Introduction: Art Born from the Neighborhood
Suba is not the first place that comes to mind when talking about urban art in Bogotá. While La Candelaria and Chapinero dominate the graffiti tours, here in the northwest there is a scene that simmers slowly, far from the tourist eye. The walls of El Rincón and Tibabuyes are not just painted: they tell stories of resistance, memory, and an identity that refuses to be erased. If you came here looking for something beyond the same Instagram murals, welcome. This is Suba, and street art here has a different flavor.
The graffiti movement in Suba began in the late 90s, when young people from working-class neighborhoods found in spray cans a way to say "we are here." Without galleries or sponsorships, the first murals were gang tags and political messages. Over time, collectives like Acción Suba and Pintando la Memoria transformed that anger into community art. Today, in July 2026, Suba has over 50 active murals, many of them created during neighborhood intervention days. There is no official map, but this article serves as your guide to explore them.
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What to Do: Five Unmissable Murals in El Rincón and Tibabuyes
I'm not going to give you a generic list of "10 places for photos." Here are five murals that represent the best of Suba's urban art, with exact addresses and cultural context. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a charged phone.
1. "La Resistencia de los Humedales" – Tibabuyes, near the Juan Amarillo Wetland
This 20-meter-long mural, painted by the collective Suba Nativa in 2022, shows an indigenous Muisca woman embracing a reed while a gray building threatens her in the background. It is located at Calle 145 with Carrera 120, right on the edge of the wetland. The green and blue colors contrast with the concrete. It is a cry against uncontrolled urbanization. Getting there by TransMilenio: Tibabuyes station, then a 10-minute walk towards the wetland.
2. "El Viaje del Corazón" – El Rincón, Calle 138 with Carrera 119
A work by local artist Julián 'Kraneo', this 15-meter mural shows a human heart with newspaper-paper wings flying over brick houses. Kraneo painted it in 2023 after a wave of evictions affected several families in the neighborhood. The message: "the neighborhood is a heart that beats, not a business." It is one of the most photographed. The best time to see it is between 9am and 11am, when the sunlight illuminates the wings.
3. "Memoria de los Desaparecidos" – Tibabuyes, Carrera 123 with Calle 141
This mural is a memorial. Painted by Mujeres Tejiendo Suba in 2024, it features 30 black-and-white portraits of people who disappeared in the locality between 2000 and 2020. Each portrait has a name and a date. It is not a cheerful mural, but it is necessary. The collective offers guided tours every last Saturday of the month at 10am. Bring a white handkerchief if you wish to pay your respects.
4. "El Gato de la Esquina" – El Rincón, Calle 136A with Carrera 118
A classic of children's urban art. Painted by La Gata Negra Crew in 2020, this mural of a giant orange cat with sunglasses has become a landmark for the neighborhood's children. The neighbors take care of it and retouch it every year. It is on the corner of a neighborhood store. Order a soda and take a photo with the cat. The store owners, Doña Martha and Don Carlos, will tell you the story of the mural while serving you a coffee.
5. "Suba, Tierra de Agua" – Tibabuyes, Carrera 121 with Calle 143
This 25-meter mural was created in 2025 by 12 local artists during the Suba Pinta festival. It represents the water cycle from the hills to the wetland, with figures of fish, herons, and Muisca canoes. It is the largest in the locality. The colors look best at sunset, when the sun hits it head-on. Bring your camera and look for details: there are hidden messages in small print about Suba's pre-Columbian history.
Where to Eat or Drink: Stops to Recharge
After walking through El Rincón and Tibabuyes, hunger sets in. Here are local, non-touristy options with reference prices from July 2026.
La Esquina del Churro – Calle 136 with Carrera 117
A churro cart that has been on the same corner for 15 years. The churros filled with arequipe (dulce de leche) cost $3,500 COP each. Doña Lina, the owner, serves them hot. It is the perfect place for a break between murals. Open Monday to Saturday, 2pm to 8pm.
Asadero El Rincón – Carrera 119 with Calle 138
A chicken and pork grill that is the gastronomic heart of the neighborhood. The bandeja platter (rice, beans, meat, chicharrón, egg, avocado) costs $15,000 COP. On weekends, they play live music of salsa and champeta. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 10pm.
Tienda de la Abuela – Calle 141 with Carrera 122
A neighborhood store selling cold beer ($3,000 COP per bottle), sodas, and empanadas ($1,500 COP each). It has a table outside where neighbors sit and chat. It is the best place to hear stories of the neighborhood while you rest. Open every day, 8am to 9pm.
How to Get There and Transportation
Getting to Suba from downtown Bogotá takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour by public transport. I do not recommend coming by private car because parking is scarce and the streets are narrow.
- TransMilenio: Take the Suba trunk line (route H15 or H17) to the Tibabuyes or Suba Calle 145 station. From there, walk 10-15 minutes to the murals. The fare is $2,800 COP.
- SITP (blue buses): Routes P-23, P-45, and P-70 pass through El Rincón. Ask the driver "¿me deja en la Calle 138?" to avoid getting lost.
- By bicycle: There are bike lanes from Calle 80 to Suba. The route is flat but somewhat long (about 12 km from downtown). Bring a lock and lights.
Fun fact: the neighborhood El Rincón is named so because historically it was a "rincón" (corner) forgotten by the Mayor's Office, where public services arrived late and street art was the only way to beautify the streets.
Local Tips
These tips will save your day and connect you with the community.
- Safe hours: Suba is safe during the day, but like any working-class neighborhood, avoid walking alone after 8pm. The murals look best between 9am and 4pm.
- Respect the art: Do not paint over or scratch the murals. Local artists invest weeks in each piece. If you want to leave your mark, ask the collectives if there are open painting days.
- Talk to the neighbors: People in Suba are friendly. If you see someone sitting in a store, say hello and ask them about the mural on the corner. They will tell you stories you won't find on Google.
- Bring cash: Many stores and food stalls do not accept cards. Withdraw money before arriving.
- Use sunscreen and water: Suba is sunny and dry, especially at noon. Bring a reusable water bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to walk through El Rincón and Tibabuyes to see the murals?
Yes, it is safe during the day. The main streets have neighbor and store activity. Avoid lonely alleys and keep your phone in closed pockets. If you go in a group, even better. Weekends have more activity, especially Saturday mornings.
Do I need to pay to see the murals?
No, all murals are in public spaces (streets, corners, storefronts). They are free and accessible to anyone. Some collectives offer guided tours for a voluntary donation of $5,000 COP, which goes towards painting materials.
Is there any urban art festival in Suba during the year?
Yes, the Suba Pinta festival takes place every November since 2020. For a week, local and guest artists paint new murals in Tibabuyes and El Rincón. In 2026, the festival will be from November 15 to 22. The sessions are open to the public; you can go watch them paint and even help carry paint.
Are the murals maintained or do they fade over time?
Some are maintained thanks to the care of neighbors and collectives. Others fade due to weather or new interventions. The community organizes restoration days every three months. If you want to support, search for @PintandoLaMemoriaSuba on social media to find out when the next session is.
Can I take photos and post them on social media?
Of course, but tag the artist if you know their name. Use the hashtag #SubaEsArte so the content adds to the neighborhood's virtual gallery. Avoid using direct flash on the murals as it damages the paint over time.
Share your photo of your favorite mural on social media with #SubaEsArte and tag the artist. This street art is not decoration: it is the memory of a neighborhood that refuses to be invisible. Every spray can, every stroke, is a cry of "we exist." So come, walk, look, and above all, respect.
