After the earthquake, the mayor’s office reported 14 Catholic churches closed, including the Cathedral of San Pedro, and restricted use of heritage buildings such as the Convent of La Merced, the Municipal Theater, and the Cali Cultural Center. Before you go, check on official channels that the place is open.
1. Stroll the Bulevar del Río and La Ermita
The Bulevar del Río is downtown’s pedestrian heart. A sunset walk in the Cali breeze is a must. Along the way is the La Ermita Church, which remains open and, since the earthquake, hosts the Cathedral’s daily masses (Cali mayor’s office, September 10, 2026).
2. Visit the Gato del Río
On the banks of the Cali River stands the Gato del Río (“River Cat”), a work by master sculptor Hernando Tejada and one of the city’s most photographed monuments. It is accompanied by the “Gatas,” cat sculptures painted by different artists along the walkway.
3. Take a salsa class and go dancing
Don’t leave the salsa capital without dancing. Schools such as Salsa Pura (San Antonio), Sondeluz (Champagnat), and El Manicero (Tequendama) welcome beginners; see our guide to salsa classes in Cali (in Spanish). At night, the salsa clubs along Calle 5, such as La Topa Tolondra, are the best place to practice; before going to historic spots like Tin Tin Deo or Zaperoco, check their social media to confirm they’re open.
4. Go up to Cristo Rey
For the best panoramic view of Cali, head up to Los Cristales hill, home to the Cristo Rey statue. The ecopark reopened on August 22, 2026, with Section 3 of the trail closed (Cali mayor’s office). Hours, admission, and how to get there by MIO are in our guide to Cristo Rey Ecopark.
5. Eat at the Galería Alameda
This market is the best place in Cali to taste Pacific cuisine: encocados, tapaos, piangua stews, and fish sancocho, alongside Valle tamales and aborrajados and juices made from fruits like borojó and chontaduro. What to order and when to go are in our guide to Pacific food and the Galería Alameda (in Spanish).
6. Spend a day at the Cali Zoo
The Cali Zoo, next to the Cali River, is one of the most complete family outings in the city and has been operating normally since the earthquake (Cali mayor’s office bulletin, September 22, 2026).
7. Watch the sunset in San Antonio
The San Antonio hill, with its colonial streets, cafés, and views over the city, is the classic afternoon plan. Nearby is the Loma de la Cruz Artisan Park for buying crafts. Since several churches in Cali remain closed after the earthquake, check whether the San Antonio chapel is open.
8. Cool off in Pance
South of the city, the Pance River is the weekend plan for people in Cali: cold water, swimming holes, and countryside food. If you prefer facilities with pools and green areas, check out the Comfandi Pance Country Club.
9. Visit the La Tertulia Museum
Cali’s modern art museum, next to the river, closed after the earthquake to assess its facilities; its Cinemateca resumed screenings on September 9, 2026. Check its official social media to see which galleries are open before you go.
10. Try a cholado at the Canchas Panamericanas
Cholado was born in Jamundí, but in Cali it became popular at the Canchas Panamericanas, where the first vendors set up. It’s the perfect end to a hot day. Its history and where to try it are in our cholado guide (in Spanish).
