Plan on about 3 h 59 min of driving for the 166-mile (267 km) trip from Cali to Manizales, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Colombia: Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali).
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “Mountain roads may lack safety features such as crash barriers or guard rails.”
| Total distance | 166 mi (267 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 59 min |
| Main roads, in order | 25-04A |
| Departments on the route | Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving Cali to Manizales: the shape of the trip
25-04A (8 mi) carries about 5% of the 166 miles. It runs through 3 departments: Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas. Of the 6 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Cali to Manizales
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–16 | 16 | Valle del Cauca |
| connecting roads | 16–17 | 1 | Valle del Cauca |
| 25-04A | 17–25 | 8 | Valle del Cauca |
| local roads | 25–166 | 141 | Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas |
- Mile 117 of this route: Valle del Cauca → Risaralda (department line)
- Mile 148 of this route: Risaralda → Caldas (department line)
Where to stop on the way to Manizales
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Buga (mile 46), Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Valle del Cauca (mile 116), Casa del Virrey (mile 116), Our Lady of Poverty Cathedral, Pereira (mile 133)
- Museums and history: Museo Aéreo Fénix (mile 14), St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Buga (mile 46), Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Valle del Cauca (mile 116), Casa del Virrey (mile 116), Our Lady of Poverty Cathedral, Pereira (mile 133), Jardín Botánico (mile 133)
Museo Aéreo Fénix
In Palmira, Valle del Cauca, the nonprofit Museo Aéreo Fénix tells the story of transportation in Colombia over the years, with a main focus on air travel.
St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Buga
Seat of the Catholic bishop of Buga, St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral stands in Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia, and is dedicated to the Apostle Simon Peter.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Valle del Cauca
Two blocks from Bolívar Park in Cartago, Valle del Cauca, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel stands out for a bell tower set twenty meters apart from the church.
Casa del Virrey
A colonial-era building in Cartago, Casa del Virrey takes its name from the popular tradition that it was built to receive Viceroy José Manuel de Ezpeleta.
Our Lady of Poverty Cathedral, Pereira
Pereira Cathedral, formally Our Lady of Poverty Cathedral, is the Catholic cathedral of Pereira, capital of Colombia's Risaralda department, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Jardín Botánico
Jardín Botánico (Jardín Botánico de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira) is a center for research, conservation and environmental education at the Technological University of Pereira, Colombia.
Arriving in Manizales
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Manizales
In front of the Plaza de Bolívar in Manizales' historic center, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary rises 119 meters, the tallest cathedral in Colombia.
Basílica menor de la Inmaculada Concepción
In the city of Manizales, the Basílica Menor de la Inmaculada Concepción is a Catholic church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Jardín botánico de la Universidad de Caldas
Run by the Universidad de Caldas in Manizales, Colombia, this botanical garden doubles as an arboretum.
More drives to Manizales
- Ibagué to Manizales
- Bogotá to Manizales
- Villavicencio to Manizales
- Bucaramanga to Manizales
- Cúcuta to Manizales
- Cartagena to Manizales
From Cali to other places in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cali to Manizales?
About 3 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 166 miles.
What is the driving distance from Cali to Manizales?
About 166 miles (267 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Is it safe to drive from Cali to Manizales?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Colombia: Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali)). Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Cali to Manizales?
Closest to the road: St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Buga (cathedral, mile 46, 0.6 mi from the route); Casa del Virrey (museum, mile 116, 0.9 mi from the route); Our Lady of Poverty Cathedral, Pereira (cathedral, mile 133, 0.4 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.