La Macarena
A hidden paradise in inland Colombia, where Caño Cristales features a colorful riverbed due to aquatic plants, hailed as one of the most beautiful rivers.
La Macarena is located in the southern part of the Meta Department in Colombia, in the transition zone between the Andes and the Amazon. It is famous for Caño Cristales within the Sierra de la Macarena National Park. From around June to November each year, aquatic plants in the river turn bright red, blending with yellow-green algae and the quartz riverbed to create a colorful river. Visitors can explore Los Ochos, Quartz Waterfall, and the Angosturas petroglyphs, usually requiring a guide. During other times of the year, the river's colors are not prominent. The town has a small airport, typically reached by flights from Villavicencio or Bogotá, followed by a boat crossing of the Guayabero River.