Cali Salsa Culture

Cali took the salsa records arriving through the Pacific ports in the 1960s and 70s and made something of its own out of them: a faster style, danced with the upper body held still and the feet moving at a speed that surprises visitors who learned elsewhere. The city now supports dozens of dance schools, professional companies that tour abroad, and a set of large staged productions built around them. The Feria de Cali at the end of December is the annual peak, with parades, concerts and salsa events across the city, and there are neighbourhoods where dancing rather than drinking is plainly the point of the evening.

What you actually see

• The caleno style - very fast footwork danced with a still upper body.
• Dance schools - beginner classes available by the hour across the city.
• Staged salsa productions - shows put on by the city's professional companies.
• Feria de Cali - the late-December fair with parades and salsa events.

When to go

Year-round, since the schools run all week and Thursday to Saturday are the busy nights out. The Feria de Cali fills the last days of December and books out the city. Classes are easiest to arrange midweek and cheapest then. Cali is hot, and the evening is the comfortable part of the day, which suits the schedule anyway.

Honest expectations

The standard is high and beginners are conspicuous, so a class or two before going out saves a lot of standing at the edge. The big shows are polished productions with prices to match and can feel packaged. The city is spread out, so moving between places means taxis. Cali is hot and humid and late nights in it are tiring.

Nearby

Buenaventura and the Pacific coast lie west; the Petronio Alvarez festival is held here in August.