Colombia

Cano Cristales is a Colombian river located in the Serrania de la Macarena province of Meta. The river is commonly called "The River of Five Colors" or "The Liquid Rainbow", and is even referred to as the most beautiful river in the world due to its striking colors. The river appears in many colors, including yellow, green, blue, black, and especially red caused by the Macarenia clavigera (Podostemaceae) at the bottom of the river.

 

Cano Cristales has aquatic plants and corals. Its red color is characteristic of endemic plant species and corresponds to Macarenia clavígera.

The representative biome of the Serranía de La Macarena is the hydrophytic rainforest; hot, warm, and cold. The mountain is home to about 420 species of birds, 10 species of amphibians, 43 species of reptiles, and eight primates.

The river itself is totally devoid of fish, due to its high concentrations of sedimentary materials. Other channels of the Macarena, such as the Cano Siete Machos, hold red plants in winter. These red plants adhere tightly to rocks in places where the river has faster current.

To reach Cano Cristales, it is necessary to travel to the municipality of La Macarena, Meta, in Meta Department. There are two ways to get there, from Villavicencio, in a DC-3 cargo aircraft coming out every day or from Bogota, by direct flight that departs every Friday and returns on Sunday. Presently, there are no camp sites available near Cano Cristales. The most ideal time to visit Cano Cristales is from late July to early December.