I Got My First Tattoo in a Hostel in Peru for $40!
Huacachina, Peru
Picture this. I’m walking back into my hostel in Huacachina, Peru: sunburnt, sand in my shoes, still buzzing from a day of sandboarding through the dunes. The desert heat is finally fading, the sun’s just dipped behind the horizon, and I’m fully planning on rinsing off and lounging by the pool. That’s when I see it: a handwritten sign taped near the bar. “Tattoos – 2 Flash Designs for $40 by @bea__ink.” I stop. Re-read it. Smile. Because of course, what else do you do after a day in the desert but say yes to a $40 tattoo from a stranger at your hostel?
I’d always wanted a tattoo — but not just anything for the sake of having one. It had to hold weight. It had to feel personal. Over the last year, my world had expanded in every direction. I switched my major to Global Studies, started traveling more than ever, and began chasing a deeper understanding of culture, identity, and place — not from behind a desk, but out in the world. So when the opportunity came to get inked while abroad, I knew it couldn’t just be spontaneous for the story. It had to mean something.
At one point, I toyed with the idea of collecting tiny tattoos in every country I visited — until I realized I’d end up looking like a human passport. I didn’t want that. I wanted one piece that could hold the whole journey. So I went with a world map. It’s clean, minimal, and full of meaning. To me, it says: “I study the world by exploring it.” A forever souvenir of everywhere I’ve been and everywhere I still hope to go.
As luck would have it, the artist behind the sign, Bea aka @bea__ink, happened to be staying in my hostel dorm. A traveling tattoo artist funding her journey one design at a time, she had turned a corner of the common area into her nightly studio, offering flash tattoos to fellow backpackers. Bea was warm, relaxed, and totally open to swapping her “2-for-$40” flash deal for one slightly larger custom piece. What started as a spontaneous decision quickly turned into a full-on hostel event. One traveler stepped in to help translate between Bea’s Spanish and my English (shoutout to him for keeping the communication flowing). Meanwhile, in the most unexpected moment of the night, a guy I befriended from Germany decided to get a giant red tomato tattooed on his thigh. No explanation needed. It was chaotic in the best way – a mix of languages, laughter, and impulsive creativity. Classic hostel energy, and the kind of moment you just can’t plan.
But… was it safe? The short answer? Yes, but only because I was intentional about it. This wasn’t a sleek studio in a major city, but that didn’t mean it had to be sketchy. I made sure everything looked clean and professional before committing. Bea prepped her space carefully, used sterilized tools, wore gloves, and handled the setup with clear attention to hygiene. Just because the setting was unconventional didn’t mean I was willing to compromise on safety and you shouldn’t either.
If you're considering getting inked on the road, my best advice is: be spontaneous, but not careless. A travel tattoo can be an incredible souvenir if you do it right. Here are my three tattooing while traveling essentials:
Do your research. Even if it’s a walk-up setup like mine, ask to see their portfolio or check out their work on social media. You want to know they’ve got a steady hand and a solid reputation.
Ask questions. Hygiene isn’t something to guess on. Don’t be shy about asking how they sterilize equipment, where the ink comes from, and what their aftercare recommendations are.
Take care of it like it’s your job. Travel adds extra variables like sun, sand, and sweat, so be diligent. I kept mine covered in the sun, used healing ointment daily, and avoided anything that might cause irritation while it healed.
In the end, it wasn’t just about the ink. It was about saying yes to a moment that felt right; one of those unexpected travel decisions that somehow ends up defining the entire trip. There’s something deeply meaningful about getting a tattoo while on the road. It becomes more than just a design, it’s a timestamp. A tiny anchor in time. Every time I glance at my world map tattoo, I’m back in that desert hostel, hearing laughter from the bar, remembering Bea’s quiet focus, and feeling that rush of realizing: this is my story, and I get to write it.
Some souvenirs you pack away.
This one? It stays with me and it’s never leaving.
Thinking About Getting Inked Abroad? I have a few final thoughts. First, have a vision, but stay open. Inspiration hits differently when you’re far from home and sometimes the best ideas aren’t planned. Also, you should support local and traveling artists! It’s one of the most personal and meaningful ways to connect with the places you visit. Most importantly, do it for you. Not just for the story, or the Instagram post but because it feels right in your gut.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t forget a bit of common sense, a little prep, and a lot of aftercare ointment.
Have you ever gotten a tattoo while traveling? Or is it something still sitting on your bucket list? Drop your stories in the comments — I want to hear them all. Yes, even the tomato tattoos.