Is Caño Cristales (River of Five Colors) happening right now?

As of today, out of season, returns ~July. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.

Caño Cristales is a short river in the Serranía de la Macarena, Colombia, famous for bright bands of color produced mainly by the aquatic plant Macarenia clavigera.

During the clear-water season sunlight on shallow pools makes carpets of red, yellow and green appear on the riverbed, creating a striking, time-limited display unique to a few tropical rivers.

Where to see it

A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.

Viewing spots
Caño Cristales - Main Pools (Serranía de la Macarena)
La Macarena Town - Visitor Center and Launch Point

This is the short version

This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.