Everything to know about Caño Cristales: The river of five colours

Caño Cristales is a Colombian river that has been called the “River of Five Colors” or the “Liquid Rainbow” because of its striking colors that change throughout the year. It is located in the Serranía de la Macarena National Park, a biodiverse area where the Andes, the Amazon, and the Llanos meet. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about this natural wonder, from its geography and ecology to its history and tourism.

Caño Cristales is a tributary of the Guayabero River, which is part of the Orinoco basin. It has a length of about 100 kilometers and flows through the Serranía de la Macarena, an isolated mountain range that formed about 1.2 billion years ago. The river has many rapids, waterfalls, and circular pits called giant’s kettles, which are formed by the erosion of rocks by pebbles or chunks of harder rocks. The river is surrounded by dry forest, rainforest, shrubland, and savannah, creating a diverse landscape.

The main attraction of Caño Cristales is the colorful aquatic plants that grow on the riverbed, especially the Rhyncholacis clavigera (formerly known as Macarenia clavigera), which is endemic to this region. This plant is green when young, but turns yellow, red, or pink when it matures, depending on the sunlight and water conditions. The plant is most abundant and vibrant between June and November, when the rainy season provides enough water and nutrients for its growth. The river also contains other plants of different colors, such as yellow Podostemaceae, blue-green algae, and black rocks. The river is home to several species of fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals, as well as a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects that live in the surrounding ecosystems.

Caño Cristales was discovered by a group of cattle farmers in 1969, but it remained largely unknown to the outside world until the 1980s, when a Colombian journalist published a report about it. However, the region was also affected by the armed conflict between the government, the guerrillas, and the paramilitaries, which made it unsafe and inaccessible for tourists and researchers. The river was closed to the public and partially destroyed by the violence and pollution. It was not until 2009 that the security situation improved and the river was reopened for visitors, with the help of the local communities and the environmental authorities.

Caño Cristales has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, attracting thousands of visitors who want to see the river of five colors. However, the access to the river is strictly regulated and controlled by the government and the local communities, who aim to protect the fragile ecosystem and the cultural heritage of the region. Visitors can only enter the river through authorized tour operators, who provide transportation, accommodation, guides, and permits. The number of visitors is limited to 180-200 per day, and there are rules and restrictions on what visitors can do and bring to the river. For example, visitors are not allowed to use sunscreen, insect repellent, or soap, which may contaminate the water. They are also not allowed to swim in certain areas, touch the plants, or take any samples. Visitors are encouraged to respect the nature and the culture of the region, and to enjoy the beauty and the diversity of Caño Cristales.

Caño Cristales is a unique and spectacular river that showcases the richness and the diversity of Colombia’s natural and cultural heritage. It is a place where the colors of the plants, the water, and the rocks create a stunning visual effect that changes with the seasons. It is also a place where the history and the culture of the region are intertwined with the ecology and the conservation of the river. Caño Cristales is a place that deserves to be visited and appreciated, but also protected and preserved.