San Diego: Hidden Murals and Local Graffiti Artists. DIY Tour
San Diego is not just the neighborhood where the walled city ends. It is a concrete canvas that has been breathing since the 80s, when the first graffiti artists began tagging the exposed brick walls. Today, in June 2026, it remains the place where street art wins the fight against boredom. If you come to Cartagena with a camera and without a rush, this DIY tour takes you through 5 key murals, introduces you to a couple of local artists, and gives you the keys to not miss a single spray can.
There is no tour guide or minibus here. You create the map yourself, by walking. Let's get started.
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Historical or Contextual Introduction
San Diego was born as a neighborhood of fishermen and artisans, attached to the wall that protected the city from pirates and privateers. For decades, it was the most popular corner of Cartagena: its narrow streets, houses with flowering balconies, and the smell of fried food set the pace. But since the 2000s, mass tourism pushed locals to move to the historic center, and the walls fell silent. Until the graffiti artists arrived.
Street art in San Diego was not born by municipal decree. It was a response to gentrification: local artists, many of them from Cartagena neighborhoods like Olaya or La Esperanza, began painting on abandoned facades. Today, more than 30 murals decorate the neighborhood, from 10-meter abstract pieces to minimalist tags in hidden corners. Most are ephemeral: they are painted, erased, and repainted. That is what makes them alive.
A fun fact: in 2018, the collective La Ciudad de los Muros organized the first muralism festival in San Diego, with 12 artists from Colombia and Brazil. One of the works, a portrait of singer Petrona Martínez, remains intact on Calle de la Iglesia. But the rest change every season. That is why this tour is DIY: there is no fixed catalog, only the street.
What to Do
The plan is simple: walk, look, photograph. But so you don't miss the best, here is a route of 5 key murals you can find in San Diego. Each one has approximate coordinates so you can locate them on Google Maps or on the map I mention at the end.
Mural 1: "La Cumbia del Pueblo" – Calle del Sargento
On the facade of a colonial house, facing Plaza de San Diego, this 8-meter-high mural shows a couple dancing cumbia under a full moon. It was painted by Carlos "Kike" Martínez, a 32-year-old graffiti artist who started at 15 in the Olaya Herrera neighborhood. The piece was made in 2022 for the Cartagena Music Festival. The exact coordinates are: 10.4235, -75.5498. If you arrive early (7am), the sunlight hits directly and the yellow and orange colors explode.
Mural 2: "Raíces de Agua" – Calle del Coliseo
Hidden behind the Teatro Adolfo Mejía, in a dead-end alley, this abstract mural mixes blues and greens with shapes of waves and fish. It was created by local artist Valentina "Vale" Rojas in 2024. Vale is known for her ecological murals: she uses lime-based paint and natural pigments. The piece measures 4x3 meters and is right next to a bicycle repair shop. Coordinates: 10.4240, -75.5505. Hard to find, but worth it.
Mural 3: "El Grito de la Tierra" – Calle de la Iglesia
At the corner of Calle de la Iglesia and Calle del Sargento, a face of an indigenous woman with macaw feathers looks towards the sea. It is the work of Jhon "Jota" Pérez, a 27-year-old graffiti artist who grew up in San Diego. He painted it in 2023 as a tribute to the Zenú people. The technique is mixed: spray paint and acrylic. Coordinates: 10.4238, -75.5500. It is one of the most photographed, so go with patience if there is a line.
Mural 4: "Fronteras Invisibles" – Calle del Arzobispado
This 12-meter-long mural is the largest in the neighborhood. It depicts interlocking hands of different skin colors, with phrases in Spanish and Wayuunaiki. It was made by the collective La Ciudad de los Muros in 2021, with the collaboration of 8 artists. It is on the facade of an abandoned building, facing the Iglesia de San Diego. Coordinates: 10.4242, -75.5492. At sunset (5pm), the shadow of the church creates a dramatic effect.
Mural 5: "El Último Vuelo" – Calle del Tejadillo
On an exposed brick wall, almost hidden by a mango tree, a small mural (2x2 meters) shows a monarch butterfly with newspaper wings. It was painted by Ana "La Negra" Castillo, a 24-year-old graffiti artist who works with stencils. It is her most personal piece: it speaks about migration and the news that doesn't arrive. Coordinates: 10.4233, -75.5495. Hard to see if you don't know it's there; look for the mango tree on the corner.
Brief Interview with a Local Graffiti Artist
We spoke with Carlos "Kike" Martínez in Plaza de San Diego, while he was touching up a mural of a mangy dog. This is what he told us:
"Most people think graffiti is just about painting pretty. But here in San Diego, every mural tells a story. When I paint, I think of my grandmother, who sold arepas on this same corner. Street art is the voice of those who don't have money for a canvas. If you come to take photos, respect the work. Don't touch fresh paint and don't block the street. And if you see an artist working, say hello. Sometimes we give away stickers."
Kike recommends visiting the neighborhood on a Saturday morning, when there are fewer tourists and local artists usually paint. "Sundays too, but some of us are at the beach," he says laughing.
Where to Eat or Drink
After walking, hunger strikes. San Diego has options for all budgets, from street food to restaurants with a view of the wall. Here are my recommendations, with reference prices from June 2026.
Budget option: Arepa stall in Plaza de San Diego
On the northwestern corner of the plaza, Doña Carmen sells egg arepas and carimañolas from 6am to 10am. Price: $3,000 COP each. The coastal cheese is the best. There are no chairs, you have to eat standing up, but it's part of the experience.
Mid-range option: La Cevichería de San Diego
On Calle del Sargento # 3-45, a small place with plastic tables. They serve shrimp ceviche ($18,000 COP), rice with coconut and fried fish ($22,000 COP). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-8pm. The owner, Don Pedro, is a retired fisherman and tells you stories of the neighborhood while you eat.
Higher-end option: Restaurante Alma
On Calle de la Iglesia # 2-10, a fusion cuisine restaurant with a terrace. Dishes like grilled octopus with yuca puree ($45,000 COP) or mango ceviche ($38,000 COP). Open Monday to Saturday, 12pm-10pm. Reservations are recommended, especially during high season. Prices subject to change, check directly.
For drinks: La Tienda de los Artistas
On Calle del Coliseo # 1-20, a small bar with walls full of graffiti. They sell Águila beer ($5,000 COP) and rum cocktails with fruit ($15,000 COP). Open Thursday to Sunday, 6pm-2am. It is a meeting point for local graffiti artists, and sometimes there is live music. The atmosphere is relaxed, but not suitable for those seeking luxury.
How to Get There and Transportation
San Diego is inside the walled city, a 5-minute walk from the Torre del Reloj. If you come from Bocagrande, you can take a taxi (costs about $10,000 COP) or a city bus that goes along Avenida San Martín to the entrance of the wall. From the airport, a direct taxi costs between $25,000 and $35,000 COP, depending on traffic.
Once in San Diego, the neighborhood is mostly pedestrian. The streets are narrow and cobblestoned, so forget about the car. The best way to get around is on foot. If you get tired, there are rental bikes in Plaza de San Diego ($10,000 COP per hour), but be careful with wet cobblestones.
For the DIY tour, I recommend starting in Plaza de San Diego and following the order of the murals I gave you: from Calle del Sargento to Calle del Tejadillo. The entire route takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on how much you stop to take photos. Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. The sun in Cartagena is unforgiving.
Local Tips
- Timing: The best time for the tour is between 7am and 9am, when the light is soft and there are fewer people. Sunset (4pm-5:30pm) also works, but be careful with mosquitoes. Bring repellent.
- Safety: San Diego is safe during the day, but as in any tourist neighborhood, don't leave your camera hanging carelessly. Keep your wallet in a front pocket. At night, avoid dark streets like Calle del Coliseo after 9pm, unless you are with a group.
- Respect the art: Do not touch the murals with wet hands or climb on the walls for photos. Some artists use paint that is damaged by sweat. If you see a graffiti artist working, ask permission before taking their photo.
- Free map: Download the San Diego mural map at malokal.com/mapa-san-diego-street-art. It includes coordinates, artist names, and creation dates. It is updated every 3 months.
- Language: Most graffiti artists speak basic Spanish, but some know English. If you don't speak Spanish, learn phrases like "Can I take a photo?" or "I like your art." Break the ice.
- Share on social media: Upload your favorite photo to Instagram with the hashtag #SanDiegoStreetArt and tag @malokal. The best posts appear on our page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the murals change every year?
Yes, many murals in San Diego are ephemeral. Local artists repaint or modify them according to seasons, festivals, or commissions. For example, the mural "Fronteras Invisibles" was retouched in March 2026. The free map we mentioned is updated every three months to reflect changes. If you visit in June 2026, the 5 murals in this guide are still current, but check before you go.
Is it safe to do the tour alone?
Yes, especially if you do it during the day (between 7am and 5pm). San Diego is a tourist neighborhood with a police presence on the main streets. However, avoid lonely alleys like Calle del Arzobispado after sunset. If you travel alone, carry the map on your phone and let someone know your route. For added safety, join an urban photography group that sometimes organizes in Plaza de San Diego on Saturdays.
Can I buy art from the graffiti artists?
Some artists sell prints, stickers, or small canvases. For example, Carlos "Kike" Martínez sells prints of his murals for $20,000 COP each. Ask them directly if you see them working. There is also a temporary store on Calle del Coliseo # 1-15, called "Arte Callejero Cartagena", which sells works by several local graffiti artists. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. Prices vary, from $15,000 COP for a sticker to $200,000 COP for a large canvas.