4 reviewed party hostels · from €4.60/night · Hostelworld rated
Cali runs on salsa. Not the occasional weekend kind, but the deep, daily, neighbourhood kind that spills out of chivas (open-sided party buses) and into the street long after midnight. The city's nightlife is anchored around Avenida 5 Norte and the Juanchito district across the river, where open-air clubs play hard Cali-style salsa until 6am. Barrio Granada is the go-to strip for backpackers who want cocktail bars and a warm-up before the real dancing starts.
The hostel scene is small but focused. Most good party hostels cluster in El Peñón and Granada, close enough to walk to the early bars. Places like Oasis Cali Hostel run free group salsa classes every evening at 18:00, which is the fastest way to avoid embarrassing yourself on the dancefloor later that night. Dorm beds typically run between $10 and $15 USD. Cali rewards those who let the city teach them rather than tourists who stick to the hotel pool.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
La Sucursal Hostel buzzes with Cali's salsa spirit, featuring nightly dance classes, an on-site bar and nightclub, and a social atmosphere that guarantees an authentic, festive experience in the heart of the city's party scene.
Immerse in Cali's heartbeat at La Palmera Hostel, a 60s house turned party haven offering nightly club tours, daily salsa, a lively terrace bar, and communal vibes that guarantee an unforgettable social experience in the salsa capital.
Fun place to stay in Cali and learn new Salsa moves. The friendly staff is amazing and they organize a pretty cool group activates every day. You can meet other travellers at free salsa lessons, yoga sessions, and circus shows. Or you can enjoy a full common area in the morning with a free tasty breakfast served.
This is a friendly hostel with nice vibes. Walking distance from the downtown where you can find party area with crazy bars and night clubs. The hostel features a fun living room, where guests like to hang out and play games. There is also a huge garden area with hammocks, perfect spot for starting new friendships.
How Cali's nightlife zones break down
Granada is the backpacker heartbeat of Cali, packed along Avenida 9 Norte with cocktail bars, rooftop terraces, and casual salsa spots. It sits north of the city centre and is easily walkable between venues. Most hostels here are within five minutes of the main strip.
A quieter, slightly more residential neighbourhood that borders Granada, El Peñón offers a mix of laid-back cafes by day and smaller salsa bars at night. Parque El Peñón is a good landmark to orient yourself. It suits travellers who want a calmer base without straying far from the action.
Juanchito sits just east of the city across the Cauca River and is where serious salsa fans end up. The open-air clubs here, like Tin Tin Deo and Changó, run until sunrise and pull a mostly local crowd. It's a 10-to-15-minute taxi ride from Granada and not somewhere to walk alone at night.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
One of Cali's most iconic salsa clubs, Tin Tin Deo is the place locals go when they mean business. The floor fills up well after midnight and the music is uncompromisingly Cali-style, fast and percussive. Expect to stay until 5am without noticing the time.
Changó is a large open-air venue in Juanchito that combines salsa with a festive, chiva-party atmosphere. Crowds arrive around 11pm and the dancing runs through to dawn. Drinks are reasonably priced by Colombian standards, with beer around 5,000 to 7,000 COP.
A Cali institution on Avenida 5N in Granada, Zaperoco pulls in a mixed crowd of travellers and locals for salsa, son, and the occasional live band. The bar is smaller than the Juanchito clubs, which makes it a better first stop if you're still finding your feet on the dancefloor. Gets busy from around 9pm.
A classic Cali salsa bar with a gritty, authentic edge that the glossier Granada spots lack. The music is old-school Cali salsa and the crowd knows every track. No frills, cheap aguardiente, and a dancefloor that gets genuinely packed by 10pm.
A long-running club popular with a younger crowd that blends salsa with reggaeton and electronic music across multiple rooms. It's one of the easier entry points for travellers who aren't yet committed to pure salsa. Thursdays through Saturdays are the main nights.
A sociable, unpretentious bar in Granada that attracts backpackers and expats alongside locals. It's a good warm-up spot from around 8pm, with cheap cocktails and occasional live sets. Staff are used to travellers and can point you toward the best salsa nights of the week.
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