San Carlos, Nueva Gorgona, and Punta Chame each have their own draw — quieter beaches, a slower pace, fewer crowds than the busier stretches of coast. What they don’t have is a tattoo studio of their own. If you’re staying in one of these towns and want to get inked during your trip, the nearest real option is a short drive away in Coronado, which has become the hub for tattoo work along this whole corridor.
Why Coronado is your closest option
Coronado sits roughly in the middle of this stretch of coast and has grown into the area’s main commercial center — more shops, more restaurants, and more specialized services than the smaller towns around it, tattoo studios included. Whether you’re coming from San Carlos to the west or Punta Chame and Nueva Gorgona to the east, Coronado is typically the closest place you’ll find an actual studio rather than someone working out of a spare room.
The studios worth knowing about
- Coronado Ink Tattoo Studio — a full studio setup in the center of Coronado, a solid first stop if you’re not sure yet what you’re after.
- High Groove Coronado — another established name in town with its own portfolio and following.
- Alexander Duque — an independent artist in Coronado, worth a look if you want a more custom, one-on-one experience.
All three are based in Coronado itself, so from any of the surrounding towns you’re looking at a single, straightforward drive rather than trying to track down someone locally.
Planning the trip from San Carlos, Gorgona, or Punta Chame
A few things make this easier if you’re coming from out of town for your appointment:
- Reach out ahead of time. Message the studio or artist before you make the drive so you’re not showing up without a plan — most are happy to sort out timing and rough design ideas over message first.
- Combine it with a Coronado day. Since you’re already making the trip, it’s worth turning it into a full day out — Coronado has more restaurants and shops than the smaller towns, so there’s plenty to do before or after your session.
- Build in healing time before the beach. If your own town’s appeal is the beach itself, keep in mind you’ll want a few days away from saltwater and direct sun after a fresh tattoo, so plan the session with the rest of your stay in mind.
What to bring
Same advice applies whether you’re local or visiting: bring reference photos or a clear idea of size and placement, and be upfront about timeline if you’re only in the area for a short trip. Artists here are used to working with visitors and can usually help you figure out what’s realistic to get done in the time you have.
Worth the drive
It’s a small inconvenience to drive into Coronado from San Carlos, Gorgona, or Punta Chame, especially set against the alternative of waiting until you’re back home or settling for something less considered. The corridor’s studios are used to travelers making exactly this trip, so you won’t be the first person showing up from a few towns over.
Check out the listings for Coronado Ink, High Groove Coronado, and Alexander Duque, and for more on what to do while you’re in the area, visit the Coronado Digital Directory guides hub.
