Cali is the third largest city in Colombia. It is located in the southwestern part of Colombia in the Cauca River valley between the western and central mountain ranges of the Andes. This city is a center of cultural diversity in Colombia, since here you can find Afro-Colombian cultures from the Pacific, indigenous people who come from Cauca and surrounding regions to share their produce in the city, and a bit of the Andean culture known for its mix of cultures.
Cali’s wonderful and vibrant blend makes it a destination with much to discover. The city’s gastronomy is greatly enhanced by the ingredients found in its varied landscapes. Being in a valley surrounded by mountains and rivers makes this region rich in flavors and ancestral knowledge. Among the cultural diversity of Cali we can highlight the passion for salsa that involves everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status or other personal tastes. When we arrived in Cali for the first time, we were amazed to see the rockers with their boots, long hair and black clothes dancing salsa with a lot of swing. Truly, salsa is something consistent among so much variety. Now, if you don’t like salsa, there are many other rhythms you can discover here, like the music of the Pacific and its marimbas and drums.
In addition, the people of Cali are friendly and always willing to help you feel comfortable. They invite and encourage you to be part of them with the dance, the food, the music, their way of talking and living life. On the other hand, one of our favorite things about Cali is the nature that surrounds it. Many times we have been amazed by the incredible landscapes and the variety of thermal floors in such a short distance.
It is wonderful to see the fertile land and crops of coffee, cacao, avocados, grapes, sugar cane, pineapple, plantains, bananas, citrus and many more. But, even more amazing, is to meet the people who work to ensure that we have these products in the kitchens of our homes. It makes you feel grateful and blessed to be in such an abundant land and with people willing to work for the welfare of all.
We think Cali and its surroundings is a special place and we want to share with you many experiences while you learn and practice your Spanish here with us. We look forward to seeing you in our cultural immersion program in this destination. See you soon in Cali!
