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Category Watery Wonders, Extraordinary Flora

Caño Cristales has been referred to as the "river of five colors", "the river that ran away to paradise," and "the most beautiful river in the world." It is indeed a unique biological wonder. For most of the year, the Caño Cristales is indistinguishable from any other river, with a bed of rocks covered in dull green mosses and a cool dark blue current. However for a short period each year the river blossoms in a rainbow of colors.

During Colombia's wet season, the water flows fast and deep, obscuring the bottom of the river and denying the mosses and algae that call the river home the sun that they need. And during the dry season there is not enough water to support the dazzling array of life in the river. But during a brief span between the wet and dry seasons, when the water level is just right, the many varieties of algae and moss bloom in a dazzling display of colors. Blotches of amarillo, blue, green, black, and red--and a thousand shades in between--coat the river.

A number of the more adventurous Colombian tourist agencies will fly travelers to the nearby town of La Macarena. The river, which is roughly 20 meters wide and runs for 100 kilometers, is rather remote. Without any roads leading to the river, the Caño Cristales must be accessed by horse.

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• Website www.caminantesdelretorno.com
• Address Sierra de la Macarena, Macarena, Meta, Colombia
• Cost www.caminantesdelretorno.com

• http://www.truedoctors.com/colombia.htm
• http://www.colombia.com/turismo/sitio/cano_cristales.asp
• http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/548680398JiNHrn?start=12
• http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/cano-cristales/
• http://www.hotelscostarica.net/cano-cristales/
• http://jacovox.com/2008/08/cano-cristales-el-rio-mas-hermoso-del-mundo/
• www.caminantesdelretorno.com

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www.caminantesdelretorno.com

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Comments

• 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.