Cano Cristales
Cano Cristales
5
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
444 reviews
Excellent
405
Very good
30
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Michael B
Durley, UK115 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
I have had an enquiry about whether you need a guide or can do the visit on your own. I would really recommens a guide. To get to it is very difficult. You have to reach it by a small river boat. It is in the middle of nowhere and when you land at the place where you leave the river, you would get a van to take you to where your trek begins. That is a long distance. There are no signs and without a guide You might miss some of the best places to see the rivers. The visit is truly wonderful and well worth the visit.
Written August 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Durley, UK115 contributions
Oct 2022
Cano Cristales is situated near Macarena about one hour's flight South of Bogota. Macarena does have a primitive airport for small aircraft. There are around 12 hotels. Access to the coloured rivers is by a small boat ride lasting around 30 moinures from Macarena to a hiking trail. Along the river you are likely to see turtles. The hike to get there lasts about an hour but the humidity makes it a difficult trek. Once there you can cool down in the refresshing cool water of the river. The colours are made by algae which do not grow all year long so do check out the best time to go. To see the colours at their best take polarised sunglasses and for taking photos take a polarised lens though I just covered my Iphone lens with my polarised sunglasses to good effect.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S1PRADA
Cali, Colombia393 contributions
Oct 2021
This is simply out of this world. Unique natural beauty, without any human intervention. A must see without a doubt.
No safety issues. No fancy restaurants. No fabricated playgrounds for adults. As life is there.
No safety issues. No fancy restaurants. No fabricated playgrounds for adults. As life is there.
Written October 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
7marthalu10
Kansas City, MO162 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Amazing place to visit in El Meta state, Colombia. No body will see that wonder of the world on orherr place, but only in la Macarena Colombia.
Love it, i will go back soon
Love it, i will go back soon
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisKuks
Amsterdam, The Netherlands7 contributions
Oct 2010
Last year I had a great experience in Colombia, I went to Caño Cristales, the river of colors. The “Macarenia Clavijera” ( an aquatic plant that gives the red color to the river) has a life cycle that depends on the river flow. The plant dies in the dry season while in the rainy season it extends along the river bed. This is why the season of visits ranges from June to November. The river has very interesting rock formations, natural swimming pools and waterfalls. This place is still an undiscovered travel destination in Colombia for foreigners. En excellent trip! The most recommended company which does trips to Caño Cristales is Caminantes del Retorno (www.caminantesdelretorno) who has a long time experience in the region. The trip is strongly recommended.
Written April 27, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elispapafrita
Bogota3 contributions
Don´t go by yourself. It´s a very dangerous place, as it is near of the guerrilla´s red zone
Written February 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oridoll
Bogota, Colombia85 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
It is beautifully exotic. Safe hiking, unique sightseeing and great swimming by wonderful waterfalls. Red subaquatic plants give an extraordinary touch to the river and all surroundings.
Written September 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LePapito
France484 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
If you have the opportunity don't miss the trip to Caño Cristales bit be aware that a few things need to be improved on the organization side .
Before you go tour operators might forget to tell you a few things
- use of sun creams and repellents are prohibited in the park ( to prevent these chemicals to poison the aquatic plants ) thus you might want to go with long sleeves .
- visiting season May to November is the rainy season because it is the moment the plants and the colors are nicest ; thus tropical rain is likely to pour down , you might want to take along some protection for heavy rain ( or buy it in La Macarena ) . Next day might be very hot .
- you must have a guide to enter the park ; local guides are nice people but not very prepared to tell you a lot about flora, fauna or geological formation ; do your own search on internet before .
- if you need to keep in touch with the outside world , the only available cell signal is from Claro; there is a small Internet cafe , managed by a clever deaf and mute guy , connection is just extremely slow .
- the nicest hotel , by far, is the Punto Verde , staffed with very nice people ; just try to have a room at the far end of the garden , sure you will hear the roaster calling at 5 30 but not the noise of the hotel discotheque the whole night . They even have a small swimming pool and outside temperature water in the shower ( not hot but not cold either )
Be aware that some of the excursions , without being tough , can include a bit of rock climbing , water crossing ...
Safety can be sometimes light , especially when after strong rains , the rivers go up , the road is cut and you have to cross river holding a safety line with both hands ..
Plan at least three days , two nights there and remember that the planes come and go depending on unknown rules .
Before you go tour operators might forget to tell you a few things
- use of sun creams and repellents are prohibited in the park ( to prevent these chemicals to poison the aquatic plants ) thus you might want to go with long sleeves .
- visiting season May to November is the rainy season because it is the moment the plants and the colors are nicest ; thus tropical rain is likely to pour down , you might want to take along some protection for heavy rain ( or buy it in La Macarena ) . Next day might be very hot .
- you must have a guide to enter the park ; local guides are nice people but not very prepared to tell you a lot about flora, fauna or geological formation ; do your own search on internet before .
- if you need to keep in touch with the outside world , the only available cell signal is from Claro; there is a small Internet cafe , managed by a clever deaf and mute guy , connection is just extremely slow .
- the nicest hotel , by far, is the Punto Verde , staffed with very nice people ; just try to have a room at the far end of the garden , sure you will hear the roaster calling at 5 30 but not the noise of the hotel discotheque the whole night . They even have a small swimming pool and outside temperature water in the shower ( not hot but not cold either )
Be aware that some of the excursions , without being tough , can include a bit of rock climbing , water crossing ...
Safety can be sometimes light , especially when after strong rains , the rivers go up , the road is cut and you have to cross river holding a safety line with both hands ..
Plan at least three days , two nights there and remember that the planes come and go depending on unknown rules .
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MetalTraveller
Paris, France235 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
First, the "dangerous" and "go only with a tour agency" are not true anymore.
For years this place was off limits, and now one can visit it again.
You can go with a tour agency from Bogota or Villavicencio but it's best to go by yourself and arrange a guide there, you'll have more flexibility. There are flights from Bogota and Villavicencio.
Caño Cristales can only be visited with a guide, but this is for ecological reasons. Arranging a guide and finding a hotel in La Macarena is easy, and gives more flexibility, especially f you have a rainy day.
Also, allow at least 3 full days in La Macarena to visit all the places. When it rains, there's no point in visiting anything. I spent almost a week there and I think it's the right amount of time.
For years this place was off limits, and now one can visit it again.
You can go with a tour agency from Bogota or Villavicencio but it's best to go by yourself and arrange a guide there, you'll have more flexibility. There are flights from Bogota and Villavicencio.
Caño Cristales can only be visited with a guide, but this is for ecological reasons. Arranging a guide and finding a hotel in La Macarena is easy, and gives more flexibility, especially f you have a rainy day.
Also, allow at least 3 full days in La Macarena to visit all the places. When it rains, there's no point in visiting anything. I spent almost a week there and I think it's the right amount of time.
Written November 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
duncan77Bournemouth
bournemouth12 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
We booked through Vinatur, took the bus from Bogota to Villavicencio, flights to La Macarena, canoe up river, 4x4 transfer, then a walk of 30 mins. The operators, local people, and our guide, were fantastic!! The river is gorgeous, a true wonder of nature, with beautiful red plants and plenty of natural swimming pools. Take rubber shoes, long sleeves, and a camera. The local people are so proud of the transformation in security, with the guerrilla coca farms and factories long gone, and a strong military presence making it super safe now. We stayed in Casa Hotel- clean and modern, if a little basic. The food was delicious, and everyone is so attentive. I can't recommend this trip highly enough. Please go!!
Written August 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, unos amigos y yo tenemos pensado ir en septiembre y quisiera que me pudieran dar tip para mi visita. Sobre todo me intesa saber si es más recomendable contratar al guía una vez estando en la Macarena.
En fin cualquier consejo es de mucha ayuda!
Written February 26, 2024
Hola, unos amigos y yo tenemos pensado ir en septiembre y quisiera que me pudieran dar tip para mi visita. Sobre todo me intesa saber si es más recomendable contratar al guía una vez estando en la Macarena.
En fin cualquier consejo es de mucha ayuda!
Written February 26, 2024
Forever y
Guangzhou, China
Hello,Could you please tell me how can I buy satena’s ticket on the internet?
Written February 11, 2024
is there river colour left in the second half of november
Written November 10, 2022
3123152169 o al 3103005294 contacto Oscar Hernández
Written July 27, 2022
Hello! We were wondering if we can book through an eco friendly place in la Macarena instead of booking through a tour company. Any suggestions?? Through the hotels there in La Macarena as well. Thank you!!
Written September 18, 2019
Then I would try through this or other platform, I would not go there without a reservation! As time and conditions change, different types of tourists are attracted. Availability will vary as well. I speak fluent Spanish and would not take a chance. But if you don’t mind spending at least a day or two “whatever”, then, I would say is another type of experience... How ever you do it, JUST DO IT!!!👍🏼👍🏼
Written November 20, 2019
Hello - I am interested in going to Cano Cristales. We are looking to go to Colombia December 22 through December 28th. Is this possible? What city should we arrive to?
Written August 22, 2019
Hello! Are you doing this on your own, no travel agency???
I would recommend you don’t just show up in La Macarena. You may be able to find a place to stay, but your activities, including and mainly visiting the river, is not guaranteed!!! In any case you fly into Bogotá y take another flight to La Macarena! Good luck!!!👍🏼
Written October 28, 2019
Cuánto tiempo (horas o días) lleva conocer este lugar?
Cuál es la frecuencia de los vuelos hacia Macarena desde Bogotá?
Written June 29, 2019
All agencies said that the period July to October is the best period. We were there in early September but due to the fact that in the last few weeks didn't rain there the level of river was low and we cannot see it in all his splendor. So it is a lottery.
Written June 22, 2019
Hi what company would you reccomend?
Thank you
Written June 1, 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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