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Home » Destinations » South America » Colombia

Photo Essay: Nightlife in Cali, Colombia

Modified: Nov 21, 2019 · Published: Oct 21, 2010 by Dave Lee |

Cali is Colombia's 3rd largest city and regarded as the country's capital for salsa dancing.

Amongst backpackers traveling through the country, Cali has a reputation for being a party destination.

After a year and a half of working on my salsa skills, I felt it was finally time to put them to the test. 

Along with Troy and another friend, I flew the 30 minutes from Medellin via Avianca for a 5-day weekend focused on sampling the nightlife in Cali, Colombia myself.

Zaperoco salsa bar
Red neon glows throughout Zaperoco, a popular salsa bar in the city's popular nightlife district, La Sexta.
A live salsa band in Zaperoco.
A live salsa band entertains the Thursday night crowd at Zaperoco.
The large neon sign of Las Cascadas Discoteca on La Sexta advertises 7 large video screens and 4 dance floors.
The large neon sign of Las Cascadas Discoteca on La Sexta advertises 7 large video screens and 4 dance floors.

The Latin Palace on La Sexta reflects a typical club design: multiple=

On the 2nd floor of the Latin Palace, early on a Saturday night, the dance floor is still warming up.
On the 2nd floor of the Latin Palace, early on a Saturday night, the dance floor is still warming up.
Chivas are a dance party on wheels. Buy a ticket, hop on, and you can start drinking and dancing as the bus rolls throughout Cali's most happening nightlife districts.
Chivas are a dance party on wheels. Buy a ticket, hop on, and you can start drinking and dancing as the bus rolls throughout Cali's most happening nightlife districts.
Salsa dancers
With the wealth of talented salsa dancers in Cali, it's common to see professional level performances in the local bars.
Discotecas in Menga
Menga, a neighborhood in northern Cali, is filled with late night discotecas.
Bottle service in a Menga discoteca
Unlike the USA, bottle service is the norm at Colombian bars and clubs. Get a group of friends together, order a bottle of rum or aguardiente, and you're set for a fun night.
Inside one of Menga's giant discotecs
Inside one of Menga's giant discotecs, sometime around 3am on a Saturday night.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

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