Start with dates, flights, passport timing, and where to stay. Then use the phone, money, and comfort notes as your pre-trip checklist.
A short timeline for the decisions that matter most before a destination wedding in Cali.
Now
Every U.S. guest traveling by air needs a passport book. Processing times can change, and mailing time is separate from processing.
Check passports firstAfter your passport is settled
Search for Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, airport code CLO, and keep Cali as the final destination.
Travel target
Plan to arrive no later than Thursday, June 24, 2027, so you have time to settle in before the wedding.
When fares look right
Pick the hotel that matches your group: San Antonio for charm, Granada for dining, Chipichape for suites and shopping, or a larger full-service hotel for amenities.
Two weeks before
Set up Uber, WhatsApp, maps, your airline app, bank apps, and an international phone plan or eSIM. Bring modest Colombian peso cash.
Wedding week
Save the venue address and arrange Uber, a hotel driver, or coordinated transportation. If driving, use the event valet.
The wedding is Saturday, June 26, 2027.
We strongly recommend arriving in Cali no later than Thursday, June 24, 2027, so you have time to settle in and account for travel delays.
A simple five-night trip would be Thursday, June 24 through Tuesday, June 29. You can also extend your trip to visit other parts of Colombia.
Search for Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, airport code CLO.
Make sure your final destination is Cali, Colombia, not Bogotá or another connecting city.
Many flights from the United States require at least one connection. For a first international trip, consider allowing two to three hours between connecting flights, especially if you may need to pass through immigration, collect luggage, or change terminals.
Whenever possible, purchase all flights as one reservation so the airline can assist more easily if a delay affects a connection.
Every American guest, including infants and children, needs a valid U.S. passport book to travel to Colombia by air. A passport card cannot be used for international air travel.
If you do not have a passport, apply as soon as possible. The U.S. Department of State currently lists routine processing at 4-6 weeks and expedited processing at 2-3 weeks, with mailing time additional.
If you already have a passport, check the expiration date now and make sure the name on your airline reservation matches the passport exactly.
Before departing, make a digital and paper copy of your passport identification page. Keep the copy separate from the original and leave another copy with someone you trust at home.
Contact your mobile provider before traveling to ask whether your plan includes service in Colombia. Without an international plan, calls and data can be expensive.
Your options may include a temporary international plan, an international eSIM, a Colombian SIM card after arrival, or hotel Wi-Fi.
Download and set up Uber, WhatsApp, your airline app, maps, a translation app, and your bank and credit-card apps before leaving the United States.
Sthephany's favorite eSIM app is HolaFly. Her referral code is L4N7E5A0BIY7 for a 10% discount.
Colombia uses the Colombian peso (COP). Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and larger businesses, but modest cash is useful for tips, small purchases, and places that do not accept cards.
Before traveling, confirm your credit and debit cards work internationally, ask about foreign-transaction fees, know your debit-card PIN, save your bank's international contact number, and inform your bank you will be in Colombia.
When a card terminal or ATM asks whether you want to pay in U.S. dollars or Colombian pesos, choosing Colombian pesos generally lets your own bank or card company calculate the conversion.
Use ATMs located inside banks, hotels, or shopping centers when possible. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Although the wedding is outside central Cali, we recommend staying within the city for easier access to restaurants, sightseeing, shopping, and services.
The venue is a private country house rather than a hotel, so we do not have arranged room blocks. Review cancellation policies and compare current rates before booking.
Each option has a different neighborhood and tradeoff. Distances and travel times will depend on traffic.
Western Cali / Cali River
International-brand amenities and sightseeing access
A large established hotel near San Antonio, the riverfront, dining, and cultural stops.
Chipichape / Northern Cali
Families, spacious suites, shopping, and airport convenience
Connected to Chipichape shopping center; expect a longer ride to the southern venue.
El Peñón
Balanced full-service hotel near restaurants and sightseeing
A practical central base between San Antonio and several dining and cultural areas.
San Antonio
Boutique charm and a distinctly local neighborhood
A smaller hotel with courtyards, greenery, and easy access to cafes, restaurants, art, and hilltop views.
Granada
Dining, nightlife, contemporary amenities, and Bonvoy points
A convenient base for guests who want an energetic neighborhood with restaurants nearby.
As in any unfamiliar city, stay aware of your surroundings and use common sense.
Keep your passport secured at the hotel unless you need it, and carry a copy when appropriate.
Avoid displaying large amounts of cash, jewelry, or expensive goods. Be discreet when using your phone on the street.
Use Uber, a hotel-arranged driver, or other trusted transportation. Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas late at night.
Ask hotel staff or our wedding contacts if you are uncertain about transportation or an area.