Cali, in the Valle del Cauca department, southwest of Bogotá, is a vibrant city changing the face of tourism in Colombia. I loved this city. Its reputation as the home of salsa dancing, its stunning rivers and waterfalls, and its beautiful architecture make the city one of Colombia’s top destinations for travelers.
Read on to find out exactly what you can get up to in Cali and why it should be your next travel destination.
Why Cali is a very affordable destination
Colombia is among the cheapest countries to travel to, even though it’s not as affordable as many places outside the Americas. Hotels and hostels are pretty cheap, as we shared in our guide to accommodation in Colombia.
Cali is among the best places to get many free hotel nights for savvy travelers who have Marriott points. The City Express Plus by Marriott Cali Colombia hotel costs as little as 44,000 points for 5 nights (8,800 per night).
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card’s current increased welcome bonus will get you 71,000 points. For a more luxurious experience, you can try the Cali Marriott Hotel which is more chic and not much more expensive.
Plus, with avianca just launching very affordable flights to Colombia from Montréal, for as low as $300 roundtrip (they already served Toronto with similar prices), it’s a great time to consider visiting Colombia!
Things to know about visiting Cali, Colombia
Cali, officially Santiago de Cali, is an up-and-coming destination with a lot to offer. Since it hasn’t become too touristy, it’s still a great place to explore and interact with locals. It offers an authentic experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
I enjoyed my weeks in Cali in 2017 at the start of my journey as a full-time digital nomad.
Getting to Cali is fairly easy, with an airport offering direct flights to Bogotá (as low as $38 one-way) as well as decent bus routes from other cities in Colombia.

If you want to explore further afield, you may need to rent a car but know that Uber is incredibly cheap and taxis are affordable and available. You can also rent bikes for basically no cost.
Cali is a bustling city, far from a peaceful retreat, although you can find plenty of calm in the national parks nearby. This town is also known for its dancing and nightclubs. The nightlife here is perhaps some of the best in South America.
Aside from the parties and dancing, Cali is actually one of Colombia’s oldest cities, giving it some amazing history and a blend of Spanish, African, and Indigenous cultures.
Great news for those who don’t want to spend too much, Cali is super affordable, and traveling on a budget or backpacking is very common. Basic hostel prices start from around $5 a night, while you can rent an entire house for around $60. Food is also fresh and cheap with lots of influences from many cultures — it’s worth trying the local dishes that blend Spanish and African flavors.
With so much to see and do, affordable prices, and amazing wildlife, it’s no surprise Cali is on the rise as a major backpacking and travel destination. Get there now before the crowds to still enjoy an authentic experience!
Top 10 things to do in Cali, Colombia
If Cali is on your list of places to explore, there is certainly enough to keep you busy.
Here are 10 things you should definitely find time to do in Cali.
Salsa class
Cali is the home of salsa dancing, and you can’t visit it without getting involved in some way. You’ll see people moving their hips on the streets, lots of shows, and even a salsa museum.
I was there during the “Festival Mundial de Salsa de Cali” and it was very cool to see. I went to this event with the people who worked at the hostel I was staying at and ate lots of delicious local food from food trucks. I also saw the very impressive competition.
I also stopped at some local salsa bar, on the way back, where we tried salsa ourselves and saw people that were really amazing at it.
Outside of the festival period, the most immersive way to join is to take a salsa class.
Plenty of dance studios offer classes; ranging from 1 to 2 hours, with about 20 people at a time. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can learn or improve with the best salsa dancers in the world. It’s surprisingly easy and a lot of fun.
Once you’re happy with your new dancing skills, I recommend a trip to Parque del Peñon. This small park is lined with restaurants where you can enjoy dinner accompanied by local musicians, while people of all levels practice salsa.
Farallones de Cali National Natural Park
Farallones de Cali National Natural Park is a small mountain range to the west of Cali with rivers, lakes, hiking trails, and waterfalls. It’s a stunning natural area with a huge amount of biodiversity: there are lots of native plants and animals.
It’s close enough to the city that lots of people come here during the weekends after a hard week’s work. Depending on your fitness level, you can try some intense trekking or opt for a gentle hike to see the Río Pance.
It’s the perfect place to see wildlife, go picnic, and spend a day out in nature, exploring the countryside. The views from up high are incredible.
The lower areas closer to the city are easier to access and still incredibly beautiful. There, you can also find food stalls to get snacks. The Pance EcoPark has restaurants, a lake for swimming and other water sports, and places to barbecue and camp.
Río Cali
The Río Cali, or the Cali River, runs straight through the center of the city. Its banks have been developed with small walking paths, benches, parks, cafes, and more. The cat park is particularly popular.
Taking some time to stroll along the river is a great way to see the city. The different parks contain statues, playgrounds, workout areas, and small food stalls selling local foods and sweet treats like ice cream and flavored shaved ice.
It’s a popular meeting place for locals, and you can easily spend a day exploring the banks of the river and relaxing. If you’re short on time, you can simply walk along the Rio Cali on your way to other attractions.
Iglesia de la Ermita
La Iglesia de la Ermita attracts hundreds of visitors every day. It is one of the most unique-looking churches in the world. This catholic church was built between 1930 and 1948 and has some quite unusual neo-gothic architecture.

The church contains an 18th-century Italian marble altar, a musical clock, and draws inspiration from around the world; the bells are French, the windows are Dutch, and the overall design is German.
The bright white and blueish-gray exterior is hard to miss, with ornate carving and an intricate roofing design. The outside is the main reason to visit, as the inside is fairly small. However, the church houses several paintings that date back centuries, such as the Virgen de los Dolores and the Christo de la Caña, which are worth seeing.
Galería Alameda
The Galería Alameda is a large, busy covered market in downtown Cali. It’s a fun, upbeat place to tour where you can buy fresh fruits, and locally grown vegetables. While you’re there, try authentic dishes and speak to locals, who actually shop there.
You can buy meat, spices, flowers, and handmade items from traditional artisans. And don’t be surprised if you see Indigenous women selling love potions and other alternative medicines.
The market is pretty entertaining and gives a great insight into how people in Cali actually live. If you just want to look around, allow half an hour, but be prepared to stay for up to 2 hours if you want to shop and eat.
Plaza de Cayzedo
The main square in Cali is a beautiful tree-filled, open grassy area where locals meet and relax. It’s worth spending time here to look around and admire the architecture, and it’s ideal for grabbing a coffee while people-watching under the palm trees.
There are many official government buildings just off the main square as well as museums, exhibitions, shows, and more. It’s often a starting point to explore the downtown area and head to other places you want to visit.
Pool day or spa day at the Cali Marriott Hotel
Take a break from sightseeing and unwind at the Cali Marriott Hotel spa. Located right downtown, it’s perfect for spending an afternoon just relaxing and recovering from a busy week of travel.

There is a full list of on-demand treatments as well as an outdoor swimming pool. You can also get guidance on the art of massages so you can take the ability to relax with you wherever you go!
Free hotel nights cost as little as 60,000 points for 5 nights (12,000 per night). As mentioned, that’s more than the City Express Plus by Marriott Cali Colombia but this full-service hotel is much more upscale.
And it’s still a great use of the Marriott points you get with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card. If you’ve got a travel buddy and you both get the welcome bonus, you can spend 11 free nights there as you explore the Cali area. That said, other nice Marriott hotels are affordable in Colombia, so I would aim to visit 2 different destinations at least.
That’s a lot of time to look around without costing a fortune!
Río El Danubio
One of the most beautiful rivers in all of Colombia is the El Danubio, and it’s easily accessible from Cali. It’s a short drive of approximately 2 hours. You can also take a bus, which costs around 40,964 pesos (~ C$14), from the Terminal de Transporte Cali to Tuluá. Upon arrival, you can either walk to the river or take a taxi (~ C$5) to be as close as possible.
Entrance to the El Danubio Nature Reserve costs around 5,000 Pesos (~ C$1.70). Once you are there, you can enjoy the hiking trails, look for wildlife, and appreciate Colombia’s natural beauty.
The crystal clear waters, bubbling streams, natural blue swimming pools, and waterfalls make the Río El Danubio a real paradise. The surrounding forest looks like something out of a fairytale, and spotting birds and butterflies is easy.
It’s wilder than some other places, so you won’t find food vendors; so it’s a good idea to bring a lunch for a picnic. You should allow a few hours to walk to the river, relax, swim, and see some of the forests. However, some people spend all day here.
El Cristo Rey
Like the famous statue in Brazil, this giant 26-meter-tall statue of Christ, with his arms outstretched, is truly impressive.
Sitting on top of the Hill of Crystals (Cerro de Los Cristales), named after the large amount of quartz in the hill, the statue towers over Cali. It was inaugurated in 1953 to mark 50 years since the end of the Thousand Days’ War.

To get to the statue, there is a gentle uphill walk, but it’s not too hard. Along the way, you can appreciate local artwork carved into the rocks. The entrance to see the Christ figure is free, but you can pay extra to visit other amenities.
The statue sees around 300,000 visitors each year and is of religious importance, so be aware that some people there may be on a pilgrimage. You’ll also find regular worship taking place in the nearby chapel.
La Merced Archaeological Museum
There are plenty of museums in Cali covering everything from the history of salsa to food and local crafts, but the La Merced Archaeological Museum is not to be missed.
In addition to being splendid with its sublime colonial architecture, the La Merced Archaeological Museum has some amazing exhibits. You can travel back in time by looking at artifacts dating back thousands of years. It covers the ancient traditions of the local Indigenous people, including looking at work, religion, and war.
Make sure you don’t miss the replica of a funeral temple from some nearby ancient ruins that is built under the museum garden.
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Summary
Whether you’re a nature lover, salsa enthusiast, or a savvy traveler who loves to travel to the most affordable countries, Cali, its breathtaking nature and its lively atmosphere await!
What would you like to know about things to do in Cali, Colombia? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Cali, Colombia (photo credit: ProColombia)