Things to Do in Cali, Colombia: Salsa Clubs, the San Antonio Neighborhood and Pacific Flavors

Photo: Joaquinfranke / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Jet Set LatAM · Destination Guide

Cali calls itself the world capital of salsa, and after one night you won’t argue. Colombia’s third city dances: in neighborhood bars, in schools that train world champions, and on the street during the Feria de Cali every December. It’s also where Colombia’s Afro-Pacific culture shines, in music and in some of the country’s most exciting cooking.

Here are the best things to do in Cali, Colombia, plus the advisory context to know.

Learn salsa, then go out

Book a private or group class at one of the city’s salsa academies; even a single lesson makes the night more fun. Then head to a classic salsa bar such as La Topa Tolondra, beloved for its mix of locals and travelers, or Zaperoco for vintage salsa and serious dancers. Weekends in Juanchito, across the Cauca River, are the most famous of all.

San Antonio and Granada

San Antonio, the hilltop colonial barrio around its 18th-century chapel, is the most charming place to stay, with small boutique hotels, cafés and views over the city at sunset. Granada and El Peñón nearby are Cali’s restaurant districts.

Pacific flavors

Cali is the gateway to Colombia’s Pacific coast, and its kitchens show it: seafood stews with coconut, viche (a Pacific sugarcane spirit) and chontaduro fruit sold on street corners. Platillos Voladores is a long-loved restaurant for Pacific and Valle del Cauca flavors, and Ringlete keeps traditional Valle recipes alive. Drink a lulada, the city’s tangy lulo-fruit drink.

Festivals and culture

The Festival Petronio Álvarez, usually in August, celebrates Afro-Colombian Pacific music and food and is one of the country’s best festivals. The Feria de Cali, from Christmas to New Year’s, fills the city with salsa parades. Year-round, visit the Museo La Tertulia for modern art and climb to Cristo Rey for the view.

Good to know

• Getting around. Use ride apps, especially at night, and keep phones discreet.
• Climate. Cali is warm year-round, with a cooling breeze in the late afternoon.
• Getting there. Fly into Alfonso Bonilla Aragón airport (CLO), about 30 minutes from the city.
• Dance etiquette. It’s normal to be asked to dance; a polite no is always fine.

What to pack

• Cashmere travel wrap: a blanket on the plane, a shawl at dinner
• Leather loafers: polished enough for dinner, sane on cobblestones
• Packing cubes: so the artisan finds fit on the way home
• Our full travel collection on ShopMy ↗

Where to stay

San Antonio for colonial charm and boutique stays, or Granada and El Peñón for restaurants on your doorstep. The flight search and live accommodation map below help you plan the rest of the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cali worth visiting?

Yes, for salsa, Afro-Pacific culture, festivals and food.

Is Cali safe to visit?

The US advisory excludes Cali from Valle del Cauca’s Level 4 but requires permission for US government employees; use normal city precautions and check your own government’s guidance.

When is the Feria de Cali?

Every year from December 25 to 30.

Where can I take salsa lessons in Cali?

Many academies offer private and group classes; your hotel can recommend one nearby.

Keep reading

• Medellín Boutique Shopping: Provenza Designers, Concept Stores and El Poblado
• 3 Days in Medellín: Provenza, Comuna 13 and a Day in Guatapé
• Shop the Edit Medellín: Texture first, with a city outfit underneath
• A 3-Day Medellín Family Itinerary: Science, City Culture and a Slower Day
• El Chato Bogotá: Tasting Menu or À La Carte Dinner?
• Barranquilla: Carnival and Caribbean kitchens
• Santa Marta: Tayrona, Minca and the Lost City
• Guayaquil: Las Peñas and the cacao coast
• Underrated Latin America: 22 destinations for your next trip

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book or buy through them, Jet Set LatAM may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is a researched editorial guide; details, hours, prices and travel advisories change, so confirm before you go.