My boyfriend and I have been together for about 6 years now. While he grew up in the United States, he was born in Cali, a city in the pacific coast of Colombia known as the world capital of salsa. Visiting was always in our plans, but it wasn’t until February 2022 that we were able to travel together to experience everything the city had to offer.
Upon arriving in the Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport, I was blown away by the view of the sugarcane fields from the airplane window. While driving away, I continued to be mesmerized by the vibrant green that decorated the city – even as it rained- and how beautifully it was framed by the hills and mountain ranges that surround it.
While the city offers plenty of things to do, I found these to be my favorite:
- Brunch at Hacienda del Bosque: Hacienda del Bosque is located close the Cali Zoo, surrounded by regal trees, and blessed by the hills’ nice weather. The food is amazing (try the marranitas, the cazuela, and the lulada envenenada), and the ambiance is equal parts classy and relaxed. Walk around the beautiful house and don’t be surprised if an exotic animal makes an appearance.
Other day activities you could do on a weekend are visiting the Museo de la Cana and Hacienda Paraiso, the house where the emblematic Maria was written.
- Party at La Pergola Clandestina: This six-level venue was created in an old storage close to the city’s centro. With impacting views of the famous Ermita, you are sure to be thrilled by the many neon signs and the picture spots (like a toboggan, and a corridor of arcade games) at la Pergola. While the food is actually decent for a club, the highlight are the custom-made drinks bartenders will craft for you. Be sure to get there early and get ready for salsa and reaggeton all night long
- Coffee at Madre, El Amor Hecho Café or Casa Alebrije: There are several coffee shops around the city, but these two stuck with me. Madre is a tiny café with a bar on the second floor. Their hot drinks are delicious, even more when paired with hot mini pan de bonos with dulce de leche. In another hand, Casa Alebrije is an eclectic house in San Antonio. It is dimly lit, with plenty of corners to peruse and an open patio at its center. It is an ideal place to read, work, or have a cozy time. My favorite drink was the watermelon-flavored soda, highly recommend.
Another alternative you will most likely find around the city is Café Valparaiso. Despite being a local chain, it has a cozy ambiance characterized by Chilean décor. I would recommend the milo frapuccino and the pan de bonos: you won’t be disappointed!
- Lunch at Domingo, Mercado de Vereda: this unpretentious spot in El Penon will charm you with its local-sourced ingredients and viche-based cocktails. Viche is a traditional Pacific drink that makes for great drinks, and if you end up loving it, you’ll be able to buy a bottle right there. Do not miss out on the arroz atoyado vallecaucano, the refundido de quesos colombianos, and the torta de pan de bono. However, everything on the menú looks simply *chef's kiss*.
- Have drinks and appetizers at Antigua Contemporanea: You will find this gorgeous restaurant in a big corner house in the San Antonio neighborhood. You will be blown away by its aesthetic, which I found to be so representative of Cali: tropical, but eclectic. Order an appetizer (I highly recommend the octopus carpaccio and the tuna tartare), and pair it with a refreshing cocktail, like a lulada envenenada.
- Shopping at Scarsa: Cali is a fashionable city, packed with concept stores and ateliers of Colombia’s top designers. If you have not allocated a lot of time for shopping during your trip, check out Scarsa (previously known as Puppet). This boutique became an overnight phenomenon on Instagram for curation of trendy European pieces, and I was not disappointed to visit it. Its designs are unique, and I found myself falling for the trendy Italian silks of a lot of its pieces, which are hard to come across. Its North branch is in a gorgeous two-story house with a chandelier hanging from the top of a regal staircase, paired with a delightful terrace for companions or a shopping break (the only thing the terrace needs is a coffee shop or a bartender, if you ask me!). However, there is another boutique located in the southern part of the city.
- Stay at the Dann Carlton Hotel: As you arrive at this traditional hotel, you will be welcomed by a charming terrace framed by the city’s famous “Chontaduro Lady” statue. The hotel is well kept, and it offers spacious accommodations, as well as a beautiful 4th floor pool with great views. Besides, the hotel is conveniently located close to restaurants in the San Antonio neighborhood, as well as other renowned landmarks (like los Gatos del Rio) and the great bars and clubs of El Penon.
I hope you enjoyed my recommendations for this beautiful city I really look forward to visiting again. Have you visited any of these places? Let me know what you think in the comment section below!
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