Cali starts in San Antonio
San Antonio is the historic heart of Cali: colonial houses, stone lanes and a chapel at the top of the hill. This guide gathers verifiable places, each with its source and a button to open the map.
We don’t publish invented opening hours or walking times: open each place in Google Maps for the route and check hours before you go.
From the barrio to the centre
Capilla de San Antonio
The baroque chapel at the top of the hill; building began in 1746 and it opened in 1747.
It’s where the neighbourhood began: people settled around the chapel, built at the top of the hill from 1746. Its published address is Calle 1 Oeste with Carrera 10 — the hostel’s street, uphill.
Colina de San Antonio y las macetas
The hilltop park and the macetas tradition, born in San Antonio: every 29 June they are given to godchildren.
Macetas are water-and-sugar sweets — alfeñiques shaped like animals or flowers — skewered on a maguey stick and given every 29 June, “Godchildren’s Day”. The tradition started in this neighbourhood, and in 2015 the Maceta Monument opened on the lower plaza of the hill. Booking.com places Parque San Antonio about 400 m from the hostel.
El Peñón
The next-door neighbourhood to the north, home to the house of writer Jorge Isaacs.
San Antonio borders El Peñón to the north, where you’ll find the house of Valle del Cauca poet and novelist Jorge Isaacs, author of “María”.
La Merced
The La Merced complex and its archaeology museum, on the eastern edge of the neighbourhood.
To the east, San Antonio borders La Merced and Calle 5. The La Merced Archaeology Museum is listed among the city’s renowned museums.
Parque Artesanal Loma de la Cruz
An open-air crafts park opened on 12 July 1990, at Calle 5 and Carrera 16.
A classic for buying crafts made in the region. It opened on 12 July 1990 and celebrated 35 years in 2025. It’s at Calle 5 and Carrera 16.
Bulevar del Río y La Ermita
The riverside promenade along the Río Cali and La Ermita church on its bank.
The boulevard follows the Río Cali through the centre; La Ermita, on the bank, is one of the city’s postcards. Several salsa and nightlife tours run by outside operators start around here.
Plaza de Cayzedo
The main square of Santiago de Cali.
The city government describes it as Cali’s main square. Booking.com places it 0.7 miles (about 1.1 km) from the hostel.
Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura
A theatre built from 1918 and declared a National Monument in 1982.
Construction began in 1918 and it was declared a National Monument in 1982. It’s at Carrera 5 and Calle 7; check its programme before you go.
Museo La Tertulia
A modern art museum, one of Cali’s best known.
Colombia Travel lists it among the city’s standout museums, and Booking.com places it 0.7 miles from the hostel.
Galería Alameda
A market hall for chontaduro and Pacific flavours.
Chontaduro, a Pacific fruit eaten with salt (and sometimes honey), is part of everyday Cali. Colombia Travel features it at the Galería Alameda.
Cristo Rey y Cerro de las Tres Cruces
The Cristo Rey statue looks over the city from the western hills.
Cali’s classic viewpoints. Booking.com places the Cerro de las Tres Cruces 2.2 miles (about 3.5 km) away: plan transport and ask at reception for the best way up.
Salsa, the Pacific and the fair
World capital of salsa
Cali is known as Colombia’s “party capital” and the “world capital of salsa”. The hostel runs free group classes for guests.
Colombia Travel — Cali (opens in a new tab)Feria de Cali
25–30 December. The organisers announced its 69th edition.
Feria de Cali (opens in a new tab)Petronio Álvarez Festival
The big Pacific music festival, every August. The 30th edition ran 9–17 August 2026.
Caracol Radio (2026) (opens in a new tab)La Topa Tolondra
A well-known salsa bar at Calle 5 #13-27. Sources disagree on the barrio (San Antonio or San Juan Bosco); check opening times before you go.
Tripadvisor (opens in a new tab)Plazoleta Jairo Varela
A tribute to the founder of Grupo Niche, opened in 2010 opposite the CAM on Avenida 2 Norte (Granada).
Orgullo de Cali (opens in a new tab)
And back at the courtyard
The hostel’s group classes are free for guests, and some nights the salsa happens at home. Other city experiences — tours, schools, bars — aren’t run by the hostel: choose them on their own merits and reviews.
See the courtyard programmePractical tips
The address
Carrera 10 #3-63, San Antonio, Cali. Get directions (opens in a new tab)
Steep streets
San Antonio sits on a hill with steep streets: comfy shoes and water.
At night
As in any big city, ask reception about routes and transport before heading out, and check your government’s official travel advice.