Cali

A city full of rhythm

The capital of Valle del Cauca is a city with historical tourist attractions, a vibrant cultural life, and musical rhythms that have gained worldwide fame.

The musical rhythms of Cali, thanks to its ethnic richness, range from the currulao of the Pacific coast to the city’s main star: salsa, an infectious and frenetic rhythm that is part of the country’s culture.

For this reason, Cali stands out in Colombia as the ‘Capital of Rumba’ and, globally, as the ‘Capital of Salsa’, because street parties and dancing are characteristic.

What to do in Cali?

During your city tour, you can visit the banks of the río Cali to admire the architecture of churches like Ermita and other colonial buildings that are true national monuments.

Don’t miss key spots like the Zoológico de Cali, Barrio Granada, and the imposing Cristo Rey, a statue similar to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, overlooking the city from Cerro de las Tres Cruces.

Museums are also among Cali’s tourist attractions: Museo La Tertulia, Museo del Oro Calima, and Museo Arqueológico La Merced are some of the most renowned.

Take advantage of your strolls through Cali to try traditional cuisine, blending Spanish, indigenous, and African influences, giving each dish a unique flavor. This creates true delights like arroz atollado, valluna empanadas, sancocho de gallina, tortilla soup, valluno aborrajado, green plantain tostadas with hogao, valluna chuleta, and tamales.

Additionally, the sugarcane grown in Valle del Cauca gives rise to a variety of sweets, such as manjar blanco, cocadas, cholado, and champús, a delicious drink made with corn, lulo, pineapple, cinnamon, and panela syrup.

Of course, one of the best things to do in Cali is to go partying, especially in the Juanchito area, where dance halls with their unique atmosphere will make every fiber of your body vibrate.

Unique experiences

Undoubtedly, one of the city’s unique experiences is the Feria de Cali, held in December to bid farewell to the year with salsa rhythms. This impressive fair features major artists of this genre gathering for a Superconcert.

The fair also includes cultural and sports events.

Other important celebrations are the Festival de Música del Pacífico Petronio Álvarez, held in August, and the Festival Mundial de Salsa.

Must-do activities

If you want to learn how to dance salsa, Cali is your ideal tourist destination. Though it may seem challenging due to the speed and coordination of the movements, Cali offers many opportunities to learn some steps at academies and schools.

Another great plan is to explore the surrounding nature and visit Hacienda El Paraíso, where María, one of Latin America’s most iconic love stories, written by the immortal Jorge Isaacs, takes place.

On Sundays, many locals head to rivers like the Pance, where you can cool off and enjoy a relaxing day of leisure.

If you walk upstream, you’ll reach the Fundación Farallones camp, which has a hostel and guides to explore the park.

Recommendations

• Arriving in Cali by plane is quite easy, as the Aeropuerto Internacional Alfonso Bonilla Aragón, located in the nearby city of Palmira, receives flights from Colombia and abroad. If traveling from Colombia, you’ll find affordable flights with airlines like Viva Air and Wingo.

• By land, you can reach Cali using buses or renting a car to cover the 460 kilometers from Bogotá.

• The most efficient way to get around Cali is using the Integrated Transport System, known as MIO, which currently has eight routes covering most of the city.

• If using this system, we recommend studying the city map and familiarizing yourself with the routes in advance. This will also help you choose the best location for your stay. Remember that Cali offers hotels for all budgets.

• You can also use taxi services. It’s advisable to call reputable companies or use their mobile apps.

• Lastly, keep in mind that Cali generally has warm and humid weather, so pack comfortable, light, and cool clothing. But don’t forget to include some standout outfits for the vibrant Cali nightlife, where you can test your salsa dancing skills.

With these recommendations, you’re ready to enjoy Cali’s charms. Let yourself be swept away by the wonderful salsa rhythm of the world’s most welcoming country. Discover Colombian warmth culture here!