Destination: Cali, Colombia

Cali es Cali!!

Cali River and Intercontinental Hotel *Image from Wikipedia

After creating my wedding website and trying to put a list of activities for my guests I have a better idea about all the good things that Cali has to offer. This is the same city that had the worst reputation in the 1990's thanks to the drug cartels. Cali is a city that most people love not because it is the prettiest place that you have visited but because of its atmosphere. Cali is the salsa capital of the world. The night life in Cali is incredible and there are many bars and nightclubs for every musical taste not just salsa clubs. Cali has a reputation of having the most beautiful women in Colombia and that could be the reason why so many foreign and single men travel to Cali looking for a wife. 

As the salsa capital of the world, Cali is very proud of having the best salsa dancers. Delirio is a show that combines the best dancers with acrobats. The performance is only once a month. The last friday of the month. If you plan to go, the tickets need to be purchased in advances because it is always sold out.  This is a video from the official website: 

A recent article from the BBC that speaks very highly of Delirio: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12485506

Growing up in Cali was like growing up in a bubble. Maybe the bubble was created by my parents but the best memories of my life are in that City. What I remember most is how nice it was to go out of town on the weekend to country houses with lots of friends and family. Cali is located in a valley so you can either stay in the valley and enjoy the nice warm weather, or drive to the mountains for a cooler weather.  There are many holidays thanks to all the catholic saints and their days. This is perfect for a nice long weekend at least once a month to get away from the routine. I have lived in the US for over 11 years, and I still miss Cali. I go "home" at least once or twice a year. The first thing I do after calling my friends is eat some manga biche. Manga is just a variety of mango, but the trick is to eat it while it is still green with salt and lemon.

My manga biche

For the tourists that need travel advise, I recommend them to go on the first night to the upscale restaurant and bar area is located in the Granada neighborhood. The area is located between the 9 and 9A avenue (north) between 10th and 18th street. I do not recommend going to the famous 6th Avenue (north) bars and clubs because there are insecure. Be careful while wandering around the streets at night and with your personal belongings. 

Recommended Restaurants in Granada

Trattoria Faro el Solar (Italian/International)

Clle 15 Nte # 9N 62

This is my favorite restaurant in Cali. The food is amazing and the live music in the patio make it the perfect place to feel the weather. I think that Cali has the perfect weather: hot but not humid during the day, and cooler at night. 

Carambolo

CL 14 NORTE # 9 NORTE - 18

Archies (Italian)

One of the best pizzerias in the City. This is a VERY family friendly place.

Juan Valdez (Coffee and pastries) 

Av.9 N No.17-11

Cafe Palo Alto (Coffee and sandwiches)
Ave 9AN #14N-73

Granada Faro (International)
Ave 9N #15AN-02

Segafredo (Bar, Restaurant, hip Italian coffee chain)

Av 9 #10-107

Ventolini Cafe

This is THE BEST place for ice cream in Cali. The best Ice cream with a hot brownie that I've ever had!! and I love my hot brownie with vanilla ice cream in many places. This is still the best. There are several Ventolinis around the City. My favorite is the one in the west side of town. One of the prettiest landmarks of the City is the cat in the picture below, el Gato the Tejada which is right across the Ventolini Cafe.

Gato de Tejada

Ventolini

Platillos Voladores (Asian/European)

Av. 3 Norte # 7 - 19 Barrio Centenario

This is one of the best restaurants in Cali. It used to be in Granada but it is now located a few blocks from there. It is next to the Centro Comercial Centenario, one of the City's newer shopping centers.

Make sure you order a Michelada

Some recommended Local attractions

-Museo del Oro - Gold museum

-Museo Arqueológico la Merced - archaeological museum. The church is the oldest in the City and it is beautiful inside.
-Museo de Arte Moderno La Tertulia - Modern Art museum
-Museo de la Caña de Azúcar - Sugar cane museum. This is actually outside of the City. I have never been but I will love to visit.
-Cali's Zoo
-Centro Comercial Centenario - shopping center

-Centro Comercial Chipichape - shopping center

-Centro Comercial Jardin Plaza - shopping center

-Centro Comercial Unicentro - shopping center
-La Ermita - colonial church
-Estatua De Sebastián De Belalcazar - City's founder statue

-San Antonio - Historical neighborhood - The church is the one in the picture

-Granada - local area with lots of boutiques, restaurants, and bars

-Peñon - neighborhood with bars and boutiques

Teatro Municipal *image from wikipedia.com

More information

There was an article in the New York Times about the 41 places to visit in 2011. Cali was featured as #10 in the list. This is the link to the article: travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html

If you would like to read about the City please follow this link:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_de_Cali

San Antonio Church *Image from Wikipedia