When you visit the historic center of Santiago de Cali, Colombia, step inside the Bank of the Republic building to discover the Calima Gold Museum. Inaugurated on May 9, 1991, this archaeological space was created as the ninth museum established by the Bank of the Republic of Colombia to conserve, investigate, and share the regional heritage of the ancient Calima culture. As one of six specialized gold museums operated by the bank across the country, it offers you a direct look at the artistic and cultural expressions of pre-Hispanic populations who once inhabited the Valle del Cauca.
Inside this single-room museum, you will find a fascinating collection of 615 pre-Hispanic objects crafted from gold, ceramic, stone, wood, shell, and other materials. These intricate pieces were created by the Ilama, Yotoco, and Sonso societies, representing different human groups that lived in the region across distinct time periods. While artifacts from a fourth regional group, the Malagana society, are housed at the main Gold Museum in Bogotá due to local storage limitations, this Cali collection provides a captivating overview of local history.
Enjoy free admission as you wander through these ancient treasures from Tuesday to Saturday.
What to see at Calima Gold Museum
- Explore 615 pre-Hispanic artifacts made of gold, ceramic, stone, wood, and shell.
- Learn about the ancient Ilama, Yotoco, and Sonso societies of the Valle del Cauca.
- Visit one of six specialized gold museums operated by the Bank of the Republic.
- Discover rich archaeological history inside the Bank of the Republic building.
Visiting tips
Request a guided tour upon arrival to gain deeper context on the artifacts displayed in the single-room exhibit.
How long: 1 hour · Best time: Tuesday to Saturday
How to get there & what’s nearby
Calima Gold Museum is easy to reach on Cali’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cali Zoo and Metropolitan Cathedral. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Cali travel guide.
See the full Cali travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.