Cali - the capital of... Salsa!

Cali is located on the south of Colombia in a region called Valle del Cauca. It has a population of around 2,5 million people and it is the third largest city in Colombia. It is not so touristic as other parts of Colombia.

The city itself, I would say, is quite dull as it doesn’t have an important historical centre, neither museums, neither infrastructure.

First thing that impressed me is the immense green colour. It seems that any plant can grow, and spread around.  It is one of the greenest cities I have ever seen in my life.

Salseando

Although the city is quite boring, it does not have many touristic attractions, it does have one of the best things in the World: SALSA. It is the salsa capital of Colombia and the World Capital of Salsa. Dancers from Cali became World Champions in four consecutive years, moreover salsa is the main genre in here. If you walk around the streets, you will notice it instantly, it is being played everywhere.

The Salsa night club logo

I didn’t know what to expert, before going to the club. First of all it is a Sunday, that meant that all the good salsa clubs are closed, but one. Luckily it was just near to our hostel. We went to a club called simply “Salsa” on the Avenida Roosevelt 24-67 (entrance fee COP 5000 - £1,80), which apparently is the best club on Sundays.  It was a spiritual and emotional journey within myself. Dancing salsa relieves from stress, brings more vital energy. It doesn't discriminate: fat, young, old, skinny, ugly, beautiful, gay, mother, father, single, married, divorced, white, asian, black...salsa unifies people. 

I was seduced tonight and I think I am not going to get out of this so quickly, just as  it happened to my room mates in the hostel. One girl came to cali just for one day, but stayed for six weeks. Same thing happened to my other room mates, initially they were meant to be here for two weeks, currently they are in their 9th week and have two weeks more.

there is something magic in the rhytm. The dance hypnotises...I was so moved by it, that I shed a tear (or four!)

Here is a list of the best salsa clubs in town: 

#  Tin Tin Deo – very popular, old school bar.

#  La Fuente – small, inexpensive bar, popular on the weekends.

#  Zaperoco – live salsa bands on Thursdays.

#  Chango (external link)

#  Discoteca Extasis (external link)

#  Blues Brothers (external link) - live salsa bands on Thursdays.

#  Salsa Night Club, which I have already mentioned above.

Guest of The Salsa night club

Sunday is a typical  family day in Cali, they enjoy their time off by the Pance river, cook their sancocho de gallina (old hen soup) and swim in the river. It might be a good option for the afternoon. In the evening you already know where to go: Salsa on Roosevelt Avenue!

Enjoy your time in Cali!

Tips:

·     If you want to sit by the table, then you need to drink a bottle of rum. It is prepared on every single table.

·      Dress smart and sexy, Colombians are really hot.

·      Be prepared for willing to stay in Cali for longer than you thought.