Cali Guide

But for tourists or those organizing Incentives, the city is especially known for its surroundings and the countless things to see, as well as being the capital of “rumba”, the street party, el baile y la salsa”. Los caleños, the inhabitants of Cali, have developed a playful and hedonistic culture, in harmony with the natural landscape and the countryside life. It is said that in Cali feet are not for walking, but only for dancing…… and in August Cali hosts the World Salsa Festival which attracts over 5000 dancers from dance schools all over the world.
Located at 1003 m, between the Central and Western Andes mountain ranges, it enjoys a pleasant climate that has earned it the nickname “city of eternal spring”. The climate is tropical-equatorial and the temperature ranges between 26°C and 34°C. Minimums almost never fall below 19°. The dry season goes from December to March and from July to August. The rains are from April to June.
Founded in 1536 during the colonial period, it has lost much of its ancient heritage over the years to make way for a modern city, but in Cali people come – besides business because it is well equipped for events – also for the “movida” and music. Here the chivas were born, a very colorful bus without windows where Colombians and tourists alike get on to party. On board there is music and percussionists playing throughout the journey. The Chiva stops in squares and in front of hotels to pick up locals and tourists before heading towards the salsa nightclubs in the most characteristic neighborhoods of the city.
The historic center includes various churches built in different styles: Iglesia de la Merced; the church and cloister of the Clarisses, Iglesia de San Francisco, and Iglesia de San Antonio, built on a hill with a beautiful panoramic view of the city. The most typical neighborhood is SAN ANTONIO. For shopping, the shopping centers CHIPICHAPE, UNICENTRO, and JARDIN PLAZA should be visited.
On Sundays, the caleños (inhabitants of Cali) all move to the countryside to bathe in the various rivers surrounding the city, especially the Rio Pance. At night, everyone is dedicated to the worship of dance and in nearby Juanchito, (on the outskirts of Cali) the humble venues of the mulatto area have become real “dance halls” much frequented by tourists and locals.
Airport. Cali’s airport – Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) – is located in the municipality of Palmira, 5 minutes north of the city. It is the second busiest airport in Colombia in passenger traffic and the fourth for cargo. You can also reach Cali by car via the Pan-American highway. The journey takes 8/10 hours as you must cross the Central Andes. An important tunnel is under construction that will save a lot of time. The city is easy to get around thanks to a widespread transport network: 43,000 public service vehicles, including taxis, buses, busetas (small buses), and colectivos.