6 cities in Latin America to discover urban art

Some of these destinations are considered open-air museums due to their urban art influences; find out where to go to see this type of art
The urban art of each city can sometimes be more difficult to explore, since the style is not always taken into account in cultural itineraries. Created in the United States in 1970, the urban art aesthetic has gained popularity and even fans over the years, even becoming a differentiator for desired destinations.

In Latin America, there are several cities that can be considered true open-air museums, whether due to installations, graffiti and even collages located on bridges, walls, viaducts and facades. With this in mind, the tour company Civitatis has selected six cities in Latin America for fans of urban art.

1- São Paulo, Brazil

Batman Alley is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in São Paulo for those who enjoy urban art. Photo: Reproduction/Rotas de Viagem
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The city of São Paulo is considered the largest metropolis in Latin America. In addition to being considered an economic hub, the city is strong when it comes to the artistic circuit -- and this includes urban art. One of the main points where this is evident is Beco do Batman, located in Vila Madalena, which is full of colorful graffiti of all kinds. It is one of the most Instagrammable places in the city.

The Minhocão viaduct has been increasingly strengthened with open-air artistic installations, from collages of licks to messages in graffiti on the columns. In addition, graffiti and messages on the sides of buildings have become common, adding poetry and an artistic perspective to the place. The Museum of Urban Art (MAAU) is also an option for a visit, since the place has more than 70 murals and is open to everyone.
2- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Selarón Steps mix colors and tiles in the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Photo: Reproduction/Viaje na Viagem
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Rio de Janeiro is also a prominent name in Brazil when it comes to urban art. The main attraction is the Escadaria Selarón, in the Santa Teresa neighborhood. The place was created by the Chilean painter and ceramist Jorge Selarón, and mixes tiles of different colors to create a sunny and cool effect.

Rio de Janeiro is also home to a giant mural engraved by the artist Eduardo Kobra, known worldwide for his colorful aesthetic. Located on the Boulevard Olímpico, the mural pays tribute to indigenous peoples and covers more than 3 thousand square meters.

3- Mexico City, Mexico

Colorful murals on buildings, walls and facades color Mexico City. Photo: Reproduction/Casablanca Turismo
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The streets of Mexico City are full of colors and features that are typical of the local aesthetic. Even the subway stations become true works of art, such as the Insurgentes station, which has a huge mural painted in 1990.

Colors and a variety of shapes are very present on the city's facades and walls. The main spots in the Mexican capital to see urban art murals are the Colonia Roma neighborhood and the Polyforum Siqueiros Cultural Center building, which has a facade designed by David Alfaro Siqueiros.

4- Callao, Peru

The monumental area of Callao has more than 60 murals. Photo: Reproduction/Itinari
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Considered the epicenter of urban art in Latin America, the city is full of graffiti and has several artistic initiatives for artists of this style. The city's monumental area has more than 60 murals, as well as art galleries and the port of Callao, an emblematic place in the city.

One of Lima's largest suburbs, Villa El Salvador is also an option for tourists who love urban art. There, you can see many aesthetics and styles of urban art, present both on walls and on the facades of houses. In this place, the majority of the population is Amazonian, black, Quechua and Aymara. You can get to Villa El Salvador by car.
5- Valparaíso, Chile

In Cerro Barón, murals decorate homes and buildings. Photo: Reproduction/Tras Las Huellas Del Mundo
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A World Heritage Site, the place has colorful facades and many works of street art. One of the main points of the city is Cerro Barón, where murals decorate the facades of homes. You can access the place via the Polanco elevator.

Cerro Bellavista also opens up to a unique view of the port and the Pacific Ocean. You can get there using public transportation from Valparaíso.
6- Bogotá, Colombia
Due to the quantity and quality of graffiti, Bogotá is known as the Mecca of Graffiti. Photo: Reproduction/Follow The Colours
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The Colombian capital is one of the main cities to host urban art in Latin America. The presence of this type of art is so great that the city is called by experts as the “Mecca of Graffiti”, since Bogotá has colorful and gigantic murals.
The La Candelaria district is one of the ideal tourist spots for tourists. It is there that the main examples of murals are located. Some of them date back to the 1980s. The place holds a lot of memory of local history, as the works are full of political and social messages, addressing inequalities and social injustices.
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