Hi! I'm Juan
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Your guide to Cali Colombia
LOCAL LIFE
How to dress accordingly, what to do and how to behave, some advice regarding these topics.
HOW TO BEHAVE
Colombians take pride on being kind and cordial, and Cali is no exception. Here is my advice on how to get to be liked (and how not to upset) Cali people:
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Greet. Colombians love to greet. Hola, buenos días, buenas tardes, buenas noches & hasta luego will go a long way. Plus, we love when you try to speak spanish!
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Americans: please don't smash car doors. Cars here are smaller and flimsy, specially compared to american cars. When getting into a taxi or uber, your muscle memory will kick in. So just take it easy, do it slow, and don't slam the door!
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When riding an Uber, ride upfront. The driver will appreciate it as Uber service is still not entirely legal.
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Uber seems to be the cheapest ride app in Cali. However other options are: Didi, Cabify, InDriver, WayCali, Yango.
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How to get a colombian upset? Reject their food. Just accept it and try to enjoy it.
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We're not very straightforward. If we don't like something, we may never tell you.
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WEATHER & CLOTHING
Weather in Colombia is not controlled by time, but by altitude. The weather is almost the same, all year round. Cali is an eternal warm: it doesn't ever get too hot, it doesn't ever get cold.
We have 2 notorious rainy seasons that go from March to June and then again from September to December. We are a tropial city: if it rains, find cover. Good thing is the rain refreshes the city. Also have in mind it may rain by the cloud: 5 blocks away it may be completely dry. Also, the faster it starts, the faster it ends.
For clothing keep it light, shorts are fine but you will see most local wear jeans or pants and that's mainly for the amount of bugs and insects in the city, specially during rainy seasons.
Avoid going out at noon and at times when the sun is hot and shiny. You will see the city is almost deserted during the day and everyone starts coming out at night.
Now, if you're going out to enjoy nightlife, please have in mind Cali clubs have a high dresscode in general. As a foreigner you will have the upper hand, but you will be sent back home if wearing tank tops, sandals and/or shorts when trying to enter a club. No we don't care it's hot. For you it's summer weather, but for us it's every day of our lifes. Weather is never an excuse to wear summer clothes to a club in Cali.
Even when out enjoying nightlife, keep it low profile: no jewelry, no expensive tech devices. Feel free however to wear all your beautiful shirts, pants, shoes, high-heels and dresses.
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"DON'T GIVE PAPAYA"
A phrase used in all of Colombia that in general terms means: don't put yourself at risk. Here are my tips and recommendations to enjoy Cali, risk-free:
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When going out to explore the city: if ever in doubt, dress down.
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Don't wear expensive jewelry or technological devices.
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If it's too lonely, specially after dark, avoid walking alone.
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Take Ubers after dark. Avoid taking taxis in the street.
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Take 9pm as a safe limit to be out during the week. 10pm max. Midnight is pushing it. For the weekend midnight is fine.
Contact
I'm always open to help people come to Cali and have a nice time.
WhatsApp +57 316 254 3554