Last updated on December 18, 2023.

Aviation and model enthusiasts will love the Fénix Air Museum (Museo Aéreo Fénix), an impressive museum appropriately located near the airport that serves Cali, Colombia.

Entrance to the Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Entrance to the Fénix Air Museum

This private museum not only displays planes spanning the history of aviation, it also has countless models and memorabilia in a collection possibly unmatched the world over.

 

Visiting

The Fénix Air Museum can be found in the Zona Franca outside the city of Palmira, just north of the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport. It’s open daily until 4pm and charges an adult admission of COP$30,000 per person (as of November 2023). A private vehicle is the easiest way to get there, but airport shuttles from Cali (Lineas del Valle or Lineas Rápido Aeropuerto) will drop you off there if you tell them you’re visiting the museum.

 

Outside

Before entering the museum you’ll notice some antique locomotives and cars. In a field beyond the entrance are a couple of large jets, including a Boeing 727-100 cargo jet that was used by AeroSucre. Inside the entrance is a gift shop and cafeteria.

Antique locomotive at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Antique locomotive
AeroSucre Boeing 727-100 at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
AeroSucre Boeing 727-100

 

The Hangar

Displays are located in a large hangar stuffed to the gills with all kinds of planes. An enthusiastic and knowledgable guide is happy to answer any questions and knows even the smallest details of every piece on display.

The hangar
The beginning of the tour
More planes

Highlights include a plane used by KLM, a Colombian military helicopter, and a replica of the Wright Flyer, the very first airplane built and flown by the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903.

KLM plane at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
KLM plane
Colombian military helicopter at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Colombian military helicopter
Replica Wright Brothers plane at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Replica Wright Brothers plane

 

Model Airplanes

Purportedly the largest model airplane collection in the world is located at the Fénix Air Museum. Two incredible displays of model airplanes sit in the southwest corner of the building.

Model planes at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Model planes
Model planes at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Model planes

 

Airline Memorabilia

Cutlery sets from international airlines line the walls of nearly the entire hangar. They’re labeled with the country’s flag and a small model of the plane on which they were used. A collection of wings is also on display.

Airline cutlery at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Airline cutlery
Airline wings at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Airline wings

 

Classic Cars and More

Planes aren’t the only things on the main floor. Classic cars, including a Ford Model-T and Buicks from the 1930s are also on display, as well as anti-G suits, a NASA spacesuit, and crew uniforms from different airlines.

Buicks at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Buicks
Anti-G suits at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Anti-G suits
Crew uniforms at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Crew uniforms

 

Model Collection

A small section upstairs contains a plethora of model planes, cars, motorcycles, ships, and more.

Model collection
Model collection

 

Model Railroad

After perusing the models upstairs, we thought we were finished with the museum, but the guide called us down to see the most interesting part of the Fénix Air Museum – the model railroad. It’s one of the biggest in the world.

Model railroad
Model railroad
City scene of the model railroad at Fénix Air Museum in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
City scene
City scene

Trains pass through cities, industrial zones, and rural areas. The details are incredible.

City scene
Industrial area
Industrial area
Shipyard
Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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