Crystal river the most beautiful river in the world
In fact, Cano Cristales, or the Crystal river has various names – “The River of Five Colors,” “The Liquid Rainbow”, “the river that ran away from paradise”, or even “The Most Beautiful River in the World”. And all these names are due to the algae which produces colors – red, yellow, green and blue. Besides, the bottom of the river has a unique appearance. The colors shown in these pictures are absolutely real and there aren’t any photographic tricks at all. The mosses and algae covering the bed and rocks of this river appear as dull green and brown water plants. And the water level regulates the amount of sunlight reaching the plants. At certain times of the year, depending on the water level, the mosses ‘bloom’.

Located in an isolated remote area, Cano Cristales is not easy to get to. However, enthusiastic tourists can get there by plane, to the nearest town of La Macarena. And from there – on foot, or on horseback (or donkey back) to the “Serrania de la Macarena,” the national park and in particular, the Most Beautiful River in the World. It is a succession of rapids, waterfalls, correones and pocetas. And their waters flow from the plateau south of the Serranía de la Macarena, behind the oldest tepuis of the Sierra. Noteworthy, still unexplored rugged area with numerous rock paintings.

Crystal river the most beautiful river in the world

The site, effectively closed to tourists for several years because of guerrilla activity in the region along with concerns about the impact of unregulated tourist traffic. However, reopened to visitors in 2009, today there are several Colombian Tourist Agencies that will fly travelers to La Macarena. Noteworthy, visitors – not permitted to stay overnight or cook.