You Must Witness This Colombian River's Liquid Rainbow for Your Own Belief

After a rainbow, what do you get? Maybe what you're seeing is more of a magnificent and multicolored river than a pot of gold. 

The lucid waters of Caño Cristales in Colombia's Serranía de la Macarena National Park are known as the "river of five colors," "liquid rainbow," or "melted rainbow" due to the multitude of colors evident beneath them. The river may seem to be flowing in a kaleidoscope of vivid greens, yellows, reds, and purples depending on the angle of the light and the water's clarity. In addition to its usual blue and pink hues, the river can occasionally take on an orange or deep crimson hue.

It may appear magical, but the vivid colors are actually caused by a type of aquatic plant known as Macarenia clavigera, which is distinct from moss or algae. Depending on the weather and water level, the colors visible in the water might vary greatly. 

The riverbed is covered in macarenia clavigera, which clings to the quartzite rocks that are billions of years old. Caño Cristales provides the ideal conditions for it to achieve its peak brilliance, however it may be found in a few rivers across Serranía de la Macarena (hence its name). When the sun is directly overhead, the colors are most vibrant. Plants need water at a level where they can grow (rather than wither and die) without water levels being so high that the riverbed is obscured. In most cases, the months of July through November see the most vibrant hues. 

Travelers can reach the river by taking a flight into central Colombia's Villavicencio and then rerouting to La Macarena via private plane. From there, tourists can arrange to be escorted by knowledgeable locals to the riverside Serrania de la Macarena, a rather remote mountain range. 

Websites like Viator, Uncover Colombia, Amazon Adventures, and many more provide tours in Colombia. The chance to swim in the waters of all the colors is offered by some of the trips; it's definitely something to add to your bucket list, but please swim responsibly if you do. Please refrain from using any sunscreen, insect repellent, or other products that might harm the color-emitting plants or the river-dependent native fauna.