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The Sunday ciclovía in Cali is operated by the Secretaría del Deporte y la Recreación of the Mayor's Office, and it runs every Sunday and public holiday in the morning. The route everyone knows is the Avenida Circunvalar one, but the official map covers several more corridors that stay far from the crowds. In this verified Malokal guide you'll find updated prices; use the interactive cards for each place on malokal.com to check the safe map by neighborhood (Locals vs. Foreigners), live holiday schedules, and book directly via WhatsApp.
Most people concentrate between the Circunvalar and the Avenida Colombia area, where there's more shade, more vendors and more movement. If what you're after is pedaling without dodging skateboards, strollers and groups of walkers, you have to get off that axis. The alternative stretches exist, they're marked on the official map, and almost nobody uses them. The entity opens up kilometers of road every Sunday that stay empty, and those are the ones I like to ride.
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Before you start, get the principle clear: the ciclovía is not a permanent bike lane. It's a temporary closure of vehicle roads opened to non-motorized users. That means the route changes, some crossings have no pedestrian traffic light, and signage depends on cones and banners. If you reach a stretch with no visible signage, the safest thing is to assume the closure isn't active and look for the parallel road.
Parque de la Caña
This is one of the calmest access points in the south of the city and a natural entrance to the less traveled corridors. The park works as a meeting point for families heading out early, and from there it connects to flat stretches with good shade. It's an open space, with green areas and wide sidewalks, ideal for warming up before taking the road. On Sundays there are water and fruit vendors, so you can hydrate without carrying a bottle from home. Check the official map to see if the closure of the adjacent road is active that Sunday, because not all stretches open the same way.
Biblioteca Pública Departamental Jorge Garcés Borrero
The library is a useful reference because it marks a turning point and a rest spot with bathrooms and shade, something that's scarce on the long corridors. It sits on the Avenida Colombia axis, so it serves as an anchor for those coming from downtown or from the north. It's not a ciclovía point itself, but it is a place to regroup, check the bike and decide whether to continue south or turn back. If you're with kids, this is a good place to take a break before tiredness turns into a tantrum. Check opening hours on the place's listing, because on Sundays the service is limited.
Avenida Colombia
Avenida Colombia is the best-known corridor and also the most congested during morning peak hours. It has the advantage of being flat, continuous and lined with shops, which makes it comfortable for skaters and for families with small children. The disadvantage is obvious: lots of people, crossings with vehicles that don't always respect the closure, and vendors that invade the road. My recommendation is to use it early, before nine, or take it only as a short connection to calmer stretches. If you're on skates, watch the pavement at crossings: there are grates and uneven spots that become traps.
Cerro de La Bandera
Cerro de La Bandera is not a ciclovía stretch, but it's the natural viewpoint to close out the day. Going up by bike is demanding and isn't part of the Sunday closure, so you have to do it with caution and on roads enabled for cyclists. At the top you're rewarded with the city view and a rest spot to end the ride with a photo. There are no hydration services at the summit: bring water and plan the descent with daylight. If you come with children, assess whether the climb suits their level; for many it's too much, and it's fine to leave it for another outing.
Updated costs
The Sunday ciclovía is free. There's no entrance fee, no toll, and you don't need to register in advance. The real costs are for your gear and hydration. A basic tire or brake fix at a neighborhood shop usually costs between $15,000 and $40,000 COP depending on the part, and a bottle of water at the ciclovía's sales points runs around $2,000 to $4,000 COP. Prices are for reference as of October 2026 and may vary.
If you don't have a bike, renting in areas like Avenida Colombia or downtown can cost between $10,000 and $25,000 COP per hour, depending on the type of bicycle and the operator. Rental skates follow a similar logic. For families, the real expense is in snacks and transportation to the starting point, not in the ciclovía. If you arrive by car, check the area's parking rates, which on Sundays are usually cheaper than on weekdays.
A practical note: don't count on all stretches having sales points. The less-used corridors lack vendors, so carry water and something to eat from home. That saving is also part of the plan.
Estimated times
The ciclovía operates in the morning, and the closure is usually lifted at noon. That gives you a window of about five hours, but the best time to pedal is between seven and nine, when there are fewer people and the sun isn't yet beating down. A full ride through the alternative stretches, from the south to downtown and back, can take you between two and three hours at a relaxed pace, with stops.
If you go with children, calculate half the route and double the time. A flat out-and-back stretch of about eight kilometers can take an hour and a half with pauses at Parque de la Caña or on Avenida Colombia. For skaters, the pace is faster on the long, flat stretches, but crossings and uneven pavement force you to brake. Calculate twenty minutes for every five kilometers on skates if the terrain is in good condition.
The climb to Cerro de La Bandera, if you include it, adds between forty minutes and an hour for an experienced cyclist. Don't put it in the same plan if you're with small children or if it's your first outing.
Practical tips
- Check the official map before heading out. The Secretaría del Deporte publishes the route by stretches, and not all of them open every Sunday. A stretch that was open last month may be closed for works.
- Choose the direction of the road logically. On the less crowded corridors people travel in both directions, so stay to the right and signal when you pass. On congested stretches, follow the general flow.
- Identify the dangerous crossings. The points where the ciclovía crosses an active vehicle road are the riskiest, especially on Avenida Colombia and at the accesses to downtown. Slow down, look both ways and don't assume the car saw you.
- If you find a stretch with no signage, don't use it. The closure may not be active or the road may be under maintenance. Take the parallel road and continue your route.
- Verifiable hydration: the points selling water are on Avenida Colombia and at Parque de la Caña. On the alternative stretches, bring your own bottle.
- For families: prioritize flat stretches with shade and near parks. Avenida Colombia works well early; Parque de la Caña is better for children who already pedal on their own.
- For skaters: check the condition of the pavement at crossings. Grates and uneven spots are the most common cause of falls.
- Sun protection and helmet. Shade is scarce on the long corridors, and in Cali the morning sun already heats up strongly from nine onward.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cali ciclovía free?
Yes, it's free and requires no registration. The only costs are for your gear, hydration and transportation to the starting point.
What do I do if the stretch I want to use has no signage?
Don't use it. The absence of cones or banners may indicate that the closure isn't active that Sunday. Look for the parallel road and check the official map before heading out.
Can I bring small children to the less crowded stretches?
Yes, as long as you choose flat corridors with shade, like the area around Parque de la Caña. Avoid long stretches without hydration points and calculate half the route you'd do alone.
Can skaters use any stretch?
They can use the enabled stretches, but it's worth checking the condition of the pavement before launching. Crossings with grates and uneven spots are where most falls are seen, especially on Avenida Colombia and at the accesses to downtown. If the terrain is irregular, better to slow down or look for a smoother corridor.
