Cheap flights to Cali
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Quick summary
Country
Colombia
Continent
South America
Airport
CLO
Currency
Colombian peso (COP)
Time zone
UTC-5
Deals already spotted to Cali
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Cali, officially Santiago de Cali, is a city in south-western Colombia and the capital of the Valle del Cauca department (Wikivoyage EN). It was founded on 25 July 1536 by the conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, according to Wikipedia (FR). Wikivoyage (EN) calls it the world's capital of salsa dancing and says its salsa clubs are among the most famous on the continent. The airport, CLO, has many domestic routes and a few international ones, so watching prices helps you pick the right moment.
Airport and getting into town
An airport about 16 km north-east of the centre
Cali - Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)
Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) is 16 km north-east of the city and can be reached by bus or taxi, according to Wikivoyage (EN); Wikipedia (FR) says about fifteen kilometres and places it in the municipality of Palmira, calling it the third most important airport in Colombia. Wikivoyage (EN) lists non-stop flights to Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Miami, Madrid, Panama City and several cities in Ecuador. Routes change, so check the stops on your ticket. The sources we consulted give no journey time to the centre, so we state neither times nor fares.
Distances from Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (FR), approximate. The sources do not state journey times. We do not give fares.
Cali lies in the wide valley of the Cauca River between the Western and Central Cordilleras, at an average altitude of about 1,000 m (Wikipedia FR; Wikivoyage EN: 1,003 m). It is 300 km as the crow flies from Bogotá, or 484 km by road, and 75 km from the Pacific port of Buenaventura, according to Wikipedia (FR). We do not publish a population figure, as it differs widely depending on whether you count the city or the metropolitan area.
Landmarks
Churches, Cristo Rey and symbolic sculptures
Cali is explored between a historic centre of churches, the hills that frame it to the west and a few sculptures that have become symbols of the city. The places below are illustrated; dates sometimes differ between sources, so we stay cautious.
The La Ermita church
Wikipedia (EN, FR) lists La Ermita among the downtown churches, along with La Merced. Wikivoyage (EN) describes it as a Gothic-style church in the downtown area and says it is one of the city's symbols. Dates differ: built in 1678 and renovated in 1930 according to Wikivoyage (EN), built in 1942 on the site of the old Ermita according to Wikipedia (ES). Remember its white facade with slender spires.
Cristo Rey, the statue above the city
Wikipedia (EN, FR) describes a religious monument on a hill facing the city, 31 m high, while Wikipedia (ES) says 26 m. Wikivoyage (EN) compares it with Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and says it offers a great city view, but advises against walking up alone because the area is not always safe.
El Gato del Río, a cat turned symbol
This cat sculpture stands next to the Cali River, across the river from the El Peñón district. Wikivoyage (EN) says that, with the statue of Belalcázar, the Three Crosses and Cristo Rey, it has become a symbol of the city. Wikipedia (EN) attributes it to the sculptor Hernando Tejada.
The western hills
Above the residential districts, the hills mark the edge of the Western Cordillera. Wikipedia (ES) says the Cali River enters the city between the Cristo Rey and Tres Cruces hills. Wikivoyage (EN) calls Cerro de las Tres Cruces an excellent morning hike but advises caution; Wikipedia (ES) notes that it draws athletes and, during Holy Week, pilgrims.
The city in the Cauca valley
Seen from above, Cali spreads in tiled roofs and apartment blocks across the plain of the Cauca valley. Wikipedia (FR) says the city lies almost entirely on the valley floor, with only a small part touching the Western Cordillera. Wikivoyage (EN) notes that the city is over 450 years old and that its architecture is one of the best things to see.
Other places named by Wikipedia (EN, ES) and Wikivoyage (EN) include Plaza de Cayzedo, regarded as the centre of the city, surrounded by the cathedral and the Palace of Justice; the colonial San Antonio district on its hill; the Belalcázar statue; the Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura; and Cali Zoo, which Wikipedia (ES) counts among the best in Latin America.
Museums and culture
Pre-Columbian gold, modern art and cinema
Gold and archaeology
Wikivoyage (EN) describes the Museo del Oro del Banco de la República as a museum of pre-Columbian pottery and gold, with a small art exhibition, and the Museo Arqueológico La Merced, in a colonial-type church, as a display of pre-Hispanic exhibits and religious art. Wikipedia (ES) places the Calima gold museum in the Banco de la República building in the historic centre.
Modern and religious art
La Tertulia, a museum of modern art with international exhibits, also has a cinema showing award-winning art-house films, according to Wikivoyage (EN). Wikipedia (ES) says it opened in 1956 and shows more than 300 works. Wikipedia (ES) also mentions the Museo Religioso y Colonial de San Francisco.
Cinema, salsa and festivals
Wikipedia (ES) names the Caliwood museum, devoted to cinema and photographic equipment. Wikivoyage (DE) places the World Salsa Festival at the end of September and the Feria de Cali in December, with parades, concerts and bullfighting. We give no admission fees or opening hours, as they change.
Food and drink
Pandebono, sancocho and lulo juice
Specialities
Wikivoyage (EN) names pandebono, baked rings of cheese bread typical of Cali, buñuelos, sancocho de gallina, a chicken soup, arroz atollado, almost like a risotto, empanadas, aborrajados, fried cheese-filled plantains, and marranitas, plantain with fried pork skin. Wikipedia (ES) adds manjar blanco, a milk dessert.
Fruit and sweet things
Wikipedia (FR) mentions chontaduro, the peach palm fruit sold on the street. Wikivoyage (EN) lists cholado, shaved ice with fruit and condensed milk, lulo juice, guarapo, freshly pressed sugar cane juice, and champús, a mix of fruit and corn.
Neighbourhoods and drinks
Wikipedia (ES) names the Granada district, in the west of the city, for its traditional and high-end restaurants, and Parque Panamericano, where people eat cholados and grilled corn on Sundays. Wikivoyage (EN) mentions aguardiente, an aniseed-flavoured spirit popular in Colombia.
Getting around
MIO buses, taxis and urban cable car
The MIO
Wikivoyage (EN) describes the MIO, the city's bus rapid transit: large blue buses run in exclusive lanes with enclosed stations, backed up by smaller routes. Fares quoted by Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikivoyage (DE) differ, so we do not publish any.
Taxis
Wikivoyage (EN) advises using only official taxis and, if possible, calling one, making sure the meter is running. It recommends taking a taxi for night-time journeys.
Cable car and day trips
Wikivoyage (DE) mentions the Miocable, a cable car in the Pueblo Joven district. Wikivoyage (EN) also lists day trips to Jamundí, half an hour away, or Lake Calima, an hour and a half by road.
Budget and precautions
Travel precautions and practical information
Price level
We give no figures: the prices quoted by the pages we consulted differ and change from year to year.
Currency
Colombia uses the Colombian peso (COP).
Flights, safety and health
SniperAir tracks prices to CLO and compares them with the route's price history, but it does not sell or book tickets. For comparison you can also follow Bogotá or Medellín. Safety deserves a close look: Wikipedia (FR) mentions strong poverty and high homicide indices, and Wikivoyage (EN) considers Cali more dangerous than most other major Colombian cities, advising caution at night and in certain central neighbourhoods, while Wikivoyage (DE) notes an improvement. Official advice varies between countries of departure: check your own country's advice before booking, along with health advice and entry requirements.
When to go
A warm tropical climate with two rainy seasons
Drier seasons (December to February, June to August)
Wikipedia (ES) places the dry seasons from December to February and from June to August, with about six hours of sunshine a day on average, against about four in the rainy months. Wikivoyage (EN) describes warm, sunny days.
Rainy seasons (March to May, September to November)
Wikipedia (FR, ES) places the rainy periods from March to May and from September to November; Wikivoyage (DE) singles out March-April and October as the wettest.
Temperatures
Wikipedia (FR) gives an average temperature of 24.1 °C and Wikipedia (ES) 24.5 °C; Wikivoyage (EN) cites days between 19 and 34 °C averaging 26 °C. Nights are cooler than afternoons.
Rainfall
Wikipedia (ES) gives an average of 1,483 mm a year over most of the municipality, ranging from 900 to 1,800 mm depending on the area. The Western Cordillera partly blocks humid air from the Pacific.
The climate is tropical with a dry summer (As) according to Wikipedia (ES). We do not give full monthly averages because sources differ depending on the period and the station.
By length of stay
What to do in Cali depending on your stay
The centre and the city's symbols
One to two days for Plaza de Cayzedo, the churches, El Gato del Río, the San Antonio district and a viewpoint over the hills, following the usual safety advice.
Museums, zoo and salsa
Add the gold museum, La Tertulia, the zoo and a salsa night out. Wikivoyage (EN) places the nightlife on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Lake Calima, Buga and Popayán
Wikivoyage (EN) suggests Lake Calima, known for its wind, Buga and its basilica, an hour away by road, or Popayán, about three hours away.
In pictures
Cali in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Cali
Where is Cali airport and how far is it from the centre?
Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) is about 15 to 16 km north-east of the centre, in the municipality of Palmira, according to Wikipedia (FR) and Wikivoyage (EN).
Why is Cali linked to salsa?
Wikipedia (FR) and Wikivoyage (EN, DE) present it as the capital of salsa, with many clubs and, in December, the Feria de Cali.
Is Cali a safe city?
Sources describe it as riskier than most major Colombian cities, with advice to be careful at night. Official advice varies by country of departure, so check your own country's advice before booking.
When is the best time to visit Cali?
The climate is warm all year, averaging about 24 to 26 °C. December to February and June to August are drier; March to May and September to November are rainier.
How long should I stay in Cali?
One to two days cover the centre and the city's symbols; add two days for museums, the zoo and nightlife, and one or two days for excursions.
Do I need a connecting flight to reach Cali?
From Europe, usually yes, although Wikivoyage (EN) lists non-stop flights to Madrid. Routes change, so check the stops on your ticket.
How much does a flight to Cali usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Cali drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Cali (CLO) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
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