Colombia is home to some of the most beautiful, family-oriented women in the world. As someone who has visited over 20 countries, including Brazil and the Dominican Republic, I can confidently say Colombian women are unmatched in their beauty and cheerful personalities. If you’re a single Western man looking for a meaningful relationship, Colombia presents an incredible opportunity.
I spent over 9 months living in Medellin, Colombia and I’ll share my personal experience using the most popular dating apps and making in-person approaches in public. While my experience dating women in Medellin was overwhelmingly positive, one must realize that dating there does come with some security risks.
In this guide, you’ll learn insider tips and strategies for successfully dating Colombian women as a foreigner. We’ll explore Colombian dating culture, how to meet Colombian women both online and in-person, common challenges you’ll face, and recurrent scams and safety hazards to avoid. Whether you’re looking for a serious relationship or casual dating, this guide will prepare you to successfully date beautiful Colombian women.
Dating Culture and Customs in Colombia
A Catholic Culture, Chivalry: Colombia is a predominantly Catholic country, so traditional values and gender roles still hold strong in Colombian dating culture. Men are expected to be chivalrous, pay for dates, open doors, and make the first move when initiating contact with women.
Also see: What Are Colombian Women Attracted To? You May Be Surprised
Style in Colombia: Colombian women take their style and physical appearance very seriously, possibly more than any country I’ve ever been to. They tend to dress elegantly and appreciate their men to look sharp as well for dates. Wearing shorts or sandals is not common among Colombians, especially on dates. Instead go for a pair of jeans and some white sneakers.
Public Displays of Affection (PDAs): Public displays of affection are welcomed in Colombia as long as they are not over the top. Holding hands, hugging, and kissing are widely accepted as long as they are not overtly sexual. For example, no “making out” but a kiss on the lips is no problem.
Machismo: Often common in Latin cultures, especially Colombia, machismo is defined by Webster as “a strong sense of masculine pride.” In my experience, Colombian really appreciate men who are kind, respectful, and chivalrous. Some of the women I dated were not accustomed to being with a gentleman and is a reason many may prefer a foreign boyfriend.
Spanish-speaking: As a foreigner, you may be given some leeway initially, but learning Spanish and adhering to Colombian dating etiquette is advised to attract high-quality Colombian women seeking long-term relationships. In my experience, English was not commonly spoken in Medellin, therefore learning some Spanish skills should be a high priority.
Also see: Do You Need To Know Spanish To Date In Colombia?
Online Dating In Medellin, Colombia
Online dating is a great way to meet Colombian women, especially if you’re visiting the country for a short time. The top sites are ColombianCupid and LatinAmericanCupid. I had the most success finding quality women on these platforms.
*Caution: Meeting women online in Medellin can be dangerous. While I can not guarantee your safety, check out my article: 9 Tips For Dating Safely In Medellin From My Experience. It’s important to safeguard yourself from the drug scopolamine, get accommodation with 24-hour hotel security, never lever a drink unattended, don’t be flashy in your style, and avoid dating women involved with financial transactions.
ColombianCupid
ColombianCupid is part of the Cupid Media network, which operates over 30 niche dating sites. With over 1 million members, ColombianCupid is the largest Colombian dating site. You can search for women by location, age, appearance, and other filters. I found the women on ColombianCupid to be very responsive and serious about finding a relationship. Many spoke English well.
What’s great about ColombianCupid and LatinAmericanCupid is that these websites are both designed to match foreign men with local Colombian women. Therefore you won’t be competing with many local Colombian men on the platform.
LatinAmericanCupid
LatinAmericanCupid, also from Cupid Media Network, is similar to ColombianCupid but has women from Mexico, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Argentina, and other countries in Latin America. At one point when I was in Colombia, I signed up and paid for both ColombianCupid and LatinAmericanCupid to expand my pool of dating prospects.
My suggestion is to use ColombianCupid if you are specifically going to Colombia. However, if you have loose travel plans and will be bouncing around different countries in Latin America, then LatinAmericanCupid would be the better choice.
Tinder and Bumble
I don’t recommend using Tinder or Bumble in Colombia, even though there are a plethora of beautiful Colombian women on the platforms. Unfortunately, since these apps have become so popular, criminals are using them as one of their main resources to target foreigners for robbings and druggings. In fact, the issue has become so prevalent that the US Embassy warned US citizens to stop using Tinder in Colombia.
Facebook Dating and Instagram For Dating In Colombia
I met a wonderful Colombian girlfriend on Facebook Dating and think it is a great resource to find dates. While security risks still apply, each Facebook Dating profile is matched to a real Facebook profile, making it a little safer. Instagram, although not intended to be a dating platform, is also becoming one of the biggest ways to meet people.
While Facebook Dating is similar to other match based algorithms, Instagram is more of a hit-or-miss numbers game. The chances of succeeding finding a girlfriend on Instagram are heavily reliant on these factors:
- Make sure your Instagram profile looks cool and active
- Play the numbers game by following and messaging many women
- Whether the woman is single and in the mood for a relationship
- Ask and verify that she is 18 years or older
For an in-depth review of online dating apps in Colombia, check out my article: Tried & Tested | Best Dating Apps To Meet Colombian Women
Meeting Colombian Women In-Person
Approaching Colombian women respectfully in public places can lead to romantic connections, but you must be careful. Here are some tips:
- Quality Colombian women are can be more conservative, so avoid being too forward or aggressive when approaching them. Start with small talk and be polite.
- The best places to meet Colombian women in public include shopping malls, cafes, parks, language exchanges, and dance lessons. Approach respectfully and strike up a friendly conversation. Some of the best women that I met were working in clothing stores at Centro Comercial SantaFe in Medellin.
- Make sure to brush up on your Spanish skills. Even if she knows some English, making an effort in Spanish shows care and interest.
- Compliment her in a polite way, on her style or a book she’s reading for example. Don’t comment on physical appearance.
- Gauge her interest and comfort level. If she seems engaged and welcoming, you can ask for her number or a date. If not, politely end the conversation. You don’t want to be a public nuisance.
- Be aware of your surroundings and look for indicators of interest. Subtle cues like eye contact, smiling, hand gestures, and multiple looks in your direction are indicators that she may have interest in you.
Found a Colombian woman and want some good date ideas? Then check out: 9 Romantic Date Ideas in MedellĂn That’ll Be Unforgettable
Are Colombian Women Interested in Foreign Men?
Yes, Colombian women are often very interested in foreign men, especially those from Western countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, England, and other countries in Europe. However, there are some important things to keep in mind.
While some Colombian women are open to casual relationships. Others may find foreign men exciting and attractive at first, but will lose interest quickly if you are only visiting for a short time. The first question that Colombian women ask me is , “How long are you here for?” Therefore, the possibility of finding a quality relationship while on a short vacation to Colombia is slim to none. Fortunately, since I was staying in Colombia for six months, many quality women were eager to go on a date with me.
Also see: Is Colombia or Dominican Republic Better For Dating Women?
One of the biggest requirements for many Colombian woman in dating a foreigner is that he speak Spanish. While some women are proficient in English, I found the majority are not capable. If you cannot communicate in her native language, the relationship likely won’t get very far. Make an effort to learn Spanish, as this shows your sincere interest in her and willingness to embrace her culture.
If you want to learn Spanish quickly, consider enrolling in one of the many good language schools throughout Colombia that offer group or private Spanish classes. I used BaseLang in Laureles (Medellin) and found their curriculum and teachers excellent. With enrollment, you can take one-on-one lessons in-person at their school, in addition to unlimited online lessons with an instructor. Taking lessons accelerated my learning far faster than trying to pick up Spanish on my own. They also have a subscription where you can be 100% virtual, taking unlimited tutoring sessions online before, during, and after your trip.
Also see: Flirting With Colombian Women | Top Tips For Foreigners
How I Got Scammed in Medellin, Colombia
Unfortunately, I fell victim to a common dating scam when I first arrived in Colombia. On the dating app Bumble, I matched with a beautiful Colombian woman named Maria. We hit it off right away and began chatting every day. We also did several video calls so I could verify her identity.
After a week of messaging, Maria asked if I could send her $50 via Western Union. She claimed she needed the money for transportation to come visit me for a date in Medellin. Wanting to meet her in person, I went ahead and sent the $50. However, right after receiving the money, Maria blocked me on Bumble and disappeared. It was clearly a scam to get cash from me, and I assume she then moved on to her next victim.
Other Common Scams in Colombia
Here are some other common scams to watch out for as a foreigner dating in Colombia:
- The “emergency scam” – A woman you just met claims she has an emergency and needs money immediately. Once you send money, she disappears.
- Extortion scams – A woman threatens to tell police or immigration that you assaulted her or broke a law, unless you pay a bribe.
- Fake dating profiles – Some dating sites have fake profiles and “catfish” that try to extract money from foreign men. Video chat before meeting anyone.
- Robbery setups – A woman agrees to meet you but takes you somewhere with accomplices who then rob you. Meet in safe public places like shopping malls.
- Drugging – Women slip drugs into your drink so accomplices can rob you after you pass out. Never leave your drink unattended. The drug they use is called Scopolamine, or “Devil’s Breath”, and is frequently used to drug foreigners in Colombia.
The potential for scams is one reason I don’t recommend using Tinder or Bumble in Colombia. Stick to legitimate international dating sites like ColombianCupid where scammers are easier to spot. And never send money to someone you haven’t met in person! My lesson only cost me $50, but many men lose thousands in dating and marriage scams in Colombia.
Also see: Comparing Brazil & Colombia: Which Is Better To Meet Women?