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Day Trips for Gringos in CALI? Fruits from the CALI Tree?

I will be traveling to CALI for 8-9 days.

i know that i will be up to my neck in culture and sightseeing once i am there, but am curious about day trips that i can take...little villages, the beach (perhaps), or artist communes...

i know that cartagena isn't too far away as a beach option (are there better, closer beach locales). and i heard about a lake that is nearby too. --- any pitfalls that i should know about (i.e. travel tips, where to stay, where to eat, what to do).

Also, i am crazy interested in art and culture. anyone know of any cool villages with a laidback vibe nearby? i am especially interested in finding a place that sells local colombian art (not cheap, tourist stuff).

i know that i could probably just look in a travel guide (but i defer to the travelers democracy in PBH).

humbly

By livinlovinmivida on Feb 27, 2009, 17:10 in Travel tips.

omargue says on Feb 27, 2009, 19:01:

if you're gonna be in cali then cartagena isnt a beach option, the closest beach is buenaventura and i dont think you want to go there. if you want beach for a couple days then go to Ladrilleros (it is 45 minutes off the coast of buenaventura) but i recomend you go with some natives because they will screw you and rip you off when buying your accomadations. usually 2-3 day accomadations with hotel and 2 meals. we paid like 200.000 for 3 of us.

as for a day trip in cali, you said a lake, well then thats Lago Calima, en el pueblo Darien. there is plenty to do for a day trip at Lago Calima for ex. wind surfing, parasailing, swimming in the river, walk around in the town...etc. its about 1.5 hours from cali, there are plenty of buses going there, just go to the bus terminal.

If you're interested in art and culture then go to la loma de la cruz full of people are artesanos also nearby is parque san antonio which on weekends is full of people, culture, comedy, artesanias, food...etc. those are places that you dont have to spend money to enjoy cali and culture. enjoy your stay

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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 27, 2009, 19:14:

Most of the artisan stuff seen in Colombia is locally-made, quality varies from artisan to artisan... so when you find something that you like, walk around town and examine it in various places (there will be many of the same, thing), until you find one that is more finely made.

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bopenyan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 27, 2009, 21:44:

If you want access to water, do what the Calenos do and go to Lago Calima, which is about an hour plus from Cali, as mentione by omargue.

About two to three hours from Cali is San Cipriano, where you can get to a riverside town that would make you think you have travelled to Guinea or Cameroons, by way of brujas, motorcycles hooked up to track trolleys using the railroad connecting Cali to Buenaventura.

Another idea for a day trip is Buga, which is a pilgrimage destination.

Finally, about half an hour from Cali is a small town the name of which I forgot, but is a centre for chivo asado. The calenos on this board will know the town of which I speak.

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NameIsRiz says on Feb 28, 2009, 06:34:

There are a lot of things you can do near Cali, or in and around Cali.

Kilometer 18 - This is a small mountainous area we drove to (took about 45 minutes). Nice area to hike and to drink "agua panella con queso".

Rio Pance - This is a popular place near the south of Cali to go a relax by the River Pance and have a picnic.

Horseback Riding - There are lots of places to go horseback riding between Cali and Jamudi. Its fun because you can go into different rivers and streams and they have horses for various levels of experience.

Zona Cafetal - Cities like Armenia and Pereira are just a few hours away. You can drive to Aremenia and visit the Nacional Parque de Cafe.

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NELHENAO (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 28, 2009, 16:13:

Day trips from Cali are many. Besides the ones mentioned before, you can go to Buga, to visit if the Bascilica ( I dont know if you are a catholic). Also you can go to the 2 plantation homes north of Palmira, which are set up as museums. El Paraiso and Piedechinche. To nature preserves you could go to Nirvana, east of Palmira. Also to El Topacio, up the foothills from Cali. There is a beautiful waterfall before you get there, next to river Pance, called "La chorrera del Indio". You can make a search on Youtube and there are a couple of beautiful videos. Going to Jamundi's plaza is also fun to get snacks and frozen fuit popsicles (helados). There have set a couple of Colonial farms around Jamundi with swimming pools. I forgot the names because I went to them many years ago.

nelson henao

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NELHENAO (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 28, 2009, 16:16:

I found a link for the Chorrera del Indio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWnA1aag7_0

nelson henao

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NELHENAO (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 28, 2009, 16:18:

Mulalo, north of Yumbo, is also an interesting place to go. Its the local "Williamsburgh".

nelson henao

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NELHENAO (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 5, 2009, 15:29:

http://www.farallonesdecali.com/

nelson henao

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Apr 6, 2009, 05:49:

Thanks for the link. Beautiful photos.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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cosmicartist says on Jun 30, 2009, 18:25:

Whatever you do, avoid the Parque Nacional de Cafe. That place is a tourist trap hell hole full of screaming children and hokey BS designed to sugar coat Colombia's F'd up history and caste system. It's a lovely drive from Cali, if you survive the crazy drivers on the autopista, and there are a lot of beautiful women walking around the finely landscaped park, but the impressive views of the land and people may not be worth the waits in line for half assed amusement park crap. That's my take. I recommend Lago Calima for a mellow drive and good scenery, but the lake itself is nothing special. I am still looking for a really good day trip out of Cali. Try Tierra Dentro, San Augustin, and Popayan. If anyone knows a good way to get to Parque Nacional Farallones on a day trip, I'd love to hear from you...

bullgooselooney@hotmail.com

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