Graffiti Route in Manga: Hidden Street Art

Introduction: The Manga You Didn't Know

When you think of Manga, Cartagena, the first thing that comes to mind are those pastel-colored Republican houses, with wooden balconies and cool hallways. But if you stick with just that, you're missing half the neighborhood. For a few years now, Manga has become a giant canvas where street art coexists with 19th-century architecture. It's not a graffiti neighborhood in the style of Bogotá or Medellín, but a silent surprise: you walk down a street of stately homes and, suddenly, a three-story mural explodes in your face. This article is for you to put on comfortable shoes, charge your phone camera, and set out to discover the hidden graffiti of Manga. As of July 2026, the scene is still alive, with new murals appearing every season.

The curious thing is that the contrast works. The walls of the old houses, often neglected over the years, have become the perfect support for local and international artists to leave their mark. Don't expect an open-air museum curated by a gallery; this is more authentic, more street-level. Some murals have recognizable signatures, others are anonymous, but they all tell a story of resistance, Caribbean identity, or simply the desire to beautify a wall.

What to Do: The Route of the 5 Key Murals

So you don't get lost among tree-lined streets and elegant facades, I've put together a walkable route of five murals that are a must-see. They are all less than a 15-minute walk from each other. Bring water, sunscreen, and an open mind.

1. "La Niña de los Peces" – Calle 24 with Carrera 18

This mural is the most photographed in Manga. A Black girl with braids holds a flying fish while the Caribbean Sea spills out behind her. It was painted by Cartagena artist Jhonatan Rojas in 2022, as part of an urban beautification project funded by the Mayor's Office. The girl looks directly into the eyes of the passerby, and the blue and orange colors contrast with the white of the neighboring house. Best time for photos: between 4:00 and 5:30 pm, when the sunset light hits from the side and the mural seems to light up. There's no price, it's free, obviously. Get there by walking from Plaza de Manga in 5 minutes.

2. "Mujer Afrocaribeña" – Carrera 19 with Calle 26

Half a block from Parque de la Marina, this mural covers an entire side wall of an abandoned house. It's a woman's face with a red turban, full lips, and a gaze that seems to follow you. It is signed by the collective Pinta Caribe, a group of artists from Barranquilla and Cartagena who work with airbrush techniques. The piece was made in 2023 and is already beginning to show signs of wear from the sun and humidity, which gives it a melancholic air. Tip: if you go during the rainy season (October-November), the water runs down the face and creates a dramatic effect for black and white photos.

3. "El Muro de la Memoria" – Calle 28 between Carreras 20 and 21

This is not a single mural, but a succession of panels covering about 50 meters of wall. Here, several artists have depicted faces of victims of the Colombian armed conflict, but there are also images of palenqueras, drums, and maps of Cartagena. It is the most political mural in the neighborhood and the one that appears least on Instagram. It was painted in 2021 on the initiative of the Fundación Arte y Paz, with the participation of local youth. Some parts are scratched with local gang tags, which adds an extra layer of urban realism. If you like art with a message, this is your place. There is no schedule, but it's best to visit during the day because the street is quiet but lonely.

4. "Fauna del Caribe" – Carrera 17 with Calle 25

A huge mural covering two floors of a residential building. Here there are no people, but animals: an ocelot, a macaw, a manatee, and a caiman, all stylized with neon colors. It was painted by Bogotá artist Stinkfish (known for his animal stencils) during the Cartagena Street Art festival in 2024. It is one of the few murals that has a glass protection on the lower part, because neighbors complained that children were scratching it. Ideal for wide-angle lens photos. If you pass by at night, the street lights illuminate it softly, perfect for tripod photos.

5. "El Abrazo" – Calle 23 with Carrera 16

The newest mural on the route (painted in March 2026). Two abstract human figures, faceless, merge in an embrace. The colors are earthy: ochre, terracotta, and olive green. It was made by local artist Lina Marcela Petro, who works with sgraffito techniques on cement. Unlike the others, this one doesn't use spray paint, but is carved directly into the wall. It's on a very quiet residential street, almost hidden behind a mango tree. If you don't know it's there, you'll walk right past it. Look for the facade of a pink house with black iron bars; the mural is on the side wall.

Where to Eat or Drink

After walking for a couple of hours under the Cartagena sun, your body will crave something cold or a bite to eat. Manga is not the Zona Rosa, but it has decent options to recharge your energy without leaving the neighborhood.

Café San Alberto – Carrera 19 # 24-12

A specialty coffee shop located two blocks from the "La Niña de los Peces" mural. They have single-origin coffee from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and they make a life-saving cold brew. Prices range from $8,000 to $15,000 COP. Open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm. The place is small, with sidewalk tables, ideal for reviewing the photos you just took.

La Mulata – Calle 25 # 18-30

A coastal food restaurant that looks like it's straight out of a García Márquez novel. They serve rice with coconut, fried fish, and patacones. Main courses are between $25,000 and $40,000 COP. Open every day from 11 am to 9 pm. It's near the "Mujer Afrocaribeña" mural. The place has exposed brick walls and music playing vallenato at medium volume. If you arrive hungry after the route, order the daily "corriente" (set meal).

Heladería Manga – Carrera 17 # 26-10

A street stall that has been selling natural fruit ice creams for over 20 years. The corozo and tamarind ones are the most requested. Each popsicle costs $4,000 COP. It's right on the corner where the street of the "Fauna del Caribe" mural begins. It has no tables; you eat it standing up while looking at the mural. Perfect for a quick break.

How to Get There and Transportation

Manga is on the other side of the Bay of Cartagena, separated from the Historic Center by the Puente Román. Getting there is easy, but you need to know how to get around.

• Walking from the Center: If you are at Plaza de los Coches, cross the Puente Román (10-15 minutes on foot). Once in Manga, everything is flat and the streets are numbered, so it's hard to get lost.
• By taxi or Uber: From the Center or Bocagrande, a taxi costs between $8,000 and $12,000 COP. Ask the driver to drop you off at Plaza de Manga, which is the starting point of the route.
• By Transcaribe: The articulated bus system has a station called "Manga" on the main avenue. From there, walk 5 minutes into the neighborhood. The fare is $2,500 COP.
• By bicycle: Several hostels in the Center rent bikes for $20,000 COP per day. Manga is ideal for cycling because it has little vehicular traffic on the internal streets.

The route of the 5 murals can be completed in 2 hours walking at a leisurely pace, including stops for photos. If you want to stretch it out, add 30 more minutes to wander down random streets and find murals not listed here (there are at least a dozen more scattered throughout the neighborhood).

Local Tips

• Best time for photography: Between 6:30 am and 8:00 am, the light is soft and the streets are empty. In the afternoon, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, the golden light enhances the colors. Avoid midday (12-2 pm) because the Cartagena sun is scorching and the shadows are very harsh.
• Wear light clothing: Manga is humid and hot. Wear a cotton t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. No flip-flops for walking, as some streets have broken cobblestones.
• Bring cash: The ice cream stalls, coconut water vendors, and some small restaurants don't accept cards. Withdraw bills of $10,000 and $20,000 COP before you go out.
• Respect private homes: Many murals are on the walls of occupied houses. Do not enter gardens or touch the railings. Take photos from the opposite sidewalk.
• Don't limit yourself to this route: After seeing the 5 murals, wander aimlessly through streets 24, 27, and 30. The smaller, anonymous murals often have the most local history. Ask the neighbors: many will tell you who painted what and why.
• Download the interactive map: On the Malokal website (malokal.com) you can download a map with the exact coordinates of these murals and 10 more. Look for it in the "Ruta de grafitis Manga" section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Manga graffiti legal or is there a risk they will be erased?

Most of the murals we mention on this route were painted with permission from the homeowners or as part of cultural projects endorsed by the Mayor's Office. However, street art in Cartagena is not formally regulated. Some murals have been erased by new property owners or by cleaning campaigns. That's why, if you see one you like, don't wait until "tomorrow" to photograph it. As of July 2026, the 5 in this guide are still intact, but there is no long-term guarantee.

Is it safe to walk alone in Manga to see the murals?

Yes, Manga is one of the safest neighborhoods in Cartagena during the day. The streets are quiet, there is private security at several houses, and the flow of tourists is constant. At night, things change: some internal streets become very lonely and dark. I recommend doing the route between 7 am and 6 pm. If you want night photos, go in a group or by bike.

Are there guided graffiti tours in Manga?

There is no established, commercial tour like in Bogotá or Medellín. However, some independent local guides offer walking tours if you contact them via social media. Ask at your hostel or search on Instagram with the hashtag #MangaStreetArt. If you can't find one, this guide serves as a replacement: the distances are short and the murals are well marked on the map you can download on Malokal.