The Cerro Los Cristales (The Hill of Crystals) offers a 180 degree view of Cali. Once on top, without a doubt, this is the best viewpoint for visitor to appreciate the city. If you turn around, on the other front, you will see an imposing mountain range with splendid vegetation. Up there, where a 26 meters high monument in honor to ‘El Cristo Redentor’ (Christ the Redeemer), patron of Cali, stands, the breeze that surrounds the city during the afternoons makes this a perfect place to escape the city’s heat and noise, so that visitors can spend time with their family or friends and take the best pictures of the landscape. the Christ seems to extend his arms to embrace Cali and its inhabitants, providing protection. Thus, this is an icon of the city and an essential stop for any traveler.

To stop in this place, inaugurated in 1952, implies to soak up a little of its history, since the plaques located on the base of the monument provide information about the most relevant events. At the same time, visitor get to relax in the benches and enjoy the weather and the landscape before buying some handcrafts and tastinge typical food, such as ‘agua de panela’ (cold or hot beverage made with panela -a sugar cane sub product-) and ‘fritanga’ (assortment of deep fried plantains, root vegetables and meat cuts) sold in huts and neighboring hamlets.

How to get there?

Cristo Rey is located in Cali. It can be reached by car, but we recommend to try it by walk, being a form of peregrination and exercising. It is approximately 8 kilometer from the police station in the base of the hill and the top. If you decide to drive, you will find a parking space few clocks away from the monument. Another option, is taking the MIO’s (Cali’s public transport) lane A04 that will drop you off halfway there, from where you will have to continue by walk.