When you come to Cali, the City of Birds, you come across a variety of landscapes (wetlands, plains, dry forest, foothills, rainforests, 7 rivers, waterfalls and highlands) that allows for great birding opportunities.
This same wealth is reflected in our culture and cuisine, which has been influenced by the Pacific Region and the Cauca River Valley, making Cali a complete destination for birding .... where culture and nature immerse you in a unique experience.
In the City of Birds you can find Colombia and international foods and music festivals like the Petronio Álvarez, which shows the wealth of the Pacific region, and Salsa shows like Delirio and Ensalsate, reflecting the passion for dance in Cali.
When you visit the City of Birds, the ever-present pandebono (cheese bread), pandeyuca (inflated cheese bread) and arepa (thick corn tortilla) with cheese combine deliciously with the smooth Colombia coffee. At lunch, appetizers like aborrajados (yellow plantain with cheese) and fried plantain with hogao (tomatoes, garlic and onions with local spices), and drinks like lulada (lulo juice) complement the incredible variety of entrée’s like the chicken sancocho soup, tamal, seafood casserole, chuleta (pork), and Piangua (mangrove cockles) with coconut. For those with a sweet tooth, a plethora of dessert options such as manjarblanco (caramel), obleas (cookies and caramel), and melcochas are sure to soothe any sweet craving.
Afternoon snacks are a mainstay, an opportunity for friends and family to catch up over cholado (shaved ice), chontaduro (palm fruit) or green mango with salt and lime. The nightlife is exciting, and the city offers gourmet, international cuisine in neighborhoods such as Granada, El Peñon, San Antonio and Ciudad Jardin. The menu includes Japanese food, Mediterranean, Italian, American, Arab, Mexican, Peruvian, Brazilian, French and Argentina, and a chance to explore the fusion food and creativity of the Cali chefs.
Santiago de Cali, the City of Birds, welcomes you to experience its customs, food and birds…..please pay us a visit for the Colombia Birdfair 2015.