Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport: where to stay, areas…

The airport is in Palmira, 16-20 km from downtown Cali: the drive takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic on the autopista, without the time pressure typical of Bogotá or Medellín's José María Córdova. Choosing a zone is therefore more a matter of atmosphere than logistics: Granada, to the north, for restaurants and nightlife; the historic centre for those who want Plaza de Caicedo a few steps away; San Antonio and the riverside for a quieter stay.

Centro and Centenario

Neighbourhood · 25-40 minutes from the airport, by car or taxi, depending on traffic on the road to Palmira.

Best for: Those who want the historic core, Plaza de Caicedo and the Cathedral just steps from the hotel.

Pros

A few minutes' walk from the city's historic core and from the Chamber of Commerce
Area well served by chain hotels across several price ranges

Cons

Downtown Cali empties out in the evening: for nightlife you need to head to Granada or San Antonio
Heavy traffic at rush hour along Avenida Colombia

Recommended hotels in this area

NH Boulevard del Río Cali: 400 metres from the historic core and five minutes on foot from the Chamber of Commerce, overlooking the Cali river and the Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura.
InterContinental Cali by IHG: In downtown Cali, near the San Antonio church, the Cathedral and Plaza de Caicedo; indoor casino and large event spaces.

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Granada

Neighbourhood · 30-45 minutes from the airport, by car or taxi.

Best for: Those looking for the best dining scene and the nightlife most popular with tourists.

Pros

Over a hundred restaurants in a compact area, with the highest concentration of bars and venues in the city
A cosmopolitan neighbourhood, the closest thing to Provenza in Medellín or Zona Rosa in Bogotá

Cons

On weekends, Avenida 9 Norte and nearby streets stay noisy late into the night
Further from the historic centre and the museums of the casco antiguo

Recommended hotels in this area

Cali Marriott Hotel: On the corner of Avenida 8 Norte and Calle 9, in the heart of Granada; a few minutes' walk from the Centenario shopping mall and the La Ermita church.

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San Antonio and Santa Teresita

Neighbourhood · 30-45 minutes from the airport.

Best for: Those who want a quieter riverside atmosphere, near the artistic San Antonio hill.

Pros

One of the quietest and most exclusive residential areas in western Cali, facing the river
A few minutes from San Antonio hill, with its art galleries and the venues of the namesake neighbourhood

Cons

Fewer restaurants and less nightlife than Granada
Further from the historic centre, still needs a taxi or car to get around

Recommended hotels in this area

Hampton by Hilton Cali: On Avenida Colombia, facing the Cali river, in the Santa Teresita neighbourhood; free hot breakfast and outdoor pool.

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Sur and Ciudad Jardín

Neighbourhood · 30-50 minutes from the airport, being the southernmost area of the city.

Best for: Business trips or clinic visits: a university and commercial area in the south of the city.

Pros

Across from the Universidad del Valle and three minutes on foot from the Jardín Plaza shopping mall
Close to the Fundación Valle del Lili, among the best-known clinics in the city

Cons

It's the area furthest from the airport among those in this guide
A neighbourhood built for cars and malls, little street life in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Garden Inn Cali Ciudad Jardín: Across from the Universidad del Valle, three minutes on foot from the Jardín Plaza shopping mall and 14 from the Fundación Valle del Lili.

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