Must-See Spots in Cali, Colombia

Driving through Cali, jamming some salsa or cumbia, windows down... 

tostada

Tío Luís hooked it up with a tostada–salted, fried plantain– and we are off, hitting the streets.





1. Cristo Rey

Christ the King, Cristo Rey, extends his broad arms over the city in a Rio de Janeiro kind of way. A winding road that is overcrowded, especially on weekends, condenses even more as cars park on either side of the road and the folks in them decide to pursue the path on foot. Remember to have a few coins on hand for the volunteers who work for tips. They will keep an eye on your car and help you navigate your way back into traffic for a couple hundred pesos.

The view of the city from this vantage is unparalleled at night! Also a great place for street food–fried plantain, local sausage in beef, pork, or chicken, and fresh-squeezed juices in flavors you’ve never heard of. And, all for a great price. It’s easy to get a filling snack and a jugo natural for right around $4 US.


2. Boulevard del Río

Boulevard del Río

Boulevard del Río offers a walking path along a refreshing area of the city full of lush trees growing along the river. There are several metal and ceramic (I think) cats, gatos, all of which are artistic expressions that represent groups, ideas, and movements. 

Walking up the boulevard toward La Ermita, a neo-gothic church, you’ll find swarms of young people laughing and talking or listening to music, couples snuggled up on benches or strolling hand in hand, and strong odors of marijuana mingling with the smell of roasted corn on the cob.




3. Loma de la Cruz

If you want to see traditional Andean dances, head to Loma de la cruz and climb the stairs that lead to the top of the hill. Along the way, artesanal vendors sell everything from bracelets and purses to hand-made marshmallows–the key ingredient being cow hooves. It stays packed here, and good luck finding parking. One option is to pay a minimal fee to park in a lot where an attendant keeps a close eye on the cars. Better yet, take an uber and get dropped off without messing with close calls.

The paths are pretty steep here, so it’s not the place to rock a pair of heels. Try to get a rooftop spot and grab dinner while overlooking the music and dancing down below. Be patient. The food in Cali is great, but it takes a while to arrive. Also, don’t expect everyone’s meal to come out at the same time. Try a jugo de mango or jugo de guanábana to drink. Unforgettably delicious.

 4. Barrio San Antonio

San Antonio is known for it’s street graffiti, dining, and heavy dose of tourists. The Viajero hostel is a great place to find suggestions for things to do, places to go, and has a regular schedule of salsa dance classes. Dance in Cali is different than in other places where salsa has a foothold. It’s worth it to dance with a local and see how the moves are done in the salsa capital of the world.

Wander through the San Antonio neighborhood during the day and ponder the stories painted on the walls. You’ll see graffiti with tributes to missing persons, abused women, and famous Colombian authors, along with social critique laden with political undertones. Lighten up the mood and head to a comic dinner with Michael Lynch at Teatro Mágico del Sabor and sing your blues away after dinner with the owner/chef/artist/entertainer. If you’re lucky, he’ll strum on his guitar and  feature you in a trova, a rhyming short song that pokes friendly fun at a person or a situation.

5. Kilómetro 18

If you’re willing to trek up a steep and windy mountain in car or on moto, head to Kilómetro 18 and dine at Las Neblinas. You’ll have floor to ceiling glass window views of the misty Cloud Forest, and green lights, reminiscent of Daisy’s at the end of the pier, up the level of eeriness. Bring a jacket as the climate drastically changes with rising altitude. Here, they serve hot agua panela, a sugarcane based drink commonly drank with cheese. Act like a local and put the cheese right in your agua panela or your hot chocolate. It’s pretty good. And everyone is doing it.

Check out the masks on the walls, a tribute to indigenous roots, and warm yourself by the hot coals at the entrance. Appreciate the thousands of native plant and tree species that are all thriving high up in the mountains and wear a pair of tennis shoes to walk along the nature trail. Snakes live here, too! DiamondWilson.com