Attraction
Caño Cristalitos
Viewpoint en route to Mirador Cristalitos, overlooking the Serranía de La Macarena and Río Guayabero. The path also features rock paintings and Caño Cristalitos, a miniature Caño Cristales.
Colombia
Point of Interest
Caño Cristales is a river in the Sierra de La Macarena National Park in the Meta Department, accessible by flight to La Macarena.
by Felix Gillen
Caño Cristales is a river in the Sierra de La Macarena National Park in the Meta Department, accessible by flight to La Macarena. Between June and November, the aquatic plant Macarenia clavigera dyes its bed red, complemented by green, yellow, and black hues. The river is a succession of rapids, cascades, and pools that flow into the Río Guayabero.
Sights in
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Attraction
Los Cuarzos
Section with cascades and deep, clear pools on Sendero Los Pianos, the shortest trail in the Caño Cristales Sector.
Point of Interest
Salto del Águila
Waterfall on the Sendero Alto del Águila, the longest path in the Caño Cristales sector. The river here splits into several branches before plunging downwards.
Attraction
Raudal de Angosturas I
Rapids of the Río Guayabero with petroglyphs and rock formations like the Ciudad de Piedra. In the dry season, the Cajón del Raudal is navigable by boat.
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Food & Drink at Caño Cristales
Dining is in La Macarena, the gateway for tours to Caño Cristales. The cuisine is llanera, featuring fire-cooked meat, fish, and plantain.
Plato macarenense
A dish assembled by a traditional cook from La Macarena, inspired by the colors of Caño Cristales. It combines banana leaf, rice, savanna coriander, farmer's cheese, plantain, and avocado.
Mamona
Fire-roasted young beef on wooden skewers, seasoned only with salt. It is the signature dish of the Llanos.
Creole chicken
In La Macarena, boiled country chicken is a common meal alongside meat and fish. It’s served with plantain, fried or with Panela, and Pan de arroz.
The Park Rules
The colors depend on a sensitive plant, which is why strict rules apply. According to Parques Nacionales, the 2026 season runs from May 29 to December, with the most vibrant colors usually appearing from June to November.Mandatory Guide: No entry without an authorized guide. Book only through one of the approved agencies in La Macarena.Reservation: No entry permit without a reservation; daily quotas are limited. Agencies handle this, so book early.Briefing: Before entering, you must attend a briefing.Prohibitions: No sunscreen, no insect repellent, no make-up, no single-use bottles. Swimming only in designated areas.Vaccination: Parques Nacionales recommends yellow fever vaccination before your visit.
Travel & Exploring
Flight to La Macarena: Satena flies Mondays and Fridays from Villavicencio, and in the 2026 season until November 15th, additionally three times a week direct from Bogotá. Packages from Bogotá or Villavicencio usually include flight, accommodation, meals, and a guide.Boat: From Puerto Inderena in La Macarena, boats travel on the Río Guayabero, followed by an SUV transfer to the trailheads.Hiking: The trails are 5 to 10 km long and take 5 to 7 hours, with moderate to high difficulty.
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