a rainbow river comprised of the most vivid pinks, blues, and yellows may seem like the stuff of fantasy, but it does exist in this world. colombia’s cano cristales (crystal channel), is a technicolour dream and haven for marine biology enthusiasts and photographers. the little known site has been given many names, from “river of five colors,” to “the river that ran away from paradise,” and “the most beautiful river in the world.” whilst for most of the year cano cristales looks rather ordinary, between july and october when the water level reaches its optimal level and the sun is out, macarenia clavigera, the unique algae species that line the river floor, come into full bloom, revealing their dazzling hues.

how to get there

cano cristales is located in the colombian national park, la macarena. flights can be chartered to la macarena from villavicencio. once there, a local guide will be able to show you the way.

when to go

the colours of the cano cristales are at their most vibrant in the summer months, between july and october. make sure to check the weather forecast before you go - the algae require full sunlight to reach their full rainbow potential, so an overcast day may not be the best time to visit.

know before you go

you must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide

whilst it is possible for visitors to experience cano cristales independently, you do need to be accompanied by a licensed tour guide and acquire a national park permit. this is why most people choose to visit as part of a tour group, where a guide has already been selected and access to the park has been pre-approved.

bring plenty of cash before you go

there’s only one atm in la macarena national park, and it has a reputation for not always being in working order. we recommend withdrawing plenty of cash before you go to ensure you’re never short of hand.

you can’t swim with sunscreen or insect repellant

due to the delicate ecosystem of cano cristales, visitors are not permitted to introduce any chemicals into the water - including sunscreen or insect repellant. the algae that gives the waters their famous hue are incredibly sensitive, and the slightest interference from outside substances could compromise their colour.