Cali, Colombia 🇨🇴
#222
,
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Cali, known as the 'Salsa Capital of the World', is a vibrant city located in the Valle del Cauca region of Colombia. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 2.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 20-40 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | COP (Colombian Peso). 1 USD ≈ 4,000 COP. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally non-drinkable, bottled water recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Movistar, Claro, and Tigo are popular providers. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like Bancolombia and Davivienda widely accepted. Services like TransferWise and Revolut are viable. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from luxury hotels to budget hostels, with Airbnb being popular. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Partially, major credit/debit cards accepted, but cash often preferred in markets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com are prevalent for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Casa Blanca and El Viajero Cali starting at around 30,000 COP per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | San Antonio and Granada are ideal neighborhoods for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Chipichape offers coworking spaces, cafes, and proximity to amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | La Bodega Coworking - offers a range of plans and high-speed internet. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café del Parque - Wi-Fi friendly with a great atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Cali Business Meetup held monthly at various co-working spaces. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Cali Internationals Facebook group hosts regular community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | InDriver and Beat are popular for ride-hailing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Companies like Tier and Lime offer e-scooter rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Pacific beaches like Juanchaco are 2.5 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca and Viva Air frequently operate regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Avianca and American Airlines connect to major international cities. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Main routes include Autopista Sur and Highway 25 to Bogotá. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Cali is served primarily by bus terminals; no train service available. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | MIO Card for public buses, single rides around 2,000 COP. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses connect to pueblos like Popayán and Manizales. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Universitario del Valle, 24-hour emergency services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga en el Parque offers outdoor classes in parks. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit and Bodytech are popular gym chains. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería La Ciudadela offers reliable laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi and Domicilios.com for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Cholado - a popular shaved ice dessert with fruit. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | El Jardín de los Cafés offers vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Heladería La Bonga - famous for artisanal ice cream. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Plaza de Mercado La Alameda for fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercado Libre is widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Rappi for grocery shopping delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The zona rosa in the Granada neighborhood is bustling with nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveza Cristal - a local brewery known for its beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bar de Vino offers a selection of international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Open-air nightlife markets and street vendors abound downtown. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Mamma Mia for Italian, La Pampa for Argentine food. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Cali Cathedral and the iconic Cristo Rey statue. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo de Arte Moderno La Tertulia - showcases modern art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura, a historic theater. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia de San Antonio is a must-visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Cali Fair - celebrated in December with music & dance. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | San Antonio for its colonial architecture and arts scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Jorge Isaacs offers performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Plaza de Caicedo often hosts local vendors. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live Salsa shows at various venues across the city. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Canaveralejo neighborhood is known for its vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Martha's Cooking Classes focuses on traditional Colombian cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | La Tertulia Gallery features contemporary exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Cali's Old Town hosts colonial-era architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Salsa is a key part of Cali's cultural identity. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Pance River offers hiking and relaxation spots. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parque Nacional Natural Farallones de Cali is nearby for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Cali's riverwalk is ideal for cyclist and pedestrian trails. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cristo Rey offers panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Farallones National Park is rich in birdlife. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Pance River area has designated spots for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Servientrega and Interrapidísimo are reliable options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | ElectroMundo for electronics repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Parque del Perro offers public tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Spanglish offers conversational Spanish classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Centenario is a great study location. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural Comfandi offers classes and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Over - popular among gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Caliente is a well-known venue. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 120,000,000 COP) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,200,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 88,000,000 COP) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 210,000,000 COP) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,800,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 168,000,000 COP) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,200,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 256,000,000 COP) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 200,000,000 COP) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 32% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% withholding tax on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Income tax rates are progressive based on income levels. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 39% maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | 19% standard Value Added Tax rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Colombia has CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 1% to 2% depending on the municipality. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Special tax agreements may apply, but generally income is taxed at local rates. |