Bogotá La Candelaria: Graffiti Walking Tour & Local Artists

Summary

Murals wind through old streets as stories spill from every wall

You’ll walk through Bogotá’s La Candelaria with a local guide who knows every mural’s backstory, taste Colombian Andean tea in the square where artists gather, and see street art come alive with real voices behind it. Expect rain or shine (umbrellas included), plenty of stories, and moments that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed in La Candelaria wasn’t the graffiti itself — it was the way our guide, Diego, paused at a chipped blue doorway and just grinned. “You see that?” he said, pointing at a wild tangle of color above us. The paint looked almost wet in the morning light, humming against the old stones. There was music somewhere — reggaeton leaking from a window maybe — and the smell of coffee drifting down Calle 11. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it never really catches how big these murals feel when you’re right up close.

We started near Chorro De Quevedo Square where Diego handed around tiny cups of Colombian Andean tea (he called it “agua de panela” but I probably said it wrong). He told us about how Bogotá’s graffiti scene had this complicated history — sometimes celebrated, sometimes called vandalism — and how now artists from all over Latin America come here just to leave their mark. There was a mural of a jaguar with gold eyes that made me stop talking for a second. Some kids rode by on skateboards and one of them nodded at us like we were in on something secret.

Walking those crooked streets, you get this sense that every wall is arguing or laughing or remembering something. Diego pointed out pieces by Bastardilla and Toxicómano — names I’d never heard before but now I can’t forget. He explained little things: why some faces are painted upside down (“for luck,” he shrugged), or how certain colors mean protest here. It rained for about five minutes and someone passed around an umbrella (included, thankfully) but nobody minded much — the colors looked even sharper against the wet stone. Honestly, I still think about that jaguar sometimes when I’m stuck on the subway back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Graffiti tour in La Candelaria

• Meet guide at Chorro De Quevedo Square
• Explore Bogotá's downtown graffiti
• Discover street art and artists' views

Top questions

How long does the Bogotá graffiti tour last?

The tour covers downtown Bogotá and usually lasts around 2-3 hours.

Is the graffiti tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels since most walking is gentle.

Where does the tour start in Bogotá?

The tour begins at Chorro De Quevedo Square in La Candelaria.

What is included in the Bogotá graffiti walking tour?

The tour includes Colombian Andean tea, a local guide, visits to several murals downtown, socio-political context of graffiti production, insurance, and umbrellas if it rains.

Can I book this graffiti tour in English?

Yes, tours can be conducted in English or Spanish depending on your group.

Do I need to tip my guide separately?

No need; your tip is included in advance when booking this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your local guide at Chorro De Quevedo Square in La Candelaria, sipping Colombian Andean tea as you hear stories behind each mural, exploring major street art sites downtown with full context provided by your guide, all-risk insurance throughout the walk, and umbrellas available if Bogotá decides to rain on you (which happens more than you’d think).