Updated Jan 26, 2026
KEY STATS
2.4M
Population
186 km2
Area
254 Mbps
Internet
America/Bogota
Timezone
CLO (20km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Santiago de Cali, or Cali, is the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, and the most populous city in southwest Colombia, with an estimated 2,280,522 residents in 2023. The city spans 560.3 km2 (216.3 sq mi) with 120.9 km2 (46.7 sq mi) of urban area, making Cali the second-largest city in the country by area and the third most populous. Cal...
QUICK FACTS
Country
Colombia
Region
South America
Population
2.4M
Timezone
America/Bogota
Language
Spanish
Airport
CLO
GPS
3.43, -76.52
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
254 Mbps average download — faster than most capital cities worldwide
Economy
69% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
Climate
Year-round average of 23C — near-ideal temperatures
INFRASTRUCTURE
5,768 total POIs
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
402
Cafes
62
Bars
51
Fast Food
121
Shopping
Supermarkets
169
Convenience
58
Shopping Malls
54
Healthcare
Hospitals
349
Clinics
530
Pharmacies
169
Education
Schools
167
Universities
21
Libraries
12
Recreation
Parks
214
Playgrounds
49
Sports
691
Cinemas
7
Museums
5
Theatres
15
Transport
Bus Stops
1,322
Train Stations
1
Fuel Stations
223
Services
Banks
139
ATMs
35
Post Offices
11
Police
50
Fire Stations
10
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
254 Mbps
Download
197 Mbps
Upload
10ms
Latency
58,232
Tests
16,923
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Jan - Dec
23°
J
23°
F
23°
M
23°
A
22°
M
22°
J
22°
J
22°
A
22°
S
23°
O
23°
N
23°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 22.6 C Range: 23.1 - 22.1 C Rain: 2,458 mm/year Sunshine: 3,529 h/year
CITY SCORES
85.1
Nomad Index
A
Livability
37.5
Culture
61.6
Overall
COST OF LIVING
DIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
30.9
Overall
69% cheaper than NYC
11.2
Rent
89% cheaper than NYC
32.8
Groceries
67% cheaper than NYC
25.9
Restaurants
74% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
CLO
Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport
20 km from center
~36 min ride
FUN FACTS
Santiago de Cali (Spanish pronunciation: [sanˈtjaɣo ðe ˈkali]), or Cali, is the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, and the most populous city in southwest Colombia, with an estimated 2,280,522 residents in 2023.
The city spans 560.3 km2 (216.3 sq mi) with 120.9 km2 (46.7 sq mi) of urban area, making Cali the second-largest city in the country by area and the third most populous.
The city was founded on 25 July 1536 by the Spanish explorer Sebastián de Belalcázar.
In the region between the Cauca River and the Western Cordillera, the Gorrones established themselves between the present day Roldanillo and Santiago de Cali.
The biggest town of the Morrones was sited on the River Pescador near the present-day towns of Zarzal and Bugalagrande.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Cali known for?
Cali is a city in Colombia. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in Cali?
Cali has an average download speed of 254 Mbps and upload speed of 197 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Cali?
Cali has an average year-round temperature of approximately 22.6 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Cali?
Cali is served by CLO (Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport), approximately 20 km from the city center.
What is the population of Cali?
The population of Cali is approximately 2.4M.
What infrastructure does Cali have?
Cali has 5,768 mapped points of interest, including 402 restaurants, 349 hospitals, 167 schools.
What country is Cali in?
Cali is located in Colombia.