Cali, Colombia’s most passionate city and Salsa capital of the world, gets under your skin and stays in your heart. It’s a city of contrasts: the vibrant energy of its salsa clubs juxtaposed with the tranquil beauty of its natural surroundings.
By day, explore the colorful streets of the old town and savor the culinary delights that have earned Cali a place on the world’s gastronomic map. In the warm, tropical nights, surrender to the irresistible pull of the salsa rhythms in the streets. Beyond salsa, discover a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and the warm hospitality of the Caleños. Cali ignites the senses and leaves a lasting mark on your soul.
Ready to experience Cali? Here’s your curated list of ideas for fun things to do in Cali and its surroundings.
Photo by Travelhapp, Old church in Cali
Cali’s historical neighborhoods Barrio San Antonio and Barrio La Tertulia are full of colorful colonial houses, interesting museums and beautiful churches – ideal for leisurely wandering through the streets and enjoying life. From Parque San Antonio you can enjoy gorgeous views of the city in the afternoon with a glass of wine in your hand.
San Antonio is full of great rooftop restaurants and bars and beautiful bohemian cafes, some of them featuring live music. Check out Macondo (Google Maps) and Café Libro Casa Libro Alebrije (Google Maps), or simply embark on a serendipitous discovery tour letting.
Photo by Travelhapp, Parque San Antonio, Cali Colombia
In the Granada neighbourhood you can find trendy boutique shops, exquisite restaurants, impressive street art and an artsy street flair. Have a tasty coffee on the terrace of the beautiful bohemian Cafe Valparaiso (Google Maps) and enjoy watching the street life. This is one of the most relaxing things to do in Cali, in my opinion.
Photo by Travelhapp, Cappuccino at Cafe Valparaiso, Granada district of Cali
Cali’s cable car Mio Cable is a social inclusion project connecting the underserved hillside neighbourhoods of Comuna 20 to the city center, thereby improving access to services and opportunities and diminishing crime and poverty. While currently it’s not yet recommended to get off at the mountain stations, you can take a roundtrip from Terminal Mio Cañaveralejo (view on Google Maps) to experience this integral part of Cali.
Photo by Emmanuel Flores, Cali Aerial View (mod.)
No matter your passion, Cali has a festival for you. Explore the city’s diverse cultural landscape through its many celebrations, from salsa championships to book fairs and everything in between. Here are some of Cali’s top festivals:
International Ballet Festival (Festival Internacional de Ballet)
This festival features national and international ballet companies performing beautiful shows. Ideal for dance lovers seeking a refined art experience in Cali.
Approximate time: June
Learn more (Instagram)
Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival (Festival de Música del Pacífico Petronio Álvarez)
This vibrant festival honors the traditions of Colombia’s Pacific region with live music, traditional dance, and Afro-Colombian music and culture. A must-see for those interested in unique rhythms and authentic local experiences.
Approximate time: August
Learn more (Instagram)
World Salsa Festival (Festival Mundial de Salsa)
Of course, the “Salsa Capital of the World” hosts the World Salsa Festival, showcasing breathtaking competitions and live performances. Perfect for anyone passionate about salsa and dancing.
Approximate time: September
Learn more (Instagram)
International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro de Cali)
This renowned literary event features book launches, readings, and exhibitions. A haven for readers and an excellent way to experience Cali’s intellectual side.
Approximate time: October
Learn more (Instagram)
International Theater Festival (Festival Internacional de Teatro)
This festival features theater performances by local and international artists. Ideal for theater enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in diverse art forms.
Approximate time: September/October
Learn more (Instagram)
Cali Fair (Feria de Cali)
One of Cali’s most iconic events, the Cali Fair is a week-long celebration of salsa dancing, parades, and music. The fair perfectly showcases the city’s vibrant and playful energy!
Approximate time: December (after Christmas)
Learn more (Instagram)
Even if you are not a “believer”, you may want to visit the huge Christ statue (Cristo Rey) which is towering above Cali, since it offers stunning views of the city. On the way up to Cristo Rey you can admire the thought-provoking cliff artworks of caleño geoglyph artist Carlos Andrés Gómez.
Photo by Travelhapp, Cristo Rey Statue Cali
Photo by Reg Natarajan, cliff sculpture by artist Carlos Andrés Gómez, via Cristo Rey, CC BY 2.0 (mod.)
Leisurely walk along the shores of the Cali river and visit the famous cat statues of Cali. The first cat statue, “Gato de Tejada”, was installed in the park alongside the Cali river in the city center in 1996; in 2006 it got some “fiancees” (las novias del gato) to join it. The cats are among the top attractions in Cali Colombia.
If you continue up North-East along the River Boulevard (Boulevard del Rio) you will get to the neo gothic Ermita Church (Iglesia del Ermita), another one of Cali’s famous landmarks.
Photo by Reg Natarajan, Cali River Cats, CC BY 2.0 (mod.)
Photo by Travelhapp, Ermita Church Cali
Beautiful Plaza de Cayzedo is the central square of Cali, featuring the statue of Colombian independence fighter Joaquín de Cayzedo y Cuero, the National Palace and the San Pedro cathedral. From here you can continue exploring Cali downtown and visit Plazoleta de San Francisco.
Photo by Rana Berden, Plaza Cayzedo, CC BY-SA. 2.0 (mod.)
In Cali you can see great street art everywhere. You may want to take a guided graffiti tour, in order not to miss the most impressive murals.
Photo by Travelhapp, Cali Street Art
You can find an endless amount of salsa clubs and high-quality dance schools in the “world’s salsa capital”. If you love to dance but Salsa is not your thing, you may take a class in any other Colombian or international style in this dance-enthusiastic city. In short: anything around Salsa and dancing is among the most fun things to do in Cali!
There are several great Salsa schools conveniently located in and round San Antonio and downtown Cali, for example Baila la Vaina (Google Maps) and Arrebato Caleño (Google Maps).
A beautiful way to learn about Cali’s Salsa history and iconic Salsa landmarks is to join a City tour designed around Salsa.
Cali offers an interesting and diverse landscape of museums. Check out the Tertulia museum, if you are interested in Modern and Contemporary Art. The iconic building hosts artworks of both Colombian and international artists and is a reference point for the visual arts in Colombia. A must-see!
Another unique museum is the Caliwood Museum of Cinematography and Audiovisual Art, which is dedicated showcasing the Cali film industry. The museum features a collection of artifacts related to Caliwood and Colombian Cinema in general, including posters, costumes, and props from some of the most famous Colombian films.
Photo by Reg Natarajan, La Tertulia Museum Cali, CC BY 2.0 (mod.)
Photo by Sahaquiel9102, Caliwood, CC BY 3.0, (mod.)
There are many coffee farms in the beautiful surroundings of Cali that you can visit to learn about coffee cultivation, and do coffee tastings. The Valle del Cauca is one of Colombia’s top coffee regions and produces coffee with a unique flavor.
An absolutely beautiful and easily accessible place to learn about artisanal coffee production is the family-run Finca El Nilo Pance, nestled in the lush green mountains on the way to Pance (Google Maps | Website in Spanish). Simply take the bus to Pance and inform the driver that you’d like to be dropped off at El Nilo Pance. Be sure to call ahead to arrange your visit.
Photo by Travelhapp, Finca El Nilo Pance
Cali is a foodie heaven with diverse and unique delights, such as the delicious “chontaduro” fruit which is usually served with honey or salt. Also make sure to try “Cholado”/”Cholao”, a typical fruit salad from Valle del Cauca, prepared with shredded ice and condensed milk.
If you love eating outside in a romantic setting, try Hacienda del Bosque next to the Cali Zoo (Zoologico de Cali). Platillos Voladores in the Granada neighbourhood is another great address for exquisite Colombian food.
For street food, try the Galeria Alameda food market in Cali featuring a vibrant blend of colors, smells and flavors. Taste exotic fruits and local delicacies like tamales, rellenas, and fish sancocho. You can reach the Alameda neighborhood in about 20 minutes by foot from Barrio San Antonio, walking South.
El Obelisco (Google Maps) is a relaxed outdoor location popular with locals for after work drinks and empanadas.
Photo by Alexis Henao, Food in Cali, Canva Pro license
You can find great nightlife in different parts of Cali, for example in the historical Barrio San Antonio, hip Barrio Granada and Avenida Sexta (“La Sexta”), at Parque del Perro, and along Boulevard del Río. In the La Loma de la Cruz park (Google Maps) live performances are held between Thursday and Saturday, including everything from indigenous dances and salsa to traditional storytelling and games.
Photo by Travelhapp, evening in Cali, Colombia
You can enjoy beautiful views of Cali from Cerro de las Cruces, which is part of the Natural Park Bataclán, located close to the Granada neighborhood. There are several hiking trails with different difficulty levels leading up to Cerro de Las Tres Cruces. For safety reasons, we recommend to go in a group, preferably around 7 am in the morning during the weekends when there are more people around. A common starting point is the Pacific Mall (view on Google Maps).
Just outside of Cali you will find the Farallones de Cali National Park (Google Maps) which is home to over 500 bird species, including the majestic Andean Condor. Hike to Pico de Loro to enjoy amazing views. Please note that you need to go with a local guide or tour and can only enter during early morning hours.
The San Antonio Cloud Forest Reserve (Google Maps) is located about 45 minutes from Cali and is another great place for birdwatching and hiking. It’s home to a variety of plants and animals, including orchids, hummingbirds, and howler monkeys.
Yet another option is the Yotoco Forest Reserve (Google Maps), reachable in an hour away from Cali.
Photo by Juan Camilo Guarin, Bird watching
Parque de la Salud, a beautiful piece of nature by the Pance river, is located just south of Cali. Here you can stroll relaxedly along the river and refresh yourself in a nearby restaurant or have a picnic by the river.
If you follow the river up to the little village of Pance the vegetation gets wilder and lusher. If you are up for a longer hike you may want to visit the beautiful waterfall El Topacio close to Pance, at the entrance of Farallones de Cali National Park. You need to contact the CVC in Cali (Google Maps) beforehand regarding opening hours and entrance permission.
Photo by Travelhapp, Pance River
In the surroundings of Cali you can visit several beautiful little towns like Buga, Palmira, or Jamundi. If you go to Buga, you may also consider visiting Calima Lake (Embalse de Calima) where you can engage in water sport activities like windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking.
Photo (mod.) by Ciyviajero, Buga, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo by Ana Mejia, Calima Lake near Buga
One of the best ways to explore the Andean mountains surrounding Cali and enjoy the stunning nature is on horseback. Several companies in Cali offer horseback riding tours.
One of the top attractions in the surroundings of Cali is the crystal-clear San Cipriano river, reachable in about two hours from the city. On your hike through lush green vegetation you can encounter waterfalls, birds and a variety of other fauna.
Photo by miniteca.org, CC BY-SA 2.0, San Cipriano River, waterfall (mod.)
Here are some neighbourhods we like and recommend in Cali:
San Antonio: Bohemian San Antonio is Cali’s historic center. It’s full of great restaurants, cafes, rooftop bars and art galleries. Especially during the weekends, San Antonio is full of life in the evenings due to its large cultural and gastronomic offer.
Granada:The trendy Granada neighbourhood offers nice hotels, excellent restaurants, fashion boutiques, and colonial architecture. Many streets of Granada are well-lit at night.
El Peñón: This upscale neighborhood is popular for its nightlife, luxury hotels and fine restaurants.
Is Cali safe to travel alone? Cali has a mixed reputation due to its drug cartel history. Since the 90s, security has improved a lot and the city is continuing its urban renewal efforts. As in most big American cities you have to apply a bit of caution when moving around, avoid certain areas, and trust your instincts. Please have a look at my Safety Tips for Solo Travelers in Colombia and Colombia Solo Travel Guide.
Cali features ideal temperatures for evening activities. Keep in mind though that even Colombians move around with services like Uber, Didi and InDrive after dark for safety reasons.
When going for hikes or moving a bit outside the tourist areas it’s always a good idea to go in a group. Join our Colombia Solo Travelers Facebook Group to search for other solo travelers near you that share your interests. (Our focus is on female solo traveler needs and interests.)
Cali welcomes visitors year-round with its warm tropical climate. Daytime temperatures typically range from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), while evenings cool down to a comfortable 18°C to 22°C (64°F to 72°F). For the driest weather, plan your trip between January and February or from mid-June to mid-September.
Cali’s cultural calendar is always buzzing with events, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.
Just a heads-up: Colombian holidays can mean bigger crowds, so plan accordingly.
Here are some destinations that are easily accessible overland by bus from Cali.
Popayán: The beautiful colonial “white city” of Popayan enchants with its picturesque old town, delicious climate and gorgeous natural surroundings. The journey from Cali to Popayan by bus takes around 3 hours. From Popayan you may travel on to Pasto near the ecuadorian border. Get ideas on things to do in Popayan.
Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park: You can access the fascinating National Natural Park Uramba Bahía Málaga from the tourist port of Buenaventura. This incredible, untouched paradise is a fantastic place for whale watching between July and November. The journey from Cali to Buenaventura by bus takes around 3 hours.
Armenia and Salento: Armenia and Salento are great bases to explore Colombia’s coffee triangle. It’s a 4-hour bus journey from Cali to Armenia. Learn what to do in Armenia or read about Salento and the Valle del Cocora.
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Last Update: March 3, 2025
Image Credit: Title image on top by Nayith Quintana, Santiago de Cali, Colombia (mod.)
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