Things to Do in Cali

Cali produces more excellent salsa dancers per capita than any other city on earth. This busy capital in the Cauca Valley offers serious dance culture where locals move with rhythm that seems programmed into their DNA, plus music spills from every doorway after sunset. Beyond the dance floors, you'll find impressive colonial architecture mixed with modern developments, a food scene that draws from coast and mountains, and locals who genuinely love their city. The climate stays warm year-round. Green mountains create a dramatic backdrop that makes even ordinary street corners look cinematic, and the energy here simply can't be matched anywhere else in Colombia.

The food reflects Cali's position between mountains and coast, creating flavors you won't find elsewhere in Colombia. Traditional Valle del Cauca dishes like sancocho de gallina appear throughout the city, often made with recipes passed down through generations. Zona Rosa concentrates upscale restaurants while neighborhoods like San Antonio offer family-run places with authentic cooking. Street food culture thrives here. Empanadas vallecaucanas differ from other Colombian regions, and fresh fruit juices showcase tropical varieties grown nearby—for whatever reason, Cali has also developed an impressive international scene with Japanese to Middle Eastern restaurants that locals frequent.

Weather stays consistent year-round. Temperatures typically hover between 23-30°C (73-86°F) with drier periods from December to March and June to August that feel slightly more comfortable for walking. The salsa scene stays active throughout the year, so there's no bad time for experiencing the music and dance culture. December and January bring more festivals. They also attract more Colombian tourists during holiday periods, which means crowds and higher prices.