Cali can be explored through a wide range of themes: salsa classes, plazas with their own histories, a public space on the Río Cali and the cultural route of the MIO Cable. If you are looking for accommodation in Cali, first consider which of these sides of the city you want to shape your stay.
At the Bulevar del Río: Public Space and City History
The Río Cali runs along one side of the Bulevar del Río, a large public space on the riverbank that is suitable for spending time outdoors. The original structure of the Puente Ortiz is displayed in a showcase on the boulevard. The bridge once connected central Cali with the north of the city. Beneath the Bulevar runs the 686-meter-long Túnel Mundialista de la Avenida Colombia; within the urban area, it is the longest tunnel in the country. The public space, bridge remnant and tunnel each reveal a different side of the city center.
There is also a specific route to help you get your bearings: at Calle 5, the Bulevar del Río connects with Carrera 4, at the entrance to the Barrio San Antonio.
Salsa and Historic Plazas
More than 100 salsa schools in Cali offer classes for all skill levels—from learning the basic steps to improving your own abilities with experienced teachers. The number of schools may change; check current providers and availability if you plan to take a class. The range therefore extends from learning the steps to continuing your training, although the specific options depend on each provider.
Plaza Jairo Varela is named after Jairo de Fátima Varela Martínez, known as Jairo Varela: he was the founder, musician and composer of Grupo Niche. Plaza de Cayzedo tells a different kind of city history through its succession of names. Until 1813 it was called Plaza Mayor, from 1813 to 1913 Plaza de La Constitución, and since 1913 Plaza de Cayzedo. In this way, Plaza Jairo Varela’s name commemorates a musician, while Plaza de Cayzedo has been renamed several times over the years.
The MIO Cable Cultural Route
In Comuna 20, the MIO Cable’s tourist route offers residents and visitors a place for culture and recreation. Across its four stations, it features 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. The route thus brings together a variety of cultural subjects rather than focusing on just one.
Flora and Cuisine as Other Cali Themes
The 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. The garden thus represents a focus on plant life and environmental education. The Galería Alameda offers a different perspective on the city: it is an important destination for Cali’s home-style cooking, including soups and stews.
The two themes offer different emphases: the botanical garden is about flora, research and environmental education, while the Galería Alameda is about Cali’s cuisine. When planning, you can consider whether to include nature or food alongside music and city history, without treating them as one single experience.
Important Access Information for the Natural History Museum
Since August 10, 2026, the Museo Departamental de Ciencias Naturales Federico Carlos Lehmann has been closed to the public until the security assessments are complete. Its thematic profile combines biological subjects such as landscapes, fauna and flora with anthropological topics and archaeological finds from the respective locations. The main exhibition takes visitors through some of the habitats of Valle del Cauca and shows ecological and cultural changes in the department. These exhibits offer further insight into the region’s natural and cultural history; however, the stated closure is essential to bear in mind when planning a visit.
Discover more destinations: Jamundí, Buenaventura, La Habana, Villa Gilmas, La Cumbre, La Tulia, Yumbo, Dagua
For the broader travel overview: Valle Del Cauca.
