[ad_1]
Known because the world capital of salsa, the thrilling metropolis of Santiago de Cali, situated within the Valle del Cauca division, is a must-see throughout your holidays in Colombia.
Apart from salsa dancing, which continues to be a fantastic purpose to go there, there are numerous issues to do in Cali to maintain you entertained: vacationer sights, outside actions, events and golf equipment, scrumptious meals, fascinating museums, and rather more!
Since I’ve lately been there, I made a decision to save lots of you some valuable time researching, and accumulate all the most effective Cali sights for vacationers, additionally together with some sensible information about the place to remain within the metropolis.
Are you able to discover all the most effective Cali’s sights and actions with me?
Let’s go!
If you might be in a rush
If you don’t have the time to learn the entire article, try this fast listing of the most effective issues to do in Cali, Colombia, plus some lodging ideas:
Here are the primary issues to guide upfront in Cali:
And listed here are the most effective inns in Cali: Alko Hotel (luxurious), Rossa Palma (mid-range), Moonshine Boutique Hostal (price range)
1. Join a metropolis tour
In my opinion, the most effective factor to do once you first arrive at a brand new place is to go on a metropolis tour so that you get to know totally different areas and historic information, and to get a common feeling of it… and Cali is not any exception!
If you agree with me, try this 3-hour small group tour with a native information throughout which you’ll get an orienting introduction to Cali whereas being pushed by way of vital websites of the town, resembling Cristo Rey (study extra about it in part 8), the Mirador Sebastian Belalcazar, Gato de Tejada and plenty of extra for less than $39.
Alternatively (or along with the town tour), you may be part of this free strolling tour by way of Cali’s historic metropolis heart, theaters and church buildings. The tour is tremendous fascinating and, as a cherry on high of the cake, it’s free!
In truth, through the tour, you’ll study the whole lot about Cali’s historical past, strive some native gastronomy, and obtain helpful suggestions in regards to the City.
PRICE: $39
2. Dance salsa!
Salsa dancers should already know that Cali is the salsa capital, and I wager they’re wanting ahead to hitting the dance flooring of the various golf equipment and bars… I get you, I went to Cali particularly for the Feria de Cali, and it was simply unimaginable!
For those that don’t know, the Feria de Cali is crucial occasion within the metropolis, occurring yearly from the twenty fifth to the thirtieth of December, and utterly devoted to the celebration of Salsa!
But if you happen to’re in Cali every other time of the 12 months, you should have numerous alternatives to dive deep into salsa dancing. Let’s examine them out one after the other:
2.1 Take a salsa class
Are you a whole newbie to salsa? Well, in Cali, this isn’t an excuse! The metropolis hosts so many good salsa faculties providing salsa classes, so you may study the fundamentals after which observe your strikes the identical night time.
NOTE: Salsa in Cali has its personal conventional type, which is kind of totally different from different salsa kinds like Cuban or New York’s – you’ll have to make use of your ft far more and at a quicker tempo!
Some of probably the most well-known dance faculties in Cali are Salsa Pura, Swing Latino, or Son de Luz, costing round $20 for a 1h non-public class or $5 for a gaggle class. Otherwise, you may guide this 4h salsa class on-line upfront, together with a theoretical introduction and a sensible half for $72.
And if you’re on a price range, you may be part of a free salsa class hosted by Salsa Al Parque Cali (NGO), occurring each first Saturday of the month at totally different places (try the Instagram web page to search out out the placement)!
PRICE: $72
2.2 Learn about salsa on a salsa tour
Another nice solution to get near Cali’s salsa tradition is by studying some information about its origin, historical past, and business, and what higher means to try this than by becoming a member of a tour?
During this 4h salsa tour, a native information will deliver you to go to genuine, real-life locations that present the totally different types of Salsa in Cali (music, devices, costumes, reveals, occasions, books and so forth.).
You will go to the Salsa Museum, some salsa bars, kinds of vinyl coleccionista, and finish your tour at La Topa Tolondra, a highly regarded salsa bar the place they do salsa lessons and occasions afterward (the tour contains the admission ticket!)… all this for $47.
PRICE: $47
2.3 Dance salsa on the golf equipment
As I mentioned, in Cali you may dance salsa at actually any nook, however there are some superb golf equipment/ bars you can’t miss within the metropolis. Here’s an inventory of the most effective locations the place you may go salsa dancing in Cali:
- La Topa Tolondra: that is the hottest salsa bar in Cali, Colombia, and hosts salsa nights daily of the week, typically with reside music and bands. Once per week, often on Monday (however this could change), they do salsa lessons: you pay $15 for the category, and you’ll keep for the get together afterward.
NOTE: because the place is at all times full of individuals, and there are often lengthy traces to enter, be sure you arrive round 8 PM to keep away from them! - SabakiNight (Salsa Pura): This is definitely a dance college, throwing weekly social dance nights (try the Instagram Page to remain updated!). During these nights, they do Salsa/Bachata/Kizomba dance classes (I took one, and it was nice) and social dances proper after, the place they often combine the three dances. It’s the right place to satisfy different foreigners!
- Zaperoco Bar – if you wish to take heed to or dance to some good true salsa music at a comfortable place, that is the membership to go to! Here the ambiance is tremendous pleasant and welcoming, and the drinks are superb… What higher combo to begin dancing?
NOTE: The place is just open from Thursday to Saturday.
3. Explore the San Antonio neighborhood
Cali generally will not be one of the crucial lovely cities in Colombia, however its neighborhood San Antonio is for positive one of the crucial charming areas I’ve ever seen on my travels (truthfully, you don’t even really feel like you might be in Cali, however I nonetheless like it!).
In truth, that is the “historical zone” of Cali, the place you’ll discover historic homes with conventional structure, artistry cafès, a fantastic park with panoramic views of the town, salsa dancing faculties, memento retailers, and totally different sorts of inventive bars and eating places, serving each native and worldwide delicacies.
Located to the north of the town centre, round 10 minutes driving from it, San Antonio can be one of many most secure areas on the town, filled with inns, hostels, and Airbnbs, and is the place a lot of the vacationers and expats keep (it’s fairly harmful to remain within the metropolis heart!) so I recommend you do the identical.
TIP: try some nice inns in San Antonio in our part about the place to remain in Cali, on the finish of the put up!
This implies that the world is simply excellent if you’re a digital nomad like me, as a result of it hosts many good and comfortable cafès with quick Wi-Fi, like Corinne, and Tostaky, each nice to get some work performed!
4. Attend an incredible present at Delirio
If you need to see the last word salsa present in Cali, Delirio, situated half-hour driving from Cali, is the place to be hosted by the most well-known salsa circus within the metropolis!
Here the salsa present is simply breathtaking, combining music, dancing, and a contact of cabaret, with phenomenal dancers acting at a loopy excessive degree, it’s generally known as the Cirque du Soleil of Salsa.
Just think about that there are just one,000 seats out there within the circus-like tent and reveals are held solely each final weekend of every month, so be sure you guide your tickets far upfront as they’re at all times offered out!
Tickets for the reveals are slightly dear (from $20 to $60 relying in your seat), but it surely’s positively value it… that is one thing you’ll always remember!
PRICE: US$20 to US$60
Getting there:
- By automobile: when you’ve got your personal or rented automobile, the journey from Cali (metropolis heart/San Antonio) to Delirio will take you round half-hour.
- By taxi: a taxi journey from Cali (metropolis heart/San Antonio) will value you round US$15 and take half an hour
- By bus: take the bus traces E21, P27D or P47B from Cali to Delirio: a bus journey will take you round 45 minutes and value you $2, however there received’t be a bus out there late at night time to return!
5. Stroll the Cali river and El Gato del Rio
Located north of the town, very near the San Antonio neighborhood, one can find the Río Cali. All alongside its banks, there are pedestrian areas, bike lanes, foods and drinks distributors, and statues… so it’s the excellent place to simply get pleasure from a leisurely stroll!
The most well-known a part of the strolling path is Cali’s Cat Park (additionally referred to as El Parque del Gato de Tejada), dwelling to a big bronze cat donated by Hernando Tejada – one of the crucial vital Colombian artists.
If you comply with the strolling path after the primary cat, you’ll undergo 15 smaller cat statues, representing his girlfriends, each together with her personal character and colours, all painted by native artists. Read the descriptions near the statues, they’re so cool!
6. Chill at Parque Artesanal Loma de La Cruz
If, whereas leaping from one attraction to the opposite, you simply need to chill and take in the native vibe, then Parque Artesanal Loma de La Cruz is the fitting place, a favourite amongst each locals and vacationers (myself included!).
The park is stuffed with meals distributors and handicrafts stands from Cali artisans, preferrred if you wish to do some memento purchasing, and at night time there’s at all times one thing occurring, from salsa dancing to reside music and storytelling… the entire household might be pleased right here!
Another plus? In the park environment, one can find many reasonably priced eating places and bars the place to have a chunk or a drink in a comfortable ambiance!
7. Try the native meals
Even if Colombia will not be actually identified for meals, there are some scrumptious dishes (particularly if we speak about road meals, which is tremendous common in the entire nation) that it’s essential strive if you happen to go to Cali. Let’s examine them out collectively:
- Cholado: this can be a very typical factor from Cali, consisting of an enormous cup of shaved ice with contemporary fruits, sugary flavorings, and ice cream (non-obligatory). The greatest place for cholados and fruit salads (additional on on this listing) is at Las Canchas Panamericanas, the place you’ll see numerous meals stalls promoting them, you’ll actually be spoiled for alternative!
- Sancocho de Gallina: This is a scrumptious, wealthy soup product of hen broth and accompanied by rice, corn cob, yucca, rooster, beans, plantains, and avocado.
- Fruit salads: neglect in regards to the typical, wholesome fruit salads! In Cali they’re product of unique fruits, ice cream, condensed milk, shredded cheese, honey, and so forth. They are principally desserts however they’re so scrumptious, you should give them a strive!
- Aborrajado: I’m not a fan of fried meals, however this one is simply unimaginable. It is principally a fried ball product of plantain with cheese inside, one can find it at principally any road vendor!
- Pan de Bono: that is actually my favourite factor to eat in Colombia – a candy and salty cheese bread often served scorching. You will discover it at each bakery on the town, which is kind of harmful as a result of it’s addictive!
As I mentioned, Colombia is legendary for road meals, and Cali is not any exception. If you need to be sure you strive all of it, be part of this yummy 4-hour road meals tour throughout which you’ll discover Cali’s streets, parks, historical past, and road tradition for $18.
The tour ends in a neighborhood Colombian market, the place you’ll strive not less than 15 samples of various meals and drinks, just like the ‘Chontaduro’ tropical fruit, the ‘Lulada’ drink, the everyday ‘Ceviche Colombiano’, fried empanadas, and plenty of extra.
PRICE: $18
8. Enjoy the town views from El Cristo Rey
On the Cerro de Los Cristales mountain, one can find the El Cristo Rey nationwide monument, a really tall statue, 85 ft (26 meters) excessive, resembling the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. It’s the right place to get pleasure from a beautiful panorama of Cali, so don’t neglect your digicam!
Right in entrance of the statue, additionally, you will discover many road distributors promoting the whole lot from souvenirs, snacks, or contemporary drinks, excellent if you wish to chill slightly bit whereas having fun with the views.
You can get there by your self (by automobile or taxi) or discover it as part of this half-day metropolis tour, combining Cristo Rey with different vital sights in Cali just like the Tertulia Museum (try part 13 to study extra about it), and downtown Cali with an knowledgeable information, for $90.
I positively advocate it if you’re on a brief go to to Cali and also you need to make the most effective out of your time!
How to get there:
- By taxi: you may cease yellow taxis on the road from anyplace in Cali and the journey will value you round $10 – $15.
- By bus: take the MIO A04 Bellavista bus line from Manzana del Saber station (try information about costs and routes on the official web site) and get off at Cai Bella Vista. From there, you may take a Jeep (they cross each 45 minutes and canopy about $1 for the journey), which is able to depart you the closest doable to the Cristo, at round 20 minutes strolling from the attraction.
- Car: when you’ve got your personal or rented automobile, the journey from Cali metropolis heart to Cristo will take you round half-hour.
9. Enjoy the Cali nightlife
Cali is tremendous well-known for its loopy nightlife. Apart from the numerous salsa golf equipment, one can find venues to hit the dance flooring for each type of music and style, although most of them play reggaeton.
The hottest areas for spending an evening out are La Sexta, crammed with bars, nightclubs, and salsa dancing venues, or San Antonio and its environment (internet hosting largely cool bars for pre-drinks), whereas Parque del Perro (the canine park) is the place all of the locals and college students meet up earlier than going to the membership.
If you hand around in these areas, you’ll discover a good membership for you for positive, however right here under you’ll discover 3 fundamental locations in Cali to benefit from the night time:
- Café de Mi Tierra: this can be a 24h membership the place you’ll discover crossover music, which principally means any type of music: salsa, electro, and business – excellent if you wish to dance the night time out!
- Sonido Central: if you happen to love digital and home music, that is the place to be in Cali, open from Thursday to Sunday. Just be sure you take a taxi to and from it as a result of the world is kind of sketchy at night time.
- Son Caribe: open Friday by way of Sunday, this membership is ideal to get pleasure from a very good mixture of Cuban rumba and Cali salsa. This place is for true music lovers, so that you received’t discover very younger crowds simply seeking to get drunk.
And if you wish to actually expertise the rumbera tradition of Cali, be part of this night time tour by way of 3 totally different bars as if you happen to had been from Cali, excellent if you’re touring alone and also you need to make new pals!
P.S.: Another nice metropolis in Colombia by way of nightlife and sights is Medellin. Check out our put up in regards to the TOP issues to do in Medellin!
10. Hike on Cerro de las Tres Cruces
If you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the town and luxuriate in some contemporary air, go for a 1-hour hike on the Cerro de las Tres Cruces (Three Cross Hill), ranging from anyplace inside the metropolis and heading to a lovely viewpoint.
The hike is really lovely, however there are some precautions you’ll must take.
First of all, it’s higher to keep away from climbing there through the week and after noon, since it will probably get fairly lonely and unsafe, so I like to recommend climbing the Cerro throughout weekends as the most suitable choice, or very early within the morning (from 5:30 to 7 AM), when it’s the busiest.
Also, be sure you don’t go alone! If you’re touring solo, there are climbing teams leaving from the Pacific Mall at 7 PM. Joining the group prices solely $1 and you’ll try their Facebook web page for updates (in the event that they shut the web page, ask somebody on the Mall for data)!
11. Do some people-watching in Plaza de Cayzedo
If you’re searching for a spot to take in some native vibes and genuine ambiance, the palm tree-filled Plaza de Cayzedo (Cali’s fundamental sq.) is the place to be!
Located within the coronary heart of the town, right here one can find some lovely buildings and nationwide monuments just like the Palacio Nacional and San Pedro Cathedral, in addition to road meals distributors, memento stands, road artists, and probably the most random issues like shoe shiners, guinea pig playing, and so forth.
The vitality right here is vibrant and chaotic, which makes it the right place to simply sit on a bench or in a restaurant and do some people-watching whilst you get pleasure from your tinto (black espresso) or road meals snack.
12. See the animals at Cali Zoo
Located on the west aspect of Cali, the Cali Zoo hosts greater than 233 totally different species of animals, most of that are native to Colombia, and plenty of are from throughout South America. Get able to see lions, tigers, bears, zebras, and kangaroos!
The good factor is that plenty of animals can roam round free, so that you don’t get the unhappy feeling you often have when visiting a zoo.
If you stroll alongside the Cali River for round half-hour from the San Antonio neighborhood, you’ll actually run straight by way of the zoo, so additionally it is tremendous straightforward to achieve!
The zoo is open daily from 9 AM to 4.30 PM … excellent to spend a day with the household.
PRICE: $5 for adults, $4 for teenagers
13. Check out trendy artwork items at La Tertulia Museum
The Tertulia Museum is a cultural level of reference each for the town of Cali and the visible arts in Colombia, and it’s positively a should if you’re captivated with trendy artwork!
Here one can find a group of greater than 1,500 American artworks (exhibited within the Collection Rooms), some thematic and monographic reveals, and a movie library projecting films frequently.
The museum is open daily apart from Mondays, and a go to to the museum will take you round 2-3h and value you $4 (you may guide your tickets instantly on-site or on the official web site), until you go on Saturday afternoon, when it’s free!
PRICE: $4
14. Gaze at La Ermita Church structure
Even if you happen to’re not a non secular particular person, the Ermita church situated within the heart of city is a must-see in Cali for its extraordinarily lovely structure and neo-Gothic type decorations.
Its design, which was impressed by a German Cathedral, is really distinctive – combining Dutch home windows with French church bells and Italian marble. You can stare upon it from the skin, or enterprise inside if you would like, although it’s fairly small.
And if you happen to stroll across the close by space, you will notice different buildings with well-preserved colonial structure and the charming Plaza de Los Poetas (the Poets’ Square) with statues of well-known writers.
15. Go on a trekking tour to Pico de Loro
If you’re up for a difficult hike utterly nestled in nature, then you’ll love Pico de Loro – a mountain situated 1h from Cali. It will certainly make you sweat however, as soon as on the high, you should have one of the crucial breathtaking viewpoints ever.
Get able to get pleasure from panoramas on the entire Valle del Cauca, Western, and Central Cordilleras… and don’t neglect your digicam!
Since it’s fairly onerous to prepare as you’re solely allowed to go there with a information from the village of Pance, between 6 AM and eight AM, I recommend you be part of this full-day trekking tour from Cali. It contains spherical journey transportation, lunch, and snacks for $120, so that you received’t have to consider something!
During the tour, additionally, you will find out about historical past, flora, and conservation of ecosystems in Colombia, so will probably be each a cultural and bodily exercise!
PRICE: $120
16. Join a day journey to the Farallones Natural Reserve
Cali will not be solely about dance and historical past. In its close by environment one can find numerous superb pure landscapes to discover, and probably the greatest ones is the Farallones Natural Reserve, situated 1h from the town.
Spend a day utterly nestled in nature on this superb day journey to the Farallones National Reserve, throughout which you’ll go to varied waterfalls and rivers, do chook watching (notably common within the space) and uncover the native wildlife.
Your knowledgeable information will deliver you to hike by way of magical ecological trails and rural hills, displaying you the most effective that this space has to supply for $73. I wager that nature lovers will go loopy for this expertise!
PRICE: $73
Join a Day Trip to Fallarones Natural Reserve
Where to remain in Cali
The greatest space to remain in Cali is certainly San Antonio, a fantastic and protected neighborhood with charming outdated homes, many bars and eating places, and a pleasing ambiance. Let’s try 3 nice resort choices for any price range:
- Luxury (US$120 and up): Alko Hotel – Check out this beautiful resort providing lodging with an out of doors swimming pool, a backyard, and a restaurant. It even has a automobile rental service out there, excellent for visiting Cali and its environment!
- Mid Range (US$40 – US$80): Rossa Palma – This lovely property is conveniently situated in San Antonio and affords spacious rooms with breakfast included, a quiet backyard and terrace to get pleasure from some rest, and a tour desk for friends!
- Budget (as much as US$30): Moonshine Boutique Hostal – If you might be touring on a price range, this cool hostel is for you, that includes very reasonably priced suites with a non-public toilet, a terrace, and even some beautiful metropolis views!
FAQs about Things to Do in Cali, Colombia
???? What are the most effective issues to do in Santiago de Cali, Colombia?
The greatest issues to do in Cali, Colombia are: dance salsa on the many golf equipment like La Topa Tolondra, get pleasure from panoramic views from the Cristo El Rey monument, or browse the memento retailers on the Loma de La Cruz park.
???? What is Cali Colombia most identified for?
The metropolis of Cali, Colombia, is especially identified for its massive salsa tradition (the truth is, it’s the world’s salsa capital), internet hosting the large Feria de Cali salsa pageant yearly.
????️ How a lot time do you want in Cali Colombia?
3 days in Cali is the right period of time to discover its fundamental sights, dance salsa at night time, and discover the pure landscapes in its environment.
???? Is Cali, Colombia, protected for vacationers?
In Colombia, Cali is understood for being fairly unsafe, however if you happen to take the fitting precautions, journey by taxi at night time, and keep within the San Antonio neighborhood, you may have a utterly protected expertise.
Conclusion
Here we’re on the finish of this in depth journey information about the most effective issues to do in Santiago de Cali, a Colombian metropolis situated within the Valle del Cauca.
We noticed Cali issues to do for each style, from salsa dance lessons, metropolis excursions, difficult hikes to museums, I feel that everybody might be glad!
I hope you discovered my information helpful, and when you’ve got any questions for me otherwise you need to share your expertise in Cali, please achieve this within the feedback under. I’m wanting ahead to realizing what you suppose!
Have an incredible vacation!
Elena
Pin it for later!
Pin it for later!
