Caño Cristales - World's Most Beautiful River

Caño Cristales - A small river in the Serranía de la Macarena (Macarena Mountain Range), in Colombia is known as the most beautiful river in the World because of presence the multicoloured (red, yellow, green, blue and black) algae in its crystal clear water stream. It is also known "The River of Five Colours" and "The River Which Ran Away To Paradise". The river is only 100 kilometre long and has a maximum width of 20 metres.

During summers, when there is reduced flow, the multi coloured algae get a chance to multiply and give a colourful appearance in varied hues of red, yellow, green, blue and black in some parts of the river located about 15 kilometres from the village of La Cachivera. In order to protect the environment no tourist infrastructure has been built in the area and it can only be accessed by river from La Macarena upto La Cachivera and then about 2 hours of hiking. The lucky tourist who have seen the full splendour of the river often say that Caño Cristales is one of those destinations you have to see to believe.

Image from Wikimedia Commons is by Mario Carvajal

Image from Wikimedia Commons is by Mario Carvajal

Image from Panoramio is by diegofernando

Image from Panoramio is by HECTOR JAIRO USME RO…

Image from Panoramio is by diegofernando

Image from Panoramio is by www.caminantesdelret…

Image from Panoramio is by cvanpanhuys

View general location in Google Earth / Google Maps

Main source of info: Spanish Wikipedia (English Translation) and Official website of La Macarena

Credits: I am thankful to James whose e-mail brought this beautiful river to my knowledge. Thank you James.