Photo Review: Experience The Incredible Street Art of Mexico City in 2023

Mexico City is home to some of the best street art in the world. If you’re looking to visit a bustling city with tons of creative and entrepreneurial energy, Mexico City is the place to be. 

In this blog post, I’ll explore the street art scene of Mexico City, through my own photography from my visit in February 2023. All my travels are centered around art & food, so the snaps will be on point.

I’ll provide some tips as to where to find the best street art, and what to expect when encountering it. Whether you’re a seasoned street art aficionado or a first-timer, read on for everything you need to know about experiencing the incredible street art of Mexico City.

Exploring the Street Art Scene of Mexico City

The neighborhood of La Roma is also home to some amazing street art, as well as a number of great coffee shops and restaurants. This is where we set up for the week in a lovely AirBnB with a rooftop deck. If you start your walk near Roma Norte, you can meander through neighborhood blocks then head up one of the main avenues (Insurgentes and Paseo de la Reforma) toward the historic center.

There is no shortage of incredible street art in Mexico City, with murals, mosaics, stickers and graffiti adorning walls throughout the city. The best place to start exploring is in the historic center, where you’ll find a concentration of street art around every corner. While you’re there, visit El Museo National de la Estampa, where you can pop in to view some incredible prints made with various techniques, and then enjoy a brief workshop and make your very own linocut.

Despite being a massive sprawling metropolis, you can mostly stay in a central area in the colonias of Roma Norte, Hipodromo, and La Condesa. 

Different Types of Street Art in Mexico City

Mexico City’s street art scene includes everything from traditional murals to colorful graffiti tags. You’ll also find a number of interesting installations and sculptures scattered throughout the city. Much of the street art in Mexico City has a political or social message, making it all the more powerful and thought-provoking.

Mexico City Is Very Safe

When exploring the street art scene of Mexico City, it is important to consider safety first, but the last 5 years or so have seen many improvement in public safety, making tourism a breeze. Often times tropes about safety in Mexico are just the easiest to report or spread via media outlets, so they get disproportional attention. You’ll feel safe, even at night. As always when in any major city, stay in well-lit areas, avoid isolated spaces, and only take what you need with you.

There are a many areas in particular that are known for being safe and welcoming to visitors, where you’ll find tons of street art:

Coyoacán – This neighborhood is home to some of the most well-known street artists in Mexico City, such as Memo Calvillo and Curiot. It’s also where you’ll find a number of small art galleries and studios. It is well-known for being the area where Frida Kayla’s home and museum are, La Casa Azul.

San Ángel – Another popular destination for street art lovers, San Ángel is full of colorful murals and graffiti.

La Condesa – La Condesa is known for its hipster vibe and trendy restaurants, but it also has some great street art on offer.

Perfectly Lost, Following My Intuition

We beat loops down neighborhood streets throughout those neighborhoods and had a blast. We’d constantly find murals, sculpture, mosaics, and stickers, as well as solid wheat pastes with uplifting messages and surreal art garnering the most of my attention.

Also keep in mind, that when you encounter street art in Mexico City, it is important to be respectful. This means not touching the art or climbing on it. It is also important to refrain from taking photos without the artist’s permission, if they are creating live. 

If you are taking photos of street art as you go (who isn’t), there are a few things to keep in mind in order to get the best shot. 

First, try to get a close up of the artwork so that the details are visible. Second, pay attention to the lighting so that the colors are accurately represented in your photo. Finally, make sure there are no distractions in the background of your shot.

The street art scene in Mexico City is truly incredible, with a wide variety of pieces to admire and explore. With a little knowledge, a camera or smartphone, and some preparation, anyone can enjoy the amazing street art Mexico City has to offer.