The Hidden Route of Cali's Political Murals

La Cali that speaks from the walls

If you walk through Cali with your eyes wide open, you will realize that the city not only sounds like salsa, it also screams from its walls. Huge murals, signatures of collectives, slogans painted in a hurry and others with an artist's patience. Since the social outbreak of 2021, the walls of Cali became a living archive of rage, hope, and resistance. It is not a museum with an entrance fee or fixed hours: it is the street itself, and it is open 24/7. This guide takes you along the hidden route of Cali's political murals, so you can learn to read what the city has to say.

The murals that tell recent history

In June 2026, many of those murals are still there, although some have been erased or painted over. But the ones that survive are witnesses to a time when Cali was the epicenter of the largest protests in the country. The 2021 National Strike left an indelible mark: images of the indigenous minga, portraits of murdered young people, denunciations against the ESMAD, and messages like "Cali resists" or "Dignity is not negotiable."

But the muralist tradition of Cali is older. Since the 1970s, popular neighborhoods have used paint to demand housing, public services, and social justice. Groups like the Corporación Cultural Nuestra Gente or the La Rueda collective were already painting before the world set its eyes on the city. What happened in 2021 was an explosion that multiplied murals throughout the city, from downtown to the eastern hillsides.

A curious fact: many of those murals were made in a single night, with flashlights and spray cans, while pots and pans sounded from the windows. The artists worked quickly, knowing they could be erased the next day. That urgency gives them an energy not found in a gallery.

Neighborhoods with the highest concentration of political street art

Not all of Cali is painted the same. There are areas where murals are concentrated like an open-air gallery. Here I tell you the most important ones for your route.

Downtown: San Antonio and Avenida Sexta

San Antonio, the quintessential bohemian neighborhood, has political murals mixed with commercial art and decorative graffiti. On Calle 5 with Carrera 10 there is a huge mural of an indigenous woman with a megaphone, painted by the Mujeres Grafiteando collective. Climbing up the Loma de San Antonio, you find slogans from the National Strike painted on the facades of old houses. Avenida Sexta, between Calles 10 and 15, has several murals on the walls of abandoned buildings, with messages against corruption and police violence.

The East: Siloé and the Distrito de Aguablanca

If you want to see the rawest political art, you have to go to the east. Siloé, on the hillside, is a neighborhood that has been stigmatized but has an impressive muralist tradition. There, the La Parcería collective painted a 50-meter mural that tells the story of the struggle for drinking water in the area. In the Distrito de Aguablanca, specifically in the El Vallado neighborhood, there is a mural dedicated to young victims of violence, with realistic portraits that break your heart. These murals are not in traditional tourist guides, which is why they are part of the hidden route.

The North: Barrio Obrero and Comuna 5

In the north, Barrio Obrero has a long history of unionism and resistance. There, on Carrera 1 with Calle 70, there is a mural commemorating the 1928 workers' massacre, painted by the Arte y Memoria collective. In Comuna 5, near the Plaza de Toros (now an events plaza), there is a huge mural that says "Never again" surrounded by doves, painted after the social outbreak.

The artist collectives behind the works

Behind each mural there are names and faces. These are some of the collectives that have marked the political street art scene in Cali.

• Mujeres Grafiteando: A feminist collective that paints murals about gender violence, reproductive rights, and the memory of murdered women. Their works are in San Antonio, Downtown, and Siloé.
• La Parcería: A group of young artists from the east who work with stencil and spray techniques. Their murals are fast, direct, and full of indigenous and Afro symbolism.
• Arte y Memoria: They focus on recovering local history. They have painted murals in Barrio Obrero, the Distrito de Aguablanca, and Comuna 20. They always include dates and names of victims.
• Colectivo 21: Born during the National Strike, this group paints slogans and portraits of social leaders. Their works are more ephemeral, often on cardboard or walls borrowed for a night.

These collectives do not always sign their works. Sometimes they only leave an initial or a symbol. But if you ask in neighborhood stores or community libraries, people can tell you who painted what.

Self-guided tour: map of the hidden route

Here is a route you can do walking or by bike, with key stops. Bring water, sunscreen, and a notebook to write down what you see.

1. Starting point: San Antonio (Calle 5 with Carrera 10). Mural of the indigenous woman. From there, walk towards the Loma de San Antonio and look for the small murals on the corners.
2. Second stop: Avenida Sexta (between Calles 10 and 15). Murals on building walls. Look for the one that says "The street is ours."
3. Third stop: Barrio Obrero (Carrera 1 with Calle 70). Mural of the 1928 massacre. It is a large work, easy to find.
4. Fourth stop: Siloé (go up Carrera 29 to the upper part). Ask for the 50-meter mural by La Parcería. It is at a sports court.
5. Fifth stop: Distrito de Aguablanca (El Vallado neighborhood, near Calle 73 with Carrera 28). Mural of the young victims. It is a very emotional collective portrait.

This tour takes about 4 or 5 hours if you do it calmly. If you prefer to go by bus, route A14 connects San Antonio with Siloé, and A17 takes you to the Distrito de Aguablanca. By bike, you can rent one downtown for about $20,000 COP per day.

Where to eat or drink near the route

After walking around seeing murals, hunger strikes. Here are options near the tour stops.

• San Antonio: At the Plazoleta de San Antonio there are stalls selling empanadas and pandebonos from $2,000 COP. Also the Macondo café (Calle 5 # 10-20) has black coffee for $3,000 COP and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Barrio Obrero: Panadería El Obrero (Carrera 1 # 70-15) sells pandeyucas and natural juices from $4,000 COP. It is a neighborhood place, not touristy at all.
• Siloé: In the upper part, there is a lady who sells cholados (shaved ice with fruit and condensed milk) for $5,000 COP. Ask for "Doña Carmen." There is no fixed location, but the neighbors know where to find her.
• Distrito de Aguablanca: The Mercado de El Vallado (Calle 73 with Carrera 28) has typical foods like chicken sancocho from $12,000 COP. It is a popular market, full of life.

How to get there and transportation

Cali has a public transportation system that takes you to all these neighborhoods, but you need to know how to use it. The MIO (Masivo Integrado de Occidente) is the articulated bus. The routes that work for you are:

• Route A14: Connects Downtown (San Antonio) with Siloé. It takes about 30 minutes.
• Route A17: From Downtown to the Distrito de Aguablanca. About 40 minutes.
• Route A10: From Downtown to Barrio Obrero. About 20 minutes.

The fare costs $2,400 COP (reference prices from June 2026). If you prefer a taxi or Uber, a trip between neighborhoods costs between $8,000 and $15,000 COP. I do not recommend walking alone in the east after 7 pm, but during the day it is safe if you are careful and do not show valuables.

Local tips for your mural route

• Bring your own camera. Many murals are on narrow streets and the midday light is harsh. The best time for photos is between 4 pm and 6 pm.
• Talk to the neighbors. In the neighborhoods, people know who painted each mural and why. Ask respectfully and they will likely tell you stories that are not on the internet.
• Do not touch the murals. Some have fresh paint or are fragile. Also, it is disrespectful to the artists.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The hillsides of Siloé are steep and the streets in the east can have potholes. Do not wear heels or delicate sandals.
• Bring cash. In popular neighborhoods, many food stalls and transportation do not accept cards or Nequi.
• Stay informed about safety. Ask at your accommodation if there is any area in conflict that day. Cali is safe for tourists, but as in any big city, you need to be cautious.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time of year to see the political murals in Cali?

The murals are there all year, but if you want to see new art, visit during the Feria de Cali (December) or during the commemorations of the National Strike (April-May). On those dates, collectives often do special interventions. Also, Cali's weather is warm all year, so there is no bad season. Just avoid the rains in October and November, which can dull the colors.

Is it safe to do the route on my own or is a guided tour better?

You can do it on your own if you have experience traveling in Latin American cities. But if it is your first time in Cali or you do not speak Spanish, a guided tour is better. There are local agencies like Cali Mural Tour (find them on Instagram) that offer bike tours for $60,000 COP per person, including a guide and water. If you go alone, bring an offline map on your phone and let someone know your route.

Do the murals get erased or change over time?

Yes, many political murals are ephemeral. The local government sometimes paints them white, or the homeowners cover them. Others wear down from the sun and rain. That is why it is important to visit them soon. If you want to keep a record, look for the hashtags #MuralesCali and #CaliResiste on social media, where artists post photos of their works before they disappear.

What to do

Centro Histórico de Cali

Explore the streets of the Centro Histórico, where the mix of colonial architecture and vibrant murals tells the city's story. Pay attention to works that address social and political themes, many of which are by local artists. Insider Tip: Visit Calle 5 between Carrera 10 and Carrera 11; here you will find an impressive concentration of murals that reflect Cali's identity. Bring your camera, but also take the time to talk to the artists who are often working on their murals.

Barrio San Antonio

This neighborhood is known for its bohemian atmosphere and rich artistic tradition. The murals in San Antonio are a reflection of Afro-Colombian culture and social resistance. Insider Tip: Enjoy a coffee on one of the terraces while observing the murals. You can also visit Parque San Antonio, where there are open-air art exhibitions and cultural events that complement the visual experience.

Comuna 20

Comuna 20 has been a focus of social transformation through art. Here, the murals not only decorate but tell stories of struggle and hope. Insider Tip: Join a guided tour that includes narratives from the residents themselves. This will not only enrich your understanding of the works but also support the local economy by opting for community guides.