Accommodation in Cali: The apartaestudios on Avenida 6ta Norte used by high-performance athletes
If you arrive in Cali with a suitcase full of sneakers, technical clothing, and a clear goal to train at the Unidad Deportiva Panamericana, the last thing you need is a hotel where breakfast is a carbohydrate buffet and the gym has a single 10-pound dumbbell. Athletes coming to train in the capital of Valle have solved this problem for years: they stay in the apartaestudios on Avenida 6ta Norte, in the La Flora neighborhood. Here I'll tell you why this area has become the base camp for cyclists, weightlifters, and long-distance runners who come to train at 1,000 meters above sea level.
The area: Avenida 6ta Norte and the La Flora neighborhood as a sports epicenter
Avenida 6ta Norte is one of the most tree-lined and peaceful roads in northern Cali. It runs parallel to Carrera 5ta and connects the La Flora neighborhood with Avenida 3ra Norte, very close to Parque del Perro and the gastronomic zone of Calle 5ta. But what truly makes this avenue a magnet for athletes is its proximity to the Unidad Deportiva Panamericana, the complex that hosted the 1971 Pan American Games and today has one of the fastest synthetic athletics tracks in Colombia, in addition to Olympic swimming pools, weightlifting arenas, and tennis courts that fill up from 5 in the morning.
During September 2026, the area is receiving a wave of athletes coming to acclimatize for national and international competitions. And it's no coincidence: the apartaestudio buildings on 6ta Norte offer something traditional hotels can't match: a fully equipped kitchen to prepare the exact diet your nutritionist ordered, and the freedom to come and go at any hour for double training sessions.
Comparative table: Apartaestudios on Avenida 6ta Norte vs. Sports hotels in the area
To give you a clear idea of what you'll find with each option, here's a direct comparison based on what I found while exploring the area and talking to building managers in September 2026:
- Price per night (7+ night stay): Apartaestudios: COP 80,000 to 110,000. Sports hotels: COP 150,000 to 220,000.
- Private kitchen: Apartaestudios: Yes, with refrigerator, stove, and microwave. Hotels: No, only mini-bar.
- Laundry access: Apartaestudios: Washing machine in the building or nearby laundry service. Hotels: Service with extra cost per item.
- Gym in the building: Apartaestudios: Some have one, but most use the free public gym at the Unidad Deportiva. Hotels: Small gym with limited weights.
- Schedule flexibility: Apartaestudios: Total, with 24/7 doorman but no access restrictions. Hotels: 24h reception but with noise and visitor policies.
- Space for stretching or physiotherapy: Apartaestudios: Spacious living room where you can lay out a mat. Hotels: Only the room space.
- Atmosphere: Apartaestudios: Quiet, residential, with other athletes or students. Hotels: More tourists and hallway noise.
Analysis by option: Pros and cons of each alternative
Option 1: Apartaestudios in buildings like "Torre de La Flora" and similar
Torre de La Flora is one of the most well-known buildings on Avenida 6ta Norte, just a 7-minute walk from the main entrance of the Unidad Deportiva Panamericana. It's not the only one: along the avenue and its side streets, there are at least a dozen apartaestudio buildings operated by local managers, many without a presence on international platforms. This is key: the best rates aren't on Airbnb, but by negotiating directly with the building manager.
Pros:
- The kitchen lets you prepare your own meals. In Cali, markets and health food stores are just a few blocks away, and you can buy protein, fresh fruits, and vegetables at local prices without depending on restaurants.
- The cost per night drops drastically if you stay a week or more. In September 2026, several buildings offer weekly rates from COP 550,000 for a full apartaestudio.
- The location is unbeatable: you can walk in your sneakers to the warm-up track, do your speed session, and return to your apartment to shower without wasting time on transportation.
- The linear parks along the Cali River, less than a 10-minute walk away, are perfect for regenerative jogging sessions or outdoor mobility work.
Cons:
- Not all buildings have an elevator, and if you arrive on the 4th floor with two suitcases full of sports gear, the first day will be your own strength training.
- The furniture is basic: comfortable bed, desk, but no luxuries. If you're looking for a spa or room service, this isn't for you.
- Some buildings are mixed residential, so there may be students or families with children. Silence isn't guaranteed 24 hours a day.
- Hot water in some older buildings can be inconsistent. Verify this before confirming any reservation.
Option 2: Sports hotels and aparthotels in the same area
In the Avenida 6ta Norte area and its surroundings, there are also aparthotels that market themselves as "sports" because they're close to the complex. Some offer packages with access to private gyms or partnerships with physiotherapy centers. However, the price per night is significantly higher, and most don't have a private kitchen, only a microwave oven and a small refrigerator.
Pros:
- Daily cleaning services included, which is a relief after training sessions that leave sweaty clothes everywhere.
- 24-hour reception with staff who speak at least basic English, useful if you're coming from abroad and don't speak Spanish yet.
- Some have partnerships with nearby private gyms, like the Bodytech on Calle 5ta, about a 15-minute walk away, if you prefer state-of-the-art weights and machines.
- Breakfast included (although it's usually bread, eggs, and coffee, not exactly the high-protein diet an athlete needs).
Cons:
- The weekly cost at a sports hotel in the area easily exceeds COP 1,200,000, double what you'd pay in an apartaestudio.
- The lack of a full kitchen forces you to eat out, and the restaurants in the area (though delicious) aren't designed for athletes on strict bulking or cutting diets.
- The hotel atmosphere is less conducive to recovery: noise from other guests, beds that aren't always firm, and the temptation to stay in your room watching Transversal instead of going out to explore the nearby parks.
- Visitor policies are stricter. If your physiotherapist or nutritionist needs to visit you, at a hotel you'll have to register them and limit their hours.
How to book: Local platforms and direct contact
Here's the advice few people give you: don't book through Airbnb for long stays in this area. International platforms charge commissions of up to 15%, and that's reflected in the final price. Instead, use these two routes:
Local temporary accommodation platforms
There are local portals like Cali Apartamentos (a website that aggregates properties from independent managers in the north of the city) where you'll find listings for apartaestudios on Avenida 6ta Norte with direct owner prices. There are also Facebook groups like "Arriendos temporales Cali Norte" where managers post weekly availability. The advantage of these channels is that you can write directly to the manager and negotiate a weekly rate without intermediaries.
Direct contact with building managers
The most effective strategy used by athletes who come in groups is this: they arrive a day early at a budget hostel, walk along Avenida 6ta Norte between Calles 15 and 17, and ring the doorbells of buildings with a "Se arrienda apartaestudio" sign. The managers (many live in the same building) show them the apartment on the spot and close the deal in cash or by bank transfer. That's how I've seen Colombian cyclists get apartaestudios for COP 70,000 per night in the low season, with the right to use the parking lot for their bikes.
A curious fact few people know: several buildings on Avenida 6ta Norte were originally built as residences for the athletes of the 1971 Pan American Games, which is why they have an unusual layout: larger-than-normal kitchens, non-slip floors in the bathrooms, and windows that open fully to ventilate the heat from training. This architectural heritage makes them ideal for current sports use.
Insider tips for athletes staying in the area
- Negotiate weekly rates with the manager: If you stay 7 nights or more, the price per night can drop between 20% and 30%. Mention that you're an athlete and need the space for training; local managers are already used to this guest profile and often offer favorable conditions.
- Use the free public gym next to the Unidad Deportiva: Less than a 5-minute walk from Avenida 6ta Norte, there's an outdoor strength machine circuit, completely free, that local athletes use for functional training. You don't need a private gym membership if your routine is based on bodyweight, kettlebells, and resistance bands.
- Shop at the Galería La Flora: Just a 10-minute walk east, this gallery (local market) has fruits, vegetables
Introduction to the topic
If you plan to train at the Unidad Deportiva Panamericana in Cali, it's essential to find a place that not only offers comfort but is also adapted to the needs of high-performance athletes. Apartaestudios are an ideal solution, combining the privacy of a home with the facilities an athlete requires. These accommodations are located on Avenida 6ta Norte, a strategic area that allows easy access to sports facilities while also offering an authentic local experience.
In addition to the proximity to the Unidad Deportiva, choosing an apartaestudio in this area will let you enjoy the vibrant Cali life. Des
