Getting a Tattoo in Bali: Safety Guide + Best Studios

Bali has become one of the top tattoo destinations in the world. The combination of world-class artists, prices that are a fraction of what you’d pay in the West, a creative atmosphere that attracts talent from across the globe, and the romantic appeal of getting inked on a tropical island has turned Bali into a pilgrimage site for tattoo enthusiasts.

But getting a tattoo anywhere involves permanent decisions and real health risks. In Bali, where regulation is looser and not every shop operates to the same standard, knowing how to choose the right studio is essential. This guide covers everything from finding a safe, reputable artist to caring for your new tattoo in tropical conditions.

Why People Get Tattooed in Bali

The Price

This is the primary draw for many visitors. A tattoo that would cost $500-1,000 in Australia, the US, or Europe might run $150-300 in Bali from an equally skilled artist. Large pieces — full sleeves, back panels, thigh pieces — where the savings multiply are where Bali’s value really shines. Some travelers plan entire trips around getting major work done.

The Artists

Bali attracts tattoo artists from Indonesia, Japan, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Many top international artists do guest spots at Bali studios, and a number of world-class artists have relocated permanently. The result is an unusually high concentration of talent working in every style — Balinese traditional, Japanese, blackwork, realism, fine line, geometric, watercolor, and more.

The Experience

There’s something about the creative energy in Bali — the art galleries, the craft traditions, the spiritual atmosphere — that makes getting tattooed here feel more intentional than walking into a shop on a high street back home. Many people find that designing a piece in Bali’s environment leads to more meaningful, personal work.

How to Choose a Safe Studio

This is the most important section in this guide. A tattoo is an open wound, and getting one in a tropical environment with inconsistent regulation means you need to be your own quality control.

Non-Negotiable Safety Standards

Every reputable studio should have the following. If any of these are missing, walk out.

Autoclave sterilization: An autoclave is a medical-grade device that sterilizes reusable equipment using pressurized steam. Any studio using reusable grips, tubes, or other metal components must have an autoclave and use it between every client. Ask to see it. If they don’t know what you’re talking about, leave.

Single-use needles: All needles must be new, sealed in sterile packaging, and opened in front of you. This is absolutely non-negotiable. Never accept used needles under any circumstances.

Disposable ink caps: Ink should be poured into single-use caps for each client and discarded after the session. Dipping needles into shared ink pots is a contamination risk.

Gloves worn throughout: The artist should wear medical-grade nitrile or latex gloves for the entire session and change them if they touch anything non-sterile (phone, door handle, their face).

Clean workspace: The station should be visibly clean with fresh coverings on surfaces. Spray bottles of medical-grade disinfectant should be visible and in use.

Licensed and registered: Legitimate studios in Bali have business licenses. While tattoo-specific regulation is limited, a properly registered business is more likely to maintain standards than an unlicensed operation in someone’s back room.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Studios that are significantly cheaper than competitors (there’s a reason)
• Artists who are reluctant to show their workspace or sterilization equipment
• Pushy sales tactics or pressure to book immediately
• No portfolio or a portfolio that looks inconsistent (possibly showing other artists’ work)
• Dirty or cluttered work areas
• Artists who seem rushed or disinterested in your design ideas
• No consultation process — straight to tattooing without discussing placement, size, and details

How to Vet an Artist

Instagram is your best friend. Nearly every tattoo artist in Bali has an active Instagram account showcasing their work. Spend time scrolling through their portfolio looking for:

• Consistent quality across multiple pieces
• Healed photos (not just fresh tattoos, which always look better)
• Work in the style you want
• Client photos and tags (social proof)

Visit the studio in person before booking. Walk in, look around, and ask questions. A confident, professional artist will welcome your scrutiny. Note the cleanliness, the equipment, and how you’re treated as a potential client.

Read reviews. Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and tattoo-specific forums have detailed reviews of most established Bali studios. Look for reviews that mention hygiene and the healing process, not just the initial result.

Ask about their experience. How long have they been tattooing? Where did they train? Do they specialize in the style you want? A generalist who does “everything” is often less skilled than a specialist in a specific style.

Best Tattoo Studios by Area

Canggu

Canggu has the highest density of tattoo studios in Bali, ranging from world-class to questionable. The competition means there are excellent options, but also a lot of mediocre shops hoping to catch walk-in traffic.

Top studios:

• Two Guns Tattoo Bali: Consistently rated among the best on the island. Multiple resident artists covering various styles. Clean, professional environment.
• Babayaga Tattoo: Known for blackwork, geometric, and ornamental styles. Strong artistic vision and meticulous execution.
• Folklore Tattoo Bali: Fine line and illustrative work. Popular with the Instagram crowd for delicate, detailed pieces.

Seminyak

Seminyak’s tattoo scene is more curated, with fewer studios but generally higher baseline quality.

Top studios:

• Mason Tattoo Studio: One of the most reputable studios in Bali. Multiple award-winning artists. Specializes in realism, Japanese, and neo-traditional styles.
• Artifact Tattoo: Clean, modern studio with skilled artists working across multiple styles.

Ubud

Ubud has fewer commercial tattoo studios but attracts artists who specialize in sacred geometry, mandala work, and spiritually inspired designs — fitting the area’s energy.

Top studios:

• Ubud Tattoo Studio: The main established studio in the Ubud area. Good quality traditional and Balinese-inspired work.
• Various guest artists: Check local listings — international artists frequently do pop-up guest spots in Ubud, attracted by the creative atmosphere.

Kuta / Legian

The Kuta-Legian strip has many tattoo shops targeting the party crowd. Quality is inconsistent. While there are some decent operators, this area has the highest concentration of substandard shops. Be extra vigilant with your vetting here.

Popular Tattoo Styles in Bali

Balinese and Indonesian Traditional

Bali has its own tattoo traditions rooted in Hindu-Buddhist iconography. Common motifs include:

• Barong and Rangda (protective mythological creatures)
• Balinese masks
• Lotus flowers and temple gates (candi bentar)
• Garuda (the eagle mount of Vishnu)
• Batik-inspired patterns

Getting a Balinese-style tattoo from a local artist who understands the cultural significance adds a layer of meaning that a generic flash design can’t match.

Blackwork and Geometric

Bali’s artistic community has embraced blackwork heavily. Bold black patterns, sacred geometry, dot work, and ornamental designs are among the most popular styles on the island. The tropical environment (where tattoos are frequently visible) lends itself to high-contrast black designs that stand out on tanned skin.

Fine Line and Minimalist

Delicate single-needle work has surged in popularity, especially among female travelers. Fine line tattoos of flowers, animals, script, and small symbols are available at many studios, though the skill required for clean fine-line work means you should be especially selective about your artist.

Japanese Traditional

Several Bali-based artists specialize in Japanese-style tattooing (irezumi) — including full sleeves and large-scale pieces with dragons, koi, cherry blossoms, and waves. The time and cost involved in large Japanese pieces make Bali’s pricing particularly attractive for this style.

Realism

Portrait work, nature scenes, and photorealistic designs are available from a handful of specialized artists. Realism demands exceptional technical skill — don’t compromise on artist selection for this style. Ask specifically to see healed photos of realistic work, as the fine details can blur over time if not executed perfectly.

Pricing Guide

Tattoo pricing in Bali varies widely based on the studio, artist reputation, size, detail, and placement. Here are rough guidelines:

• Small pieces (palm-sized): 500,000-1,500,000 IDR ($32-95 USD)
• Medium pieces (forearm, calf): 1,500,000-4,000,000 IDR ($95-250 USD)
• Large pieces (half sleeve, thigh): 4,000,000-10,000,000 IDR ($250-630 USD)
• Full sleeve or back piece: 10,000,000-25,000,000+ IDR ($630-1,600+ USD)

Top-tier artists at premium studios charge rates closer to international levels — still cheaper than equivalent talent in major Western cities, but not the bargain-basement prices that some visitors expect.

Tipping: Tipping your tattoo artist is appreciated but not culturally expected in Bali the way it is in the US. If you’re happy with the work, 10-15% is generous and will be remembered.

Aftercare in a Tropical Climate

Caring for a new tattoo in Bali requires extra attention because of the heat, humidity, sun exposure, and ocean water.

The First 48 Hours

• Keep the initial wrap on for the time your artist recommends (usually 2-4 hours, or longer with second-skin-type wraps)
• Wash gently with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap
• Pat dry with a clean paper towel — not a shared cloth towel
• Apply a thin layer of the aftercare product your artist recommends

The First Two Weeks

Avoid swimming. No ocean, no pool, no rice paddy water. Salt water, chlorine, and bacteria in natural water can all damage a healing tattoo or cause infection. This is the hardest rule to follow in Bali, where everything revolves around water. Plan accordingly — schedule your tattoo for the end of your trip if water activities are a priority.

Stay out of direct sunlight. UV exposure on a fresh tattoo can cause fading, irritation, and scarring. Cover the tattoo with loose clothing when outdoors. Once fully healed (4-6 weeks), always apply sunscreen over tattoos to preserve the color.

Keep it clean. Bali’s heat means more sweating, and sweat on a healing tattoo can cause irritation. Wash gently 2-3 times per day and keep the area dry between washes.

Moisturize. The tropical air can paradoxically dry out a healing tattoo (air conditioning, frequent washing). Use a fragrance-free, gentle moisturizer recommended by your artist.

Don’t scratch or pick. The tattoo will itch as it heals. This is normal. Don’t scratch it, don’t peel the flaking skin. Slap it gently if the itch is unbearable.

Signs of Infection

See a doctor immediately if you notice:

• Increasing redness and swelling after the first day (some initial swelling is normal)
• Pus or discharge that isn’t clear plasma
• Red streaks radiating from the tattoo
• Fever or chills
• The tattoo area is hot to the touch and getting worse

Bali has quality medical clinics, particularly BIMC Hospital in Kuta and Siloam Hospital in Denpasar. Don’t wait if something looks wrong.

Booking Your Tattoo Session

Book in advance. The best artists in Bali have wait lists, especially during peak season (June-September and Christmas-New Year). Reach out via Instagram DM or email at least 2-4 weeks before your trip. For large custom pieces, earlier is better — your artist needs time to draw the design.

Consultation process. Most quality artists offer a consultation (sometimes remote via Instagram) where you discuss the design, placement, size, and style. Bring reference images but be open to the artist’s creative input — they know what works best on skin.

Deposits. Expect to pay a deposit (usually 30-50%) to secure your booking. This protects both you and the artist’s time.

Let Gede Point You to the Right Studio

Not sure which studio or artist is right for what you want? Gede from Chill Bali Trips knows the local tattoo scene and can recommend artists based on your preferred style, budget, and location. He can also help coordinate transport and schedule your tattoo session within your broader itinerary.

Ask Gede for tattoo studio recommendations →