You’ve seen the images. The cobalt blue walls, the lush cacti, and that yellow floor that looks like it was pulled straight from a dream. If you’re planning a trip to Coyoacán, you probably already have a mental checklist of the Frida Kahlo museum photos you want to snap. But here is the thing: most people show up at La Casa Azul, pull out their phone, and immediately get shut down by a very polite, very firm security guard.
It’s heartbreaking. You’re standing in the most famous house in Mexico, surrounded by Frida’s original brushes and that iconic mirror above her bed, and you can’t take a single picture. Why? Because you missed the one thing everyone forgets.
The Secret Ticket to Getting Your Frida Kahlo Museum Photos
Honestly, the biggest mistake is thinking your entry ticket is all-inclusive. It isn’t. When you book your slot online—which you must do, because they haven't sold tickets at the door for years—you’re just paying for your body to be in the room.
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If you want to take photos inside the house, you have to buy a specific photography permit.
It’s cheap. We’re talking about 30 to 60 pesos (roughly $2 or $3 USD depending on the current exchange rate). You usually buy this right after you pass security, at a small desk inside the patio. They’ll give you a little sticker to wear. Without that sticker, you are limited to the gardens.
What You Can and Can’t Shoot
The rules are kinda strict, but for good reason. These items are nearly a century old.
- No Flash: This is the big one. The light literally eats the pigments in Frida's paintings.
- No Video: Generally, video recording is a no-go inside the rooms. Stick to stills.
- No Selfie Sticks: Don't even try. The rooms are tiny, and you'll probably poke an original Rivera by accident.
- The Gardens are Free Game: You don't need the permit for the outdoor patios. That iconic "Frida y Diego vivieron en esta casa" inscription? You can snap that all day long.
The "Must-Have" Shots (and How to Get Them Without the Crowds)
If you’ve paid for the permit, don't just wander aimlessly. The flow of the museum is like a slow-moving snake. You’re in a line, and it’s hard to double back.
The Studio. This is the "holy grail" of Frida Kahlo museum photos. Her wheelchair is parked right in front of the easel. Her pigments are lined up in glass jars. The light coming through those big windows is incredible. To get a clean shot without twenty other tourists' heads in the way, you need to be at the very front or the very back of your timed entry group.
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The Kitchen. It’s all yellow tiles and clay pots. It looks like a still life painting come to life. Most people rush through here to get to the bedrooms, but the textures here are some of the best for photography.
The Mirror Bed. Seeing the mirror Frida used to paint her self-portraits while bedridden is emotional. It’s also a nightmare to photograph because of the reflections. Try angling your camera from the side rather than head-on to avoid catching your own reflection (unless that’s the "meta" vibe you’re going for).
Why the "Wardrobe" Exhibition is Different
Sometimes the museum has a special exhibition for Frida’s dresses—the Appearances Can Be Deceiving show.
Photography rules here can change on a dime. Because many of these textiles are on loan or extremely fragile, they sometimes ban photos in that specific wing entirely, even if you have the sticker. Always check the sign at the entrance of the dress gallery. It sucks to lose out on a photo of the Tehuana lace, but seeing those corsets in person is worth the "living in the moment" sacrifice.
Real Talk: Is the Photo Permit Worth It?
Look, if you’re a professional photographer, you’ll find the lighting inside the house tricky. It’s dark in the bedrooms and blown out in the studio.
But for everyone else? Yes. Buy the permit.
There is something about having a photo of her actual brushes—the ones that painted The Two Fridas—sitting in your camera roll. It makes the legend feel real. Just remember that the museum is a place of pilgrimage for many. People are often crying in the bedroom or the garden. Be cool. Don't block the path for five minutes trying to get the perfect "candid" look.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Go Early: The 10:00 AM slot is usually the quietest. By noon, the house feels like a crowded subway car.
- Charge Your Phone: There are no charging stations, and the thick stone walls will drain your battery while your phone hunts for a signal.
- Turn Off the Sound: Your shutter "click" sound is annoying in a quiet museum. Flip the silent switch.
What to Do Before You Go
Don't wait until you're standing in line in Coyoacán to figure this out.
First, go to the official Museo Frida Kahlo website and book your tickets at least two weeks in advance. If you're going during a holiday like Day of the Dead, book a month out.
When you get there, have your QR code ready on your phone screen. If you want those interior Frida Kahlo museum photos, head straight to the "Permiso de Fotografía" desk as soon as you cross the threshold. It’ll save you the heartbreak of being told "no" once you’re finally standing in front of her easel.
Once you finish at the museum, walk three blocks over to the Mercado de Coyoacán. You can get a plate of tostadas that are almost as photogenic as the museum itself, and you won't need a permit to snap those.