Santa Rita Park: Where Neighbors Still Sit on the Bench

Santa Rita Park: Where Neighbors Still Sit on the Bench

In a city where the noise of engines and the rush seem to have taken over the streets, there is a place that refuses to lose its soul. Santa Rita Park, in the heart of the neighborhood of the same name, does not appear in travel guides or on influencers' maps. There is no specialty coffee shop or souvenir store. What there is are concrete benches, a kiosk that survives the passage of time, and a community that still believes in face-to-face conversation. If you arrive at 4 p.m. on any given Saturday in May 2026, you will find Don Alberto moving domino pieces, Doña Lucía walking her three mixed-breed dogs, and a man who has been selling lulo juice in bags for fifteen years. This article is an invitation to sit down, observe, and understand why this park is one of Cali's best-kept secrets.

Historical or contextual introduction

The Santa Rita neighborhood was born in the mid-20th century, when Cali began to expand beyond the traditional downtown. Its one-story houses, with faded colored facades and inner courtyards, were home to middle-class families seeking tranquility. The park, a square block surrounded by mango and guayacan trees, became the natural meeting point. There were no major urban planning projects or designs by famous architects here. The park simply exists, as an extension of the houses. For decades, it was the place where children played soccer with stones, where grandmothers knitted in the afternoons, and where young people met to fall in love.

Today, the neighborhood has changed. Some houses have become apartment buildings, new residents have arrived, and commerce has modernized. But Santa Rita Park remains the same. There is no plaque telling its story, but the neighbors carry it in their memory. A curious fact few know: in the 1980s, the park's kiosk functioned as a small community library organized by a retired teacher. Books were lent without leaving an ID, only on one's word. That trust, though almost extinct today, marked the character of the place.

What to do

Don't expect to find a theme park or scheduled activities. The charm of Santa Rita lies in what is not written. Here I tell you what really happens, depending on the time of day.

Morning exercise (6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.)

When the sun just peeks out, the park belongs to the early risers. A group of older women, led by Doña Helena, 72, does a routine of stretching and gentle dancing in the gazebo area. There is no instructor, just a portable radio playing classic salsa. Neighbors passing by with the newspaper stop to say hello. It is an intimate, almost ritualistic moment. If you are a photographer, this is the golden hour: the oblique morning light, bodies moving calmly, and the backdrop of leafy trees.

Afternoon board games (2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

This is the time for dominoes and chess. Under the kiosk, two concrete tables fill with neighbors competing with seriousness and jokes. Don Alberto, a 68-year-old retiree who has lived his whole life on Carrera 2 with Calle 15, is the domino master. He arrives punctually at 2:30 p.m., with his wooden board and black tiles. "We don't play for money here, we play for pride," he says while shuffling. Newcomers can ask for a game, but must wait their turn. The atmosphere is relaxed; anyone can come watch and learn.

To one side, a smaller table is chess territory. A 25-year-old engineering student challenges the older adults. Games can last for hours, with long silences interrupted by laughter when someone makes a mistake.

Evening conversation (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

When night falls, the park transforms. Families come out with plastic chairs and sit on the benches or on the grass. There is no loud music or colored lights. Only the murmur of conversations. Neighbors talk about life: the price of potatoes, the new neighbor on the third floor, the neighborhood news. It is a scene that seems taken from another era. Children run around the dry fountain (which never has water, but serves as a race track). The elderly occupy the concrete benches, which are strategically placed to see who comes and goes.

Where to eat or drink

Eating in Santa Rita is not a gourmet experience, but a neighborhood one. There are no restaurants with tablecloths or menus in English. What there is is home-cooked food sold on the corner.

Don Jairo's juice stand

On the corner of Carrera 4 with Calle 14, a wooden cart with a blue awning is Don Jairo's fixed spot. He sells natural juices in bags: lulo, passion fruit, soursop, and the essential mango juice. Each bag costs $2,500 COP (reference price as of May 2026). Don Jairo arrives at 9 a.m. and leaves when he runs out of stock, almost always before 6 p.m. There is nothing more refreshing after a game of dominoes.

The corner empanadas

Half a block from the park, on Carrera 3, a lady named Doña Marta sells fried empanadas from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. They are filled with beef, chicken, and cheese, with a homemade hot sauce that has just the right kick. People line up, and it is not uncommon to see neighbors buying a dozen to take home. The price: $2,000 COP each. There is no written menu, just ask Doña Marta what she has.

Santa Rita Bakery

Two blocks away, on Calle 15 with Carrera 5, is the Santa Rita Bakery, a family business open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. They sell yuca bread, pandebono, almojábanas, and coffee with milk. It is the ideal place for breakfast before the exercise routine or to buy something sweet in the afternoon. A pandebono costs $1,200 COP.

How to get there and transportation

Santa Rita Park is located at the intersection of Carrera 4 and Calle 14, in the Santa Rita neighborhood, north of downtown Cali. Getting there is easy if you know the routes.

• By bus: Take any bus on the P14 or P21 route that goes up Avenida 3N. Get off at the stop on Calle 15 with Carrera 4. From there, walk one block south. The fare is $2,600 COP.
• By taxi or Uber: From downtown, the trip takes no more than 10 minutes and costs around $8,000–$10,000 COP. From the south of the city (Ciudad Jardín area), it can take 25 minutes and cost $20,000 COP.
• By private car: There is free parking on the streets around the park, but it is limited. On weekends, it is easier to find a spot. Avoid parking on Carrera 4 after 6 p.m., as it gets busier.
• On foot: If you are downtown, you can walk 15 minutes north along Carrera 4. It is a safe walk during the day, with shops and houses on either side.

Local tips

These tips will help you experience the park like a neighbor, not just a passing tourist.

• Bring your own folding chair. The concrete benches are cold and hard. Neighbors bring beach or plastic chairs. If you sit on the grass, bring a plastic sheet or blanket.
• Greet everyone. In Santa Rita, people greet each other even if they don't know each other. A "good afternoon" or "what's up" breaks the ice. Don't be surprised if someone asks where you're from or what you're doing there.
• Don't use your phone all the time. The park is for talking, not scrolling. If they see you glued to the screen, neighbors will think you're a weirdo. Put your phone away and observe.
• Real safety. The park is safe during the day and until 9 p.m. After that hour, it empties out and there isn't much surveillance. Neighbors recommend not staying past 10 p.m. if you're not from the area. There are no frequent robbery problems, but as in any Cali neighborhood, don't "regalar papaya" (don't leave valuables in sight).
• The best time for photos. The afternoon light, between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., is perfect for portraits of the park's characters. Ask permission before taking photos, especially of the domino players. Most don't mind, but they appreciate the courtesy.
• Try the lulo juice. It is Don Jairo's specialty. If you don't like it too sweet, ask him to add less sugar. He knows.

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Rita Park suitable for young children?

Yes, but there are no modern playgrounds or swings. Children play on the grass, run around the dry fountain, and entertain themselves with the neighbors' dogs. If your child needs a park with slides and swings, this is not the place. If you are looking for an open space for them to run without danger from cars, it works well.

Can you get there by bicycle?

Yes. The neighborhood has relatively flat streets and the park is not on a main avenue. You can lock your bike to a tree or the kiosk railing, but make sure to use a good lock. There is no official bike parking.

Why does no tourist know about this park?

Because it does not appear in travel guides or organized tours. There is no big sign or famous event promoting it. Tourists who arrive at Santa Rita do so by chance, because they are staying in an Airbnb in the neighborhood or because a local friend brought them. It is a place that Caleños keep for themselves, like a secret they don't want to become mainstream.

Bring a folding chair and sit down at 4 p.m. with the neighbors. You don't need anything more than that to understand why this park, without fuss or labels, remains the heart of the neighborhood. In a city that changes at full speed, Santa Rita clings to the simple things: a bench, a conversation, and a glass of lulo juice at sunset.