Cali is the capital of the Cauca Valley department. Known as the capital of salsa, a Cuban-American musical genre characterized by its rhythm and melodies that fuse jazz, blues and typical Caribbean music, Cali is a lively and party-loving city. It is the most important city in the region with quick access to the sea thanks to its proximity to the port of Buenaventura, which is the largest and most important seaport in the country on the Pacific Ocean, making it the third most important economy in Colombia, being the main urban, agricultural and economic center in the southwest of the country.
In Cali you can find places of interest such as the Caliwood museum, which exhibits an emblematic collection of cinematographic equipment used in the history of Colombian cinema. The Cali Zoo, one of the most important in Latin America, houses more than 2,000 animals on its 8 hectares, where several species reproduction and wildlife protection projects are carried out for environmental sustainability. Also very close by is Cerro los Cristales, famous for its sculpture of Cristo Rey (similar to the sculpture of Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) from where you can have a privileged view of the city.
The city is located very close to the Farallones de Cali National Park, a natural reserve characterized by being a mountain range rich in vegetation and fauna, thanks to its varied natural ecosystems and virgin forests, moors and natural waterfalls. Several rivers originate at its peaks, which cross the department and serve as a source of hydroelectric energy for several cities in the department, including Cali.
The Cali Fair is celebrated every year between December 25 and 30. It is a cultural event that revolved around bullfighting, and due to the animal protection law, it currently revolves mainly around dancing and salsa music.
The most important event of the fair takes place at the Salsódromo, during which thousands of people enjoy comparsas and parades of the main salsa schools in the city, ending with a concert and various national and international musical presentations, which attract thousands of people to enjoy the orchestras and artists invited to liven up the city's festival with their Caribbean rhythms.
The Cauca Valley is famous for its sugar cane cultivation and the production of desserts and sweets such as Manjar Blanco, Cholado and Champús, a traditional drink made from fruit, panela and corn. Cali is a multicultural city, ideal for relaxing or traveling on business thanks to its proximity to industrial areas such as Yumbo and the port of Buenaventura.
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