Deep in the wilderness of Meta, Colombia lies a hidden magical place. Rare and bountiful wildlife populate a diverse ecosystem that, for a few months out of the year, gives rise to one of the most fascinating natural wonders on Earth – the Caño Cristales liquid rainbow.

cano-cristales-fluss-in-Kolumbien

According to native legends, the Caño Cristales river escaped from paradise to wander among the mountains and prairies that make up this  region of South America. It has been called by many the river of five colors, the rainbow river and a natural wonder of the world. Keep reading to discover the magic of this remote and unique destination in Colombia!

Caño-Cristales5

From December through May, this river may seem ordinary but in June, it transforms into an explosion of vibrant colors – red, green, blue, yellow, and black. This incredible metamorphosis remains through late November and, although it may seem like magic, it actually takes place because of a combination of algae, mineral deposits, and the presence of the endemic plant species Macarenia clavígera.

Caño-Cristales-Photo-by-Peter-Fitzgerald

This flowering water plant is incredibly rare, growing only in a few tropical climates of the world and Caño Cristales is the only place where it blooms so prolifically and spectacularly.

Only recently reopened to public tourism, the river long remained a mythical and forbidden mystery, mostly unknown to the public before it became prohibited to go there in the 1980s. Now it is slowly becoming known as one of the natural wonders of the world as more and more visitors reveal stunning photos of the river of five colors.

Caño-Cristales-Photo-by-Alberto-Acero
Caño-Cristales

Deep in the wilderness of Meta in Colombia, lies a hidden place where magic exists. Rare and bountiful wildlife populate a diverse ecosystem that, for a few months out of the year, gives rise to one of the most fascinating natural wonders on Earth – the Caño Cristales liquid rainbow.

According to native legends, the Caño Cristales river escaped from paradise to wander among the mountains and prairies that make up this  region of South America. It has been called by many the river of five colors, the rainbow river and a natural wonder of the world. Keep reading to discover the magic of this remote and unique destination in Colombia!

Caño-Cristales5

From December through May, this river may seem ordinary but in June, it transforms into an explosion of vibrant colors – red, green, blue, yellow, and black. This incredible metamorphosis remains through late November and, although it may seem like magic, it actually takes place because of a combination of algae, mineral deposits, and the presence of the endemic plant species Macarenia clavígera.

Caño-Cristales-Photo-by-Peter-Fitzgerald

This flowering water plant is incredibly rare, growing only in a few tropical climates of the world and Caño Cristales is the only place where it blooms so prolifically and spectacularly.

Only recently reopened to public tourism, the river long remained a mythical and forbidden mystery, mostly unknown to the public before it became prohibited to go there in the 1980s. Now it is slowly becoming known as one of the natural wonders of the world as more and more visitors reveal stunning photos of the river of five colors.

Caño-Cristales-Photo-by-Alberto-Acero