Lago Calima

Calima is a mountain reservoir, at about 1,500 meters, run by Celsia to generate power. What made it famous is the wind: it usually picks up around midday and lasts all afternoon, so there are kitesurfing and windsurfing schools on the shore that teach beginners. There are also boat rides, jet skis, farms, cabins and camping areas.

A few minutes away is the town of Calima El Darién. That's where the Museo Arqueológico Calima is, open since 1981, with pieces from the cultures that lived in this region before the Spanish conquest.

The August 10, 2026 earthquake hit the town hard: it destroyed the church and left victims, among them four students from the Gimnasio del Calima. On top of that, because of El Niño the reservoir dropped from 98.6% to about 67% of capacity by late September 2026, and tourism fell. Before you go, ask the school or your lodging about the water level and whether there's wind for your sport.

What to see

• The kitesurfing kites over the reservoir on windy afternoons.
• A boat ride on the lake.
• The Museo Arqueológico Calima, in El Darién.
• The mountains and pastures around the reservoir.

Getting there

• By car, on the Panamericana toward Yumbo and Yotoco, or through Palmira and the Troncal de Occidente, to the Buga-Loboguerrero road; the turnoff to the lake is on that road. It takes 2 to 2.5 hours.
• By bus from Cali's bus terminal heading to Calima El Darién (COP 15,000 to COP 20,000 according to El País).

Tips

• If you're going to kitesurf or windsurf, arrive before noon: the wind usually picks up then and lasts all afternoon.
• Ask about the water level before you leave; in September 2026 it was at 67% because of El Niño.
• If you go on a Sunday, consider staying the night so you don't hit the traffic back to Cali.
• Bring a jacket: it gets cold in the afternoon wind.