Caño Cristales

An explosion of natural color known as "the river that ran away from paradise"

Category Watery Wonders, Extraordinary Flora

Watery Wonders http://atlasobscura.com/category/natural-wonders/watery-wonders Extraordinary Flora http://atlasobscura.com/category/natural-wonders/extraordinary-flora

A unique biological wonder, Caño Cristales has been referred as the "river of five colors," "the river that ran away from paradise," and "the most beautiful river in the world."

For most of the year, Caño Cristales is indistinguishable from any other river: a bed of rocks covered in dull green mosses are visible below a cool, clear current.

However, for a brief period of time every year, the river blossoms in a vibrant explosion of colors. During the short span between the wet and dry seasons, when the water level is just right, a unique species of plant that lines the river floor called Macarenia clavigera turns a brilliant red. It is offset by splotches of yellow and green sand, blue water, and a thousand shades in between.

This only happens for a brief period in between seasons. During Colombia's wet season, the water flows too fast and deep, obscuring the bottom of the river and denying the Macarenia clavigera the sun that it needs to turn red. During the dry season there is not enough water to support the dazzling array of life in the river. But for a few weeks from September through November, the river transforms into a veritable living rainbow.

Caño Cristales is located in a remote, isolated area not easily accessible by road. Adventurous tourists can now fly into the nearby town of La Macarena. From there it is a short trip into "Serrania de la Macarena," the national park in which Caño Cristales is located.

The site was effectively closed to tourists for several years because of guerrilla activity in the region along with concerns about the impact of unregulated tourist traffic. It was reopened to visitors in 2009, and today there are several Colombian Tourist Agencies that will fly travelers to La Macarena. From there, they must make their way to the river site on horseback (or donkeyback) and by foot as part of a guided tour. Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight or cook.

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Users who like this place: haleyalexis Annetta TravelingHat

Map/Directions

Go to Google Maps

Flights to La Macarena can be chartered from Villavicencio. In La Macarena, local guides should be able to take you the rest of the way to the river.

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Comments

  • & Anonymous December 28, 2011
    very gooooooood
  • & Anonymous February 3, 2011
    http://deunacolombia.com/nl/fotos/los-llanos/meta http://deunacolombia.com/nl/pakketten/amazone/cano-cristales
  • vinatur& vinatur September 19, 2010
    PHOTOS AND INFORMATION www.vinaturcolombia.com e-mail canocristales@hotmail.com
  • Dylan& Dylan May 14, 2010
    Depends on the year, and the weather but the end of June, through September is supposed to be best. As it has gotten warmer each year one can sometimes see it in October and November as well.
  • A Facebook user May 14, 2010
    Exactly WHEN is the time (between the wet and dry seasons) that these pics and this event in nature takes place?
  • & Anonymous May 9, 2010
    Stunning beauty. When is the peak viewing period between dry & wet seasons ?
  • & Anonymous April 21, 2010
    It sure would be nice to see your site trans. in other languages like France and German!!
  • & Anonymous February 26, 2010
    It appears these bright colors are due to cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae)species. Does anyone know of biological studies having been made on this river system?
  • & Anonymous February 25, 2010
    Absolutely spectacular!!! I understand it's difficult to go there, but I certainly would love to see this in person. What time of the year does it turn to different colours?
  • & Anonymous February 6, 2010
    Tan pronto Caño Cristales quede en la lista del "gringo trail", es el fin de esta maravilla que tuve el privilegio de explorar seis veces cuando Colombia era "zona prohibida" para los gringos (buenos tiempos). Le espera el triste destino de Islas Galápagos o Machu Piccho.Los aventureros verdaderos estamos siendo arrinconados por el ecoturismo o turismo de chancleta "autosostenible, amigable y activo". Hay buscar nuevos Caño Cristales en nuestra alma y cuando lo encontremos no divulgarlos a "empresarios eco turísticos"
  • & Anonymous October 27, 2009
    y guerrilla al piso.. mientras no acaben del todo con esa plaga... es mejor abstenerse de venir por estos lados.. a no ser que quieras que te secuestren.
  • & Anonymous August 29, 2009
    Que lugar tan hermoso... estoy segura de que Colombia es un paraiso especialmente porque, dada su problematica y publicidad negativa, no ha sido descubierto. Pocos tenemos el privilegio de conocer las verdades acerca de este hermoso lugar.
  • & Anonymous August 25, 2009
    que lindo
  • & Anonymous August 18, 2009
    Something interesting: I found " the palma de cera" at the Botanical Garden in Bogotá.
  • & Anonymous July 13, 2009
    What makes this river unique? Are there others like it?
  • & Anonymous July 8, 2009
    great
  • & Anonymous July 8, 2009
    In Colombia we have many beautiful places. Nature is amazing in our country. You can visit the natural parks or the reserves we have. Go to Chicaque Park, Neusa, Iguaque Lake, La Sierra Nevada, El Cocuy,Chingaza one of the most beautiful places where you can find pure water!
  • & Anonymous July 8, 2009
    Caño Cristal es algo inimaginable hasta que lo observas.....
  • & Anonymous July 8, 2009
    Colombia is beautiful, they have many place to visit, i recomend " valle de Cocora", in Salento, Quindio near to Armenia city, is only one place in the world You can see "palma de Cera", unique palm in cold wheater, palms grows so high like 20 to 40 ft. And the people is very nice and polite. alegaros@hotmail.com
  • & Anonymous July 8, 2009
    Colombia, tiene realmente paisajes exóticos y muy bellos. Maravillas naturales, que aun no estan intervenidas por la mano del hombre.
  • & Anonymous July 8, 2009
    Amazing!!! I want to go there when i be in Colombia next week!! thnx for showing us this incredible things!
  • & Anonymous July 8, 2009
    Being a Colombian myself I'm very happy to find "Caño cristales". I only wanted to add that the "Directions/Map" information is wrong. Nice Web Site. Will be checking it frequently.