Caño Cristales, known as the river of 5 colors, is located in La Macarena in the Meta department of Colombia. Its crystal-clear waters, landscape and colors make this destination one of Colombia’s natural wonders.
Through the waters of the world’s most beautiful river, you can observe a variety of hues evocative of its name: yellows, blues, greens, blacks and reds. It’s an algae, Macarenia Clavigera, that brings these unreal colors to life.
We haven’t yet had the chance to visit this destination, although we did get a glimpse of it in San Jose del Guaviare, where you’ll find its little brother. But it’s clearly right at the top of our list of future destinations to discover in Colombia!
Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
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General information Caño Cristales
- Nickname: The river of 5 colors
- When to go: June to November
- How to get there: by plane from Bogota, Villavicencio or Medellin
- Temperatures: average 30°C
- Climate: hot and humid
- Indigenous people: Guayaberos
- Region: Orinoquia
- County: Meta
- Nearest city : La Macarena
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Caño Cristales
The river of five colors
Just outside the municipality of La Macarena, in the department of Meta, lies what is considered by many to be the “most beautiful river in the world”! Imagine a river flowing with crystal-clear water, in an environment totally preserved by years of conflict, and which nature has endowed witha magical explosion of color!
The movie Encanto is no exception: the beginning of the film takes place in this region of the Meta, from where we understand that the Madrigal family is forced to leave and settle in an imaginary village near the Cocora Valley.
Caño Cristales is also known as the “river of five colors” (yellow, blue, green, red and black), because in its transparent waters are mixed the colors of sand, rock formations and a variety of endemic algae: Macarenia Clavigera, also found in the rivers around San José del Guaviare.
Good to know
Macarenia clavigera
Macarenia Clavigera is an endemic algae that has the property of changing color throughout the year, in much the same way as tree leaves are born, change color and die each year according to the seasons.
In this case, it’s the amount of water in the river that causes the algae to go from “hibernation” when the river is dry, to awakening when the water reappears, developing increasingly red hues as the water provides it with nutrients.
It’s in June, at the very beginning of the algae bloom, that the colors are at their most intense and profound.
Caño Cristales is a river that rises on the plateau of the Serranía de La Macarena natural park, a unique ecosystem between Andean mountains, Amazonian rainforest and savannah plains. The Serranía de La Macarena is part of the famous Guiana Shield, considered to be the oldest geological formation on the planet (2 billion years)
The Five-Colored River is one of Colombia’s best-known and most famous natural sites, although it’s not the easiest destination to get to. You’ll need a bit of willpower to include it in your itinerary and, above all, a budget to afford this unique experience.
How to visit Caño Cristales
Travel agency and local guides
The five-colored river can only be visited from June to December, when the colors are most visible. Outside these dates, the park is closed and the colors are not present anyway.
It is possible to reach the village of La Macarena, from where all excursions to Caño Cristales starts, from Bogota, Villavicencio, Medellin and Cali airports.
Local tour operators offer 3 to 6-day packages including local transportations, meals, accommodation, tour guide, activities, park entrances… In most cases, fligths and airport tourist taxes are not included.
We recommend you to go through a local agency to organize everything and book your flight yourself. It saves you time and money.
Why is it best to go with a local tour operator?
Some of you have asked us if it’s better to use a local agency to organize your trip in La Macarena and Caño Cristales or if it’s better to organize everything on your own. After spending a week there, we can assure you that : It’s better to go with local tour operator, it saves you time (and so money).
There are a number of administrative formalities to complete before arriving in La Macarena. Among them, the payment of a tourist tax to obtain the bracelet that will allow you to enter the natural park and the mandatory viewing of an educational video. This procedure is only done by the local operators. So if you have not contracted with an agency before, you will have to spend your first day looking for one and taking care of these administrative steps.
Therefore, our recommendation is that you organize your trip in advance, so that you can enjoy the experience without worries from the moment you arrive in Macarena. Alejandra, our local partner, will be able to help you organize a great trip.
How it works on site
Visit the most beautiful river in the world
Excursions in La Macarena, whether for 3, 4 or 5 days, always follow the same pattern, as it is not possible to sleep inside the Serrania de la Macarena Natural Park: departure in the morning from the village of La Macarena to the park entrance, then return in the late afternoon.
For example, a day in Caño Cristales, departing from the port in the village of La Macarena, you’ll take a boat on the Guayabero River to the “Los Mangos” port, a journey that takes around 20 minutes. Once there, take a 4X4 to the entrance to La Macarena Nature Park. This journey takes 20 to 25 minutes from the “Los Mangos” port.
From the park entrance, continue on foot along the path to Caño Cristales, depending on the day’s activities. The hikes are not difficult, but it will be hot and you’ll be walking on paths, through savannah.
There will be opportunities to swim in designated areas, as the rest of the river is totally protected. Its fragile ecosystem forbids any swimming or human interaction.
Each day’s program will be different, with the discovery of natural sites each more spectacular than the last. Evenings will be devoted to interacting with the local population of the village of La Macarena, discovering the local gastronomy and, of course, relaxing!
Good to know
Sierra de la Macarena Natural Park
The Sierra de La Macarena NPN makes a significant contribution to the supply and regulation of water and the storage of carbon in biomass, all of which are essential to the maintenance of life cycles and genetic diversity.
In addition to exceptional natural sites such as Caño Cristales, the park also harbours heritage treasures such as rock paintings and petroglyphs showing the presence of indigenous populations for millennia on this territory.
Rainforests, flood forests, flood plains, shrub savannahs, rocky vegetation… all these ecosystems come together in this park, where influences from the Andes Cordillera, the Amazonian plains, the Guiana Shield and the Orinoco savannahs meet. This gives it a megabiodiversity character, a true biological heritage.
Contact Local Agency to visit Caño Cristales
The Best in La Macarena
Responsible tourism
Alejandra’s local agency practices responsible tourism and does a good job of raising environmental awareness among tourists and local populations. A serious, professional agency with fair prices and virtuous relations with the local community.
When to go to Caño Cristales
The season for visiting the River of Five Colors in La Macarena Natural Park lasts just 6 months a year. It starts at the beginning of June and lasts until the end of November, or even the beginning of December depending on the year, but no longer.
Outside these months, between the beginning of December and the end of May, Caño Cristales is closed, the algae are in reproduction mode and therefore fragile, and the colors are no longer present. On the other hand, other natural sites in the area are open and can be visited all year round.
How to get to Caño Cristales
The river is located in the department of Meta in Colombia, near the municipality of La Macarena. The village of La Macarena can be reached by air from Bogota, Villavicencio and Medellin.
Once there, it is forbidden to make your own way to the river. A guide and authorization are required to enter La Macarena National Park.
Caño cristales rates
Prices for visiting La Macarena National Park and the world’s most beautiful river vary according to several factors: the number of days you stay, the city from which you are flying and the number of people you are
Sample rate for 3 days :
- $1.390.000 COP per pers. (excluding airfare)
This rate includes :
- local transport (4X4, lanchas, tuktuk, horse)
- accommodation
- all meals
- activities (Caño Cristales, Cristalito, Laguna del Silencio or Raudal de Angostura, llanero sunrise)
- guided tour by professional guides
- national park entrance fees
- administrative procedures
- financial contribution to the community
- insurance
- assistance
- logistics
This price does not include
- tourist tax ($2126000 COP)
- airfare to La Macarena (between $600.000 and $1.000.000 COP per ticket)
What to bring to Caño Cristales
What to wear
Sunscreen and mosquito repellents are prohibited inside the park, so take precautions and bring appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes.
- Light, comfortable clothing
- Long-sleeved pants and T-shirts for protection from the sun / mosquitoes
- Wide-brimmed hat to protect face and neck
- Walking shoes with good grip that can get wet.
- Spare shoes for the evening after activities
- Waterproof jacket
- Small rucksack
- Bathing suit
- 2 bottles of water per person (plastic bottles are not permitted).
What is prohibited?
- Trafficking in local flora and fauna
- Sunscreens, repellents or any other chemical products
- No smoking in the park.
- No alcoholic beverages inside the park.
- No plastic bags or bottles allowed in the park
Vaccination
A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for visitors to the Serrania de la Macarena Nature Park. But it is not required to enter the park.
Safety
Historically, the area around the Sierra de la Macarena was a conflict zone long occupied by the FARCS. The Caño Cristales area was given special status early on due to its high tourist value, and was opened to the public relatively early (in 2010).
Since the peace accords in 2017, the region has gradually calmed down, although coca cultivation is still practised inside the park and very remote areas are still occupied by small groups of armed dissidents.
Today, Caño Cristales is a totally safe destination for tourists from all over the world.
Where to stay in La Macarena
La Macarena
Eco Lodge
El Nido
Wooden rooms and cabins on a plot of land way outside the village, on the banks of a river where a magical natural pool awaits you for a welcome refreshing break.
La Macarena
Finca
El Refugio
Just a 10-minute walk from the village, El Refugio offers small and basic wooden bungalows set in a beautiful garden on the banks of the Rio Guayabero. This is a bird-lover’s paradise!
La Macarena
Hotel
Hotel La Fuente
A classic hotel ideally located in the center of La Macarena, just a few steps from the airport. Surely the best establishment of its kind in the village.
La Macarena
Eco Lodge
La Manigua Lodge
A luxurious jungle option just a short boat ride from the village of La Macarena. An enchanted interlude for those looking to pamper themselves.
