Colombia is a country that dances to its own rhythms and few cities are more entwined with traditional music and dance than Cali – the home of Colombian salsa. This lively city in the south-west of Colombia, part of the country’s culturally diverse Pacific Ocean region, is known as the “sucursal del cielo” (branch of heaven) and attracts music lovers and travelers alike.
Embedded between the slopes of the western range of the Andes mountains and the great valley of the Cauca River, Cali has classic salsa dancing in its genes and its welcoming citizens will always open their doors so visitors can enjoy its culture
Photo by: Hilcias Salazar
Tourists are seduced by Cali’s varied nightlife, dancing to the sounds of big orchestras and traditional groups that play tunes from across the Valle del Cauca department.
The city moves to the constant beat of drums and trumpets and those interested in salsa dance can take their first steps in dance academies, discos, and dancing sites.
Here we consider some of the many things to enjoy in Cali.
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Cali’s gastronomical offering captivates visitors’ palates
Visitors will encounter a world of sensations, tastes and aromas in the small restaurants that line the streets of the city’s bustling Granada sector.
The gastronomy of the Colombian Pacific delights locals and foreigners alike with its wide variety of traditional desserts and typical sweet beverages that have their origins in the sugar fields around the city.
There are also delicious dishes based on fish and shellfish from the Pacific Ocean and, of course, the much-loved chuleta valluna, the city’s traditional breaded pork.
Local specialties also include chicken soup, tortilla soup and arroz atollado, a flavorful rice stuffed with potatoes, vegetables and meat.
Cali is a fantastic city for coffee lovers too. It’s full of small, family-run coffee shops that offer freshly-brewed coffee from surrounding coffee farms.
Photo by: Mario Carvajal
Try adventure sports in the “sucursal del cielo”
Cali is known worldwide by its nickname, the “sucursal del cielo”. Besides its international reputation for salsa dance and, increasingly, global sporting events, it also has large parks and green areas for extreme sports.
Nearby Lake Calima is one of the largest lakes in Colombia and the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors with sports including kayaking, jet skiing and fishing, in a picturesque location in the midst of jungles and mountains.
This is also a great spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing due to the constant winds, and there are plenty of opportunities for social activities too. There are hotels and hostels dotted around the lake, alongside traditional bars and restaurants.
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Enjoy a multitude of attractions at the famous Cali Fair
Since 1958, at the end of every year, the Cali Fair is celebrated in the city with a riot of color, music and dance that showcases every aspect of its culture.
This is one of the biggest attractions in the country’s entire festival calendar and every year the Cali Fair welcomes thousands of guests from across Colombia and beyond.
The fair runs from December 25th to December 30th and one of its highlights is the colorful classic salsa parades, when hundreds of dancers, of all ages, in brightly-colored costumes take to the streets to demonstrate their exceptional talent.
There are also parades of classic cars and traditional vehicles as well as the chance to try local street food, with dozens of vendors lining the parade routes and offering a variety of national and international desserts and dishes.
Take your first beginner salsa dance steps in Cali
There is no better place in the world to dive into the world of this lively and much-loved art form and Cali is full to bursting with trained, patient and welcoming teachers.
More than 7,000 professional salsa dancers operate across the city and among them are expert instructors ready to guide beginners in their very first steps. Wherever you stay in the city, you will find dance halls, music academies and schools dedicated to salsa, as well as entire city districts devoted to this treasured Latin rhythm.
You can also buy tickets to professional salsa dance shows and enjoy some of the world’s greatest dancers in action.
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Places to visit in Cali
Cali is a cultural city full of churches and museums that make a great setting for a city walk or cultural tour. There are also colonial haciendas that offer lodgings in a placid, traditional atmosphere not far from the city.
Those in search of wildlife and greenery should also head to the outskirts of the city, and visit the lush landscapes of Los Farallones de Cali National Natural Park.
Here visitors can undertake day hikes and treks on attractive trails that often lead to the summit of Pico Loro (Parrot Peak) one of the most famous peaks in the area.
The park is great for birdwatching and a chance to see Colombia’s impressive flora and fauna, as well as enjoy unbeatable views of the city and mountains beyond.
There’s a reason why Cali is known as the “sucursal del cielo”. This other-worldly city really does have something for everyone to enjoy.
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