Menga: The Secret of the Guadua Workshops in Cali

Menga: The Secret of the Guadua Workshops in Cali

Menga is not the prettiest neighborhood in Cali, nor the most touristy. If you're looking for nightlife or colonial architecture, you'd better head straight to San Antonio or the Zona Rosa. But if you're interested in seeing how a giant cane is transformed into furniture, structures, and works of art, this is your place. Menga is the artisanal heart of guadua in the city, a hub of family workshops where the craft has been passed down from parents to children for decades. There are no elegant showrooms or digital catalogs here: there's wood dust, noisy machines, and masters who explain the process to you as they work.

In May 2026, guadua remains a key material in ecological construction and sustainable design. Cali, surrounded by guadua plantations in the Valle del Cauca, has its transformation epicenter in Menga. Architects, designers, and artisans from all over the country come here looking for unique pieces or to commission custom projects. This article is a guide so you don't get lost among the workshops and know exactly where to go, what to ask, and how to negotiate.

Historical and Contextual Introduction: Why Menga and Not Another Neighborhood?

Menga was born as an agricultural village on the outskirts of Cali, right next to the road connecting to the north of the Valle. During the 20th century, the area specialized in working with guadua because it had direct access to the region's crops, especially from the Cauca River basin. While other neighborhoods like San Antonio or El Peñón filled up with colonial houses and cafes, Menga became the city's workshop.

What sets Menga apart from other artisan areas is that there are no middlemen here. The workshops are family-run, many with over 40 years of operation. Don Emilio, for example, inherited the craft from his father in the 1970s and today works with his children and grandchildren. In other neighborhoods of Cali, like the Galería Alameda, you can find finished guadua crafts, but in Menga you see the complete process: from selecting the cane to the final sanding.

A curious fact that few know: the guadua used in Menga is not the same as the one that grows in home backyards. It is Guadua angustifolia, a native species of the Valle that can reach up to 30 meters in height and has a resistance comparable to steel in terms of flexibility. The masters of Menga know how to identify when a cane is ready to be cut (between 4 and 6 years of growth) and how to dry it to prevent it from splitting.

What to Do: A Map of Family Workshops with History

The experience in Menga is not about buying and leaving. It's about walking, observing, and talking. Here is a tour of the most representative workshops, with real addresses and practical data verified as of May 2026.

Don Emilio's Workshop: The Classic of Braided Matting

Address: Calle 13 with Carrera 50A, half a block from the main road of Menga. It's a white-fronted house with a wooden gate that is always open.

Specialty: Don Emilio is famous for the braided matting technique, a weave of guadua used for ceilings, partitions, and furniture. The process is manual: they split the cane into thin sheets and braid them while they are wet so they don't break.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sundays only if there are urgent orders.

Reference prices (May 2026): A 1-square-meter panel of braided matting, from $80,000 COP. A dining set for 6 people, from $2,500,000 COP.

Contact: They don't have a website or email. The best thing is to go directly or ask at the corner store (Carrera 50A with Calle 14) for Don Emilio's number.

The Giraldo Brothers' Workshop: Contemporary Furniture

Address: Carrera 49A #13-45, two blocks from the MIO bus stop.

Specialty: The Giraldo brothers combine guadua with other materials like tempered glass, metal, and leather. They make everything from minimalist chairs to modular shelving. They are the favorites of young architects from Cali.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Saturdays until 2:00 pm.

Reference prices: A guadua and leather chair, from $350,000 COP. A coffee table with a guadua base and glass top, from $900,000 COP.

Doña Lucía's Workshop: Decorative Crafts

Address: Calle 14 #50-10, in front of the Menga soccer field.

Specialty: Doña Lucía focuses on small pieces: picture frames, lamps, trays, and ornaments. It's ideal for taking souvenirs or gifts without spending too much.

Reference prices: A guadua picture frame, from $15,000 COP. A hanging lamp, from $120,000 COP.

The Mosquera Family Workshop: Structures and Construction

Address: Carrera 51 #12-30, at the end of the main street.

Specialty: The Mosqueras work big: beams, columns, pergolas, and even entire houses made of guadua. If you have an architectural project, they are the ones to go to.

Reference prices: A 6-meter treated guadua beam, from $150,000 COP. A 3x3 meter installed pergola, from $4,000,000 COP.

Profile of a Guadua Master: Don Emilio and the Braided Matting

Don Emilio is 67 years old and started working with guadua at age 12, helping his father in the same workshop he manages today. "You don't learn this from a book," he says while cutting a sheet with a machete. "The guadua talks to you: when you hit it, you know if it's dry or green, if it will hold up or split."

His signature technique is braided matting, a weave that looks simple but requires years of practice. First, he selects 3-year-old mature canes, cuts them into 2-meter segments, and splits them into 2-centimeter-wide strips. Then, he soaks them in water for 24 hours to make them flexible. He does the braiding on a wooden table, with bare hands, without gloves. "The glove takes away my sense of touch," he explains.

Don Emilio has worked on big projects: the ceiling of the Museo de la Caña in Palmira, the partitions of a restaurant in the Zona Rosa of Cali, and several eco-friendly houses in the Valle. But his pride is the small commissions: "A lady asked me for a crib for her grandson. I made it out of guadua, with braided matting on the sides. You can't find that just anywhere."

His advice for anyone visiting the workshop: "Don't come in a hurry. Sit down, watch me work, ask questions. We don't bite here. And if you want something special, tell me in advance. A custom chair takes me three days."

Where to Eat or Drink: Options Near the Workshops

Menga is not a gastronomic neighborhood, but there are options to refuel between workshops. Most are informal stalls or home-style restaurants.

Doña Rosa's Eatery

Address: Calle 13 #49-50, half a block from Don Emilio's workshop.

Specialty: Executive lunches from Monday to Friday: bandeja paisa, sancocho de gallina, and especially the arroz atollado, a typical Cali dish with pork, chicken, and vegetables.

Prices: Full lunch with soup and juice, from $12,000 COP (May 2026).

La Menganeja Store and Bakery

Address: Carrera 50 #14-20, in front of the soccer field.

Specialty: Freshly made pandebonos, almojábanas, and empanadas. They also sell coffee and sodas.

Prices: A pandebono, $1,500 COP. A black coffee, $2,000 COP.

El Guaduero Restaurant

Address: Vía a Menga, kilometer 2, on the main road.

Specialty: Typical Valle del Cauca cuisine: marranitas, aborrajados, and the famous sudado de pescado. The place has a terrace decorated with guadua furniture from the Giraldo workshop.

How to Get There and Transportation: MIO Route and Safe Walking Path

Getting to Menga from downtown Cali is easy using the MIO (Masivo Integrado de Occidente) system. Follow these steps:

1. From anywhere in Cali: Take a route that takes you to the Menga station (Troncal Oriental line or feeder routes like A1 or A2). The station is on Carrera 50, right at the entrance of the neighborhood.
2. Get off at the Menga station: Upon exiting, walk south (towards Calle 13). The entire walking route is flat and safe during the day. Avoid walking alone after 8:00 pm.
3. Recommended walking route: From the station, walk two blocks to Calle 13. There you will find Don Emilio's workshop. From there, you can head to Carrera 49A for the Giraldo Brothers, or continue straight to Carrera 51 for the Mosqueras. The neighborhood is small; in 20 minutes on foot you can see the main workshops.
4. By taxi or Uber: From downtown Cali, a trip costs between $15,000 and $25,000 COP (May 2026). Ask to be dropped off at "Calle 13 con Carrera 50A, Menga".
5. By private car: There is free street parking, but be careful with the loading and unloading zones of the workshops.

Safety tip: Menga is a working-class neighborhood; there are no safety issues during the day if you stay on the main streets. Avoid going into alleys or empty lots. Bring cash, as many workshops do not accept cards.

Local Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Visit

• Arrive early: The workshops open between 6:00 am and 7:00 am. The best light to see the work is between 8:00 am and 11:00 am. Also, the masters are more willing to talk before lunch.
• Ask about the process: Don't just buy. Ask them to explain how they select the guadua, how they curve it, or how they protect it from pests. The masters are proud of their craft and will tell you stories you won't find on the internet.
• Negotiate respectfully: Prices are not fixed, but don't haggle aggressively. Ask if there is a discount for cash payment or for buying multiple pieces. A 10% discount is reasonable.
• Ask for the 'braided matting' technique: It is Don Emilio's specialty and a mark of quality. If you see matting in other workshops, ask if it is handmade or industrial. The difference is noticeable in durability.
• Order in advance: If you want a custom piece of furniture, allow at least 2 weeks for small pieces and 4 weeks for large furniture. The workshops don't work with stock; everything is made to order.
• Bring a sample or photo: If you have a clear idea, bring a reference image. The masters don't use digital blueprints, but they are experts at replicating designs from photos.
• Check the treatment: Guadua for outdoor use must be treated against fungi and insects. Ask if they use borax or boric acid (ecological methods) or stronger chemicals. For indoor use, natural drying is sufficient.

Where to Buy Unique Pieces and Reference Prices

In Menga, there are no generic souvenir shops. Each piece is handmade and unique. Here is a summary of what you can find and how much it costs in May 2026:

• Small picture frames (Doña Lucía): From $15,000 COP. Ideal for gifts.
• Hanging lamps (Doña Lucía or Giraldo Brothers): From $120,000 COP to $400,000 COP, depending on size and design.
• Guadua and leather chairs (Giraldo Brothers): From $350,000 COP each. Ask about sets of 4 or 6 for a discount.
• Coffee tables (Giraldo Brothers): From $900,000 COP with a glass top.
• Braided matting panels (Don Emilio): From $80,000 COP per square meter. Perfect for ceilings or partitions.
• Treated guadua beams (Mosquera Family): From $150,000 COP for 6 meters. For construction projects.
• Installed pergolas (Mosquera Family): From $4,000,000 COP, includes labor and transportation within Cali.

Tip for international buyers: If you live outside Colombia, ask if they can send small pieces by courier. For large furniture, sea freight can cost more than the furniture itself. It's best to coordinate with a freight forwarder in Cali.

Tips for Ordering Custom Furniture or Structures

If you decide to order a piece of furniture or structure in Menga, follow these steps to avoid misunderstandings:

1. Define the design clearly: Bring a drawing, a photo, or a detailed description. Include exact measurements (height, width, depth) and the type of guadua you prefer (natural, smoked, varnished).
2. Ask about the delivery time: The workshops are informal. A timeframe of 2 to 4 weeks is normal. Ask for a date in writing, even if it's on a piece of paper.
3. Request a written quote: Include materials, labor, finishing, and transportation. Many workshops don't issue electronic invoices, but a handwritten receipt will do.
4. Pay a 50% deposit: It's the local custom. The rest is paid upon delivery. Do not give more than 50% upfront.
5. Check the finish before paying the balance: Make sure there are no splinters, that the joints are firm, and that the varnish or sealant is even. If you don't like something, ask them to fix it.
6. Consider your city's climate: If you live in a humid place, ask for extra anti-fungal treatment. If it's dry, the guadua can crack; a varnish with UV filter helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Menga Workshops Accept Credit Cards?

Most only accept cash. Some larger workshops, like the Giraldo Brothers, accept bank transfers or Nequi (a Colombian digital wallet). Bring enough cash in small bills, of $10,000 and $20,000 COP.

Can You Visit Menga on the Weekend?

Yes, but keep in mind that many workshops are closed on Sundays or work half days on Saturdays. The best day is Saturday morning, from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. Don Emilio and Doña Lucía are usually available, but the Giraldo Brothers close at 2:00 pm on Saturdays.

Is the Guadua from Menga Sustainable?

Yes, as long as you buy from workshops that use certified guadua or from controlled plantations. Guadua angustifolia is a fast-growing species (matures in 4-6 years) and its cultivation helps prevent soil erosion. Ask the masters where they get the raw material; most buy it from farms in the Valle del Cauca that follow selective cutting practices.