Cali, Colombia: Things to Do in the World Capital of Salsa
Santiago de Cali is the capital of the Valle del Cauca and one of Colombia's most important cities. Cali has an intense energy that invites visitors to enjoy the city by day and by night.
Cali is known as the "world capital of salsa", where music and dance hold a central place in the city's daily life.
One of the largest cities in Colombia, Cali has a complete tourist infrastructure and a wide cultural, culinary and entertainment scene, along with significant industry and agriculture. Just outside the city, several routes lead into the countryside and Los Farallones National Park.
How to get to Cali
To the north of the city, in the town of Palmira, is Cali's Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, with domestic and international flights.
Thanks to its central location, Cali is very well connected by road to Colombia's cities. The distances from Cali are: Bogotá 478 km, Medellín 429 km, Pereira 217 km, Popayán 142 km, Ipiales 468 km, Barranquilla 1,128 km, Buenaventura 126 km.
The city has a major bus terminal with services to and from all corners of Colombia.
Travel information
Cali has several attractions, such as the lookout on the Hill of the Three Crosses (Cerro de las Tres Cruces) and Cristo Rey Hill, with its imposing 26-meter statue of Christ. The city also has notable churches, chief among them La Ermita Church. The zoo and botanical garden are other places to visit. The Torre de Cali is one of the city's landmark buildings, along with the Jorge Isaacs Theater, the Museum of Modern Art, El Peñón Park and the Ortiz Bridge.
Cali has many bars and clubs that come alive at night, many of them around the Parque del Perro, Imbanaco and Avenida Sexta.
Top sights in Cali
Cristo Rey
Free admission
Hours: daily, 8 am to 11 pm.
The park stands on Cerro los Cristales, 1,440 meters above sea level, crowned by the 26-meter statue of Christ with open arms, blessing the city. From here you get some of the best views of Cali.
The climb is by a paved road. On the way up, along the ravines, are various artworks sculpted by the artist Carlos Andrés Gómez.
On the hill there is parking, a chapel, viewpoints and a restaurant.
Pance and Los Farallones Park
The village of Pance is a favorite with lovers of hiking, nature and the outdoors; various trails follow streams and rivers, and you can reach the El Topacio and Pico de Loro hills. Los Farallones Park also has several routes for taking in nature at its finest.
Museums in Cali
- La Tertulia Museum of Modern Art
- San Francisco Religious and Colonial Museum
- La Merced Archaeological Museum
- Calima Gold Museum
- Sugarcane Museum
- Archaeological Museum of Universidad del Valle
- Federico Carlos Lehmann Valencia Departmental Museum of Natural Sciences
Parks in Cali
- Plaza de Caicedo: in the center, the same square laid out when the city was founded.
- Parque de la Retreta: beside the Cali River.
- Pan-American Park: also known as the Park of the Flags, with sports facilities and pools.
- Parque del Perro: popular for its bars and leisure spots.
- Parque Eloy Obrero
- Parque de los Poetas
- Parque La Flora
- Loma de la Cruz Craft Park
- Acuaparque de la Caña: water attractions for the whole family.
- Parque del Avión: features an airplane donated by General Omar Torrijos.
The Cali Fair (Feria de Cali)
The Feria de Cali is the biggest event in the city. Thousands of people attend the shows and activities held across town. The fair takes place every year between December 25 and 30 and is the chance to enjoy Cali's music, food and traditions.
Frequently asked questions about Cali
Because salsa is part of the city's daily life: there are dance schools, salsa clubs and festivals. The Cali Fair, at year-end, is its biggest salsa celebration.
Through Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (in Palmira), with domestic and international flights. Its central location gives good road links: Bogotá 478 km, Medellín 429 km, Popayán 142 km, Buenaventura 126 km.
Go up the Hill of the Three Crosses and Cristo Rey, visit La Ermita Church and the center, see the zoo and botanical garden, and experience the salsa nightlife of Juanchito and the San Antonio area.
Los Farallones National Park, the rural routes of the Valle del Cauca, and getaways to Popayán and the region's sugarcane estates.
Cali has a warm climate year-round, ideal for outdoor life and dancing; wear light clothing and stay hydrated.
It can be visited all year. The most vibrant moment is the Cali Fair (late December), with concerts, the salsa parade and events across the city.