Travel Guide Cali

Santiago de Cali was founded in 1536 by Sebastian de Belalcazar on the fertile banks of the Cauca River, territory of the Calima Indians. Today it is the third largest city in Colombia and the capital of the department of Cauca. The city is surrounded by sugar cane plantations that stretch as far as the eye can see. The tropical climate and the richness of the soil allow two harvests per year. From the sugar cane, the añejo, the traditional rum, is made. This same plant is used to make paper, another industrial asset of the region. Numerous palm trees adorn Cali and give it a seaside resort look. Green spaces surround the river in the center of the city and offer pleasant spaces for walking. While we're on the subject of walks, you should know that Cali is nicknamed "the city of beautiful women". The Caleñas have a reputation for enchanting men with their beautiful dances. Cali! Tierrade lindas y hermosas mujeres, las caleñas son como las flores, que vestidas van de mil colores... The legendary beauty of the women, sung by The Latin Brothers, probably comes from the interbreeding between native Indians, European settlers and slaves brought from Africa to work in the sugar plantations. Cali is the third black city in Latin America, after Havana and Salvador de Bahia.Many travelers, who see Cali as a simple stopover in their journey, often decide to stay longer in the "Branch of Heaven", charmed by the human warmth, the climate and the sweetness of life (even if everything is not rosy in this city, far from it...). The salsa classes are the perfect excuse to extend your stay! Speaking of salsa, Cali hosts every year the World Salsa Festival in September, and does it again at the end of the year with the Feria de Cali, which offers from December 25th to 30th many animations, beauty contests, concerts and dancing... Another event not to be missed in the middle of August, the Petronio Álvarez Festival, which honors the musical universe of the Pacific.