The most beautiful river in the world "flows down from heaven"
Dubbed the most beautiful river in the world, Cano Cristales opened to visitors in 2009. Locals believe that the river "escaped" from heaven to flow down to earth.
 |
| Located in the eastern Andes and part of the Macarena National Park (Colombia), the 100 km long Cano Cristales River is a tributary of the Guayabero River. During certain months of the year, the river takes on different colours, ranging from red, yellow, green, blue to black. |
 |
| Cano Cristales was named by explorer Andres Hurtado in 1980, when he first discovered the magical beauty of this place. In addition to its official name, the river has many other names such as "rainbow river" or "five-color river". Locals believe that this river "escaped" from heaven to flow down to earth. |
 |
| Structurally, the river has a fast flow, accompanied by waterfalls, rocky gorges and a water so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. |
 |
| Many people believe that the river's color is caused by algae or moss. However, the real culprit is an endemic aquatic plant called macarenia clavigera. |
 |
| Depending on the water level and the amount of light, the macarenia clavigera will have different colors. Whatever color the macarenia clavigera is, the Cano Cristales river will wear that color. |
 |
| For example, during the rainy season, the river deepens and flows faster, preventing the macarenia clavigera from absorbing light and causing the plant to turn red. |
 |
| The Cano Cristales River is located in a remote area, almost completely isolated from the outside world and still retains its wild, poetic beauty. For many reasons, in the past, tourists were not allowed to visit the river. |
 |
| By 2009, the area was opened to tourists and attracted millions of people from all over the world. However, the time visitors can admire the river is only from June to December. From January to May, the Cano Cristales River will not welcome visitors to allow the ecosystem in the area to "rest". |
