Shopping in Cali

As the world's salsa capital, Cali is more famous for lightning-fast dance moves and nonstop nightlife than it is for fashion, but Colombia’s third-largest metropolis is also a top choice for shoppers, with unique markets and malls all around the city.   Loma de la Cruz Artisan Park Just southwest of downtown Cali, the Parque Artesanal Loma de la Cruz is a lively public park filled with artisan shops and vendors. There’s a varied selection of art and handicrafts from the Amazon, Pacific Coast, and Andean regions, as well as plenty of street food. The market is open daily, but the most exciting time to visit is Thursday evening, when there’s live music and dance performances to entertain the crowds.   Alameda Market Cali’s main food market is the place to experience local life and sample regional specialties. Held daily in the Alameda district, Alameda Market (Galeria Alameda) has dozens of stalls selling exotic fruits, fresh meat and seafood, vegetables, herbs, traditional medicines, and fresh flowers. There’s plenty of delicious street food on offer, but the marketplace is also renowned for its seafood restaurants.   Chipichape Mall Just north of downtown, Chipichape is one of Cali’s biggest shopping malls, with stores selling everything from high-end street fashions and beauty products to toys and music. There’s also a cinema and a selection of restaurants, bars, and salsa clubs that stay busy until midnight.   Unicentro Mall About 30 minutes south of the city, the enormous Unicentro mall offers more than 200 shops, plus a casino, supermarket, multiplex cinema, and a range of cafés and restaurants.