Juanchito

In the '80s and '90s it was the city's salsa party spot: Changó and Agapito hosted orchestras from abroad and dancers from all over the country. Today it's quieter and several places have closed, but it's still where the party lasts until dawn, because Juanchito isn't in Cali but in Candelaria.

Candelaria's Decree 100 lets the Juanchito tourist zone open Friday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day; in Cali, closing time is 3:00 a.m. In December 2025 the Candelaria government held the qualifying round of the Concurso Metropolitano de Salsa there, at Plaza Juanchito, next to the new bridge.

Every guide says the same thing: don't go alone. Go with someone from Cali who knows the places, in a taxi or hired car for the round trip. The MIO doesn't go there, and the ride back at 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. is when there are the most drunk drivers on the road. After the August 10, 2026 earthquake, the Juanchito bridge isn't on the list of closed bridges, but there's no report on which salsa clubs are open.

What to see

• Changó, the best-known salsa club in the area.
• The salsa party that keeps going after Cali closes.
• The Cauca River and the Juanchito bridge.

Getting there

• Taxi or hired car from Cali, round trip, on the road to Candelaria.
• It's about 15 minutes by car from downtown Cali, across the bridge over the Cauca River.

Tips

• Go with someone from Cali who knows which places are open.
• Arrange your round-trip taxi or car before you go; don't get into cars you didn't order.
• Bring only the cash you need for the night.
• Ask ahead which salsa club is open: several places have closed.