So, you are a foreigner guy and you’d like to meet some Medellín women? The culture here in Medellín makes it quite different than what you’re maybe used to. For your convenience, I collected 11 Medellín dating tips to increase your chances to make a good impression with Medellín women, and also to avoid some frustrations during your first dates.
Why Would You Want to Date a Latina?
Tastes and colors vary, but many tend to agree that Colombia is one of the places to find some of the most beautiful women in Latin America. And many would also say that Medellín is a great city to find beautiful women in Colombia.
But let’s not just talk about physical attributes. Dating a Latina for me is quite different because they have an intensity… in their look, in their way of dancing, of caring, of loving.
The arguments can also be more intense, but the relationship is rarely flat, boring, and life with a Latina can be charming and addictive.
It’s probably what you look for too, this “alive” feeling when you’re with a Latina!
Sometimes things can go unexpected. And you can forget about the clichés that locals are falling for foreigners… as you will have to work for it if you want to date a Medellín woman.
Ready to get started? Here are 11 Medellín dating tips:

You can meet Medellín women during your everyday life
Dating top #1. Where to Meet Women in Medellín?
Everyday life is a great way to meet women in Medellín – in shops, malls, the streets, the metro, supermarkets, cafes, universities and many other places are all good ways to meet women.
But meeting in person can be more difficult than online as you can’t hide behind a screen, it’s more ballsy, but this is real life (WYSIWYG for my developer friends).
And if your relationship turns out to work, you will both feel relieved to not have met online when your family will ask you “So how did you meet?”…
Also, keep in mind that women in Medellín (and the rest of Colombia) prefer to be approached by men. Approach with a smile and start speaking. In general, Paisas are receptive and most are interested in talking to foreigners.
Nightclubs will be more complicated in Medellín than in your home country. Because, Colombian women are there to dance, that’s what they do in nightclubs. Many don’t drink alcohol, and if you try to speak to them, asking them what they do in life etc., they won’t be much interested to chat with you as… they’re there to dance!
Furthermore, women that go to nightclubs normally go in groups and there will typically be some Colombian men in these groups. Penetrating these groups can be difficult and you will need some Spanish.
But you can also learn to dance and you can ask them to dance. It’s relatively easy in a nightclub to go up to a woman and ask or gesture for them to dance.
And you should try to get her WhatsApp number if you can and contact her the next day to actually speak around a coffee or something. And if you don’t have WhatsApp, get this app on your smartphone ASAP. This app is ubiquitous with Medellín women, almost all women have it.
Dating tip #2. Using Dating Websites and Apps
There are several dating websites and apps used by foreigners to meet Medellín women. Probably the most well-known is Colombian Cupid.
Tinder is also pretty common in Colombia – as in pretty much every place – which is great for the shy ones among us, but that also means more competition. Another alternative app is Happn, which is less popular but which can also maybe “convert” a bit more as it’s less spammy.
There are probably more than these three out there, but I believe these are the most popular.
Consider your profile on these dating sites as a piece of marketing, and differentiate yourself! I heard many women saying they were tired to see the men’s muscles, so maybe go for pictures with more clothes on.
As a side note, some “working women” use these sites and apps to get “clients”. Worried about this? Don’t worry, it should be pretty obvious when a woman leaves her WhatsApp number on her profile, when she shows pictures in a bikini or lingerie or when she calls you “papi” right away. 🙂

This is an example of what NOT to wear on a date or when looking to meet women
Dating top #3. Clothing Recommendations
Colombian women are beautiful – they know it and they’re used to getting attention. If you’d like to check it out, head to Parque Lleras on a Friday or Saturday night, and just walk around.
You’ll see that indeed, there is a lot of competition between women and they’re doing their best to be pretty, and oh God they are.
So, if you plan to wear shorts, socks and flip-flops, or just that backpacker style who may have forgotten to shower, most chances are they will totally ignore you. Flip-flops are OK on the coast but not in Medellín if you want to meet Medellín women.
Put yourself in their (fancy) shoes… why would they pay attention to you if you don’t pay attention to yourself?
You don’t need a suit but get some jeans, as Medellín is not a beach town.

Paisa women in Medellín, photo by Jonathan Magnin
Dating tip #4. Get Your Spanish Up to Speed
Colombia is far away from English speaking countries. And a majority of Colombians in Medellín only speak Spanish.
So, try to learn some Spanish, at least to be able to keep a simple conversation as many women won’t speak English… And if you can’t communicate, you’re making it way harder for you. Obviously the more Spanish you speak the easier it will be to communicate with women that don’t speak much, if any English.
I would suggest getting a head start with an app like Duolingo, to discipline yourself to do at least 15-30 minutes a day for a month or so, and then get 5-10 hours with a private teacher to actually speak some basics. You can find teachers in some cafes around Parque Lleras, already giving classes to foreigners. Most charge about 30,000 persos per hour for a personal class, meaning about $10/hour.
Or if you are serious about learning Spanish enroll is a Spanish program. Universidad EAFIT in Medellín reportedly has the largest Spanish program for foreigners in Colombia. In addition, a university can be a good place to meet women!
And on top of learning Spanish, which makes it easier to meet woman, you will support a Colombian Spanish teacher!
Dating tip #5. Be Aware of “Grillas”
No offense intended to anyone, this is just a note to be aware. A few women in Colombia (this isn’t limited to Medellín) are reportedly known as “grillas”.
A grilla won’t ask you for money. But she will expect you to buy her dinner, drinks, and maybe also to buy her friends some drinks during the night… then you might be able to take her to your place. So, you’re basically “buying your way there” a bit more directly instead of the most common and slower way of flirting and getting to know someone that you are more used to.
How would you recognize a grilla from a regular woman? “Grilla” means a libertine, promiscuous and exhibitionist woman, so you will recognize that. She will also be more on you, more touchy, closer to you than you would expect, but she won’t make any direct financial ask.

Inside Mercado Del Rio, a good place for a first date
Dating tip #6. First Date Recommendations
For a first date I would avoid a dinner as a security measure. This is in case there is really no mutual feeling. So, it’s best to not spend two hours and some cash on a lost cause.
Best to go for a coffee in the afternoon or a drink at night. We previously looked at six good coffee places in El Poblado, which would all be good places for a first date. Or Mercado Del Rio is another good place as there are so many choices there. And a good place with a view for drinks is Delaire Sky Lounge.
Also, don’t be surprised if your date shows up with a friend on a first date. She may do this to feel safe or her parents may require this.
A tip for you: before you meet, tell her that you actually have another appointment or something else to do about an hour later.
This way if it doesn’t work, you already have an excuse to leave… And if it works, just “cancel it because you like her company” 🙂
Dating tip #7. They Likely Won’t be on Time
What to do? Honestly, I don’t want you to miss a date because you arrived an hour later and she didn’t. Because she probably won’t wait much, so it’s best for you be there.
But to avoid getting frustrated, you can simply go to the cafe/bar where you have your meeting, and do as if she won’t show up.
Weird? Maybe. Efficient? Yes.
Fancy a drink? Have a drink. Want to do some work while waiting? Send these emails, just as you would do on your own.
This way if she contacts you half an hour after your date was supposed to start that she will be late, you won’t feel frustrated to have wasted your time and be pissed off when she finally shows up.
And if she doesn’t come – yes that can happen too – you won’t have wasted so much time just waiting.
Also, we included Colombians seeming to be late for almost everything in our list of 12 things Colombians do that foreigners may find weird.

Women in Medellín tend to dress well and may not be on time
Dating tip #8. Take the Initiative, But Stay a Gentleman
Machismo is common and women are used to it. So, it would be best if you have a place to go in mind for your first date, so that you’re taking some kind of control of the situation. Pick a public place so that she will feel comfortable to join you.
As for the gentleman part, I have heard that some Colombian guys sometimes forget to be that way after the first date. So, you can grab some easy points there by using classic moves such as opening the door for her.
Turning off your phone is a suggestion that I’m adding there, nothing specific to the Latin culture but I feel that’s part of being a gentleman and generally respectful.
Don’t try to kiss her on the first date… it rarely happens, as the first meeting is to get to know each other, right? Second date is different as you both decided to see each other again, so the interest is there…
Dating tip #9. Who is Paying?
So, you’re in a continent where machismo is quite set… and even though women could do with less of it, it’s still the culture in Colombia that guys will pay the bills.
In Colombia (not just Medellín), the women expect the guy to pay. Now again, it doesn’t have to be with everyone, but expect to always pay for the first dates. However, it’s possible (but rare) to find some women that will offer to split the tab or even pay the entire tab.
It can also happen that the woman expects you to pay for her taxi. This can turn out to be quite an unusual situation for someone you met online when before even meeting her in-person you need to pay her taxi fare…
In the case when you have a woman asking you for money or to buy her things, then it’s most likely a good idea look elsewhere.

Paisa women in Medellín, photo by Jonathan Magnin
Dating tip #10. She Might “Measure Your Oil”
“Medir el aceite” means that a few woman will test you… Not all women do this. And this is not a generality and is not meant to offend anyone. But it’s something I struggled with when I started dating in Medellín. And since I seem to have found out what to do, I’d like to share the two examples below with you.
In the Colombian culture, it seems there is a certain tendency to “go for the drama” in some situations. Sounds weird and the reasons are still a bit vague to me. It may be due the violent past of the country or the overwhelming success of the soap operas, but in any case, it’s there.
Machismo is really present too, and I guess women need some reassurance that you actually care for her… They obviously won’t support cheating, but they would like the fact that you behave somehow manly.
Anyway, in my experience, a few women will test you and your ability to stay firm on your decisions… Basically a few women will go for drama and can drive you nuts.
And they’ll do that not a few months into the relationship, but from your first or second date. Let me give you a couple of examples:
Text delay example
She sends you a text message, you answer her immediately. She doesn’t answer you for an hour. Then again, she sends you a text message, you answer her immediately. Sorry for you, now she’s losing interest in you.
How should you react to this behavior?
At first and as an occidental culture guy, you just feel it’s respectful to answer her quickly, to not make her wait… but here is the problem:
If you’re answering right away you’re losing points because she will see you as someone in need, someone at her orders, someone depending on her.
She knows she’s pretty, and she can get many men… so she’s looking for a man that is independent, who basically doesn’t need her.
So, when she sends you “hola como estas?”, you answer “bien y tu?” right away, and she then takes an hour to respond “bien gracias a Dios”, take another hour to reply to keep the balance right. 🙂
Restaurant example
You invite your date to dinner. Once you’re both sitting with the menu in your hands, the woman will tell you that she doesn’t feel any more like eating this kind of food, that she would like to go somewhere else. You’re surprised because it seemed like a good idea for both of you just moments ago.
You have two options here:
- Either you tell her that it’s all good, comply with her whim and change the restaurant to one that best fits her changing mood. But there you’re losing, and she will think you’re weak…
- Or you stand firm, say that you’re already here and that’s the only option there is, that there is no way to move and that she better pick something to eat now. In this case, she might be frustrated for a few minutes, but then she will respect you as a man she can rely on, that doesn’t bend much on her whims…
Again, not all women will act this way – I don’t want to offend anyone here, this is not a generality – but in my experience this type of behavior is more common in Medellín compared to what you can find in your native country.
Dating tip #11. What to Do If Your First Date Went Well?
Sharing outdoor activities is a great way to create new experiences… which are much more memorable than having a drink somewhere. And that will make you more memorable, so don’t hesitate to go out of the city to a park, paragliding or anything like this!
You’ll find many recommended places on this website, so look around! A couple of good outdoor activities that make for good dates include Jardín Botánico and Parque Norte.

Keep in mind: Medellín women are proud of their city
The Bottom Line: Medellín Dating Tips
Medellín is a wonderful city with much to offer including it seems like countless beautiful Medellín women. I put together this list of Medellín dating tips based on my own experiences and the experiences of my friends.
I hope this article will help you make the right moves and make the right decisions in your Medellín dating adventures. And maybe you’ll start dating a woman in Medellín and discover this sweet and exciting flavor…
In addition to the dating tips in this article, if looking for online dating, then check out Colombian Cupid, which is reportedly the largest online dating site in Colombia.
Have fun!
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Thanks Jonathan, some good points and LOL at that gringo in shorts photo. I am tired of seeing gringos dressed like that. The biggest tip is learn some Spanish. And definitely need to watch out for women that ask for things not just money.
Learning Spanish will get you far here, for sure.
How about setting up a language exchange date, where you practice Spanish for an hour, then it’s her turn to practice English?
Si Señor Jonathan, I am about to try that strategy in Colombia when I move there next year. Great suggestion! Gracias!
nothing wrong with shorts in medellin. Spoke to a few beutiful girls that i dated and they see no issue with it. They say only if you go out at night or on a date(As discussed in this article) then it is pathetic . but shorts and tshirt are fine during the day for errands. yes youll stand out. but you wont be the gringo clown everyone laughs at. only if you wear it at parque llures at night.
Thanks Jonathan, Great, and informational post. Is macho the best approach, of is it better to just be who you are. Not that I’m not a bit macho, but don’t like to play games. Was also wondering if Medellin, is better than Cali for for meeting women? Another question I have is do Colombian women like long hair on a US man. I mean ponytail long, or shorter hair is more to women’s liking? Thanks again Jonathan, I learned much that my help me here.
Cheers,
Hey Brock,
As I described, there is a bit of a game, at least at the beginning… so accepting every woman’s whims most probably won’t work.
I don’t know about Cali, sorry… and I don’t think the length of your hair matters, as they will look at your attitude mostly – and sometimes financial situation haha.
5’4″ should be fine – but be confident, you worry too much 🙂
Thanks Jonathan,much appreciated, Just want some woman who likes me for who I am.
Happy New Year!!!!
Hey Jonathan, not all women in Medellin are late to dates or places, some of us like to be punctual or sometimes even arrive before the guy arrives
Jonathan, one more question. I’m a bit short for a man. 5’4″ is that a problem? Have been to Spain, Peru, and especially in Peru felt like I was a taller than most of the women.
Hi Brock, there is a range of heights of women here. You will find many shorter than you and also some that are taller. The average woman´s height in Colombia is reportedly 158.65 cm (5′ 2.4″).
Thanks Jeff, Sounds good to me. Have a Happy New year!!!
Jeff does Colombian women like to date Africans as well?
Adolf, I don’t see you comment anywhere. Thanks just the same.
Cheers, Brock
1. To be honest, I am getting far more practical tips from this website than the Hobo Traveler website I paid money to in order to be a “verified” member! Jonathan, your tips are excellent. I have learned so much from your article. In my coming 6-month visit to test the waters, I hope to meet you.
2. As a young retiree, I am interested in mature professional Colombian women who are independent financially and I was thinking that attending church services — to pray first — would offer me the opportunity to meet such women after church service. Such women are likely not to be looking for US green cards. Such mature women may be divorcees or widows who would want to retire at home. This is why the university students thing does not appeal to me personally. What is your take on my suggestion? Hope to hear from you.
Hey Jacques,
Thanks, happy that was useful!
I guess you can’t go wrong if you put yourself into the culture – like by attending church services.
Get your Spanish up to speed, and go for coffees!
All the best,
J –
Great insight, Jonathan. Do you think these ladies might realise that, when dealing with a foreign man, they should consider being a little more amicable since the man is, most likely, not experienced with silly games and is most interested in “chemistry”?
Hey Don,
Many will be friendly, I put the accent on some cultural differences that can occur…
Don’t get discouraged, at the end of the day it’s a number’s game isn’t it?
Have fun discovering the differences!
Nice read. The taxi tip is especially a good one. That can catch one off guard if unaware
Jonathan makes some very good points. And I agree that discotecas are not a good place to meet women. I have blue eyes which gets me lots of compliments from women during everyday life when I approach women and talk to them. Also nice to see you didn´t use model photos in the article and included some photos of more typical paisa women.
Yeah, thanks for noticing that 🙂
Not only models are beautiful…
That is fantastic… and so true, beauty comes from within…
Hi Jonathan, I’m a Colombian woman that now is the girlfriend of a «gringo guy», we have laughed a lot of your post, very accurate information!! hahaha … have luck all you guys, my boyfriend and I are very happy since we met.
Well, my Colombian GF told me she put a comment here, so I figured I should drop my experiences. I spent over two months in Colombia last year, living in Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena. I’m a young, potential retiree (44), that was about 3 months into my world tour, and Anna (38) is a PhD student with a super successful career already underway. Almost all of the info is spot on, but it is based on lots of generalizations. I had many first dates….I think almost zero second ones (my choice) because of a lot of the above info. On my last week, I randomly bumped into Ms. A in a rock bar in Laureles. I stared at her for 40 minutes before speaking my crappy Spanish and within 20 minutes, all the stereotypes were out the window. My point is that you will truly never know when things will happen. It could be a subway, library, class, bar, or website. What matters is getting out and availing yourself. I met a fantastic woman that isn’t any of the traditional stereotypes, much like I’m not one either. Now, my world tour has been cut short and I’ll be in Medellin full time in March….and yes, learning better Spanish. It’s a great place where I feel very much at home.
Hey Anna, Jesse,
Just saw your answer… Happy you had fun with this article, and awesome that you found each other!
You’re right, you never know when it’s gonna happen…
Maybe today is your day!
J –
Fabi, Amen to that brother, Brock Canner here
Jonathan, next to Jeff I’ve learned so much a big thank to you both. No need to get back. heading out for a while,
I had a girl break up with me because i wouldnt buy her a bed. Shocked how she called me so much and showed she cared. Then i didnt buy her a bed and she broke up with me.
she is a college girl and works but all the work is part of the college program. i sleep over her house often anyways she moves and she ask me if i will buy her a bed for us. i say maybe if i like the apartment. She goes ahead and gets a new bed(her mother bought it ) then asks me for money for it. if i dont pay she will be forced to get a second job to pay her mother back (bull shit!!) i dont pay because i feel disrespected she bought it and ask me for money… it would be one thing for us to shop together for a bed. but it wasnt like that…
2 days later im sleeping and i dont pick up my face time call. and she says she is finished with me for cheating. (wtf? i was sleeping) like how can you go from wanting to move in with me, call me multiple times a day to being finished with me just like that… be careful for the gold diggers boys. i got played! and heart broken. but its ok ill move on. but stil hurts
Jonathan, I stumbled upon your web site and I would like some advice. My enquiry is not directly related to me learning about dating a Colombian woman as I am already in a committed relationship with a woman in Meta Colombia. My partner and I are trying to establish a business in the dating industry prior to her relocation to Australia to be with me and we are looking to establish complimentary relationships with Colombian nationals that have expertise in the international dating industry in Colombia. Primary dating And cultural advisors, travel and tourism advisors, and language and translation advisors.
This isn’t Jonathan’s website, he just wrote the dating post — see the About page – https://medellinguru.com/about/. And you can make contact via the contact page — https://medellinguru.com/contact/
Johnathan, I am coming to Medellín to reside ,am in my late 60’s retired. I hope I could meet someone in late 50’s or 60’s well-educated. Does my age shoot me down? I am fluent in Spanish and am well-educated and well-travelled. Widowed, divorced ok.
I would like to communicate directly with you
Thank you Jonathan for this!
I like the article, and I like the way you try to explain some thing culturally.
Thank you Jeff too.
Hey !
Some girls on tinder ask me if it is okay if I pay their taxi fare or uber fare.
Is this a bad sign?
Not necessarily. It is relatively common to ask for you to pay their taxi.
Thanks for your reply and your amazing blog ! I learned so much from it !
Anyways I have gone out with a couple of more Colombian girls before and they never asked.
As you know on Colombia tinder there are alot of pregaros ( prostitutes ) as well as gold diggers who are looking for financial support from men ( especially forigners )
I do not like these kind of women and i do NOT want to be that gringo ! As I know some gringos buy girls clothes and stuff !
My question to you Jeff is if you meet up with a girl from tinder and you had a great date and towards the end she says can you pay for my taxi or uber, does this mean she is looking at me as a man that she could use for her financial benefits in the future ? She knows im only in town for a month. We had a coffe date at the mall, she actually went and topped up her phone but NEVER asked me for money then. BUT when we got to the end of the date she said can you pay for my uber.
What do you think ?
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Thanks for the tips, especially number ten. I have fallen for this more times than I can count and was never in my nature to be difficult or play games.. BUT always wondered why I’d loose ground and things would fall apart.. Finally I understand… I always chalked it up to the good guy finishing last, but now I have a better understanding of what’s expected and I’ll do better going forward. Nothing like having the answers to the test before the test… Thanks
My god, these girls seem so hot, but so disrespectful and retarded. Who can put up with that?