Cali, is a city in southwestern Colombia, capital of the Valle del Cauca department. It has about 2 million inhabitants and is a significant industrial and commercial center of activity in Colombia. Being at around 1,000 meters above sea level it tends to have a warm midday and afternoon with nice Pacific Ocean breezes while nights are cool.
It's best known for its salsa music.
GET IN
BY BUS
From the Terminal de transportes you have choices of many different regional, national and domestic destinations.
The trip from the airport to the terminal lasts around 20 minutes and you can do it either by taxi (45,000 COP) or mini-van (4,000 COP). Recommendation: Travel only by certified transport companies, like Expreso Palmira, Bolivariano or Expreso Brasilia. These companies bring you safety and comfort for you and your luggage. You may bargain with other companies, but the trip may be very uncomfortable.
By plane
Cali's International Airport Alfonso Bonilla Aragón is located 16km northeast of the city and can be reached by bus or taxi. Many domestic and some international destinations can be reached. There are flights to and from Medellín, Bogotá, Barranquilla, Ibagué, Pereira, Pasto and Cartagena. Foreign cities that can be reached by non-stop flights are Lima, Miami, Madrid, Panama City, San Salvador, Quito, Guayaquil and Esmeraldas in Ecuador. The airlines with international flights are : Avianca, American Airlines, Copa, TACA, LAN and TAME. The new low-cost airline VivaColombia also serves the city with flights to Medellín and Bogotá.
Get around
By taxi
Taxis are a fast and affordable way to get around the city. Only use official cars and its strongly recommended to call for one if possible (you may call the local numbers 444 44 44 (this service also has android app : search "taxis libres cali" in Androoid Market), 555 55 55, or 660 60 60 and ask for one, your name and destination will be registered in the head office). Make sure the driver starts the meter running. The meters count units, not in the local currency. The minimum fare during daytime is 4,200 COP, after 20:00, on sundays and holidays it's 5,300 COP. Every unit is 84 COP and is marked every 80 meters or 50 seconds of waiting. Do not leave your luggage inside the taxi while you are not around as sometimes drivers drive off as soon as you are out the taxi with your luggage still in the trunk. In any case, many of the taxi drivers are nice and gentle people and have some good stories to tell, which makes for a far more rewarding experience if you speak or understand Spanish at a reasonable level. Be sure to pay what they ask because they will call the cops and not let you out until receiving the full fare. Taxis in Cali,Private Car Service
By Bus
MIO - Masivo Integrado de Occidente: Inaugurated in March 2009, this transport system consists of large blue buses running in exclusive lanes with enclosed stations and offers the best option for local transit. All buses are air-conditioned, clean and safe. A one way trip costs 1,600 COP with no discount for bulk purchases. The system continues construction of new lanes with the eventual goal of comprehensive coverage of the metropolitan area.
There are 23 urban transport companies to travel around the city. You may ask someone for a route as the local people are very eager to help. A regular trip costs 1,500 COP.
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