Toaño Cristales, Spanish for the river of crystals, also known as the "rainbow river" or "river of five colors", is the real home of rare plant species that have the ability to form its incredibly beautiful shades.
Deep in the Serranía de la Macarena National Park in Colombia flows the Caño Cristales (Caño Cristales), the most colorful river in the world. The length of the river is almost 100 kilometers, and from June to November, its waters literally come to life. They are full of bright colors that can only be seen in computer games for children or in science fiction films about other worlds.
It's undeniable that South America is known for its incredibly colorful landscapes, but Caño Cristales is the only natural wonder that has a water base. Although the surrounding nature is really amazing, it is the water of the river that attracts the attention of everyone who is lucky enough to visit its banks.
Of all the colors that this river literally radiates, shades of blue, black, red, yellow and green are the strongest. It seems that the water of the river naturally reproduces these colors and this "miracle" appeared due to the color of the water.
In fact, the manifestation of her rainbow nature is caused by plants that live deep below the surface of the water. This process is recorded only in the river Caño Cristales, which makes this place truly unique.
Scientific explanation of the magic of the river of five colors
The bright colors that the river plays with are due to various types of algae. Plants called "Macarenia Clavigera" belong to the river algae and can only actively develop when the water level is low enough for sunlight to penetrate into its thickness.
That is why the colors they form are visible only in the absence of heavy rainfall. Here it becomes once again clear the importance of the timeliness of the trip to view this miracle. Timing and luck...
The entire park of flora and fauna of the river is home to many species of representatives of the animal and plant world. Therefore, there are strict rules for visitors to swim in certain areas of the river.
Where swimming is allowed, swimmers are not allowed to use sunscreen or any other type of perfumes and cosmetics, as the chemicals present in their composition can harm the river ecosystem.
Another attractive aspect for tourists who appreciate nature is the variety of reptiles and birds living in the forests near Caño Cristales.
What else do you need to know about the Caño Cristales River?
This extremely isolated place is really worth a visit, although getting there can be a little difficult, especially for those who are not familiar with this region of Colombia. The easiest way to find it is to fly into La Macarena, but this flight is not for the faint of heart given the small size of said destination.
Serrania de la Macarena Park is close to the landing site, and heading into the park on a horse or donkey, you can quickly reach the banks of the Caño Cristales River.
There is something else that you need to know not only about the river, but also about its surroundings. The Serrania de la Macarena Park opened in 2009. Visitors are prohibited from pitching tents in the park and cooking, so as not to disturb the wildlife of this protected area.
Those who expect to see the vibrant colors emanating from this sparkling water source should be aware that not every time is the right time to observe the natural beauty of this river.
If tourists choose to visit the park on a cloudy day, the plants will not be as colorful as on a bright sunny day. Also, if the water level drops enough to expose plants living below, they may wilt and turn brown.
And if you plan to travel this unique, mysterious and fabulous place, you need to take into account all the nuances of weather phenomena in order to enjoy all the unforgettable beauty of this river in distant Colombia.
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