¡Cali es Cali! 5 not-to-be-missed activities
While Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena often monopolize the attention of travellers and feature on most Colombian tours, Cali remains in the shadow of its illustrious neighbors. This is unfortunate, as the capital of the Valle del Cauca, with its 2.2 million inhabitants, is one of the country’s most vibrant cultural cradles. Dubbed the « salsa capital of the world », Cali pulsates to the rhythm of this music born in the popular barrios, blending Afro-Caribbean influences with the traditions of the Colombian Pacific.
Nestled in a fertile valley between the foothills of the Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Central, the city enjoys a stable year-round tropical climate and a strategic position that historically made it a major commercial crossroads. Today, Cali combines urban modernity with popular authenticity, offering a more authentic Colombian experience than any of its peers.
Discover with us 5 authentic experiences that reveal the true soul of Cali.
1/ The Alameda market
Lovers of authenticity and typical places, don’t miss this photogenic and particularly endearing covered market: the Alameda. Located in the center of Cali, it is divided into several blocks (fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, handicrafts and, of course, restaurants).Don’t miss out on lunch, when you’ll be able to sample traditional dishes from the tasty Pacific cuisine: sancocho de pescado (fish soup), arroz con coco ( coconut rice), patacón (plantain fritters), fried fish, casuela de mariscos (seafood casserole) and much more.
Address: – Open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m
2/ Salsa dancing in Cali
It’s impossible to visit the salsa capital without immersing yourself in theelectrifying atmosphere of the emblematic venues of this Latin dance!
The best place to dance salsa: La Topa Tolondra
As soon as you enter this legendary bar on the Quinta, the color is already announced: a huge painting takes up the codes of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper… estilo salsa with a representation of the greats of the genre: Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe… The tables are arranged around the huge dance floor where beginners, amateurs and professionals alike, give it their all.
The most underground: Mala Maña
A small bar located in the basement of a building on Carrera 4 in downtown Cali, Mala Maña has a more intimate atmosphere than La Topa. As usual, the tables are arranged along the walls, leaving the central space free so that both the most seasoned and the least confident dancers can let their imaginations run wild
Also worth a visit for a 100% local feel
El Rincon de Hébert: has the advantage of being outdoors, and varies musical genres.La Caldera del Diablo: not far from the giant Topa on Avenida Quinta, a smaller space where caleños come to indulge in their favourite activity, salsa dancing to the point of shaking the whole country.Tintindeo: would you like some more salsa? Another of the city’s emblematic places to practice your repique and other dance steps.
3/ Stroll through the San Antonio district
Stroll through this timeless district and discover its white houses with their colonial-style architecture, andclimb up to the park of its small baroque church, which seems to dominate the city and offers a beautiful panorama of Cali. A few street vendors sell local produce, including a sweet snack famous in Colombia: oblea. If you’re brave enough, ask for the extra version with arequipe (milk caramel), fromage frais, grated cheese and jam… for a first taste, the simple version witharequipe may be preferable! If you’re looking for a good place for brunch, lunch or coffee, don’t miss out on this charming district, which is full of options: Tierradentro, Arepas Cuadradas, La Cocina, El Pargo Rojo..
4/ La Linterna printing works
You’ve probably already seen these colorful posters with the same graphic codes in different parts of the city and the country: don’t miss a visit toLa Linterna, an artisanal print shop located in the San Antonio district.
Cali’s flagship print shop in the twentieth century saw its production dwindle with the arrival of the twenty-first century, and came close to bankruptcy in 2016. Thanks to a group of artists and cultural players with the idea of putting art at the heart of production, the place was revived in 2017.The workshop is now open to the public: you can buy posters (a nice souvenir and a great gift idea, although not very practical in the suitcase) but also discover its five printers, which come from Germany, the United States and… France! The oldest printer was produced in Paris in 1870: quite a journey.Address: Cra. 5 #2-70, Cali, Valle del Cauca – Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
5/ Annual events: Feria de Cali, Petronio
Let yourself be seduced by Cali la rumbera, a festive, joyful and lively city always full of resources when it comes to partying! We warmly recommend these two not-to-be-missed events:
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The Petronio
Celebrated in August, this festival honors Pacific music and culture, which is strongly represented in the city (Cali is the second largest city in Latin America with the largest Afro population). Over 600,000 people gather each year for this flagship event to celebrate Colombian Pacific culture and traditions to the rhythm of the marimba. The festival lasts 6 days and features some 200 exhibitors (ancestral drinks, traditional cuisine, crafts).Why not try viche and its derivatives? This traditional sugarcane-based alcohol is very popular in the region, and is the pride of the region
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The Cali feria
The first edition of this annual festival dates back to 1957. Formerly known as the Feria de la Caña (sugar cane fair), it’s a must for over a thousand dancers who come to showcase their art to the public.Celebrated between December 25 and 30, the Feria de Cali has been featuring salsa since the 1980s, and has contributed to the city’s renown.
Other things to see and do in Cali
- What to drink? A lulada, the region’s typical lulo juice, tasty and refreshing.
- What to eat? A cazuela de mariscos at the Alameda market for lunch.
- Where to go out? Salsa dancing at La Topa Tolondra or Mala Maña.
- What to see? The Mariposario, a butterfly greenhouse whose aim is to educate the public and whose foundation is committed to environmental preservation. A wonderful project, ideal for a family outing!(Address: Parcelación La Reforma, Km 6, Via a Cristo Rey, Cali, Valle del Cauca – Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Where to take great photos? At the Alameda market, in the historic center or from Cristo Rey, which dominates the city.
- When to visit? Cali can be visited all year round, but if you have the opportunity to discover it in August during the Petronio or in the last days of December during the Feria, it’s even better! Remember to book in advance.
- Where to next? Cali is 4 hours from Salento and 3 hours from Popayan.
Need help organizing your stay? Our local experts will be delighted to help you plan your trip, so don ‘t hesitate to contact us.
