Cali is a city that gracefully alternates between a dry season and a rainy season throughout the year. The dry season kicks off in July, bringing pleasant temperatures ranging from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius—just warm enough without being overwhelming. At its heart, the city retains an architectural charm with numerous European-style buildings dotting the skyline.
Although Cali isn’t as renowned as other Colombian tourist hubs, this means it retains a more authentic local vibe. Most residents speak only Spanish, but visitors are rewarded with a lower cost of living compared to many other cities.
The city’s safety situation is better than one might expect at first glance. Order is maintained by police stationed at the entrances of upscale hotels and shopping malls. However, it’s still wise to avoid walking around while glued to your phone—a precaution worth taking anywhere. For transportation, the Cabify app is a convenient option for hailing taxis.
Given Cali’s compact size, a typical 10-minute ride costs just 1-2 euros. To avoid potential headaches, cash payments are recommended over linking a bank card. We encountered a driver who feigned picking us up, only to disappear after the free cancellation period had passed—an attempt to extort money.
While the platform refunded our funds within a day after lodging a complaint (there were nearly 80,000 complaints on the app, with 20,000 related to no-show drivers 😩), the ordeal was undeniably frustrating.
For connectivity, we opted for a SIM card from Claro, choosing a 7-day plan with 12GB of data. Prices ranged slightly, as we purchased two identical packages—one for 25,000 pesos and another for 20,000 pesos. Without receipts, it remains unclear why there was a discrepancy 🤷♀️. Communication with locals relied heavily on Google Translate, though it worked surprisingly well despite occasional confusion.
Colombian cuisine is a delightful fusion of meats paired with starchy root vegetables, whether fried or grilled, offering rich and satisfying flavors. As someone accustomed to Asian tastes, I found no need to seek out Chinese restaurants. However, the absence of leafy greens meant incorporating more fruit into my diet to maintain balance.
Supermarkets and street vendors alike offer vibrant, oversized fruits bursting with sweetness—some of the most plump passion fruits I’ve ever seen! One highlight was discovering a guava stand where a serving cost a mere 60 euro cents—a true delight for the taste buds.
