Tattoos In Cuba

Are you wondering if you can get tattooed in Cuba? As an OG tattoo tourist I’ve been tattooed in a lot of different countries.

When I was in Havana Cuba recently I noticed a lot of tattoos among the younger generations. So I asked around and visited some tattoo shops in Havana. What I found were a lot of really poor quality shops and a few exceptional artists.

One shop and their artists were so good I even tried to book myself in for some work. That shop was Tattoo Mania in La Habana. And I would suggest looking them up on Instagram and of course, following our account.

Tattoo Influencers In Cuba?

While sitting at a cafe in Havana one morning I actually stumbled upon some tattoo influencers. And one in particular stood out.

The style of tattoo’s popular in Cuba are more old school and black work. With a mix of others thrown in for good measure. It’s uncommon in Cuba for a tattoo collector to have a defined vision of what they want from the start. But she did.

I would suggest to everyone reading this blog that they follow Cuban tattoo collector, enthusiast and influencer Ailec Olivera on Instagram. You’ll get an inside look at tattoo shops and studios in Havana Cuba. And a glimpse of what life is really like in Cuba.

Do Cubans Like Tattoos?

Absolutely, Cubans love tattoos. There’s no negative connotations in Cuba regarding tattoos. You can be as tattooed as you like.

But the jineteros and other street hustlers who know you’re a foreigner will likely try and use your tattoos as a way to engage you. Just tell them to f**k off. Or cover up when they’re around.

Do I Need To Cover My Tattoos In Cuba?

You don’t need to cover your tattoos in Cuba. Particularly in Havana. But you are going to find the jineteros (street touts or scammers) incredibly annoying. And if you have visible tattoos they become even more annoying.

Imagine 50+ people a day wandering up to you with the same lines. ‘nice tattoos friend, where are you from?’, ‘changer the money friend?’, ‘taxi friend?’, ‘tour friend’ and on the list goes. By the end of day one I guarantee you’ll be sick of them.

So I cover my tattoos in Havana. It gives the jineteros less things to try and approach me for. And you’ll likely start covering up too. At least once you’ve heard the same lines 50+ times in a day.

A Great Restaurant And Cafe In Havana Staffed By Tattooed peeps

If you’re looking to escape the craziness of Havana for a little while and relax with a coffee (or something stronger) in an environment surrounded by fellow tattoo collectors I’d strongly urge you to visit Boné Ma in Vedado.

It’s the one place in Cuba where the jineteros (street touts) wont be following you around saying ‘nice tattoos friend, where are you from?’ while they try to scam you. You can chill surrounded by fellow tattoo enthusiasts and either talk tattoos or just zone out with a drink.

Where Can I Get More Information About Tattooed travel in Cuba?

I’ve made a Cuba Frequently Asked Questions Page (FAQ) available on my travel blog. And I would strongly advise you to read it before traveling to Cuba. 

My Cuba FAQ page will save you a lot of time and a significant amount of money on your trip to Cuba. Cuba is not the sort of destination in which you can just arrive unprepared. 

Read the Cuba FAQ Page here.