Urban art in Latin America

Urban art in Latin America: 6 destinations to discover
You don't need to go beyond a walk through the streets to appreciate it: street art, which originated in the United States in the 1970s, has taken over the world and spread to walls, bridges, viaducts and facades. In Latin America, there are several destinations that have become authentic open-air museums.

Civitatis, a leading company in the sale of excursions and tourist activities in more than 130 countries around the world, has gathered six Latin American cities with unmissable examples of urban art. Find out more below and plan your next trip!
São Paulo, Brazil
The largest metropolis in Latin America, São Paulo is brimming with examples of urban art throughout the city. Some of the best known are Beco de Batman, located in the iconic Vila Madalena neighborhood; the Minhocão viaduct, one of the city's expressways with countless graffiti on its columns; and finally, the Open Museum of Urban Art (MAAU), where you can admire more than 70 different murals in a space open to visitors and street artists.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Selarón Steps (Press release)

Another Brazilian city that stands out for its street art is Rio de Janeiro. The famous Selarón Steps, in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, is a must-see for any tourist. This work of urban art was created by Jorge Selarón, a Chilean painter and ceramist based in the wonderful city, and was inspired by Park Güell in Barcelona.

Another of the main examples of urban art in Rio de Janeiro is part of the Guinness Book: it is the giant 3,000 square meter mural by artist Eduardo Kobra, on the Boulevard Olímpico.
Mexico City, Mexico
Polyforum Siqueiros Cultural Center (Press release)

The Mexican capital brings together beautiful examples of street art on its streets, with the colors and strong lines typical of local art. On this urban art tour of Mexico City, you can even see some examples underground, at the Insurgentes metro station, which has a gigantic mural from 1990.

The walls and facades of Mexico City are also overflowing with urban art, such as on the streets of Colonia Roma and on the building of the Centro Cultural Polyforum Siqueiros, whose iconic facade was painted by artist David Alfaro Siqueiros.

Callao, Peru
Colorful houses in Callao (Press release)

The district of Callao, in Peru, has become a true epicenter of urban art in Latin America and has gained fame for its artistic initiatives related to graffiti.

One of the best ways to get to know the region is to start your tour in the monumental area of Callao, which is home to more than 60 urban art murals. The art tour of Callao is the ideal way to get to know its art galleries and murals, combining Peruvian art and culture in the midst of an emblematic place: the port of Callao.

Just a few minutes away by car, Villa El Salvador, one of Lima’s largest suburbs, also offers hundreds of examples of street art on the walls and facades of houses where Quechua, Aymara, Amazonian and Afro-descendant ethnic groups live.

And if you’re interested in being part of this movement, Callao also offers the opportunity to participate in a graffiti workshop, where you can learn street art techniques from a professional graffiti artist.

Valparaíso, Chile
(Disclosure)

The iconic port city of Valparaíso, in Chile, a World Heritage Site, brings together beautiful examples of street art on its colorful facades. Cerro Barón, accessible by the famous Polanco elevator, is a true open-air museum, with large murals decorating the facades of the houses. The same is true of Cerro Bellavista, accessible by public transportation, which also offers visitors a beautiful view of the port and the Pacific Ocean. The street art tour of Valparaíso includes all these tourist attractions, with the guidance of a local guide.
Bogotá, Colombia
(Disclosure)

The last stop on our artistic itinerary is Bogotá, Colombia. The city is considered one of the Latin American capitals of urban art and is considered by some to be the “Mecca of Graffiti” due to its enormous and colorful murals.

The free street art tour of the La Candelaria district, with a local guide, takes visitors to see the main examples of these murals, which date back to the 1980s. Many of them are protests against inequality and social injustice. A great way to learn about the history of the city through art.