Contents of Post
Finding the right studio to work with in Mexico wasn’t easy. However, after several months of searching, Mexican Tatts was the studio we decided upon and it was the right choice.
After much deliberation, Mexican Tatts was the only studio to be awarded the 2022 Tattoo Studio of Choice Award and for good reason, but we will get to that.
Finding An Artist In Mexico
As with any country, we spent months sorting through different artists. Yet, with how many misconceptions there are about Mexico, I was a bit nervous. I had heard all the horror stories about getting tattoos in Mexico. Therefore, I spent extra care in making this choice. All due to tales that don’t seem to be true.
After about eight months, I had narrowed down the artists to the top 5 we might want to work with. A month or so later, we had decided on two that we were looking forward to working with. One was more focused on traditional Mexican, Inca, and Mayan imagery. The other, Mexican Tatts, specializes in the embroidery style of tattooing.
Initially, it appeared we would be able to go to both. As the dates got close, it turned out that one of the artists had some issues, and we weren’t able to go see them. Then, due to scheduling confusion, we almost had to cancel working with Mexican Tatts as well. It was only at the last possible moment that we were able to sort things out and still see Maria.
Mexican Tatts
To this day, I’m not sure that Mexican Tatts itself is just one studio. Maria, the owner and winner of the ‘22 Nomadic Inscriber of Choice Award, is constantly travelling. She moves between three shops. One in Quetrétaro, another in Tequisquiapan, and the last in Mexico City. As far as I was able to tell, at least two of the studios are named Mexican Tatts.
However, the location which we are talking about is the one in Tequisquiapan. In fact, the studio itself is a small building converted into a shop less than ten feet from her front door. We spent a lot of time with Maria. From every interaction leading up to and after getting our tattoos, we are more than certain she puts just as much care into her other locations.
So let’s get started on the good, the bad, and the ugly with Mexican Tatts.
The Good
Where do you even start? Everything was absolutely phenomenal. Mexican Tatts may just be the cleanest studio I’ve ever been in. Maria is an incredible artist. She takes her time and makes sure everything is absolutely perfect. Seeing as she has a phenomenally light hand, that really isn’t hard.
From beginning to end, every part of our time at this studio was astounding and perfect in how pleasant it was. It never got too hot or cold, despite us being there all day for the two tattoos and the interview. The timing of the breaks were just short of perfection.
When dinnertime rolled around, Maria and her husband actually went as far as to get us pizza and pop. The whole process ended up taking much longer than originally anticipated. Therefore, we had to postpone our drive to Tolantongo until the next day.
Maria immediately helped us communicate with our accommodation. She told them we’d be a day late before finding us a place to stay in town. At a pretty decent price, too.
All in all, Maria and Mexican Tatts go above and beyond for their customers. Not just in one way, but in every way imaginable.
The Bad
Who’s to say how bad something has to be considered “bad”. To find something bad with this studio, I would have to be more nitpicky than ever before. Even then, I would only be able to name one thing.
What is that one thing? The location. It’s inconvenient unless you’re already going to Tequisquiapan. Which is a beautiful town that everyone should visit. It’s gorgeous there.
Then again, it’s almost impossible to even name that as bad. After all, there are two other locations that are much more convenient.
The Ugly
In all honesty, there was no ugly when it came to Mexican Tatts.
Our Review
I don’t really know what more I can say. Between what’s been said here and in the Tattoo Studio of Choice Award announcement, almost everything has been said. Almost.
Honestly, I don’t think I can praise Maria or Mexican Tatts enough. Not only for everything we mention, but also for whatever I have forgotten to mention and for our tattoos.
Both Lisa and I absolutely adore our tattoos. To this day, and I’m sure for many years more, Lisa will do this cute thing. She’ll see her tattoo in the mirror and just stare at it. Then she comes running to me wherever I am in the house, shouting, “Jenson! Look at my cow!”
Then there’s my tattoo. I couldn’t feel more honoured. Maria took one of her prized paintings and modified it to fit on my arm in her style. A gorgeous piece of embroidery that I am honoured to have on my arm.
If you are wanting a tattoo while in one of these areas, then Mexican Tatts is the place to go.
Ratings:
It always feels a bit weird doing one of these ratings. Primarily due to the fact that I don’t bother rating places that I pass on for good reason. Despite creating this rating system, I’m not sure that I will ever review a place less than 3.5 stars.
All that being said, I found this one shocking.
Location:
If we were just talking about the Tequisquiapan location, it would be 2 stars at most. Yet, with the option of three different locations, that bumps it up.
Cleanliness:
If I could go above 5 stars, I would.
Bathroom:
Friendliness and Professionalism:
Just see “The Good” section.
Atmosphere:
It truly feels like you’re being welcomed into their home.
Talent in Specialization:
Variety in Styles:
As can be seen on both their Instagram and in Lisa’s tattoo, a variety of styles can be done. However, it’s clear that there’s a huge preference to the embroidery style.
Heavy-Light Handedness:
Aftercare Instructions:
Aftercare is super important and Maria was on top of her aftercare instructions.
Overall Rating:
Mexican Tatts may just be the closest to a perfect score that we have ever seen, topping out at a 9.75. Perhaps that we will ever see. We cannot recommend them enough. Especially if you are looking for a tattoo in the embroidery style.
If you happen to get a tattoo at Mexican Tatts or anywhere else and want to show off, feel free to send a picture to tattoos@nomadicinscriptions. You might even get featured on our Instagram and/or site!
Let us know if you want to go to Tequisquiapan to get a tattoo from Maria in the comments below. If so, what would you get?
As always, we believe we should live with intention, travel with purpose, and let the world inscribe its stories upon us.
So until next time, stay authentic, stay Nomadic, and let the world inscribe its stories upon you more than you do upon it.
