Cali, Colombia: Where Salsa is a Lifestyle and Getting Lost is Just Part of the Tour
Destination: Cali, Colombia
Length of stay: 5 days of rhythm, sunshine, and mild sunburn
Purpose of trip: Culture, coffee, and learning the hard way that salsa is not optional
The Arrival
The traveler landed in Cali, immediately greeted by tropical air, mountain views, and a cheerful welcome sign at Alfonso Bonilla Aragón airport. The taxi ride to the hotel featured loud vallenato music, spontaneous horn symphonies, and driving that suggested seatbelts were more for decoration than safety.
Still, the scenery made up for it—lush greenery, colorful murals, and a skyline backed by the Andes. There were cows grazing next to city buses and people dancing at stoplights. This was not going to be a boring trip.
Rhythm in the Streets
Cali isn’t known as the salsa capital of the world for nothing. The traveler quickly learned that here, rhythm is a birthright and “I don’t dance” is not a valid excuse. Within hours of arriving, they were invited (read: gently dragged) onto a dance floor by someone’s abuela at a local salsateca.
Two left feet and questionable hip movement aside, they managed to survive the experience with only minor embarrassment—and a newfound respect for anyone who can spin in flip-flops.
Cafés, Culture & a Slightly Overconfident Hike
Mornings started with strong Colombian coffee, fresh fruit, and empanadas that could win awards. Days were spent exploring neighborhoods like San Antonio with its colonial charm, colorful houses, and street artists who offered to draw your portrait and read your aura, sometimes at the same time.
One afternoon hike to Cristo Rey turned into a workout thanks to unexpected elevation and optimistic footwear. At the top, the traveler found panoramic views, friendly stray dogs, and vendors selling coconut water that tasted like a tropical reward.
Food, Flavors & (Accidental) Spice
Cali’s food scene was as lively as its music. The traveler tried cholado (an avalanche of fruit, syrup, and condensed milk in a cup), sancocho (soup that could cure emotional wounds), and aborrajado (plantains stuffed with cheese, because why not).
There was also a mystery hot sauce that looked innocent but left the traveler blinking away tears while insisting, “It’s not that spicy.”
Spoiler: it was.
Final Thoughts
Cali may not have the polished postcard image of other touristy cities, but what it lacks in polish, it makes up for in energy, warmth, and authenticity. The traveler left with sand in their shoes from a trip to the nearby Río Pance, salsa steps permanently embedded in their memory, and a phone full of blurry but joyful videos.
Written by: Someone who came for the culture and stayed for the empanadas (and maybe also the dancing).