The Complete Guide to Dating in Mexico

Mexican culture is an evolving forest teeming with color and variety, and the dating scene is always an adventure. You may have heard that Latin culture is more conservative, more sensual or more social than you’re used to. 

While this may be the case with a certain person or area, the next one may be drastically different.

In this article, I won’t try to put all Mexicans under one sombrero. I’ll talk about dating etiquette, behavior and trends I’ve noticed, but all my observations come from one point of view. They may work as generalizations, and you may also find plenty of exceptions.

The map is not the territory, but I hope this guide gives you an authentic overview of how people tend to act when they like each other down here in the sepia kingdom.

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Is It Common for Mexicans Dating Expats? 

Almost anywhere on earth, people are attracted to the new and different. 

In Mexico, many more people are fascinated by other cultures and countries than afraid of them, and dating people from other places is seen by many as an opportunity to experience other lands in a small way.

There’s generally a certain status that comes with leaving your country full of, say, Italians and going to a place where you are now The Italian. 

Mexico is no exception, and you’ll probably be seen as a symbol of your country of origin by the people you meet. This will make you a delicacy for anyone who’s interested in that country as well as anyone who’s interested in general in the new and unusual.

You’ll probably be asked where you’re from until you begin to understand why some people call that a microaggression. Instead of getting frustrated, look at it as an opening people use because they’re interested in getting to know you. 

You might even want to plan some answers that double as conversation starters in case you want to get to know them back.

Language Barrier

Most people in Mexico speak one language, Spanish. 

Mexico also has 68 official indigenous languages, bringing the total number of national languages in Mexico to 69, which may or may not be appropriate for this article.

About 6% of the people speak Nahuatl, Yucatec Maya and the other indigenous languages. You won’t have to worry about learning those unless you travel to certain particularly remote locations, although you may already know a few poignant words. “Chocolate,” for example, is Nahuatl for “food of the gods,” which you’re welcome to use to impress your date.

Only around 10% of the Mexican population speak English, which still makes it Mexico’s most popular non-native language. Other popular second languages in Mexico include French, Portuguese and Italian.

You can use this language barrier to your benefit with your dates. Many people will be just as thrilled about learning some English with you as you might be to learn some Spanish with them. 

Coffee and a two-way language lesson can be an enticing prospect.

Here are a few useful words of very Mexican slang that you can whip out for a laugh or to show off your appreciation for the culture:

• Chido/chingon – These are used in conversation like “cool” or “awesome.”
• Güey – This is an informal way to refer to any person, used in conversation like “dude.”
• No manches – This literally means “don’t stain” but is usually used in conversation like “what the hell!”
• ¡Aguas! – This sounds like “waters” but is actually used as a quick warning like “watch out!”
• Ándale – This is a slightly nebulous expression that may be used to communicate surprise, encouragement, agreement and more, kind of like “come on!”
• A huevo – This is another all-purpose affirmative exclamation used like “Totally!” or “100%!”

Related articles

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• The Complete Guide to Learning Spanish Online and Available Courses

Safety

In Mexico, safety has a lot to do with location. You can do an internet search for “las colonias más inseguras” in the city where you’re staying to find out which local neighborhoods are unsafe and should be avoided.

Men are generally safer than women, especially walking alone. Day is generally safer than night, although many major cities have started putting up bright street lights and increasing the number of police patrols in unsafe neighborhoods to address this problem.

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Cartels are less worrisome than you might think. You can search online for the areas and towns in Mexico that are under chaotic cartel control and avoid those. 

In the major cities, as long as you don’t cause trouble with cartel members or flirt with their women, they prefer to simply run their businesses in peace without messing with regular people. Cartel affiliations are usually flashy, gaudy and easy to spot, but if you have any doubts, ask your Mexican friends.

Dating Etiquette

Mexican people tend to be easy-going and full of charm and curiosity, although they can get a bit jealous when dating, so… “¡aguas!” More than many other countries, Mexicans have widely different economic, social and even racial backgrounds. 

One size doesn’t necessarily fit all.

In general, most Mexicans come from a diverse ancestry of mixed indigenous and European blood. Catholicism is the dominant religion, but there is also a large Protestant population and a growing secular community. 

Most people are only religious in name only and don’t pay much attention to church rules and traditions, although you can also find some devoted believers.

People who live in the larger Mexican cities, like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, etc. are usually more open-minded when it comes to dating. 

Residents of smaller rural towns are usually more conservative and restrictive with stronger religious beliefs. The younger a person is, the less restrictive they’ll generally be no matter where they live.

If you’re a woman, you’ll find no shortage of men who want to talk to you wherever you go. 

If you’re a man, you’ll usually do the approaching, but women will also have no qualms about approaching you at the right place and time, like clubs and social events, especially if you’re at all interesting or attractive or you stand out from the usual crowd.

Where Singles Like To Meet

Here’s some popular ways to find your dates. 

Mutual Friends

Mutual friends are some of the best matchmakers because they know what you and the other person are like and what you both are looking for. 

Friends act as compatibility screeners that can give you a bit of insight into a possible date’s world before meeting them face to face. It’s not uncommon in Mexico for singles to meet at events set up by their mutual acquaintances.

Events

Mexicans love parties and often use their cultural and religious holidays as excuses to throw epic rumpuses. These include the usual Christmas, New Year, Halloween and Valentine’s holidays as well as some specifically Mexican occasions like Mexican Independence Day, Day of the Dead and Easter Week, which is a much bigger deal in Mexico than most other countries.

If none of these are around the corner, you can always count on someone you know to throw a birthday bash, barbecue, game night or other festive outing practically any weekend of the year. At these events, it’s usually socially acceptable to drink, dance, flirt and have fun with anyone there who’s game.

Work

A lot of Mexican singles are busy professionals who spend most of their time at work. Meeting on the job is a common couple origin story, and it’s not as frowned upon in Mexico as in some Western cultures.

If you’re a foreigner working in Mexico, there’s a good probability that a lot of your coworkers are single locals. Whether they’re ready to mingle or not, however, can be a touchy subject. 

A date gone awry can make for an awkward workplace. I’m not saying I recommend going out with a coworker; I’m just saying it’s not unusual.

Public

Approaching random strangers in public is much less common than having one of the above excuses to meet, but it still happens a lot. You won’t raise too many eyebrows as long as everyone involved looks happy.

Mutual interests can be one of the best reasons to approach someone, and visiting places that are interesting to you will often help you meet people who are interesting to you. You can meet fashionistas at malls, gamers at arcades and bookworms at libraries. 

I’ve heard plenty of stories of people here meeting their significant others playing sports at the park or lifting at the gym. If you go out and do things you love while keeping your eyes open, you may be surprised at the opportunities that present themselves.

Nightclubs

By far the most common way singles meet each other in Mexico is at nightclubs, discos and bars. You can generally find a bar with an excuse to be open almost any night of the week. Weekends are usually so busy that you’d be wise to call ahead and make a reservation if you want to get into a trendy nightlife spot.

Nightclubs are usually dark and noisy, and it can be hard to communicate, especially if you don’t speak much Spanish. That hasn’t stopped anyone before you, though, and I doubt it will stop you.

Going out at night can be dangerous in any developing country, and you should stay alert and never get sloppy drunk. Most clubs and bars in Mexico, however, have good security and few troublemakers.

Cartel members are usually pretty obvious and tend to hang out at specific spots and stay away from others. If you want to go to a place or approach a person you probably shouldn’t, your Mexican friends will let you know unequivocally. 

If your local friends warn you not to mess with a certain person or place, don’t.

Recommended Dating Apps and Sites

Although the Mexican dating scene is still much more in-person than many other countries, dating apps have caught fire here as well. 

There aren’t as many or as specific apps as you might find in other saturated markets, but you’ll still find a few of the usual suspects teeming with faces:

• MexicanCupid is for those who are looking for serious relationship
• Tinder is massive in Mexico, partly because it’s not used exclusively for short-term hookups. You’ll scroll through bio after bio of people looking for a long-term relationship, something real, someone who wants to build a family or even just a platonic friend.
• Bumble is mostly filled with people who want longer-term courtships, although outside a few large cities, you may find only a dozen or so people using the app.

A surprising number of singles in Mexico meet and ask people out on Facebook and Instagram.

If someone is open to dating and has a public profile on any social media site with their direct messages open, they probably send and receive all kinds of thirsty texts, emojis, photo and video replies and other pings and pokes.

MexicanCupid

Boasting over 1.5 million members, MexicanCupid is one of the most popular dating sites catering exclusively to Mexican singles and their admirers. The site was established in 2005 as part of the larger Cupid Media network, a global dating site network that operates over 30 niche dating websites.

Both local and international singles are welcome to join MexicanCupid. Many of its users are American and Canadian men looking to date Mexican women, while others are Mexican singles seeking international relationships. 

Casual and serious daters alike are drawn to the site because of its simple, streamlined design and straightforward search functions. MexicanCupid is generally more popular among older singles and those looking for a more serious relationship, but there are plenty of young adults looking for casual dates and hookups as well.

Tinder

Since its inception in 2012, Tinder has quickly become the go-to app for singles across the world, including Mexico. The app is used mainly by 18-to-34-year-olds who are looking for casual dates. 

However, Tinder features Mexican users of all ages, and there’s no shortage of users looking for committed relationships as well. 

More than 75 million people worldwide actively use Tinder, so regardless of where you’re located in Mexico, you’ll have the opportunity to match with lots of potential dates in your geographic area.

The app operates by connecting users based on mutual swipes — just swipe left or right on profiles to indicate interest, and if both users “like” each other, they can start messaging. 

Prospective expats or travelers looking to meet singles in Mexico should take advantage of the app’s “Passport” feature, which allows them to connect with users in their destination of choice before they even arrive.

Bumble

Another worldwide dating site, Bumble was founded in 2014 and boasts over 40 million monthly users. Although its interface follows Tinder’s swipe-based design, Bumble offers a refreshing take on online dating in that women must be the ones to initiate conversations after matching with other users. Users can also specify what kind of relationship they’re looking for by selecting one of three modes: Bumble Date, Bumble BFF, and Bumble Biz. 

After selecting Bumble Date, singles seeking Mexican dates can start swiping without wasting time sifting through non-dating profiles.

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Bumble Date users in Mexico often seek serious relationships, though the app features plenty of singles looking for casual dates. Plus, unlike conventional dating apps, Bumble gives users the ability to engage in in-app voice and video calls with matches. Users can place a “virtual dating” badge on their profiles to indicate that they’re open to the video chat option. 

This is great for busy expats and travelers who are looking to get to know people in their destination city on a deeper level before meeting up with them in person. 

Distance filters can also be expanded to match with anyone in Mexico rather than just local users, widening the dating pool and allowing expats to find more potential matches for serious relationships.

Badoo

Over 100,000 people across the world sign up for Badoo every day, and the dating-focused social network is particularly popular among Mexican singles. 

When signing up for the site, users have the option to select whether they want to date, make new friends, or just chat. Established in 20016, the site is most popular with those seeking casual flings, though users of all desired relationship types are present.

Once users have created a profile, they can browse other people’s profiles and send messages as they please. The site also offers a gamified “encounters” feature, which matches users based on their shared preferences and allows users to indicate whether they like someone or not. 

Like Tinder, Badoo is location-based, but users can also specify their current city or a destination they’d like to travel to. As a result, Badoo is a solid option for expats and travelers looking to find dates in Mexico.

Happn

Launched in 2014 and featuring over 100 million members, Happn is a location-based dating app that connects users who have crossed paths in real life. As such, it’s a great option for those who want to get to know people in their area without having to search through millions of profiles. 

The app also has a “See You There” feature, which allows users to share their upcoming plans and invite others to join them. Membership skews slightly younger than other dating sites, and users typically seek casual relationships.

Happn defines “crossing paths” with someone as being within 250 meters of each other, so it’s perfect for expats who want to meet someone without having to travel too far.

The app’s unique premise makes it ideal for expats and travelers to Mexico. Thanks to its focus on extreme proximity-based matchmaking, users can easily connect with Mexican singles in their area who they already have something in common with — a huge plus for a foreigner — and start getting to know them.

Going on a Date

Keep in mind that, while it’s becoming more common for young people to get their own places, many people in Mexico live with their parents until they get married. If this is the case with your date, they may have a curfew or other rules about going out, even as an adult. 

You may want to ask them about this before making plans.

However, don’t get frustrated if your dates never show up on time, if the cars on the road never stay in their lanes or if the movie theater is always running behind schedule. 

Here in Mexico, the party or date doesn’t start at 11 p.m. sharp; it starts when we all show up. 

If you’re a little unpunctual, disorganized or forgetful by nature, you’ll blend right in. Look at it as a chance to relax and embrace a bit of disorder.

Where to Go

There are many places you can go on a date in Mexico. You can take your date to a nice restaurant. You can go to a park. You can enjoy a movie together. Options are plenty! 

Cafeteria

One of the most casual outings on the menu is a generic coffee date at a cute cafeteria. You’ll find countless coffee shops in Mexican cities of any size, and many of them also serve alcohol. 

These places are generally not too busy, noisy or expensive, making them an ideal place to chat up a new romantic interest.

Restaurants or Food Stands

If cuisine is your thing, your date probably knows more than you about the tastiest places in town and will be happy to recommend one.

Malls

Malls provide refuge from the Mexican sun and can be a safe, neutral place to take a date.

Parks

Most Mexican cities are brimming with tree-lined parks filled with fun things to do. Besides the gardens, playgrounds and sports and swimming facilities, many upscale parks in larger cities have lakes, forest hikes, petting zoos and even horseback riding.

Some of Mexico’s most beautiful city parks include:

• Mexico City’s, UNAM botanical gardens, Parque Hundido and Chapultepec
• Guadalajara’s Bosque Colomos, Unidad Deportiva Tucson and Parque Metropolitano
• Monterrey’s Parque Fundidora, Parque Niños Heroes and Cerro de la Silla

Natural Features

If raw nature is more your thing, you’ll find many Mexican cities surrounded by impressive natural reserves and geological features:

• Mexico City has the floating islands of Xochimilco, the waterfalls at Los Dinamos and the nature reserve surrounding La Isla de las Muñecas.
• Guadalajara has the canyon at Huentitan, the hot springs at Bosque de la Primavera and the geysers at nearby Ixcatan.
• Monterrey has the cliffs at Nido de los Aguiluchos, the caves at Grutas de Garcia and the crystalline lakes and hiking trails at Estanzuela.

Clubs

Besides being great for meeting people, nightclubs are also the default date among savvy locals. Mexicans love dancing, and the country is dotted with rowdy nightclubs and bars.

The same as anywhere on Earth, the nightclub scene in Mexico tries to make itself look more exclusive and luxurious than it really is. If you don’t know the right people, clubs love to make you stand outside and wait, even if they’re almost empty. 

If you’re a man, many clubs won’t let you in unless you look like you can spend plenty of money inside. Once you’re in, though, they can be ideal for showing off your dance moves or getting within inches of your date’s face just to hear what they have to say.

What To Do

Eat Something Delicious

Whether you prefer to cook it yourself or let a restaurant do the work for you, eating something delicious together is a popular date in Mexico. 

If you have any special dietary needs, you should probably stay home and do the cooking yourself because the restaurant almost certainly does not carry gluten-free tortillas.

Watch a Movie

Movie theaters are classic dating spots, and Mexico is no exception. The air conditioning will be cranked up, so bring a jacket. If a movie is labeled “doblada,” it will be dubbed in Spanish. Choose one labeled “subtitulada” instead.

See Some Sights

Locals may know less about their city’s tourist attractions than a basic internet search, so don’t feel shy about surprising them with what seems like a generic tourist outing. If they’ve ever set foot inside their city’s world-famous cathedral or museum, it will probably have been years ago, and they’ll thank you for whisking them off on a refresher course.

Dance Like Everyone’s Watching

Nightclubs in Mexico are generally themed by the kind of music they play. You’ll find places that only play pop, salsa, hiphop, reggaeton or locally-flavored Mexican tunes.

If you’re not a nightclub person, you can also find street markets with live bands designed for dancing, like Mexico City’s Tianguis Cultural del Chopo, Guadalajara’s Tianguis Cultural Nocturno and Monterrey’s Mercado Colon.

Dress Code

There are two kinds of dress codes for outings in major Mexican cities: the people who try to look like everyone else and the people who try to look different from everyone else. You’re free to choose which to adopt, but one of them may attract more attention than you want.

In the normally dressed crowd, women will usually go on dates in a dress and heels. The weather is often stiflingly hot, so revealing clothes is normal. 

Men in Mexico love button-up dress shirts, especially if they’re checkered. Make sure to unbutton your shirt as low as you can possibly stand if you want to fit in.

Conversation

Small talk about the weather, sports, memes or Netflix shows is just as common in Mexico as almost anywhere else. Most people won’t know about the latest American political or cultural kerfuffle, and you can turn your date off with your first-world privilege by whining to them about the newest current thing that outraged you.

If they complain to you about the state of Mexican politics, infrastructure, bureaucracy or general insecurity, resist the urge to chime in and point out things you don’t like. They’ll like it if you hear them out and express solidarity, but they may get defensive if you take part.

Gifts and Paying: The Gentleman/Alpha Conundrum

As children, many Mexican men saw their fathers acting as the household head and lone provider and grew up expecting to eventually do the same. In heterosexual relationships, the man is generally expected to take the initiative and perform all the typical old-school displays of gallantry.

Although they may have seen their mothers in the housekeeping role, many modern Mexican women insist they don’t buy into the male alpha philosophy. They prefer men who don’t fixate on stereotypical gender roles and don’t try to control their women’s lives. 

However, while alpha may be on the way out, many women still feel nostalgic for the chivalrous, gentlemanly gestures of the alphas of old. This can include:

• Opening the car door for her
• Buying her flowers and other gifts
• Pulling out her chair
• Walking on the part of the sidewalk closest to the street

Many even free-spirited, independent Mexican women will say that they reject macho culture but that their heart still melts when their partner offers to pick up the tab at the restaurant or buy them gifts. 

It’s a complicated, contradictory sentiment, but it bears saying that as a man, my heart also melts when people buy me things, which may be why it remains frozen solid.

Whether you’re a man or a woman, what you do with the bill on the first date can set a tone for the rest of the relationship, so choose wisely, and don’t be afraid to discuss it with your date.

Public Displays of Affection

Public affection is normal in Mexico. Most people have no qualms about holding their partner’s hand or kissing them in public.

The official greeting between any two people of opposite sexes in Mexico is a kiss on the cheek, although this is a bit less common after the 2020 pandemic. The kiss hello is still the default, but if it makes you uncomfortable, fist bumps are now more socially acceptable.

In some cities, like Guadalajara, full public intimacy is completely legal. You’re technically allowed to do anything intimate you like in any public place, and the police aren’t allowed to interrupt unless they receive a specific complaint about you from someone. 

The intent of the law seems to be that as long as you’re not bothering anyone, you’re fine. As a foreigner, though, you’ll want to be extra careful.

Dances You Should Know

Unless you’re visiting a small rural town, most of the dances you should be familiar with for dating in Mexico aren’t strictly Mexican dances.

The country is brimming with dozens of lively regional music styles, each with its own rhythm and dance, including norteña, mariachi, corridos, duranguense, banda, etc. 

But just like American line dancing, Irish set dancing or Chinese dragon dancing, these are mostly used as cultural entertainment for specific times and places rather than moves you’d break into with your date at the club.

The most popular dances used by regular people in Mexico include:

• Reggaeton
• Salsa
• Cumbia

By far, reggaeton is the king of dance on the dating scene in Mexico, so prepare to get your Bad Bunny on. Reggaeton has spread through the Mexican club scene like wildfire, possibly because the explicit lyrics and fleshy undulation fit perfectly with the nightlife’s natural tequila-fueled hedonism.

While you might only hear one or two salsa or cumbia numbers at a regular club, many cities have thriving salsa and cumbia scenes with indoor dance halls and outdoor festivals exclusively dedicated to these styles of music. These places often have live bands, dancing competitions and throngs of people clamoring to move to the sensual beats.

You’ll also find plenty of clubs that play the typical pop, hip-hop and electronic hits of the moment.

Committing

If you both feel good chemistry after a few dates, you may want to move toward an official relationship. This can be exclusive if you want, but there are plenty of non-exclusive committed relationships in Mexico and lots of room for flexibility. It helps to be honest from the beginning about your intentions and boundaries.

In Mexico, you won’t only have to get your potential partner to like you. You’ll need to get their friends and, most importantly, their family on your side. Meeting their friends is a step in the right direction, but if they take you to meet their family, you can tell things are getting serious. 

Now, you just have to hope your charms extend to the whole crew. You can start by telling your partner’s mom that you absolutely adore her cooking.

In small cities, familial approval is everything. In big cities, you may not need your partner’s parents’ consent to marry them, but the family’s opinion of you will probably still heavily affect their decision.

Breaking Up

If you were honest from the beginning and continue to be honest during the break-up process, your partner will generally understand. Be gentle with their feelings and firm about yours.

It can sometimes help to give a general reason, but try not to get too deep into specifics. Tell them you need space, aren’t ready for a full-time relationship or want to focus on your career, whatever the case is. Try to make it about your feelings instead of listing things you don’t like about them.

Now, on to You

If you’re visiting or living in Mexico by yourself, dipping a toe into the local dating scene can help take the edge off any feelings of isolation. It can help you learn the language, explore your city and immerse yourself in the local food and culture. Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons, melt a little of yourself into Mexico and let it melt a little into you.