A city better known for its nightlife and its beautiful people than its tourist attractions, Cali nonetheless has plenty to offer those taking the time to explore this hot, sticky city. Lying at the heart of the Cauca Valley, the city is within easy reach of some beautiful nature reserves packed with fascinating flora and fauna, while those looking to escape the heat and humidity will find some good beaches within a couple of hours' drive of the city. Cali itself might not boast colonial architecture to rival that of Cartagena, but there are some interesting historic buildings and some fine old buildings to be found here.

Sightseeing in the City

The city center is the best place to start a day's sightseeing in Cali, and those looking to discover the historic heart of the city should head for the San Antonio neighborhood of downtown Cali. This relaxed neighbourhood has the highest concentration of colonial buildings in the city, as well as many traditional bars and cafes. It's easy to spend a morning of afternoon strolling around here and taking in the atmosphere - there are some good photo opportunities but, as elsewhere in Colombia, exercise caution when using your camera in public. 

Cultural Cali

The city centre's other main draw for tourists is the Plaza de Caicedo, a pleasant square flanked by a statue of freedom fighter Joaquin Caicedo y Cuero. The square is a good bet for exploring some of Cali's most impressive buildings, museums and cultural centers. The National Palace and Cathedral, which overlook the square, both warrant a visit, as does the 18th Century San Francisco Monastery, with its impressive dome. Culture vultures visiting Cali shouldn't miss a chance to visit the  Museo Archeologico, which gives an insight into the indigenous peoples that populated the Cauca Valley in pre-Colombian times and the Gold Museum (Museu del Oro. Families and animal lovers can take a trip to Cali Zoo - rated as one of the top five zoos in South America. Educational as well as fun, the zoo's location by the riverside makes a visit here a real pleasure, and there are some good cafes and restaurants nearby.