Greetings to the most vibrant river in the world! The captivating beauty of Caño Cristales leaves rainbows envious.
The Meta region in South America boasts a stunningly vibrant river called Caño Cristales. This waterway is often referred to as the “River of Five Colors” or the “Liquid Rainbow,” and anyone who sees it can attest to how accurate these names truly are.
In its prime period, Caño Cristales displays a striking array of hues such as black, blue, green, yellow and red, with the latter shade being due to the presence of Macarenia clavigera plants. This river is believed to lack any fish, and it can be found within a mountainous zone near grassy fields. It spans a total length of 100 kilometers (62 miles) and is situated within the Serrania de la Macarena National Park.
The river known as Caño Cristales is characterized by its quick-moving water and abundance of rapids and waterfalls. A distinct feature of the riverbed are the circular holes, referred to as giant’s kettles, which have been created by pebbles or harder rocks. The force of the water current causes these rock fragments to rotate within the cavity, leading to the erosion of the wall and expansion of the pit.
The river boasts a diverse range of aquatic flora, resulting in crystal clear water with minimal nutrients and particulates that explain the absence of fish. One of the defining features of this river is its striking red-pink hue during the rainy season from June to November, which can be attributed to the indigenous plant species Macarenia clavígera.
The most vibrant and breathtaking hues of Caño Cristales can be seen during the months from June to December, making this the ideal time to pay a visit. Considering that the river is located in a secluded region, reaching there involves a combination of air and boat travel, followed by a trek.
For a period of two decades, starting from 1989 to 2008, Caño Cristales was off-limits for travelers due to ongoing guerrilla warfare and the possible environmental impact that tourists could have on the habitat. But now, authorized tourism companies have been granted permission to take visitors on tours of the area since 2009.
One of the most breathtaking rivers in the world is Caño Cristales. According to National Geographic, the river appears to have come straight out of “The Garden of Eden” (Paraíso in Spanish), and that’s certainly an accurate description.