Cali: Salsa, Riverside and Culture

Cali reveals itself through a wide variety of themes: at Bulevar del Río, the riverside, a displayed historic bridge structure and distinctive infrastructure shape the scene. Beyond that, interests range from salsa and city history to nature, art and regional cuisine. This lets you choose the focus of your trip—perhaps time outdoors, music, cultural impressions or food.

At Bulevar del Río: Riverside and City History

Bulevar del Río is a large public open space on the banks of the Río Cali; the river runs along one side of the boulevard. If you want to spend time outdoors, it offers a specific point of reference in Cali. The original structure of Puente Ortiz is displayed in a glass case at the boulevard. The bridge originally connected downtown Cali with the north of the city. Here, this open space offers a tangible reminder of that former connection. For orientation, the boulevard connects with Carrera 4 at Calle 5, at the entrance to Barrio San Antonio. The 686-meter-long Túnel Mundialista de la Avenida Colombia runs beneath the boulevard; within the urban area, it is the country’s longest tunnel.

Salsa and Historic Squares

More than 100 salsa schools offer classes in Cali for all skill levels, from learning the basic steps to improving existing abilities with experienced instructors. The number may change, so check current providers and class availability in advance. This means you can consider salsa not only as a cultural theme, but also plan it as a possible activity of your own.

Plaza Jairo Varela is named after Jairo de Fátima Varela Martínez, the founder, musician and composer of Grupo Niche, also known as Jairo Varela. Plaza de Cayzedo has had its current name since 1913. Until 1813 it was called Plaza Mayor, and from 1813 to 1913 it was called Plaza de La Constitución. These three names reveal the square’s historical sequence. Parque de Las Novias del Gato is now home to 20 cat figures. They represent various qualities of women from Cali and Valle del Cauca.

Culture, Nature and Cuisine

The MIO Cable tourist route in Comuna 20 offers residents and visitors a space for culture and recreation. Its four stations feature around 600 graphic exhibits, including exhibitions, murals and stained glass. The themes range from transportation, music and nature to myths and legends from Cali, particularly Comuna 20. Jardín Botánico de Cali was founded in 2001 to promote the protection and study of the flora of Valle del Cauca, as well as environmental education about it.

Museo Departamental de Ciencias Naturales Federico Carlos Lehmann brings together biological topics such as landscapes, fauna and flora with anthropological themes and archaeological finds from their respective locations. Its central exhibition takes visitors through some of the habitats of Valle del Cauca and presents ecological and cultural changes in the department. The museum has been closed to the public since August 10, 2026; safety assessments are still pending. For cuisine, Galería Alameda is an important place to find Cali’s home-cooked dishes, including soups and sudados.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

When searching for a vacation rental in Cali, this mix of themes can help you make an initial decision: Would you like to build your stay mainly around salsa lessons, city history, nature, cultural exhibitions or regional cuisine? This lets you factor in the city’s different sides without trying to fit every interest into a single itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Yotoco, Tuluá, Buenaventura, Montezuma, Peru, Pance, Los Chorros, La Cumbre.

For the broader travel overview: Valle Del Cauca.