After the earthquake of August 10, 2026, several churches in downtown Cali and the interior of the Basilica of Buga remain closed. Before you go, check on official channels that the place is open.
Sea and the Pacific: whales, beaches, and rainforest
- Whale watching: from July to October, humpback whales arrive in Bahía Málaga to give birth. Boats leave from Juanchaco and Ladrilleros. See our guide to whale watching in Buenaventura.
- Dark-sand beaches and jungle: Juanchaco and Ladrilleros and La Barra are reached from the Buenaventura tourist pier; the boat ride crosses the Paso del Tigre.
- River and “brujitas”: on the way to the sea, the San Cipriano Nature Reserve is reached on motorized platforms that run on the old railway.
Nature and birds
- Hummingbirds and tanagers at dawn: Km 18 and Dapa, less than an hour from Cali, in the cloud forest.
- Waterbirds and migrants: Laguna de Sonso, in Buga, a Ramsar wetland and home of the horned screamer.
- Views over Cali: the Cristo Rey Ecopark.
- Wind and lake: kitesurfing, windsurfing, and boat rides on Lake Calima; for lodging, see where to stay at Lake Calima.
Salsa and nightlife
Cali is the salsa capital: take a class at a Cali-style salsa school, see a show like Delirio (last Friday of every month), and go dancing at the salsa clubs along Calle 5. Practical tips are in our guide to 10 must-do plans in Cali.
Food
- Cholado in Jamundí, where it was born (what to do in Jamundí).
- Pacific cuisine: encocados, tapaos, and viche at Cali’s Galería Alameda market.
- Traditional sweets: manjar blanco in Buga and chicken sancocho in Ginebra.
Towns and culture
- Religious tourism: Buga and the Basilica of the Lord of Miracles, with its status after the earthquake (Guadalajara de Buga).
- Charming towns: Ginebra, Roldanillo, Sevilla, and La Cumbre, among the government’s “Pueblos Mágicos.”
- Cali: the Bulevar del Río, San Antonio, the Zoo, and more (Cali tourism guide).
Fresh water: rivers and swimming spots
From Acuaparque de la Caña to natural swimming spots like Puerto Amor and Chicuco, see our list of 10 ecoparks and swimming spots. Note that Valle del Cauca has no large natural hot springs; the real options are in Cauca and Risaralda.
Key dates for planning your trip
| When | What |
|---|---|
| June | Mono Núñez Andean music festival, in Ginebra |
| July to October | Whale-watching tourist season on the Pacific |
| August | Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival, in Cali |
| September 14 | Feast of the Lord of Miracles, in Buga |
| Last Friday of every month | Delirio salsa show, in Cali |
| December 25 to 30 | Feria de Cali |
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Valle del Cauca on a weekend?
A classic plan from Cali combines a nature day (birding at Km 18, or a river in Pance or Jamundí) with a town day (Ginebra and Buga) and a night of salsa. In whale season, a weekend in Juanchaco and Ladrilleros is the most popular plan.
What to do in Valle del Cauca with kids?
Water parks and swimming spots such as Acuaparque de la Caña or the Comfandi centers, the Cali Zoo, and, for older kids, the “brujita” ride to San Cipriano.
When is the best time to visit Valle del Cauca?
It depends on your plan: July to October for whales, August for the Petronio Álvarez festival, and December for the Feria de Cali. For migratory birds, roughly September to April.
