As soon as you arrive in Bogotá you begin to see all of the graffiti and street art. At some point you begin to wonder what the meaning and reason is behind it all. Vandals? Gangs? Artists? Activists? There’s a place you can learn all about it - Bogotá Graffiti Tours!

TOUR

I first learned of Bogota Graffiti Tours from the hostel I was staying in while in Colombia. A few other travelers spoke really highly of the tour so I figured I’d check it out. There are both English and Spanish led tours so naturally I joined the English tour with a guide named Jay who was Colombian born but spent a good amount of time living in the US. He was beyond knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the street art scene and had intimate knowledge of the artists themselves. We walked through downtown Bogotá and the La Candelaria neighborhood for nearly two hours soaking in all of the information and history of the graffiti around the city.

PRICE

This tour is completely free. You just show up near a pavilion just up the street from the Gold Museum and join the tour. At the end of the tour, donations are optional (please donate). The guide will also end the tour near a house they have purchased to help the artists sell their work (paintings, sculptures, clothing, etc.)!

DIFFICULTY

This is not a difficult tour by any means. It’s a slow paced walk through downtown and carefully led by the guide. There will be multiple times where the guide will speak in front of a piece of art where you are encouraged to sit down and rest. Bogotá is at a high altitude so if you feel out of breath, that’s normal. Be sure to bring water and stay hydrated due to the altitude.

NOTES

I would stick to cell phone pictures personally. Many Colombians will encourage you to not flash your fancy camera around in public (as with many places around the world) just for safety and security of the camera. Also, if I could go back, I would have taken notes on some of the restaurants that we walked by so I could stop by for a bite to eat later. There are some great places along the way that I’d encourage you to take note of!

WORTH IT?

I can’t recommend this tour enough! Given the affordability of the tour and the amount of background you get on the culture, history, and purpose of the street art, you walk away with such a better understanding of the city and country itself. I highly encourage you to consider taking this tour at least once while in Bogotá!

What else would you like to know about this adventure?! Leave a note in the comments and I’ll add it to the page!