Is Cali safe for tourists?
People come to Cali thinking they will find only salsa and stay for three days. A year later, they discover that this cultural capital of the world offers everything in one place: nature, culture, dance, and happy people. In numbers: 3 million people, 7 rivers, 546 species of birds, world-class salsa shows, classes, and parties.
Cali is also the Sports Capital of America and an epicenter of African-Pacific music and traditions. And what about the vibe? That laid-back friendliness of its inhabitants. “Cali has that something that you don’t feel in Medellin or Bogotá; you feel a small-town vibe in a big city,” an ex-pat said.
Despite the city’s blessings, at the beginning of 2024, Cali is getting better after experiencing a national strike that ended in a civil crisis in 2021. The city was immersed for months in episodes of intense violence involving participants from every background: indigenous groups, police, military, university students, civil rights movements, “Primera Linea” militants, international human rights committees, you name it.
This, combined with a lack of control from the city’s government, brought a historically high death toll, public and private property vandalism, a larger socio-economic gap, and inequality. A new sense of fear grew among the Caleños and tourists. However, the government has regained control, the city is back to normal, and the constant sense of fear has left the streets.
Current Crime Rates in Cali, Colombia
Before I share the next facts, I want to state that I have lived in Cali for 25 years, never witnessed a murder, and seen only five robberies in my life. I have not been a victim of robbery myself. The death rate is now among the highest in the country in 2024, with 2.9 homicides a day, and robbery has increased to an average of 46 robberies a day in 2024, according to calicomovamos.com. These statistics might alarm you, but like many places in the world, every city has “red zones” where you should never go.
For example, Rio de Janeiro has an average of 9.8 homicides a day according to efe.com and is still the third most visited city in South America. Homicides in Cali are extremely rare in tourist areas and are more present in the “comunas” or slums (“favelas”) of the city.
I agree with the statement that “Cali, Colombia, is safe for everyone that knows how to move around,” but at this moment, we recommend taking extra care and following my tips to visit the main sights of the city and make the most of your visit, as the city is less safe than before.
Moving around:
To fully discover the city in a comfortable and safe way, consider taking a City Tour. A three-hour experience will reveal the city’s secrets and main sights while traveling in private transportation.
If you love to party and want to discover the salsa world, visit La Topa Tolondra club or explore all ways to travel and dance in Cali.
Before I finish, want to recommend the best things to do and visit while in Cali:
Best things to do and visit while in Cali:
In essence, Cali has an abundance of natural and architectural landmarks to discover: museums, parks, squares, churches, monuments, and viewpoints. How are you going to miss them because someone told you it was not safe? Have they been there yet?
Explore downtown Cali and enjoy the free Cali experience while staying safe and making the most of your visit!