Caño Cristales

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

Category Watery Wonders, Extraordinary Flora

Often referred as the "river of five colors", "the river that ran away from paradise," and "the most beautiful river in the world." A unique biological wonder Caño Cristales is one of those places you have to see to believe.

For most of the year, Caño Cristales is indistinguishable from any other river, with a bed of rocks covered in dull green mosses and a cool dark blue current.

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. During the dry season there is not enough water to support the dazzling array of life in the river.

However for a short period of the year the river blossoms in a rainbow of colours. During that 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 colours. Blotches of yellow, blue, green, black, and red and a thousand shades in between, coat the river.

Caño Cristales is located in quite a remote, isolated area and is not easily accessible by road. Adventurous tourists can now fly into any of the four nearby towns within "The Sierra or Serrania (mountain) de la Macarena", one of Colombian Natural Reserve National Parks, which is the home of the river.

Caño Cristales is a succession of rapids, waterfalls, and manholes with a water of such purity that allows see the bottom easily. The Macarena Reserve which is about 130 kilometers long by 30 kilometers wide is also home of a rich and large variety of flora and fauna and a scientist at the Smithsonian Institute in the U.S., argues that the Serrania de la Macarena is one of the richest place in the world in forms of animal and plant life.

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. However, the site was reopened to visitors in 2009.

Today a number of many Colombian Tourist Agencies will fly travelers to La Macarena and from there, they would make their way to the river site on foot, horses or donkeys as part of guided tours. The tours will follow four clearly marked and authorized paths and one is no longer permitted to stay overnight or cook.

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Comments

  • 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.

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