Street Art in Valpo

I had the opportunity to visit Valparaiso, at one point nicknamed the Jewel of the Pacific, in December 2022. Colloquially known as Valpo, this seaside town was one of the most important Pacific seaports from the late 19th century to the early part of the 20th century. The opening of the Panama Canal slowed its development–as it was no longer an essential transportation hub for travels between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.

Today, there is a thriving tourism industry in Valpo. It not only attracts Santiaguinos looking for a an easy respite from city living, but also international visitors intent on exploring its historic quarter with cobbled streets, colorful buildings and street art, and historic ascensores.

Aside from meandering through the hilly streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site, I also managed to capture some of the amazing street art that dots every corner of this town.