How much is a tattoo in bali?

I'm guessing you're here because you think you MAY want a tattoo while in Bali, but you're not sure how much it'll cost you? Orrrr you've already scheduled your tattoo appointment (because you want a tattoo so bad, obviously; I've been there) but you want to check and make sure the price sounds about right. Regardless of the reason you landed on this blog, you're here now, and I'm going to explain the cost breakdown of tattoos in Bali so you know exactly what you can expect.

how much is a tattoo in bali?

The cost of a tattoo in Bali depends on the tattoo parlor or shop that you go to. I would say a general average for a 5cm x 5cm tattoo is $35-$50 and then it usually goes up from there. I also noticed that the area that you get the tattoo in can change the price as well.  For example, I got a thin script tattoo in Ubud for about $20 (312,000.ooo IDR) at a small, local shop that our driver knew. Then, when traveling to Canggu, a very touristy area in Bali, we saw a number of high-grade tattoo shops. I believe that because this is where a lot of tourists get their tattoos in Bali that the prices are targeted towards those individuals. In addition, a lot of the tattoo shops in that area are owned by Indonesians, Australians, Americans, etc who have larger, more successful shops which may play a role in the prices. The more popular and reputable, the higher the cost typically is, right?

Another thing that you want to remember when estimating the cost of a tattoo is to consider factors like the price of aftercare products and transportation. Not only will you have to pay the artist for the cost of the tattoo, but you will also need to get essential aftercare products like tattoo soap, tattoo lotion, and sunscreen made to protect new tattoos. You can also opt to get tattoo numbing cream to help minimize the pain during the process (for a complete list of quality products with multiple price options, click here). Finally, you want to consider the cost of transportation, especially if the shop is a little bit further away. In that case, the most cost-effective means of transportation would likely be to rent a scooter from a reputable scooter rental company like Bikago. The cool thing about this is that you can pick up your scooter from one of their many locations, and drop it off at another one! My friend group and I rented scooters through Bikago for only a couple of dollars a day, and that's how we went from Point A to Point B half the time (the other half, we rented a driver which was much more expensive).

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP FOR MY TATTOO IN BALI?

Bali has a non-tipping culture, which means that both residents and visitors alike are not expected to tip anywhere they go, or for any sort of service. This means that it is acceptable for you to just pay the price of service. However, I would personally advise tipping for tattoos. This is because a lot of the artists are paid a salary from the tattoo studio and do not get the full service charge you paid for the tattoo. Therefore, I would advise tipping at least a couple extra bills- the equivalent of $5-$10 of Indonesian Rupiah. You'll still be getting the tattoo for cheaper than anywhere in the USA, Australia, or Europe.

WHY ARE TATTOOS IN BALI SO CHEAP?

The main reason why a tattoo in Bali is cheaper than getting a tattoo in countries like the United States, Australia, or a country in Europe is because the cost of living is lower. Labor is a lot cheaper, which means that food, accommodations, transportation, and more are also cheaper. The overall cost of living and operational expenses for tattoo artists is significantly lower. Therefore, the lower cost is a reflection of the economic landscape rather than a compromise on the artistry or professionalism of the tattooing process.

WHERE IS THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO GET A TATTOO IN BALI?

HOW MUCH DID YOUR TATTOO COST?

My tattoo cost me $20. It's a smaller, thin script tattoo about 3-4 inches long that says the word "become" in lower case letters. The word is written in cursive, and there are leaves and a vine to make the word look a little more discreet. Then, at the bottom, there is a small outline of a lotus. The entire tattoo took about 5-7 minutes to get done, and it was done in a small, one person tattoo shop in the center of Ubud. The shop was called BOIST Bali Ona Ink Studio Tattoo.

MY OVERALL ADVICE

My overall advice is that if you want a tattoo in Bali, first decide which area you are going to do it in. Are you staying in Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, or somewhere else? Then look at the tattoo parlors in your location or a location you are willing to travel to. Read reviews, look at Instagrams, and email a couple asking for how much they would charge for your design. Get an estimate before you even go! Then, you can schedule your appointment beforehand and have a slot ready for when you go on your trip.

Now, there's another option here: the other option is to completely and totally wing it. It sounds a little reckless, right? But that's exactly what my friends and I did. We knew we wanted tattoos when we went, but we didn't have a specific place in mind or a scheduled time. Instead, we actually became VERY good friends with our driver over our entire two week trip, and we trusted him to recommend a good tattoo artist who all the locals recommend. That's how we ended up in a teeny tiny shop in Ubud, getting tattoos from a guy in his young 20's. And that's how we ended up paying very, very low prices for our tattoos, even for Bali standards. So, your other option if you don't want to plan is to talk to some locals, talk to whoever is running or staying at your accommodation, and hear some local recommendations.

OKAY, THAT'S ENOUGH- GO SCHEDULE YOUR TATTOO NOW

Alright, if you've made it this far, I think you're ready to go and take the next step towards getting a tattoo in Bali. Don't let the opportunity slip away—contact a reputable studio, discuss your design ideas, and get a damn tattoo already!! And if you need more information, visit my more comprehensive guide about what it's really like getting a tattoo in Bali.