Holiday in Cali

About Cali

Cali, officially Santiago de Cali, is the third largest city in Colombia and the undisputed Salsa capital of the world. The city in the Valle del Cauca in southwestern Colombia lives and breathes Salsa: Every night, people dance to live orchestras in over 100 Salsotecas (Salsa clubs), and the Cali style — fast footwork, tight spins, and acrobatic moves — is unique worldwide. The annual Feria de Cali in December is one of the largest festivals in South America: For six days, millions celebrate with Salsa competitions, bullfighting, equestrian parades, and the Cabalgata, one of the largest horse parades in the world. Cristo Rey, a 26-meter tall statue of Christ on Cerro Los Cristales, offers panoramic views over the entire Cauca Valley. In Barrio San Antonio, the oldest neighborhood in Cali, colonial houses, art galleries, and cozy cafes invite you to stroll. The Zoologico de Cali is considered one of the best zoos in South America, showcasing over 2,500 animals in nature-like enclosures, including many endemic Colombian species. The Gato del Rio sculptures along the banks of the Rio Cali are a popular photo spot. The Pacific coast is reachable in a few hours: Buenaventura, Colombia's largest Pacific port, is the starting point for whale watching (July-October, humpback whales) and visiting Afro-Colombian communities. The region is culturally and culinarily unique.