My nine months in Medellin, Colombia blew my mind. Colombia’s unique cultural history has created a population known for its warmth, diverse beauty, and strong sense of style — especially in Medellín.
In Medellin, Colombia, the top public locations to meet women are the SantaFe, Unicentro, and Viva Envigado shopping malls, the metro subway line, language exchanges, dance lessons, yoga classes, and the Unidad Deportiva de Belen sports complex. Colombia also offers an exciting nightlife for dancing, partying, and meeting women. However, it is strongly advised that foreigners either go out in a large group of friends or avoid going out altogether due to associated risks. The potential dangers of being drugged or harmed far outweigh the benefits of venturing out alone to meet women.
In this comprehensive article guide, we will explore the best strategies for meeting women in public settings in the vibrant city of Medellin, Colombia. I will provide valuable insights and practical tips on how to connect with women in these dynamic environments. Whether you are seeking a casual conversation or a potential romantic connection, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and resources to navigate Medellin’s social scene with confidence and success.
Also see: The Complete Guide To Dating In Colombia As A Foreigner
The Strategy of Meeting Women In Public in Colombia
My experience was that meeting quality women in Colombia is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. I’m defining quality women as women who have jobs, are in college, and are seeking long-term relationships. But, knowing the best places to go can give you a massive head start.
I don’t recommend simply cold approaching every woman you find attractive, unless you are advanced with that technique. This can come across as disrespectful and a bit creepy in Colombia’s traditional culture. Instead, the dating approach that worked better for me was to look for indicators of interest (IOIs).
Indicators of interest are simple attraction signals from women that are easy to spot. You look for them before making your move. A lingering gaze, smile, or effort to initiate conversation can signal that a woman is open to meeting you. If she seems reserved or ignores your glances, move on. There are plenty of lovely Colombian women to meet in Medellin.
✈️ Travel Tip: Don’t forget insurance. I use SafetyWing whenever I’m traveling long-term or living abroad. It’s affordable, built for travelers, and covers unexpected stuff like hospital visits, travel delays, or lost luggage — even if you’re hopping between countries.
If someone seems unusually forward or overly flirtatious in a public setting, it could be a red flag — in my experience, quality women in Colombia tend to be more reserved in how they show interest. Those aggressively seeking your attention may have ulterior motives, such as a financial transaction.
With an open mind and some Spanish skills, you can meet local Colombian women interested in long-term romance. Respect their values, read the signals, and you may just find the girl of your dreams.
Best Shopping Malls
I had a lot of success meeting stylish Colombian women in the malls of Medellin. I found it was easier and more effective than cold approaching women on the streets. When I was shopping in stores, I was able to strike up natural conversations by asking sales associates for help and advice. It provided a smooth transition into flirting and getting phone numbers.
The SantaFe Mall is an excellent spot with both indoor and outdoor areas to meet women. Within just a three minute walk, there is a smaller mall called Oviedo directly across the street too. Every time I walked between SantaFe and Oviedo, I was amazed by the sheer number of gorgeous women coming and going. The high amount of women walking around is due to the business of both the mall and the bus stops in the area.
Looking to meet single Colombian women? Try my favorite dating app/website in Colombia: ColombianCupid
Another favorite mall is Centro Comercial Viva Envigado located in the town of Envigado. Although technically a different town, Envigado feels like it is part of Medellin. It’s about a one hour walk or a quick metro ride to Medellin. Many expats prefer living in Envigado since it has a more laidback vibe and feels a tad safer. I stayed in Envigado for four months and loved it. The Viva Envigado mall is huge with everything you need, along with many relationship-minded Colombian women.
Right near the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, the UniCentro mall in the Laureles area is another great spot. With the university next-door, there are lots of college-aged women in the food court and walking around inside and outside the mall.
Also, for online dating you might like to see my feedback on using the most popular Colombian dating sites: Tried & Tested | Best Dating Apps To Meet Colombian Women
The Metro
For my guys that are interested in meeting women in public, there may be no better place than the metro subway line that runs up and down the city. The Medellín metro offers great opportunities to meet new people during the day. I often struck up conversations by asking for directions or chatting while waiting on the platform — many locals are warm, helpful, and open to meeting foreigners.
The metro runs throughout Medellin, making it convenient to access all over the city. The metro moves fast, so if you decide you want to spark up a conversation, you need to be quick. Have you found some phone numbers and need some good date ideas? Then check out: 9 Romantic Date Ideas in Medellín That’ll Be Unforgettable.
By the way, when riding the Metro, I highly recommend using an over-the-shoulder bag (Amazon) or cargo shorts with zippered pockets to protect your belongings.
SmartFit Gyms
SmartFit gyms are popular with health-focused locals and a good place to meet like-minded people. I met a few great women just by showing up consistently and striking up casual conversations outside near the smoothie stands. By the way, it is similar to Planet Fitness in the United States, except that they have tons of free weights and racks, instead of only having Smith machines.
With my membership level, I can use any SmartFit (I used it in Brazil too), therefore, I often switch locations just to socialize with different people. Be careful though, some women may appear to be solo but their strong, muscular boyfriend is on the other side of the gym!
Consider sparking up a conversation at the protein shake stand just outside the doors (there are usually small supplement shops just outside the SmartFit gyms). There are usually tables where people sit, talk, and socialize.
Language Exchanges
Language exchanges have become a very popular way for foreigners to meet local Colombians in Medellin. The premise is simple – locals are looking to practice and improve their English skills, while foreigners want to learn Spanish.
These exchanges provide a comfortable, low-pressure environment for meeting new people. Both parties are there with the same goals in mind. It’s easy to strike up conversations and exchange contact information like phone numbers or Instagram handles.
LatinAmericanCupid is also one of the best dating apps for Colombia. I recommend it if your plans are loose and are considering visiting multiple countries in Central and South America.
Many language exchanges lead to one-on-one meetups for coffee or lunch. This provides even more opportunity to get to know someone while continuing to practice the target language. Some exchanges have even evolved into speed dating events in Colombia because of the romantic possibilities.
Curious about what attributes Colombian women are looking for in men? Check out my article: What Are Colombian Women Attracted To? You May Be Surprised
Dance Lessons & Yoga
In Colombia, dancing is cultural and they start learning from a young age. It would be rare to meet a Colombian woman that couldn’t dance well. Cumbia, Bachata, and Salsa are extremely popular in Medellín, and taking lessons can be a great way to meet these women. If you are beginner, it’s best to brush up on your skills with lessons, which are more affordable in Colombia than in Western countries. Here are some popular studios to check out:
Dance Studio Casa Ritmo Latino – This studio offers group and private salsa lessons for all levels. It has a fun, lively atmosphere and attracts many local women. The instructors are excellent dancers themselves. Classes are offered most nights of the week.
Clases de Salsa Medellin (Blood Dance Company) – This studio focuses on teaching authentic Colombian-style salsa. It’s located in Poblado about a 15 minute walk from Parque Lleras, so you can go out dancing after class. They offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons.
DanceFree – With over 3,000 reviews on Google, DanceFree is highly recommend for learning salsa and bachata. They offer classes seven days a week and you can also attend online. They also have a language exchange from 6:30pm-8:00pm at night.
Yoga is also popular in Medellín as a way to exercise, relax, and meet people. Yoga classes in Colombia can also be a place to make friends and connections. My girlfriend was a frequent practitioner of it. If you’re interested in meeting women through yoga, go with a mindset of community and connection. It’s not the place for flirting — people will notice if you’re trying too hard.
Nightlife: Proceed With Caution
Going out can be a tremendous way to meet women in Medellin, however it’s my least favorite because of the risks and dangers associated with it. Understand that Colombians go out with big groups of friends. They find safety in numbers therefore I wouldn’t recommend going out solo. Consider participating in foreigner groups, language exchanges, and salsa lessons to build a network of friends before you start going out to nightclubs.
Pickpocketing, drink spiking, and bar scams targeting foreigners run rampant. Take it slow, watch your drinks, stay alert and don’t flaunt wealth. Further, since Colombians typically go out in large groups, solo foreign men may be viewed suspiciously. However, once you develop a social circle, the nightlife in Medellin is exciting and vibrant, with thumping salsa clubs, friendly expat bars, and wild discotecas packed with dance-savvy women.
Although I cannot guarantee your safety, here are my best tips to reduce the risks in Medellin: 9 Tips For Dating Safely In Medellin From My Experience
Unidad Deportiva de Belen
Unidad Deportiva de Belen, a huge sports complex and park, is my favorite place in Medellin, but not for approaching women. It is better for taking dates. It features a boatload of sports: futbol (soccer), basketball, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, swimming, archery, free outdoor gym, BMX, full-size outdoor track, etc. Most of these activities are free or have a small fee to participate.
For dating, the best strategy may to be get involved in some sports leagues and make progress in social circles. However, the women tend to congregate on the full-sized walking track that has a breathtaking background of the mountains. I stayed nearby so I could take advantage of the daily activity —tennis , walking, smoothies. It became a regular part of my routine and even made for great dates, as well as play tennis, and play pickleball.
The park has cute little stands selling fresh fruit and smoothies for cheap prices, which made for fun and engaging dates. My Colombian girlfriend and I loved going there to run on the track, and afterwards, walk around drinking a smoothie.