Museo Jairo Varela
Salsa museum on the second floor of Plazoleta Jairo Varela, in Granada, north of downtown Cali. It tells the story of Jairo Varela and Grupo Niche.
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (from the city government's museum guide, undated; checked on 2026-10-12).
- Price level
- $$$$$
- Duration
- 0 to 2 hours
- Address
- Avenida 2 Norte #10 Norte-1, 2nd floor of Plazoleta Jairo Varela, Granada, Cali
Jairo Varela founded Grupo Niche, the orchestra behind songs like Cali Pachanguero. The museum holds his awards, costumes, photographs and instruments, and sits under the plaza that bears his name, the one with the giant trumpets.
The city government counts it among the city's salsa museums, along with the Museo de la Salsa in Barrio Obrero and the Museo Pioneros de la Salsa Caleña in San Antonio.
The plaza is also a starting point for walking tours of downtown, so it's a good way to start the day.
What to see
- Grupo Niche's awards, costumes and instruments.
- Photographs of Jairo Varela's career.
- The trumpet monument in the plaza.
Getting there
- On foot from the Granada neighborhood or from the Bulevar del Río, crossing the Puente Ortiz.
- Taxi to Avenida 2 Norte and Calle 10 Norte.
Tips
- Call before you go: the published hours are undated.
- In 2023 there were salsa classes on Saturdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.; confirm whether they're still running.
FAQ
Where is the Museo Jairo Varela?
On the second floor of Plazoleta Jairo Varela, Avenida 2 Norte #10 Norte-1, Granada neighborhood.
What can you see at the museum?
Awards, costumes, photos and instruments of Jairo Varela and Grupo Niche.
On the map
Photos: Sahaquiel9102, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Augusto Silva Otero, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
