Travel advisory · ColombiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Colombia.The warnings cover only these areas: Arauca department, Buenaventura city, Caquetá department, Catatumbo region, Cauca department, Chocó department, Colombia–Venezuela border, immediate areas (no distance given), Ecuador border areas (no distance given), Norte de Santander department, Tumaco, Valle del Cauca department, Casanare department, Guainía department, Guaviare department, Meta department, Nariño department, Northern Antioquia, Putumayo department, Southern Bolívar, Southern Córdoba, Vaupés department, Vichada department.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Arauca department · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, New Zealand, UK, US
- Buenaventura city · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Caquetá department · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand
- Catatumbo region · avoid all travel · Spain, New Zealand
- Cauca department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- Chocó department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, UK
- Colombia–Venezuela border, immediate areas (no distance given) · avoid all travel · Germany, France, New Zealand
- Ecuador border areas (no distance given) · avoid all travel · France, New Zealand
- Norte de Santander department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Tumaco · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Valle del Cauca department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Casanare department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, New Zealand
- Guainía department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
- Guaviare department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Meta department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand
- Nariño department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand
- Northern Antioquia · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France
- Putumayo department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand
- Southern Bolívar · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand, UK
- Southern Córdoba · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand, UK
- Vaupés department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France
- Vichada department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Brazil border areas (no distance given) (France), Cali–Popayán–Pasto–Ipiales highway (France), Cauca River banks (Sucre, Córdoba, Bolívar and northern Antioquia) (France), Colombia–Venezuela border within 10 km (US), Colombia–Venezuela border within 50 km, excluding Cúcuta (Canada), Communes immediately south of Cali (France), Darien Gap within Chocó (New Zealand), Ecuador border within 50 km, excluding Ipiales crossing (Canada), González and Río de Oro municipalities (Cesar) (Canada), Montes de María (Spain), Northwest zone around Panama border and Gulf of Urabá (Spain), Pacific coast (Chocó, Cauca, Valle del Cauca), excluding Nuquí and Bahía Solano (France), Panama border areas (no distance given) (France), Panama border within 100 km (Canada), Peru border areas (no distance given) (France), Amazonas department (France), Amazonas, within 20 km of Peru border west of Puerto Nariño (Canada), Antioquia department (New Zealand), Ariari region of southern Meta (UK), Bahía Solano, Capurganá and Nuquí (Canada), Bajo Cauca region (Antioquia) (UK), Cartagena del Chairá (UK), Colombia–Venezuela border within 5 km (rest of border) (UK), Cúcuta city (Canada), Earthquake-affected zone (Eje Cafetero and Suroriente) (Spain), Eastern Valle del Cauca (France), Ecuador border within 5 km (UK), Florencia city (Canada), Hillside communes of Medellín (France), Ipiales city and border crossing (Canada), Jamundí municipality (Valle del Cauca) (UK), La Montañita (UK), Northwest Antioquia, north of Buriticá and west of highway 62 (Canada), Orito (UK), Paramillo National Natural Park (Córdoba) (Canada), Paujil (UK), Popayán city (Canada), Popular districts of south Bogotá (Kennedy, Ciudad Bolívar, Altos, Cazucá, Soacha) (France), Puerto Asís (UK), Puerto Caicedo (UK), Puerto Carreño municipality (Vichada) (UK), Puerto Guzmán (UK), Puerto Leguízamo (UK), Puerto Rico (Caquetá) (UK), Quibdó city (France), San Jorge and La Mojana subregions of Sucre (New Zealand), San Miguel (Putumayo) (UK), San Vicente del Caguán (UK), Sanquianga region (Nariño) (UK), Santander department (France), South Pacific region (Nariño) (UK), Southern Sucre (France), Southern Tolima (Germany), Sur sub-region of Cesar (New Zealand), Telembí region (Nariño) (UK), Urabá region (Antioquia) (UK), Valle del Guamuez (UK), Western Valle del Cauca, including Buenaventura (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Mar 31, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Keine Reisewarnung für das ganze Land (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to violent crime and the threat of terrorism (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Increased vigilance, with specific areas to avoid (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Cali
Cali is known for salsa, with dance clubs that run late, and for food that is worth a long dinner. It also works as a base for day trips to Buga, Popayán and Lago Calima.
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Cali is Colombia's third-largest city and the capital of the Valle del Cauca department. It lies in the Cauca River valley in the southwest of the country, with the Andes on either side. Visitors come for the salsa, the food and the day trips, and neighborhoods stay busy late into the night.
Salsa clubs and open-air dance venues are spread across the city. Above town, a hill with a statue of Christ, the Cristo Rey, looks over the valley. Cali's food includes fresh fruit juices and seafood from the Pacific coast, and it is a reason to stay longer than planned. The city suits travelers who want music, food and day trips, not a beach stay. The climate is warm most of the year, so events matter more than weather when you pick dates. Plan two to three days in the city, with extra time for Buga, Popayán or Lago Calima.
Cali in five
- Get a Tarjeta Mio before you ride the busesMio is Cali's bus rapid transit system, paid with a rechargeable card. Buy a Tarjeta Mio at a station and load it before you board, so you are not queuing at the turnstile.Getting around
- Carry small pesos for taxis and corner shopsMany corner shops and small taxis cannot change large notes, so carry smaller peso notes and coins. Cash also covers street food and market stalls.Money and costs
- Ask for the meter or agree the fare firstAt the start of the ride, ask the driver to use the taxímetro, or agree a fare before you get in. Do this especially at night and at the airport.Getting around
- Book hotels for the Feria de Cali before you goThe Feria de Cali runs each December with parades, dance shows and salsa nights. Book hotels early and check the city's event calendar for the year you travel.Where to stay
- Carry a copy of your passport to hotel check-inHotels register foreign guests and ask for the passport or a copy. Keep the original in the hotel safe and carry a photo of the page when you go out.Visas and entry
Things to do in Cali
See all attractions in Cali
Need to know
- Currency
- Colombian peso (COP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check Migración Colombia before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 123 for police, ambulance and fire; 112 from mobile phones
- Tipping
- Optional; a 10% service charge is often added to the bill
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain21 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Dry, warmJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 200 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Dry, warmFebruaryRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 183 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Rains startMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 275 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Wet seasonAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season
- MayRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Heavy rainMayRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 235 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Drier spellJuneRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 186 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Dry, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Dry, warmAugustRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Showers returnSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers return
- OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Wet seasonOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 344 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Rainy, coolerNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 432 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, cooler
- DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Feria de CaliDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 265 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Feria de Cali
Average daily high and low in Cali, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Cali
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Cali
04:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°20°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue26°19°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed25°19°99%Wednesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Thu26°19°98%Thursday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Fri26°19°86%Friday: Rain. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat27°19°73%Saturday: Rain. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun26°20°82%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 82%.
Updated 03:51 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3,192 COP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bugaabout 1 hour by roadThe Basílica del Señor de los Milagros draws pilgrims, and the town has a small colonial centre.
- Popayánabout 4 hours by roadA white colonial city with old churches, best as a longer day or a night away from Cali.
- Lago Calimaabout 2 to 3 hours by roadLakeside resorts and water sports on a reservoir, a slower change of pace from the city.
Before you go to Cali
Rules for Cali, checked
- Check your entry requirements on Migración Colombia before you fly, because visa-free stays depend on your passport.Source
- Cash above the DIAN declaration threshold must be declared at customs; check the DIAN site for the current limit.Source
- The ley seca restricts alcohol sales around national elections, so plan evening drinks around the voting calendar.
Plan around Cali
Four districts compared for price, nightlife and walking
Read the guideGetting around CaliMio card, taxis and road trips out of the city
Read the guideMoney in CaliCash habits, card use and what a day costs
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for your passport, with the official check
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData options for maps, ride apps and bus routes
Read the guideAll of ColombiaOther cities, routes and rules across the country
Read the guideCali FAQ
Is Cali worth visiting?
Yes, for salsa, city food and as a base for day trips, and more so in December for the Feria de Cali. It is a poor pick if you want beaches or quiet colonial towns, which are a drive away.
Is Cali safe for tourists?
After dark, take a taxi rather than hailing one on the street, and avoid walking unfamiliar streets alone. Check your government's travel advice before you go.
What is Cali known for?
Salsa above all, with dance clubs and the December Feria. The city is also a practical base for day trips to Buga and Popayán.
How many days do you need in Cali?
Two or three days for the city, plus one day out to Buga or Lago Calima. Popayán needs a night away.
Do you need Spanish in Cali?
Spanish helps for taxis, markets and small restaurants, where English is less common. A few basic phrases help a lot.