Overview
Are you ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with music, culture, and incredible cuisine? Join us for the Petronio Álvarez Festival Tour, a 5-day cultural journey through the heart of Colombia’s Pacific heritage. Experience Cali, the capital of the Colombian Pacific coast and the second-largest Afro-descendant city in Latin America, after Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Immerse yourself in one of the country’s most vibrant and soulful festivals, celebrating the rhythms, flavors, and traditions of Afro-Colombian culture.
Experience Colombia through the City of Cali
Your journey takes you to Cali, home to the Petronio Álvarez Festival, a spectacular celebration of Afro-Colombian culture. This annual event brings together over 700 musicians and artists, offering a deep dive into the rich traditions of the Pacific region.
At the festival, you’ll:
✔ Dance to the electrifying rhythms of Currulao, Chirimia Marimba, Cauca Violins and Bunde.
✔ Savor traditional Afro-Colombian cuisine and handcrafted beverages like Viche, a bold spirit from the Pacific coast.
✔ Explore unique handicrafts made by Afro-Colombian and Indigenous artisans.
Sample Itinerary
After you arrive at Cali airport, we’ll transfer you to your hotel, where you’ll have time to relax and freshen up.
Later in the evening, get ready to connect with your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner featuring local cuisine. This will be the perfect opportunity to get to know your group and learn more about the journey ahead.
MEALS: Welcoming Dinner
Explore Cali with our Cali Fusion Tour, which showcases this city’s historic and cultural spots. After that, get ready for a salsa dance experience, where you’ll learn the basics of this joyful dance influenced by the Cuban sounds of Son Music.
In the evening, experience the highly anticipated Petronio Alvarez Festival and enjoy one of the biggest celebrations of Afro-American and Afro-Colombian culture.
Later, head to a local salsa club where you can practice what you’ve learned and dance the night away to the infectious rhythms of salsa.
- MEALS: Breakfast
Discover Pacific sounds and flavors with our Marimba Experience. Engage with local music like Bunde, Rumba, Juga, and Currulao; traditional instruments like Marimba de Chonta, Cununus, Bombos, and Guasá.
Next, indulge in fresh seafood at a charming local market, where you can enjoy the freshest catches in an authentic setting. Afterward, immerse yourself in Colombia’s coffee culture with a delightful coffee tasting experience, savoring rich, freshly brewed cups.
The evening continues with another night at the Petronio Alvarez Festival.
- MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch
Spend your day immersed in the daytime and nighttime festivities of the Petronio Alvarez Festival. Enjoy a full day of cultural performances, music, and local cuisine, capturing the essence of the Afro-Colombian spirit.
- MEALS: Breakfast
After a memorable journey through Cali’s rich culture and breathtaking landscapes, prepare to bid a warm farewell to your fellow travelers and the team members of Musical Getaways. Your private transfer to Cali Airport will be ready for your departure.
MEALS: Breakfast
Small Group Tours Up to 12 People
August 2026
Cali, Colombia
Boutique, small-group festival and cultural immersion
Why You Should Experience the Festival
If you are a traveler looking for authentic cultural experiences, this festival is a must-visit. Get ready to dance, taste, and feel the rhythms of the Pacific as you celebrate a living heritage that almost disappeared but now thrives stronger than ever.
Your Stay
Hotel Faranda Collections Cali (or similar)
Hotel Faranda Collection Cali, a member of Radisson Individuals, is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Cali, Colombia. The hotel features an art deco style and offers 41 smoke-free rooms equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air conditioning. Guests can enjoy on-site dining at the hotel’s restaurant and bar, as well as access to a fitness center, spa, and wellness center. The hotel is conveniently situated near the Cali River and downtown area, providing easy access to local attractions and cultural sites.
What’s included
Access to unique musical and cultural experiences, including a salsa dance workshop, the Cali Fusion City Tour, a Marimba de Chonta music immersion, seafood market visit, and coffee tasting.
Daily breakfast, 1 lunch, and 1 welcome dinner, featuring Pacific flavors and traditional Afro-Colombian cuisine.
All ground transportation, including airport transfers and private transportation to tour activities and festival venues.
4 nights of lodging at Hotel Faranda Collection Cali (or similar), an exclusive hotel located in the heart of Cali.
Expert local guides and cultural hosts, including musicians, dancers, and tradition bearers from Colombia’s Pacific region
What’s not Included
- Round-trip flights between your hometown and Colombia.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.
- Any recommended or required vaccinations or travel-related medications are the responsibility of the traveler.
- Lunches and dinners not specifically listed.
- Activities not included in the official itinerary as well as personal expenses.
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and musicians.
- Alcohol is only included where mentioned.
- Extra stays before or after the tour are not included but can be arranged at an additional cost.
Dates And Pricing
August 2026
Cali, Colombia
Price Per Person
Important Itinerary Notes & Travel Pace
Find answers to the most common questions about our tours. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please contact us.
Itinerary Structure & Flexibility
The itinerary shown above is a sample outline intended to demonstrate the overall flow, experiences, and inclusions of the tour. Specific days and the order of activities may vary depending on departure dates, the official Petronio Álvarez Festival performance schedule, and local event availability. Cali is a high-energy city during festival season, and event logistics for a celebration involving over 700 artists can shift, requiring us to remain adaptable for the best experience.
We plan carefully and remain flexible, always prepared with multiple contingency options to ensure a meaningful musical and cultural experience. While minor adjustments may occur, the core components of the sample itinerary—including the salsa workshop, marimba immersion, and festival nights—reflect what we fully intend to deliver on each tour. Final, date-specific itineraries are shared closer to departure.
Live Music Disclaimer
Because the Petronio Álvarez Festival is central to this program, performance schedules for Currulao, Chirimía, and Marimba groups are often fluid. Changes in set times, specific artist lineups, or designated festival stages are part of the reality of an event celebrating a living heritage that continues to thrive and evolve. When these shifts occur, we work closely with our local partners and musician hosts to provide equally compelling musical alternatives. We remain committed to navigating these changes to maintain the creative integrity and cultural depth of the tour.
Travel Pace & Activity Level
This tour is moderately paced and designed for travelers who enjoy being active in a vibrant festival environment. Expect regular walking, including guided city tours through historic spots and standing during extended musical performances at the festival grounds. Guests should also expect getting in and out of vehicles, navigating crowded spaces during peak festival hours, and participating in physical activities such as a salsa dance workshop and traditional marimba sessions.
While this is not a high-intensity or athletic tour, it does require a comfortable level of mobility and the endurance typical of immersive festival travel. This includes the ability to remain active during both daytime cultural workshops and late-night musical events, as well as managing the warm, tropical climate characteristic of the Colombian Pacific region.
Accessibility & Private Tours
If you have mobility considerations, accessibility needs, or prefer a slower or more customized pace, we strongly recommend inquiring about a private tour. Given that many historic Cali locations and crowded festival venues include uneven pavement, stairs, and limited elevator access, private tours allow us to tailor the itinerary, transportation, and activity level to best suit your needs while preserving the spirit of the experience.
Tour Gallery
Petronio Alvarez Festival
Cali, Colombia
Cali Fusion Tour
Cali, Colombia
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