Cali, Colombia is a bustling, vibrant city filled with life and music, with a constant energy that can be felt around every corner. Hey, it isn’t considered the salsa capital of the world for no reason!
However, based in the Cauca Valley between the Pacific and Andean regions of Colombia, Cali is the perfect jumping off point for a number of unique day trips, from tubing through the rainforest to paragliding over the mountains. While there’s plenty to do in the city itself, one of the major appeals of a trip to Cali is the number of unique day trips from the city.
So whether you’re a history buff or a nature lover, a foodie or a thrill seeker, there’s something for you in the Valle de Cauca. Here are my 10 favorite day trips from Cali, Colombia.
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The 10 Best Day Trips from Cali, Colombia
Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping activities or to connect with nature, there’s plenty to be found in the Valle de Cauca! Check out the map below and keep reading to explore my favorite day trips from the city of Cali.
1. Go bird-watching in the San Antonio Cloud Forest
Located just 45 minutes from downtown Cali, the San Antonio Cloud Forest feels like stepping into another universe. The gentle songs of birds carry through the low-hanging mist as colorful hummingbirds dart back and forth. It’s not just one of the best things to do in Cali, but in all of Colombia.
Whether you’re an avid bird-watcher or not you’ll be amazed by the diversity and colors of the birds in the San Antonio Cloud Forest. The site is renowned for its hummingbirds, a staple of Colombia, as well as unique flora and fauna typical of the region. I highly recommend traveling with a guide to get the best out of the experience and learn about the diversity of Colombian birds. No matter what, don’t forget to pack your binoculars!
2. Visit a Sugarcane Farm
Sugarcane is one of the largest exports of the department of Valle de Cauca, so one of the best day trips from Cali is to visit a Sugarcane Farm! Here you’ll be able to see the cultivation of sugarcane in action, as well as try fresh sugarcane juice, pressed right from the vine and sweetened with lime.
However, sugarcane cultivation also has a challenging and complex history in the Valle de Cauca region, so a guided tour can help you further understand the economic significance and cultural conflict that is central to this crop. Check out this guided tour to El Paraiso Hacienda to learn more about the production, history, and significance of sugarcane in the region.
Recommended Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Salento – Colombia’s Coffee Town!
3. Hike in Farallones de Cali National Park
Due to its location in between the Andean and Pacific Regions of Colombia, the area surrounding Cali is home to one of the most unique natural formations in the country – Los Farallones. These towering rock formations are the youngest rock formations in the western Andes mountains, and since 1968 have been designated as a Natural National Park inviting visitors from around the world to come and enjoy.
Located just an hour outside the city center, one of the major draws of this National Park is the number of swimming holes and waterfalls along the Río Ponce. It’s a great place to cool off and spend a day exploring, either independently or on a guided tour like this one.
4. Go Tubing in San Cipriano
Located just outside of Valle de Cauca’s Pacific city of Buenaventura 2 hours from Cali, the San Cipriano Rainforest Reserve is one of the most unique sites in the region. Hop on the back of a tube and enjoy a float down this crystalline river, or take a hike to one of the stunning waterfalls in the reserve.
However, getting to the San Cipriano Reserve is part of the adventure! The reserve itself is not accessible by regular roads, so in order to visit the park you must ride the brujita from the towns of Cordoba or Zaragoza. The brujita can perhaps best be described as a cart powered by a motorcycle that runs along an old train track. The ride takes about 20 minutes coming from either direction and is one of the most unique experiences in Colombia!
You can visit San Cipriano independently by taking a bus from the Cali Terminal de Transporte to Buenaventura, then getting out at the town of Cordoba along the way. You’ll be able to buy tickets for the brujita in town which will then take you into the nature reserve. Just note that the last returning brujita leaves at 5PM, so make sure to keep an eye on the time or you might miss it!
Planning independently sound too overwhelming? Check out this guided day trip to San Cipriano from Cali!
Recommended Reading: The Ultimate Guide to San Andrés – Colombia’s Caribbean Paradise!
5. Visit Buga’s famous Basilica
The town of Buga is located just an hour north of Cali, and is often considered not just one of the most beautiful towns in the Valle de Cauca department but the entirety of Colombia. Home to colonial style buildings and the iconic pink-facaded Basilica of the Lord of Miracles, the town draws pilgrims from all over the world to admire its architecture and revel in its history.
Buga can be visited independently from Cali by taking a bus from the Cali Terminal de Transporte, however I highly recommend going with a guided tour to learn the history and significance of the town. Here’s a highly recommended day trip from Get Your Guide.
Valle de Cauca’s Pacific coast is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales, who migrate north from Chile and Antarctica between June and October every year. Going on a whale watching tour is truly one of the most extraordinary day trips you can take from Cali, as you’ll have the opportunity to see the whales in their natural habitat.
The Uramba Bahia Malaga National Park outside of the pacific city of Buenaventura is one of the best places to spot whales, and many tours operate daily from the city itself as well as from the smaller nearby towns of Juanchacho and Ladrilleros. Cali is about a 2.5 hour drive from the Pacific coast, so it can easily be done as a day trip. However, if you have the time, there’s plenty to explore in this area, so it can be worth it’s own trip!
This whale-watching day trip leaves from Cali and includes private transportation both ways. This is truly one of the most unique experiences in Valle de Cauca – and the world!
7. Cool off in Rio Pance
A popular spot amongst Cali locals, Río Pance is the perfect place to cool down on a hot afternoon. Located a short bus ride from the city center, you can enjoy a swim in the cold, clear water or explore one of the many charcos (small waterfalls)
Vendors congregate by the waters edge, so make sure to grab an empanada, or even better, some freshly caught trout, to snack on while you enjoy the river.
To visit Rio Pance independently from Cali, you’ll need to catch a bus nearby the Cali Terminal de Transporte. It’s important to note that while nearby, the bus does not directly leave from the terminal, rather about a block away, located here. You can always ask your taxi driver to take you to “la parada de recreativos para pance” if you want to be sure to make it to the right spot.
10 buses leave daily, beginning at 4AM and leaving approximately every two hours. The last return bus from Pance leaves at 8PM, so just make sure not to swim for too long
8. Hike to El Pico de Loro
Located within the Farallones de Cali National Park, El Pico de Loro is one of the most stunning trails in the area. This 9km roundtrip trail takes you through dense forests until it turns uphill, leading you to a rocky viewpoint with incredible views over the park.
While this is a popular trail it’s certainly no easy feat, with over 1,200 meters of elevation gain over the 4.5 kilometer ascent. However the effort is well worth it, as you’ll pass through 4 unique ecosystems along the way and have an opportunity to spot a number of diverse bird species that call the area home.
It’s highly recommended to go with a guide in order to help navigate the trail. Check out this tour with Valley Adventours to experience one of the best peaks in the Valle de Cauca!
9. Paraglide over the Andes
Thrill seekers listen up, because there’s no better way to experience the Cauca Valley than from the sky! If you’ve ever dreamed of flying, now is your opportunity to soar over the peaks of the Andes. This region is home to some of the largest concentrations of birds in the country, and here’s your chance to feel like one of them!
This paragliding experience from Valley Adventours offers a flight with an experienced pilot as well as personalized photos of the experience – so you can show your friends and family back home you had the guts to go through with it!
10. Go horseback riding in the Cauca Valley
The landscape of the Cauca Valley is one of the most diverse in the country, and there’s no better way to experience it all than on horseback. Horses have been a part of life on Colombian farms in the region for centuries, so exploring the area on a horse is not only a unique way to experience the region, but a way to connect with it’s history, past and present.
Multiple fincas and tour operators in the area offer horseback rides, but one of the most highly recommended is Criadero Rando Aurora, a local finca offering horseback rides through the stunning landscapes of the valley. You’ll learn about the local flora and fauna along the way, so grab your family or friends and go for a ride!
Keep Exploring Cali, Colombia
Planning a trip to the Valle de Cauca region? Check out my full guide to the city of Cali for everything to do within the city limits, or explore all of my articles about Colombia here.
And hey, in case you didn’t know, I’m currently on a mission to visit all 32 departments of Colombia, and am producing a short film in each one! Keep exploring Colombia along with me by visiting my 32 Departments of Colombia page to watch the full series!
Did I miss any of your favorite day trips from Cali? Let me know in the comments!
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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.