Mexico doesn’t fall short when it comes to exciting travel destinations and its Caribean coast is an undoubted highlight. From cenotes to white sand beaches, amazing parties, and deep sea diving, you can do anything in the Mayan mecca of Tulum, but what better way to remember the trip of a lifetime than with a new tattoo?
Tulum is the site of an ancient Mayan city that once served as a major port for Coba, the important pre-Colombian settlement in Quintana Roo. However, despite all the fascinating ruins that draw tourists from all over the peninsula, Tulum is better known today for its vibrant nightlife and lusted beach clubs. In recent years, it has also opened up to a gritty tattoo scene.
Some of the top tattoo artists on the Yucatan Peninsula can be found in the bustling downtown of Tulum. We’ve compiled this list of the very best tattoo shops in Tulum for all you ink lovers to enjoy. Let’s get into it.
Latin Ink Tattoo Tulum
Specialising in colorful neo-traditional designs, fine lines, and photorealism, Latin Ink is an established name in the Tulum tattoo scene. They welcome walk-ins but only offer custom tattoos so every customer is guaranteed to come away with something different.
Latin Ink has been in the business for more than eight years, first opening its doors back in 2014. Along with their friendly team of experienced artists, their resident piercer is on hand to help with all your body jewelry needs.
Find them right on the main strip of Tulum in the center of downtown opposite Bonita’s Burger Bar—the perfect spot for satisfying your post-ink hunger.
Rating: 4.9/5
Price range: $$
Address: Av. Tulum entre calle Osiris y Beta norte, Tulum Centro, colonia centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Contact: +52 984 213 7947
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 9.30 pm, Sunday 3 pm to 9 pm
Estudio Eterno
Located inside the Weary Traveler Hostel, this trendy studio couldn’t be more convenient for backpackers and partygoers in Tulum Centro. Four resident artists operate out of Estudio Eterno, each with their own specialisms from fine line to mandala work, colorful Japanese illustration to neo-traditional portraiture.
You’ll also find resident piercer Diego de Smith, for all your body piercing desires. The studio is praised for being bright, clean, and modern with friendly, five-star service every time. They also promote themselves as being LGBTQ+ friendly and welcoming to all bodies.
When Tulum can often break the bank, its affordable prices will come as a welcome surprise. Find Estudio Eterno inside the Weary Traveler Hostel on Calle Polar Pte., set back one street from the main strip. The Weary Traveler Hostel is nestled behind the lively Santino’s Bar. Get a fresh ink and head straight to the clubs—just don’t forget to get wrapped up first.
Rating: 5/5
Price range: $-$$
Address: Polar Esq. Orion LT 5 5 CP7776, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Contact: +52 984 143 1938
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 1 pm to 8 pm, Sunday, closed
Inktulum Tattoo Tulum
Opening its doors way back in 2012, Inktulum is one of the longest-standing studios in the center offering professional service and unique designs. They welcome walk-ins and the resident artists are on hand six days a week to assist with all of your inking needs.
Vinny specializes in bold and colorful neotraditional designs, while Maria has a knack for tribal art and mandala work. There are also plenty of flash pieces to choose from on their Instagram.
Inktulum is located on the corner of Calle Centauro Sur and Andromeda Ote, one road back from the main strip. The studio is also just next door to local haunt Batey’s Mojito and Guarapo Bar. Get inked then enjoy the live music and great cocktails at this well-loved piece of the furniture in downtown Tulum.
Rating: 5/5
Price range: $$
Address: Calle Centauro, Esquina Andromeda Centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Contact: +52 984 179 6893
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 2 pm to 10 pm, Sunday, closed
Tattoo Xolo Tulum
Xolo tattoo is the place to go for unique tattoos and imaginative artwork in Tulum. Imix, the owner, has been in the business for more than a decade and he specializes in spectacular color work and fine lines. Putting love, effort, and experience into each design, you can guarantee you’ll be looked after in the hot seat here.
Imix’s creations are intricate and unusual, focusing on tribal, animal, and mythical portraiture with a combination of block color, fine detail, and bold lines. They also offer piercings at Xolo but appointments are recommended.
You can find the studio in the heart of downtown, located on the corner of Calle Beta Sur and Calle Sol Ote. Tattoo Xolo Tulum is open every day of the week from 11 am to 9 pm but call ahead to guarantee your spot.
Rating: 4.9/5
Price range: $$-$$$
Address: C. Beta Sur, Tulum Centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Contact: +52 553 495 7064
Opening hours: Open daily, 11 am to 9 pm.
Nomad Ink Tulum
Nestled in Aldea Zama, Nomad Ink is a tattoo and piercing studio serving central Tulum and the ex-pat community of this up-and-coming neighborhood. You’ll find four resident artists here, each with their own expertise.
Mao is a specialist in fine line and ornamental hand poke tattoos loved for his geometric cosmic designs. Primo Juan is also a hand poke artist but he specializes in bold lines, statement designs, and tribal artwork. You’ll also find Fernando Barragán at Nomad Ink. He’s an expert in realism, particularly animals and portraiture. Then there’s Alexei Santana, with a knack for a range of styles including anime, realism, color, and flower work.
There’s something for everyone at this elegant and professional studio. Aldea Zama is located in between Tulum Pueblo and the upscale beach zone, offering a host of residential complexes nestled in the jungle for ex-pats and holidaymakers alike. Aldea Zama is perfect for getting around on bike and great for travelers seeking peace and quiet with the best of both worlds from the town and the beach.
The hotel zone and beach clubs of South Beach are just ten minutes away, but there is also a thriving restaurant scene and cafe society in Aldea Zama itself, giving way to a growing digital nomad community in this part of town.
Appointments are recommended at Nomad Ink but the studio is open daily from 11 am to 8 pm. Check out their Instagram to find the best artist for your style.
Rating: 5/5
Price range: $$-$$$
Address: Weech R.7 MZ12 L50, Aldea Zama LOC 3, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Contact: +52 984 207 0668, nomadink.negocio.site
Opening hours: Open daily, 11 am to 8 pm.
Los Santos Tattoo Tulum
Located in the heart of downtown on Avenida Tulum, Los Santos is one of the highest-rated tattoo studios in Quintana Roo offering some of the best artistry in fine line, realism, and Chicano tattoos.
José and Victor are the revered resident artists here. José is a master in detailed photorealism, creating spectacular portraiture and still-art designs for his customers. Victor specializes in more neo-traditional flash art, with his expertise lying in animals, tribal work, and cosmic geometry.
They also offer body piercings and walk-ins are welcome. The interior is bright and colorful with neon lights, seasonal decorations, and a warm atmosphere. Pick up a graphic printed tee while you’re there and become part of the Los Santos family forever.
Find the boys directly opposite Raw Love on the main strip, a few doors down from the bustling ADO Bus terminal.
Price range: $$
Address: Av. Tulum 26, Tulum Centro, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Contact: +52 984 167 3626, lintr.ee
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm.
Tulum Beach Tattoo
If you’re looking for a studio in the hotel zone, Tulum Beach Tattoo is the place to go. The longest operating studio on the beachfront in Tulum, you can trust you’ll be in safe hands here.
Specializing in fine line and color tattoos, the studio uses only vegan ink and natural products too, perfect for all the holistic yogis down by the beach.
This studio also caters to tourists with limited time frames and they’ll do their best to fit you in before the end of your vacation. Contact them with the tattoo idea, size, and placement you have in mind to secure an appointment.
They offer a variety of flash art designs, but the artists will also be willing to curate the perfect original piece just for you. The studio is located in the hotel zone at South Beach, on the top floor of Naokal Boutique.
Rating: 5/5
Price range: $$$
Address: Km 8, Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila, Tulum Beach, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Contact: +52 984 119 3354
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm, Sunday, 12 pm to 7 pm.
Are tattoos expensive in Tulum?
Mexico is generally cheaper for tattoos than the US, with many artists charging around half of what they would in the states. However, Tulum is notoriously expensive for everything and you won’t get the same deals that you would in the rest of the country. That said, with so much competition, a tattoo in Tulum shouldn’t break the bank. Expect fees of around $800 MXN ($40 USD) to $1,500 MXN ($75 USD) per hour in the center with a minimum of $1,000-2,000 MXN ($50-100 USD) per tattoo.
How old do you need to be to get a tattoo in Tulum?
Like much of the world, you need to be 18 years old in order to get a tattoo in Mexico. However, minors can get tattoos in some places with parental consent and the same goes for piercings. You might find that established artists refuse to tattoo minors even with approval from a guardian, but this tends to be a sign of a good artist.
Are tattoos popular in Mexico?
Tattoos have a long history in Mexico and date back to ancient times. Aztecs used tattoos to represent their status, publicize their conquests, and honor their gods, but in more modern history, tattoos became stigmatized and often implied gang affiliation. In recent years, more and more people have started to get tattoos in Mexico and they’re less taboo. An estimated 12 million Mexicans have tattoos and this number is on the rise.
Should you tip for a tattoo in Tulum?
If you’re getting a good deal for a tattoo with quality service in Tulum, it’s a nice idea to tip 10 to 20 percent of the total price to your artist. The tipping culture is established in Tulum and it is the norm to leave gratuity where it might otherwise not be in the rest of Mexico.
