Cidade Turismo
Colombia
Cali

Vale do Cauca · Colombia

Cali

The capital of Valle del Cauca and of salsa: dance schools, the Feria de Cali in December, the colonial neighborhood of San Antonio, the Cristo Rey and the Tres Cruces on the hills, the Cali River and the zoo.

Pacífico

In the photo: Iglesia La Ermita

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Santiago de Cali, founded in 1536 by Sebastián de Belalcázar, is the third-largest city in Colombia and the capital of the department of Valle del Cauca. It lies in the valley of the rio Cauca, at about 1,000 meters altitude, between the Western and Central ranges of the Andes, with the Farallones de Cali as a backdrop to the west. The climate is warm year-round, averaging around 24°C with a breeze arriving from the Pacific in the late afternoon.

Cali is known as the world capital of salsa. Music is on the radios, in the squares and in the dance schools, which teach the caleño style, with quick steps, to anyone who wants to learn in a few lessons. In December, from the 25th to the 30th, the Feria de Cali opens with the Salsódromo, a parade of hundreds of dancers, and fills the city with concerts.

The historic center has colonial churches, such as La Merced, on the spot where the city was refounded, and the neo-Gothic La Ermita, on the riverbank. The Bulevar del Río links these churches along the río Cali, which continues to the Gato del Río and the museum La Tertulia. On top of the San Antonio hill is the city's best-known colonial neighborhood, with the 1747 chapel.

On the hills to the west, the Cristo Rey and the Tres Cruces watch over the city, and on the riverbank is the zoo, one of the most visited in the country.

This destination brings together 1 city: Cali.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Cali is
Cali

Contornos: Natural Earth (domínio público). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Cali

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional Alfonso Bonilla Aragón (CLO), in Palmira · 20 km to Cali

Confirm before buying. The Alfonso Bonilla Aragón international airport is in Palmira, about 20 km from the center. From other Colombian cities there are frequent flights from Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and San Andrés; bus trips through the Andes are long.

Cali
Vale do Cauca · Cali Capital

Cali

Cali, founded in 1536, is the capital of Valle del Cauca and the third-largest city in Colombia, at about 1,000 meters altitude, with warm weather year-round. It is known as the world capital of salsa, with dance schools and the Feria de Cali from December 25 to 30. The center has the church of La Merced, the neo-Gothic La Ermita and the Bulevar del Río; on the San Antonio hill is the colonial neighborhood. On the hills to the west are the Cristo Rey and the Tres Cruces, and on the riverbank are the zoo, the Gato del Río and the museum La Tertulia.

The local experience

Things to do in Cali

Barrio San Antonio
Cali · Vale do Cauca · Neighborhood

Barrio San Antonio

The colonial neighborhood of Cali, on a hill above the center, with low light-colored houses, the chapel of San Antonio from 1747, and a park with city views at sunset.

Monumento a Cristo Rey
Cali · Vale do Cauca · Lookout

Monumento a Cristo Rey

The 26-meter statue on Cerro Los Cristales, at about 1,440 meters altitude, inaugurated in 1953, with viewpoints over Cali, the Cauca valley and the Farallones.

Cerro de las Tres Cruces
Cali · Vale do Cauca · Lookout

Cerro de las Tres Cruces

The hill with three large concrete crosses, dating from 1938, at about 1,465 meters altitude, climbed on foot by caleños as both a hike and an act of devotion.

Zoológico de Cali
Cali · Vale do Cauca · Zoo

Zoológico de Cali

The zoo, founded in 1969 on the banks of the rio Cali, inside the municipal park, with about 2,500 animals from more than 200 species, many of them from Colombian fauna.

See 3 more places in Cali
Bulevar del Río
Cali · Vale do Cauca · Walk

Bulevar del Río

The promenade along the rio Cali in the historic center, linking the neogothic church La Ermita, Plaza de Caycedo and the administrative center, with traffic running through a tunnel underneath.

Iglesia de La Merced
Cali · Vale do Cauca · Church

Iglesia de La Merced

The oldest religious complex in Cali, on the site where the mass for the city's refounding was celebrated, with a church, convent and an archaeological museum with pre‑Colombian ceramics.

Museo La Tertulia
Cali · Vale do Cauca · Museum

Museo La Tertulia

The museum of modern and contemporary art of Cali, on the bank of the rio, with a collection of Colombian and Latin American art—especially graphic works—and temporary exhibitions.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

The heat is similar year-round. From December to February and from June to August it usually rains less. The Feria de Cali, from December 25 to 30, is the liveliest and busiest time: book in advance. In any month, afternoons often bring quick showers during the wet season.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover the historic center, San Antonio, the Bulevar del Río, the Cristo Rey and one night of salsa. With three days you can add the zoo, the museum La Tertulia, the Tres Cruces and a dance lesson.

Which city to stay in

San Antonio, the colonial neighborhood on the hill, has guesthouses in old houses and is close to the center and the Bulevar del Río. Granada and El Peñón, near the río Cali and the museum La Tertulia, concentrate restaurants and hotels. To the south, the area around avenida Roosevelt and San Fernando is more residential, with larger hotels.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Cali

When is the Feria de Cali?

From December 25 to 30 each year, with the Salsódromo at the opening and concerts of salsa and other rhythms. It's the busiest time in the city: book accommodation in advance.

Can you learn salsa in Cali?

Yes. The city has many dance schools that offer single classes or packages for beginners, including tourists. In a few lessons you can learn the basic steps of the caleño style.

How many days to stay in Cali?

Two days for the center, San Antonio, the Bulevar del Río and the Cristo Rey; three to include the zoo, the museum La Tertulia, the Tres Cruces and a salsa class.

What's the weather like in Cali?

Warm year-round, averaging around 24°C with a breeze in the late afternoon. It rains less from December to February and from June to August.

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