Tourism in Valle del Cauca

The department of Valle del Cauca is synonymous with salsa, sugarcane and Cali, Colombia's third largest city and world capital of salsa. The Cali Fair (December 25–30) is the most spectacular event of the year: salsa concerts, parades, floats and the energy of a city that dances. Beyond Cali, the Valley offers the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Buga, whale watching in Buenaventura (July–October), the Farallones de Cali for hiking and the sugar towns of the north of the department.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF VALLE DEL CAUCA

The most visited and unmissable destinations and experiences in Valle del Cauca:

Attraction	Type	Description
Cali Fair — Salsa	Festival / Culture	December 25–30. The largest salsa event in the world: concerts, parades, Delirio, Cali Pachanguero.
Cali — Salsa Circuit	City / Dance	Caleña salsa schools, performances in Quinta Camacho and Juanchito, salsa museums.
Whale Watching — Buenaventura	Marine ecotourism	July–October. Humpback whales in the Pacific. Tours from Buenaventura to Bahía Málaga and Juanchaco.
Buga — Basilica and Market	Religious / Culture	The Basilica of the Lord of Miracles receives 3 million pilgrims per year. Unique popular market.
Los Farallones de Cali National Park	Ecotourism	Park 20 min from Cali. Cloud forest hiking, condors, Pance River waterfalls.

ECOTOURISM AND NATURE IN VALLE DEL CAUCA

Los Farallones National Park protects the watershed that supplies water to Cali. Uramba Bahía Málaga National Park is the best place on the Pacific for humpback whale watching. The Western Cordillera has the highest number of endemic bird species per km² in Colombia.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF VALLE DEL CAUCA

Cali is the world capital of Caleña salsa, a musical style and dance different from New York and Puerto Rico. Petronio Álvarez (August) celebrates Afro-Pacific culture with marimba, chirimía and Pacific gastronomy. Afro-Colombian influence is fundamental in the gastronomy, music and dance of the department.

TYPICAL GASTRONOMY OF VALLE DEL CAUCA

Caleño chicken sancocho (with criolla potato, corncob and plantain), chontaduro with honey and salt, Caleño cholado (shaved ice with fruits), lulada, pandebono, pipián empanadas, Pacific coconut rice pudding.

HOW TO GET THERE

Alfonso Bonilla Aragón airport in Cali (Palmira), flights from Bogotá (1 h), Medellín and all major cities. Bus from Bogotá (8–10 h). Buenaventura 2 h from Cali. Los Farallones 30 min.

Also check the climate of Valle del Cauca and the list of municipalities of Valle del Cauca to plan your visit.