After careful evaluation, the scientific committee of the Swiss Tourism Awards then selected the city of Santiago de Calì and awarded the prize:

“The capital of Salsa and merriment.“

Colombia’s third-largest city, Santiago de Calì is best known for salsa, the South American dance that has reached its fullest expression and participation here. All the calenos (inhabitants of Calì) dance it in the clubs and streets and its rhythm resonates at every hour of the day in the city, especially in the Juanchito neighborhood, a peculiarity that has made it deserving of the prestigious Swiss Tourist Award, as the “Capital of Salsa and Merriment.”

The Rio Calì River divides the center of Santiago into two parts: in the northern part is the modern area with trendy stores, restaurants, and shopping centers; in the south is the historic center with the Plaza de Caycedo, the heart of the city. In this area, which is characteristic for its colonial-style houses, you can visit the Archaeological Museum with a fine collection of pre-Columbian ceramics, the Church de la Hermida, and on the Collina de San Antonio there is the Church of the same name with wooden statues from the 1600s; from here you can also enjoy the view of the city.
The Zoo with more than 180 species of Colombian fauna is interesting, while the walk on Avenida Colombia with flower gardens, waterfalls and ancient trees is popular with tourists.

Finally, north of Santiago you can visit an old plantation with a very interesting Sugar Cane Museum attached.