CaliSantiago de Cali

The questions people ask first about Cali, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
• SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
• Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
• TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
• SafetyCali is a normal big Colombian city: fine in the tourist zones by day, more careful after dark.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or jugo de luloCOP 4,000–10,000
• Street or quick mealSet lunch (menú del día)COP 15,000–30,000
• BeerBeer in a bar / clubCOP 8,000–20,000
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centreMeter counts units, not pesos; minimum fare applies.COP 10,000–20,000
• Metro or bus rideMIO bus rideCOP 3,500
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekCOP 30,000–60,000
• Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (La Merced, foreigners)COP 20,000
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 45,000
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomCOP 220,000
• High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomCOP 420,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 120,000 · Mid COP 220,000 · High COP 420,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

CLO Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International (16 km (9.9 mi) northeast of the centre; taxi or bus, about 20–30 min)CLO Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International (9.9 mi (16 km) northeast of the centre; taxi or bus, about 20–30 min)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

COP 120,000–200,000 excl. bed

Mid

COP 200,000–380,000 excl. bed

High

COP 380,000+ excl. bed

• Do not walk up to Cristo Rey or the Tres Cruces hill alone; go with a group, a guide or on a Sunday morning when the trails are busy.
• San Antonio and the centre get quiet and less safe after dark; take a taxi for the last stretch.
• Use only official taxis ordered by phone or app, and never leave bags in the trunk.
• Salsa clubs in Juanchito and Menga are far from the centre; agree the fare or use an app both ways.
• April–May and October–November are the rainiest months; afternoon downpours are normal.