Salsa in Cali
In Cali, salsa isn’t a show for tourists: it’s how the city comes together. People learn it at neighborhood schools, you can watch it in some of the biggest shows in the world, and it’s danced until late in salsotecas with decades of history. This list goes from watching it to learning to dance it.
1Museums$$$$$0 to 2 hoursMuseo de la Salsa (barrio Obrero)
Salsa museum in Barrio Obrero, where salsa got its start in Cali: more than 40,000 photos by Carlos Alfredo Molina and music from different eras.
2Activities$$$$$Over 4 hoursDelirio
Monthly salsa, circus and live orchestra show with more than a hundred performers, on the last Friday of every month at the Carpa Delirio.
3ActivitiesOver 4 hoursEl Mulato Cabaret
Theater run by Luis Eduardo Hernández, El Mulato, with a Swing Latino show and a dance floor afterward. Friday and Saturday in El Cedro.
4Activities0 to 2 hoursEscuela Swing Latino
The academy of Swing Latino, El Mulato's company that danced at the 2020 Super Bowl. Classes for kids from age 4, teens, adults and companies.
5Activities$$$$$0 to 2 hoursEscuela Salsa Pura
Salsa, bachata and kizomba school in a house in San Antonio. Group class COP 25,000 and private COP 100,000, with hours Monday to Saturday.
6Activities$$$$$2 to 4 hoursLa Topa Tolondra
Salsa bar on Calle 5, open every night, with a Cali-style salsa class at the start and dancing afterward. It's the one travelers recommend most.
7Activities$$$$$2 to 4 hoursZaperoco Bar
Classic and hard salsa bar in north Cali, opened by the Levy Cote family more than 30 years ago, with concerts and dancers.
8Activities2 to 4 hoursMalaMaña Salsa Bar
Salsa bar in a basement a few meters from Plaza de Cayzedo. Open Thursday to Saturday from 8:00 p.m., and packed with young local dancers.
9ActivitiesOver 4 hoursJuanchito
The salsa club area across the Cauca River, technically in Candelaria. Open Friday to Sunday until 5:00 a.m. Go with someone from Cali and by taxi.
10Activities2 to 4 hoursSiboney Discoteca
Salsa club (salsoteca) open since 1981 across from Parque de La Alameda. It plays old-school salsa and opens Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
11Activities2 to 4 hoursLa Matraca
Tango hall in Barrio Obrero open since 1964. Milongas on Fridays, dancing on weekends and walls covered in photos of Gardel.
12Activities$$$$$2 to 4 hoursEl Rincón de Heberth
Neighborhood salsa bar at Carrera 24 and Calle 5, with a covered dance floor and the owner's record collection. Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 p.m.
13ActivitiesFree0 to 2 hoursMelassa
Barrio Obrero corner spot with more than a thousand salsa records on vinyl, turntables and salsa memorabilia. Open Monday to Saturday from noon.
