Discover Bogotá’s Graffiti Scene

A City Where Walls Speak

Bogotá is one of Latin America’s street art capitals, where entire neighborhoods feel like open-air museums. Here, graffiti isn’t just decoration but a living chronicle of politics, identity, and social struggles. Each mural is a statement—whether about peace, indigenous rights, or simply the joy of color in a gray city. Taking a graffiti tour means stepping into a dialogue written on walls, where grassroots stories unfold in bold shapes. From La Candelaria’s colonial streets to Chapinero’s massive murals, graffiti tours reveal Bogotá’s activist heart and creative soul.

Why Bogotá is a Graffiti Capital

Bogotá’s status as a graffiti haven is tied to a turning point in 2011. After a tragic police incident involving a young street artist, the city shifted its approach, tolerating and even encouraging murals. Local government began commissioning works for public spaces, giving artists visibility and legitimacy.

Today, murals across Bogotá highlight everything from indigenous struggles and women’s rights to climate change and peace. Artists like Ledania, Toxicómano Callejero, and Bastardilla are internationally recognized, painting walls in Mexico, Europe, and the U.S. but keeping Bogotá as their canvas.

Part of the magic lies in Bogotá’s backdrop. The mix of colonial houses, concrete underpasses, and glass towers creates an eclectic stage where vibrant murals stand out. Unlike cities where graffiti is hidden, here it’s central—woven into the city’s identity.

Top Neighborhoods for Graffiti Exploration

• La Candelaria – The historic heart of most tours, with murals tucked between colonial facades. Here, entire alleys are covered in political stencils, portraits of indigenous leaders, and surreal dreamscapes.
• Chapinero – Bogotá’s creative district, home to edgy, building-sized works. Keep an eye out around Chapinero Alto and Quinta Camacho for experimental, large-scale murals.
• Distrito Grafiti (Puente Aranda) – Once an industrial zone, now transformed into one of Bogotá’s largest curated graffiti spaces. Guided tours here showcase dozens of murals, often with the artists themselves.
• Teusaquillo – Known for coworking and cultural spaces, this neighborhood blends graffiti with graphic art, music venues, and indie cafés. It’s a lesser-known stop but adds dimension to the graffiti scene.

Top Neighborhoods for Graffiti Exploration

Recommended Graffiti Tours & Operators

• Bogotá Graffiti Tour – The city’s most famous graffiti tour, founded by artists themselves. It’s tip-based, highly reviewed, and dives deep into history and technique.
• Beyond Colombia Graffiti Tour – Free daily tours with passionate local guides. Known for storytelling and connecting murals with social movements.
• Distrito Grafiti Tours – A more structured option that takes you directly into Puente Aranda’s graffiti district. Tours often include meeting artists.
• Private & Custom Tours – Boutique operators offer specialized experiences, from photography-focused walks to political history deep-dives and even night graffiti tours under city lights. These are great for travelers seeking a tailored experience.

 

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Iconic Artists to Know Before You Go

Knowing the artists helps you appreciate the stories behind the walls:

• Erre – Sharp stencil art critiquing consumerism and politics. Erre’s work offers biting critiques of consumerism and political landscapes.
  

   

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• Toxicómano Callejero – Bold, punk-inspired graphics with biting social commentary.
  

   

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  A post shared by Toxicómano Callejero (@toxicomanocallejero)

• Bastardilla – Celebrated for poetic murals on women’s rights. Her signature style incorporates soft, dreamlike colors and intricate details, creating a sense of ethereal beauty that belies the profound messages within.
  

   

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• Guache – Fuses indigenous imagery with activism, his works burst with symbolic power.His murals often tell stories of ancestral wisdom, environmental preservation, and the struggles of marginalized communities.
  

   

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  A post shared by GUACHE (@guache_art)

• Ledania – One of Latin America’s most recognizable muralists, her work explodes with color, nature, and feminine energy.Bogotá’s vibrant street art scene is a testament to the city’s rich cultural tapestry and its artists’ fearless spirit.

Tips for Enjoying Graffiti Tours

• Wear comfortable shoes. Tours cover 2–3 hours of walking through cobbled streets and uneven sidewalks.
• Bring cash. Even free tours rely on tips, and some artists sell stickers, zines, or small artworks you’ll want to take home.
• Photography etiquette. Murals are made to be photographed, but always ask before taking close-up portraits of artists at work.
• Pair with local stops. After a tour in La Candelaria, unwind at a pet-friendly café or head to Chapinero for craft beer and vinyl bars.
• See murals at different times. Morning light makes colors vivid; evenings give murals a moody, urban glow. Some travelers even repeat tours to capture both vibes.

FAQs

Are graffiti tours safe?
Yes—stick with official operators. Tours run in popular neighborhoods, usually during daylight.

Do I need to book in advance?
For tip-based tours, you can often join on the day, but private or specialized tours require reservations.

How much should I tip?
Around COP 30,000–50,000 per person (USD 7–12) is fair for a free tour, more if you found it exceptional.

Are tours family-friendly?
Absolutely. Kids enjoy the colors and stories. Just note that some murals address heavy themes like conflict.

Can I explore graffiti alone?
Yes, especially in La Candelaria and Chapinero, but a guided tour adds context and helps you find hidden gems.

Bogotá’s Walls, Bogotá’s Voice

Bogotá’s graffiti scene is more than art—it’s the city’s diary written in paint. Every wall is layered with struggle, resilience, and creativity. Taking a graffiti tour means stepping beyond polished galleries and listening to the voices that shape Bogotá from the ground up.

Whether you’re winding through La Candelaria’s cobbled alleys, standing before the massive murals of Puente Aranda, or spotting Ledania’s colors in Chapinero, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the city’s soul. In Bogotá, the walls don’t just decorate—they speak.

 How we gathered this guide: through joining multiple graffiti tours, speaking with artists, and exploring neighborhoods with our own cameras and notebooks. This is based on firsthand experiences and conversations with the city’s creative community.

Quick Essentials

• Tour Duration: Most tours run 2–3 hours.
• Cost: Ranges from free/tip-based to COP 50,000–100,000 (USD 12–25) for private tours.
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon—light is perfect for photos, and weather is cooler.
• Meeting Points: Most tours start in La Candelaria or in Distrito Graffiti.

What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, and cash for tips or art purchases.