inaccessible as you can get without being underwater.
Despite the isolation, Motuo is rich in culture and biodiversity. It’s considered a sacred place in Tibetan Buddhism, and residents rely on traditional farming and deep-rooted spiritual practices. Life here moves slowly, and change comes even slower. But for the few thousand who call Motuo home, the hardship of isolation is balanced by a profound connection to their land and beliefs.
10. Longyearbyen forbids death on its icy soil.
Located on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, Longyearbyen is one of the northernmost settlements in the world. Snow covers the ground much of the year, polar bears roam the area, and the sun doesn’t rise for months during winter. But the real kicker? You’re not allowed to die there. The permafrost prevents bodies from decomposing, so if you’re terminally ill, you have to leave.
Still, about 2,500 people live in Longyearbyen, working in research, tourism, and Arctic logistics. The community is vibrant, multicultural, and tight-knit. There’s even a university. Supplies come in by boat or plane, and nearly everything is imported. But the town has an adventurous spirit, and residents share a bond that only comes from living on the edge of the world—literally.
11. Wae Rebo floats above the clouds in Indonesia.
Hidden high in the mountains of Flores Island, Wae Rebo is a traditional Indonesian village that feels like a scene from a fantasy novel. Surrounded by mist and clouds, it’s only accessible via a four-hour trek through dense jungle and steep terrain. There’s no road, no cell service, and no modern infrastructure. What you do find is seven circular houses arranged in a circle, just as they’ve been for generations.
The villagers maintain their ancestral way of life, farming coffee and preserving ancient rituals. Electricity is limited, and tourism is strictly managed to protect the culture. Visitors are welcome, but they must follow local customs and show respect. The remoteness and difficulty of getting there mean that Wae Rebo remains one of the most authentic and untouched cultural experiences in the world.
12. Barrow sees months of darkness but still calls itself home.
Now called Utqiaġvik, Barrow is the northernmost town in the United States. It sits on the edge of the Arctic Ocean in Alaska and goes without sunlight for about two months each winter. During this polar night, the town is plunged into an eerie twilight that challenges even the hardiest souls. Temperatures often stay below zero, and storms can isolate the town for days.
Despite this, over 4,000 residents—many of them Iñupiat—live, work, and raise families in Utqiaġvik. They hunt whales, celebrate cultural festivals, and maintain strong community bonds. The landscape may look barren, but the spirit of the people is anything but. Life in Utqiaġvik isn’t easy, but for those who call it home, it’s a place full of meaning, tradition, and connection to the land.