THINGS TO DO IN CALI, COLOMBIA
Cali, the salsa capital of the world, will take you by surprise. It sits in Colombia’s Valle del Cauca department, with just over 2 million people. This makes it the third-largest city in Colombia. Although it has a dark past related to drug cartels, the city now receives more visitors thanks to its improving safety in recent years.
Now, there are many things to do in Cali, Colombia. You can enjoy salsa dancing, hiking, or wandering around the city to admire its sites. But, if you have a chance, I advise you not to skip this city in Colombia. The truth is I enjoyed it more than Bogota, and I have a feeling you would too.
Things To Do In Cali, Colombia
Table of Contents
Things To Do In Cali, Colombia
1. Explore Barrio San Antonio
Barrio San Antonio is the spot to hang out in Cali. This bohemian neighborhood has cool street art, boutique hotels, hip restaurants, and excellent hostels. The narrow alleys and cobbled-stone streets make it a lovely place to wander around.
As you walk around Barrio San Antonio, you can find regional food, art galleries, and street murals. In addition, you will find culture, nightclubs, cafes, and so much more in this neighborhood. Go to Calle la Escopeta to find some cool art.
2. Visit Iglesia San Antonio
While you are in Barrio San Antonio, make sure to walk up to the Church of San Antonio. Here, you can admire a gorgeous view of the city and people-watch. You can also find local street food and restaurants nearby.
3. View the city from Cristo Rey
Cristo Rey is a 26 meter statue of Christ in the Cerro de los Cristales in Cali. It’s an accessible viewpoint from the city. You can either hike there or take an Uber to the top. The path there is also known as the pizza path because there are many stands and small restaurants selling pizza along the road to the top.
4. Go Salsa Dancing
Cali is best known for being the salsa capital of Colombia and the world. There is no place I’ve been where people dance to salsa music as much as they do here. Cuba would be the second place. You will hear salsa music playing everywhere, and there are a handful of salsa nightclubs.
If you don’t know how to dance salsa, no worries. Many places teach salsa dancing, including nightclubs. Or you can show up and just let the locals teach you how to dance when they ask you out to the dance floor. Although I love dancing Mexican cumbias and reggeaton, I can say I failed at Salsa dancing. However, I still had an incredible time on the dance floor making a fool of myself.
5. Salsa Dance at La Topa Tolondra Nightclub
On that note, I suggest you go to La Topa Tolondra Nightclub for salsa dancing. Although there are many places to choose from, this nightclub is the top choice. The expert dancers go here. But don’t be intimidated by that. They offer classes during the day, and at night, you can pretend to know how to dance amongst all the experts.
6. Experience the Cali Nightlife
Also on that note, Cali doesn’t only do salsa well. The city also has an incredible nightlife. Caleños love dancing, and no matter what type of Colombian music you are looking for, you are sure to find it.
7. Walk Rio Cali & See the Cat Statues
Along the Cali River is a well-known bronze sculpture of a cat by Hernando Tejada called El Gato del Rio. It’s a cool outdoor display for tourists to visit. However, it’s not the only cat around. There are many more cat sculptures that are colorful, creative, and some a bit darker. They each come with a different message, and they line the Cali River.
Even if you aren’t a fan of cats, I recommend you stop by this river to admire this work of art in the middle of the city.
8. Admire Capilla La Ermita
In the heart of Cali, you can admire the architecture of this beautiful church. It was constructed with a lovely Neo-Gothic design but with light blue and grey colors. It has gorgeous stained-glassed windows, and is near a perfect place to wander around.
9. Refresh at Ecoparque Río Pance
Rio Pance is a river that runs along the southern side of Cali. It’s a popular spot for locals to visit. They like to have picnics and do recreational and outdoor activities. The best part about visiting is getting into the river to refresh from the heat. It’s also perfect for getting out into nature and away from the city.
You can go for a hike, swim, or have a picnic. It’s not far from the city, and you can simply catch the local bus on the way there and back.
10. Cerro Las Tres Cruces
If you love viewpoints from the cities you visit, Cerro Las Tres Cruces is a great place to visit. This large mountain is one that many Caleños love to hike. The walk to the top takes over an hour and is the perfect hiking spot for those who enjoy nature and city views.
11. Hit the Museums
Like most major big cities, Cali has a collection of museums to enjoy for those who like art and history Some of the museums you can visit are:
- Cubillos Museums of Archology: A collection of Colombia’s past and ancient objects.
- La Tertulia Museum of Modern Art: This museum has a collection of modern art, workshops for kids, and film screenings.
- Caliwood Museum of Cinematography: If you enjoy movies, this is the perfect place to learn about the film industry.
- Calima Museum of Gold: You can find over 600 pieces of gold, bones, ceramic, and more items at this museum.
- Sugar Cane Museum: Just outside of Cali, you can visit this museum to learn about sugar, a crop in the region.
12. Try the Local Cusine
In Cali, you will learn that locals love to eat Cholados. A Cholado is a delicious dessert filled with fruit, ice, and other goodies. You can also try a lulada drink.
Where to Stay
There are quite a few great hostels to stay at in Cali. I stayed at La Vaina Hostel and enjoyed their pool and common areas. They have some nice private rooms and a great breakfast. You can also stay nearby at El Viajero Hostel, which is also a great place to make friends and has a social atmosphere.
If you prefer a hotel, you can stay at Park V or Rossa Palma. Both have salsa dance schools.
Best Time to Visit Cali, Colombia
Colombia doesn’t have seasons. It simply has a rainy season and a dry season. Therefore, the temperature mainly stays the same throughout the country. However, the best season to visit is January to March and July to August due to more sun and less rain. Cali is primarily warm throughout the year, so expect it to be hot and humid when you visit. It’s best to look for a room with air conditioning here.
Popular dates in the city include the Feria de Cali (Cali Fair) in December and The World Salsa Festival in December.
How To Get There
The best way to get to Cali is to fly into the city Flights from major cities such as Medellin and Bogota are inexpensive. If you are in nearby towns, such as Salento, you can take a 4-hour bus to the city.
How is Safety in cali, Colombia?
Although Cali has a history of a rough and violent past, today it’s a much safer city. However, that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. You still need to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions. Cali is still known to have theft and muggings.
When you are out exploring, it’s best not to flash your valuables. In Colombia, there’s a saying that goes like this: “No dar papaya.” This means, “don’t give papaya.” Meaning, don’t flash your goods because you’ll be a target. So, try your best to blend in and don’t give papaya, or you’ll become a target of mugging.
Keep your valuables put away. Don’t flash your phone or your laptop, and hold on to your bag when eating at a restaurant on the street.
What to Pack
Here are some items to pack with you when visiting Cali:
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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