Getting a Tattoo in Bali: A Guide for Travellers (2026)

Quick answer: Getting a tattoo in Bali is easy to plan if you book early in your trip. Choose a clean, professional studio and an artist whose portfolio matches the style you want, and get the price agreed before you start. Then keep the tattoo out of the sea, pools and direct sun for 2 to 4 weeks while it heals. At Mason’s Ink in Seminyak and Kerobokan, tattoos start from IDR 1.3M (about USD 70 or AUD 105).

A lot of people leave Bali with more than photos. Maybe the idea starts over coffee in Canggu, in the rice fields around Ubud or at sunset in Seminyak: “I want to remember this.” This guide covers what travellers from Australia, the US, the UK and Europe ask us most before getting tattooed here: safety, price, timing, booking and aftercare.

Is it safe to get a tattoo in Bali?

It can be, if you choose a professional studio. Check that needles are sterile and single-use, that equipment is covered, that the artist wears fresh gloves and that the studio uses quality ink. At Mason’s Ink, sterile single-use needles are opened in front of you before every session, and we use American and European inks.

Be careful with very cheap street offers and anyone who won’t show you healed work. Our safety checklist goes through what to look for, step by step.

How much does a tattoo cost in Bali?

Prices in Bali are usually quoted in Indonesian rupiah (IDR) and depend on the design: size, detail, style and placement. At Mason’s Ink, tattoos start from IDR 1,300,000 per person, which is about USD 70, AUD 105, NZD 130 or GBP 55 at current rates. Each artist sets the price for their own work, consultations are free, and your artist confirms the price before starting.

For a full breakdown, including real tattoos grouped by size, see how much a tattoo costs in Bali.

When should you get tattooed on your trip?

As early as you can. A new tattoo needs 2 to 4 weeks to heal, and during that time you should stay out of the ocean, pools and direct sun. Most travellers find these timings work well:

• Staying 2 weeks or more: get tattooed in the first few days, and plan beach days that keep the tattoo covered and dry.
• Short trip: get tattooed on your last day or two, after the surfing and snorkelling, and heal it at home.
• Sleeves and back pieces: message us before you book flights. We can plan full-day sessions on back-to-back days, or split a project across several trips so each stage looks complete when you fly home. See large tattoo projects in Bali.

How to choose a tattoo studio and artist in Bali

Start with the style you want, then look at the portfolio of the artist who will tattoo you, not just the shop. Ask to see healed work, read recent reviews and get a clear price before you book.

Mason’s Ink has been tattooing in Bali since 2014 and is rated 5.0 across 4,100+ Google reviews. Our 21 independent artists work in fine line, realism, black and grey, Japanese, blackwork, Balinese designs, colour and cover-ups. Browse the artists or tattoo styles, or read 8 things to check before choosing a studio.

How to book a tattoo in Bali

1. Send your idea, the size and where it is going on WhatsApp. Reference photos help.
2. We suggest artists who work in that style and give you a quote. Quotes and consultations are free.
3. Pay a 30% deposit to secure your artist and time. You can pay by bank transfer, or by cash or card in the studio.
4. Your artist finishes the design with you on the day, and nothing starts until you are happy with it.

Walk-ins are welcome every day from 09:00 to 22:00 when an artist is free, but booking ahead is safer in busy months and for larger pieces. More detail in how to book a tattoo in Bali.

What to expect on the day

• Eat a proper meal, drink water and skip alcohol the night before.
• Wear loose clothes that give easy access to the area.
• Bring ID. We tattoo clients aged 18 or older, or 16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian present.
• Small tattoos usually take 1 to 2 hours in the chair, medium pieces 2 to 4 hours, and large pieces can take a full day.

Nervous about pain? Our tattoo pain chart shows which areas are easier for a first tattoo.

Can you swim after getting a tattoo in Bali?

Not until it has fully healed, usually 2 to 4 weeks, with no more peeling, scabbing or shine. Soaking a fresh tattoo in the sea or a pool can let bacteria in and pull ink out as scabs soften. Short, lukewarm showers are fine from the first wash.

Can you go in the sun with a new tattoo?

Keep it out of direct sun and covered with loose clothing while it heals. Don’t put sunscreen on a fresh tattoo. Once the skin has fully closed, use SPF 30 or higher every time it is in the sun, because Bali’s sun fades ink quickly. Our Bali aftercare guide covers heat, humidity and rain day by day.

Which tattoo designs are popular in Bali?

Many travellers choose something that carries a piece of the island: a frangipani or lotus, a Barong guardian, a small wave or a line of script. Balinese motifs come from temple carvings and Hindu stories, so it is worth knowing the meaning first. Start with Balinese tattoo designs and their meanings or 30 small tattoo ideas inspired by Bali.

Where are the tattoo studios in Bali?

Most professional studios are in Seminyak, Kerobokan, Kuta, Legian and Canggu, where most visitors stay. Our two studios are in Kerobokan (Jl. Raya Kerobokan No.120) and Seminyak (Jl. Raya Taman No.11), about 800 metres apart. By scooter or Grab, that is 10 to 20 minutes from Canggu, 15 to 20 minutes from Legian and Kuta, 30 to 35 minutes from the airport and 45 to 60 minutes from Ubud or Uluwatu. See our locations.

FAQs

Is it cheaper to get a tattoo in Bali?

Often, yes, but compare what is included rather than the number alone: hygiene, the artist’s experience, design time and aftercare. A permanent tattoo is worth choosing on quality.

Do I need to book a tattoo in Bali in advance?

Not always. Walk-ins are welcome when an artist is free. Booking ahead with a 30% deposit guarantees your artist and time, which matters for larger pieces and busy holiday months.

Can I pay for my tattoo by card?

Yes. You can pay in the studio by cash or card, and deposits can also be paid by bank transfer. Prices are quoted in Indonesian rupiah.

What age do you need to be to get a tattoo in Bali?

At Mason’s Ink, 18 or older, or 16 and 17 with a parent or guardian present. Read more in how old you have to be to get a tattoo in Bali.