Things to do in Cali Colombia

The salsa capital of the world and a place full of flavours, nuances and vibrancy, Cali is sure to surprise you. Discover all the things to do in Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca and one of Colombia’s main economic centres.

Founded in 1536, Cali is known as ‘the branch of heaven’, as it enjoys an incredible climate, great gastronomy and exquisite culture. Get into the rhythm of this city and get to know its traditions, atmosphere and dance.

Things to do in Cali Colombia

1. La Tertulia Museum

With its 60 years of history, the Museo La Tertulia is today an iconic institution for the city of Cali and a reference point for the visual arts in the country. It has a collection of more than 1500 works of American art, exhibited in different thematic and monographic exhibitions in the Collection Rooms. With a varied programme of exhibitions and an educational and cultural component developed with the region, the Museum is a stage for the recognition of cultural values and the social appropriation of artistic practices, enriching the experience of the more than 75 thousand people who visit it every year.

2. Cristo Rey

A Christ the Redeemer watches over the city of Santiago de Cali without anything escaping his sight. Over the last few years he has witnessed the transformation of the capital of Valle del Cauca from a conservative and tranquil city in the middle of the 20th century to the third largest city in Colombia, with nearly three million inhabitants in its metropolitan area in the 21st century.

3. Gato de Tejada

As part of the plans to rescue the Cali River and spruce up its banks, the idea was born to place a monumental sculpture on one of its banks. Thus, the renowned painter and sculptor Hernando Tejada donated his work called “El gato del Rio” (the river cat) to be cast in bronze. It has a height of 3.5 metres, a width of 3.40 metres and a thickness of 1.95 metres. The sculpture weighs three tons and was cast in Bogotá, where the roof of the workshop had to be dismantled to move it. The city inaugurated the sculpture on the 3 July 1996.

4. Pance River EcoPark

The Pance River is symbolic for the population of Cali. It starts in Los Farallones de Cali in the Pance peak and after 25 kilometres it flows into the Jamundí River. At its source it has cold, crystal clear and fast waters. Walkers and hikers admire its natural beauty and observe the species of birds that make it their home.

5. La Ermita Church

One of Cali’s iconic sights is the church of La Ermita, known for its gothic style. This temple was built between 1930 and 1948, and has a marble altar, which was brought from Italy and dates back to the 18th century. The musical clock and the stained glass windows come from Amsterdam, while the iron doors were made in Cali in 1973. The Hermitage has images over three centuries old, such as those of the Virgen de los Dolores, San Roque, San José and Cristo de la Caña.  

6. Calima Gold Museum

In the Calima Gold Museum of the Banco de la República, tourists can see a collection of pieces of gold work, pottery, stone, bone and shell. All of them belong to the pre-Hispanic Ilama, Yotoco and Sonso cultures, who settled in the archaeological area known as Calima. Hunters and gatherers who cultivated certain plants inhabited this area 9,000 years ago.  

7. San Antonio Neighbourhood

This is one of the traditional neighbourhoods of Cali. In the last few years this district has gained a lot of popularity as a tourist destination, as it brings together the best of the city’s cuisine and architectural attractions. In San Antonio you can find handicraft shops selling perfect souvenirs to take home. Take your time to walk around and meet the locals who will surely invite you to eat “algo”, an expression used to refer to a snack or light meal.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Download the travel map for Cali

What to see in and around Cali?

1. Cerro de las Tres Cruces

The Cerro de las Tres Cruces (Hill of Three Crosses) is an iconic mountain located in the rural area of Cali. At the top is a monument of three large crosses; two with a height of 22 metres and a main one that is 26 metres tall. To visit the monument you can go by car, although the ideal way is to walk one of the three routes that lead there. Choose which one to take depending on which neighbourhood in the west of Cali you are in.

• You can reach the starting point of any of the climbs by MIO bus. There are three routes to start the climb on foot. The first is in the Normandía neighbourhood, the second is via Bataclán in the Granada neighbourhood and the third is behind the Chipichape shopping centre.

2. Farallones de Cali Natural National Park

On clear days you can see the majestic blue peaks of the Farallones de Cali, which rise above the plain, separating the Pacific and Cauca river basins in the imposing Cordillera Occidental. The Farallones are the youngest rock formations in the Western Cordillera of the Andes. It is the largest protected area in the Cauca Valley with more than 540 species of birds and where more than 30 rivers that supply the southwest of Colombia have their source.

It is also a diverse reservoir with unique and endangered species. There, the Pance River not only becomes the gateway to the protected area of El Topacio, but also a preview of the hydrographic wealth of the region.

What to see in Cali in two days?

Day 1:

• La Tertulia Museum
• Cristo Rey
• Gato de Tejada
• Pance River EcoPark

Day 2:

• Church of la Ermita
• Calima Gold Museum
• San Antonio Neighbourhood

What to see in Cali in three days?

If you have three days in the city of Cali, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit some of its nearby natural areas. On your third day we recommend visiting:

• Cerro de las Tres Cruces
• Farallones de Cali Natural National Park

Where to eat in Cali Colombia?

Cali’s cuisine has Spanish, indigenous and African influences. With unique flavours and recipes full of nuances, in this city you can enjoy arroz atollado, a rice dish with chicken, pork, potatoes of different kinds and vegetables. Also, don’t miss the empanadas vallunas, sancocho de gallina, sopa de tortillas, aborrajado valluno, chuleta valluna and tamales. 

Also, in Cali you must try the sweets. In Valle del Cauca, sugar cane grows, from which a great variety of recipes such as manjar blanco, cocadas, cholado and champús are derived. 

Here is a selection of some of the best rated restaurants in the city so you can try some of the delicious Cali recipes. Take a look and choose your favourite.

• Ringlete is a traditional local food restaurant, perfect for trying some of the city’s most typical recipes. The price range is from €20 to €40.
• El Pargo Rojo is a restaurant serving homemade Colombian food and local recipes. Its price range is from €20 – €40 and it has a very good quality of products.
• Another very good option is the open kitchen at Teatro Mágico del Sabor, which ranges in price from €10 – €21 and offers a wide variety of Latin recipes with vegetarian options. In this restaurant the food is prepared in front of the diner which provides a very interesting experience from the interaction between the chef, his team, the cooking and the public.
• La Barra is a traditional Colombian food restaurant at a very affordable price. With dishes ranging from €4 – €7, its quality and flavours are reflected in every dish.

Where to stay in Cali Colombia?

The location of your accommodation is crucial to get the most out of the city. Generally, the best areas to stay are those in the western part of the city, from the neighbourhood of Granada to Ciudad Jardín, following the avenue or Calle 5. Here are some of the best-rated accommodations in the safest areas of Cali, so you can make the most of your stay in the city.

• Alko Hotel Integrado is a four-star hotel located in the Ciudad Jardín neighbourhood. It offers spacious, bright and well-equipped rooms, as well as cosy spaces, all of them perfectly decorated. The price per night for two people is around €55.
• Located in the district of Granada, Leclerc Hotel Boutique is a four-star hotel located 2.1 km from the Cathedral of San Pedro, 2.5 km from the church of La Ermita and 2.3 km from the Jorge Isaacs Theatre. Its rooms are spacious and fully equipped and are priced at around €70 per night for two people.
• Magic Garden House is a flat hotel located 1.1 km from San Pedro Cathedral. This cosy hotel offers a terrace, garden and a kitchen with Colombian coffee. The price per night is around €26 for two people.

Tips for your trip to Cali Colombia

• Cali has a hot and humid climate, so don’t forget to bring light cotton clothing. Check the weather before you travel.
• It is important to take out travel insurance when you travel to Cali.
• Try to promote local products when buying food and handicrafts.
• Remember to exercise caution and keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times.
• If you take a taxi, it’s best to use the phone numbers and mobile apps of reputable companies such as Easy Taxi or Taxis Libres.
• Listen to the recommendations of tour guides and staff at your accommodation.

How to organise what to see in Cali? 

Sign up or download the App and discover all its useful features.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

Frequently asked questions about your trip to Cali Colombia