This Five-Coloured Surreal River In Colombia Is Incredible!

We have heard of rivers with waters of three different colours in India – colours that in the shades of blue or green. But this Colombian river beats them all.

Cano Cristales, a river in the Serrania de la Macarena province of Meta, Colombia is the river of five different colours – yellow, red, green, blue and black! It is referred to as the most beautiful river in the world. Serranía de la Macarena is located on the border of three large ecosystems – the Andes, the Eastern Llanos, and the Amazon rainforest. All of these ecosystems have a high number of diverse flora and fauna.

Cano Cristales, which is a tributary of Guayabero river that shows this five-colour phenomenon from July to November. What causes this rainbow-like appearance? The Macarenia clavigera plants that grow on the bottom of the river. The river is abundant with aquatic plants.

What makes the river appear even more beautiful is the formation of circular pits due to its fast moving speed. The colours look spectacular in a circular form.

The river water which is very clear due to the absence of nutrients enhances its awe-quotient.

To get to the 100-km long river you have to first travel to La Macarena in Meta Department. There are two ways to get Meta. Either you can take the direct flight from Bogota that departs thrice a week or in a Dc-3 cargo aircraft from Villavicencio, that flies after every three days.