Cano Cristales

Cano Cristales, often called the river of five colours or the liquid rainbow, is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in the world, a remote, crystal-clear river in the heart of Colombia. For a few months each year, a unique aquatic plant that carpets its bed bursts into vivid colour, turning stretches of the river into a dazzling, flowing mosaic of red, yellow, green, blue and black beneath the clear water, a magical and once-inaccessible sight now open to visitors on guided tours.

What you actually see

• The coloured river - the vivid red, yellow and green riverbed in season.
• The natural pools - the clear pools and small waterfalls.
• The guided hike - the walk along the river with a local guide.
• The remote wilderness - the pristine setting in Colombia's heartland.

When to go

The colours appear only in a window of roughly June to November, when the water level is just right for the unique plant to bloom; outside this season the river runs clear and ordinary, so timing is everything for the famous rainbow effect.

Honest expectations

The famous colours appear only in a seasonal window, roughly June to November, and are dry and ordinary the rest of the year, so timing is essential. It is remote, reached only by a flight to La Macarena and then a guided tour, which is required to protect the fragile river; independent visits are not allowed. Sunscreen and creams are often banned in the water. It is a costly, logistical trip, but a unique one.

Nearby

The town of La Macarena is the gateway; the vast plains of Los Llanos spread around.