The Ultimate Cali (Colombia) Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Cali, Colombia? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
Spoken languages: Spanish
Best time to visit: all year round!
Cali has distinct dry seasons (December-March and June-September) and rainy seasons (March-May and October-November), with peak rainfall in April and October. Average temperatures range from 18°C to 29°C, with a comfortable tropical mountain climate at 1000m elevation.
Great festival to catch: Feria de Cali (Cali Fair) in late December, which showcases local culture, music, and dance.
Arriving via airport: the International Airport Alfonso Bonilla Aragón serves Cali about 30-40 minutes outside of town, depending on traffic.
– Taxi to city center: 50,000-60,000 COP ($12-15 USD)
– Public buses cost around 10,000 COP ($2-3 USD)

Best hostel for solo travelers in Cali: La Palmera Hostel. A newer hostel, with great facilities and clean all around.
– Spacious, with many areas to relax, hang out, and meet other travelers. Great staff – a welcoming environment. 24/7 reception
– Free daily salsa/bachata classes.
– Terrace with bar and city views
– Coworking area with reliable Wi-Fi
– Communal kitchen facilities. .
– Organized nightly outings to different clubs
– Located near Loma de la Cruz (only 0.6km away)
– Book ahead to reserve your spot (hostels in Cali fill up fast!)
Area breakdown for travelers:
– San Antonio: atmosphere, restaurants, bars, and abundant cultural life
– El Peñon: North of San Antonio, safer neighborhood with more upscale hotels
– Miraflores: Quieter, residential district south of San Antonio, close to main attractions
– Granada: Another fashionable district, more upscale and quieter, with several bars and restaurants.

The Masivo Integrado de Occidente (MIO) is a station-to-station bus system that costs 1,600 per ride.
Non-MIO buses operate everywhere in Cali for 1,500 a ride.
Taxis start at 6,250 COP + 690 per km. Waiting time per hour: 30,000 COP. 10% surcharge applies on Sundays and after 20:00 daily.
Uber X: Base fare 1800 COP, cost per min 130 COP, cost per km 530.03 COP
Didi, Cabify, and Yango are also available in Cali.
Safety tip: order cabs by phone or via apps rather than hailing on street.

Drinking age is 18, last call is 1:30 AM (some nightclubs stay open until 4 AM).
Cali is the salsa capital of the world – dancers from Cali have been winning worldwide dancing championships for years.
– Tip: Tin Tin Deo offers free salsa lessons on Thursday nights.
Colombians love music, dancing and partying more than anyone, and Cali serves as their cultural nightlife capital. It’s about celebrating tradition here, not just getting drunk.
The Juanchito District is legendary for its salsa scene, so head over around 10 PM (you may want to take some lessons first!)
Great bars to start your night: Icaro Bar, Cervecería Glück, and The Pub Legend.
Callejeros Tours offers guided nightlife experiences for solo travelers.

Torre Mudéjar (Moor Tower) is an excellent example of Mudéjar Art and architecture. It’s part of the Immaculate Cathedral which flanks a sunny square.
Cerro Cristo Rey – similar to Rio’s Christ statue with panoramic views.
As Cali is almost 500 years old, architecture is its main draw during the daytime. Highlight: the gothic La Ermita Church – its stark white facade matches that of Ortiz Bridge a block away.
Iglesia de la Merced is a stunning Spanish colonial church, (the oldest in Cali).
Museum picks:
– La Tertulia Museum: contemporary art.
– Salsa Museum: celebrates Cali’s dance heritage.
– Caliwood Museum: dedicated to Colombia’s film history.
Market picks:
– Loma de la Cruz Market: artisan crafts and local goods
–Alameda Market: vibrant food and produce

Los Farallones National Nature Park – hiking and birdwatching.
San Cipriano – natural river pools and jungle setting.
Popayan (140km, 3-hour drive) – colonial ‘white city’ with historical architecture.
Buga (70km, 1-hour drive) – religious pilgrimage site with basilica.
Pacific beaches (120km, 2.5-hour drive) – undeveloped coastal escapes.

Parque de los Poetas is a plaza where poets write prose on typewriters for pedestrians – ten times more memorable than any other souvenir!
Make sure to visit the hilly, historic neighborhood San Antonio’s streets and colourful cafes, best enjoyed on foot.
Explore Parque de los Gatos, which features a charming collection of cat sculptures across the park, and Cerro de las Tres Cruces for a hike with beautiful views of the city.
Walk along the Boulevard del Rio – scenic riverfront promenade.

Must-try local dishes: sancocho (a hearty soup), bandeja paisa (a platter featuring meat, beans, rice, and avocado), and cholado (a local fruit salad).
Try cholao (also known as cholado or raspao) – a refreshing cold drink of shaved ice, fruit, condensed milk, and flavored syrup, perfect for Cali’s warm climate
Places to eat & drink: La Casa de la Cerveza for local beers or La Caverna for traditional food.
Restaurant recommendations (close to La Palmera hostel): Ware, Food and Friends.
Where to find good cheap eats: Cali isn’t the best place for a budget traveler. The cheapest eats in town can be found at LA 14 Supermarket, which has an array of affordable food stalls.

Cali was a sleepy town until the sugarcane trade blew up. Take a day to tour the sugarcane plantations and the colonial estates that dot them right outside of town.
The best way to fully discover the city upon arrival is by taking a guided city tour, which provides both orientation and safety in numbers. Exercise increased caution at night and avoid eastern districts.
Dangerous areas: in general, avoid the East. The Centro and some parks wouldn’t be the best areas to be alone at night. Most places in the North, South, and West areas are safe.

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days