ColombiaSouth America

Cats from Cali. What to do in this Colombian city.

Cali, Colombia

What to see in Cali

Cali, with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant atmosphere, and lively music and dance scene, offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences for travelers eager to explore Colombia’s third-largest city.

Salsa Capital of the World: Cali is renowned as the salsa dancing capital of the world. Dive into the vibrant nightlife at salsa clubs like Zaperoco or La Topa Tolondra to experience the infectious rhythm of salsa music and witness locals showcasing their impressive dance moves.

Caliwood Museum: Explore the cinematic history of Colombia at Caliwood Museum. This unique museum displays a collection of film memorabilia, showcasing the country’s cinematic heritage through posters, costumes, and screenings of classic Colombian films.

Cristo Rey Monument: A symbol of Cali’s spirituality and resilience, the Cristo Rey Monument stands atop a hill, offering panoramic views of the city. The statue of Christ is reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer and is a significant religious and cultural landmark.

San Antonio Neighborhood: Wander through the charming streets of the San Antonio neighborhood, adorned with colorful colonial houses, art galleries, and cozy cafés. The neighborhood’s bohemian ambiance makes it a perfect spot for art enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxed atmosphere.

Cali Zoo: Discover an array of wildlife at Cali Zoo, home to a diverse collection of animals, including big cats, birds, and reptiles. The zoo focuses on conservation and education, offering an enjoyable and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Gato de Tejada Statue: The Gato de Tejada, or Tejada Cat, is a beloved symbol of Cali. This cat sculpture, created by artist Hernando Tejada, is a popular meeting point and a unique piece of urban art, adding character to the city’s streets.

La Merced Archaeological Museum: Delve into Cali’s pre-Columbian history at La Merced Archaeological Museum. It showcases an impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits, offering insights into the region’s indigenous cultures and archaeological findings.

Sebastián de Belalcázar Statue: Pay a visit to the statue of Sebastián de Belalcázar, the Spanish conquistador who founded Cali. The statue stands in Plaza de Caicedo, a central square in Cali, and represents an important figure in the city’s history.

Cali River Boulevard: Relax and unwind at the Cali River Boulevard (Bulevar del Río). This scenic riverfront area offers walking paths, green spaces, and recreational activities, providing a peaceful retreat amidst the city’s hustle and bustle.

Tertulia Museum: Art enthusiasts should not miss the Tertulia Museum, housing an impressive collection of contemporary art by Colombian artists. The museum features paintings, sculptures, and installations, offering a glimpse into Colombia’s modern art scene.

Safety in Cali

Cali carries a negative safety perception among Colombians. The locals warned us not to walk alone and only take trusted taxis. We heard fellow travelers’ accounts of encountering troubles, advising vigilance and heeding locals’ advice on safety measures. We witnessed one of the scariest moments ever: a person was shot dead in fron of our eyes.

Nighttime poses certain risks, suggesting avoiding solo or small group walks and refraining from flaunting expensive belongings. The city grapples with visible homelessness, unfortunately.

Despite these concerns, Cali remains a vibrant city steeped in a captivating history. While it calls for a touch more caution, there’s ample charm and history to relish in the city’s offerings.


Favourite travel resources:

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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Admiring grace of cats in a quirky park in Cali

El Gato del Río is probably the most recognizable symbol of Cali. This bronze sculpture was created by Colombian sculptor Hernan Tajeda and proudly guards the banks of the river Cali. Now, this giant cat weighing 3 tons is accompanied by 15 smaller cats that have been painted by various artists such as Alejandro Valencia Tejada, Mario Gordillo, Nadin Ospina, Oma Rayo and Maripaz Jaramillo.

After some time of loneliness, El Gato del Río acquired new friends. Each of them wears a unique funky coat, but what makes the whole project even more interesting, in my modest opinion, is the fact that all of the cats are of the same shape.

The home of the cats is a little park with a river, an excellent place to relax under the shade of many trees after an active day spent sightseeing.

I hope you will enjoy the photos of a few cats of unique character.
Cali, Colombia  Cali, Colombia
Each of the cats presents a different character and has a unique own story.

Cali, Colombia

Cali, Colombia

Cali, Colombia


“I am what I am. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, for you have been kind to me. But I am a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer.”
  Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

Cali, Colombia
Cali, Colombia
Cali, Colombia
Cali, Colombia
Cali, Colombia

“Cats will amusingly tolerate humans only until someone comes up with a tin opener that can be operated with a paw.”
  Terry Pratchett, Men at Arms

Cali, Colombia
Cali, Colombia
Cali, Colombia

See also:

Top 10 reasons to visit Colombia this year

Feel the Caribbean spirit of Colombia in Cartagena de Indias

10 top places in South America that should be on your bucket list.


Which cat is your favourite? Have you been to a place with unusual street art? Please share it with us. 

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Cali, Colombia


Disclosure: Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.


 

  1. I LOVE this post sooooo much! Such fun. When I was in Singapore, they had a sculpture garden with pandas and pugs and uniphants (unicorn elephants), totally captured my heart. This is all that and more. I like the pink one with the white boot, the rainbow cats are pretty rad too. 🙂

    1. Uniphants? That interesting ;-). When I go to Singapore I will definitely look for those sculptures. Thank you for a tip.

  2. This is so fascinating to me! The cartoon cat made me laugh but my favorite one is the yellow one with the red stripes and images painted on the bottom (possibly Native Amercian drawings). FABULOUS!!!

    1. Thank you for visiting, Leatitia. There’s many reason to visit Colombia, a lovely country. I hope you have a chance to go there.

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