Best Areas to Stay in Cali, Colombia

El Peñón, San Antonio and San Cayetano are three small historic neighborhoods located west of downtown Cali.

This area of the upper middle class is considered one of the best neighborhoods for nightlife in the city.

The west of Cali stands out as one of the most attractive areas in town.

El Peñón, San Antonio & San Cayetano are among the city’s favorite areas to stay, party, and shop.

This area is home to small parks, excellent restaurants, some bars.

It also enjoys a central location and very walkable distances.

San Antonio & San Cayetano mix historic charm with modern infrastructure and lots of small local and international hotel chains.

Some of the attractions of this area include the Museum of Contemporary Art La Tertulia, the quaint church of San Antonio, and the hilltop San Antonio park, with its open-air theater and its views over the city.

El Peñón, San Antonio, and San Cayetano are well-connected through the MIO system with the rest of the city.

A little further south of San Cayetano lies the famous San Fernando and Parque del Perro (Dog’s Park), one of Cali’s gastronomic and nightlife areas.

Around the Dog’s Park are some of the busiest bars and restaurants in the city, frequented mainly by college students, which gives a young and bohemian vibe to the area.

Like San Antonio and El Peñón, San Fernando and its surroundings are safe areas to stay in Cali.

Along nearby Calle 5, one of the north-south thoroughfares of the city, you’ll find several MIO stops.

San Fernando is an area of small and cheap hotels, with some boutique options.

This is one of the best areas to stay in Cali thanks to its cheap accommodation and its wide gastronomic offer.

The neighborhoods of Versailles, Granada & amp; Juanambú are located north of the Cali River, in the northwestern end of the city.

It is a residential and commercial area, popular among Cali’s upper and upper-middle classes.

Versailles, the area, located further north, is full of office and residential highrises.

Granada offers a wide variety of luxury restaurants, bars, and hotels.

This area is also one of the best gastronomic districts of Cali.

To the south and west of Granada lie Centenario and Juanambú, two of the most pleasant residential neighborhoods.

These areas are somewhat lacking in attractions but are located a short walking distance from more happening places.

Versailles, Granada, and Juanambú are considered safe areas to stay in Cali, but it is advisable to use the taxi at night.

These neighborhoods are connected through the MIO system.

Cali’s historic center is the birthplace of the city, and there are some of the most representative monuments of the capital of Valle del Cauca.

Cali was founded in 1536 and developed around what is now Templo de la Merced.

Much of the city’s colonial architecture has been demolished over time, being replaced by mixed-use buildings. However, some of the squares and corners of the Historic Center still retain part of the flavor of the Cali of yesteryear.

Some of the attractions of this historic neighborhood include the La Ermita Church, the Ortíz Bridge, the Poets Park, the Coltabaco Building, the San Pedro Cathedral, the National Palace, or the Enrique Buenaventura Municipal Theater.

As expected in many Latin American cities, the downtown area is a busy commercial place during the day. Still, it is not advisable to walk through its streets at night, particularly in dark or solitary places.

The western part of this area, near San Antonio, hosts most of the quality accommodation in the historic center.