The perfect Colombian-style Valentine’s Day

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day date ideas? If you are, you came to the right place—here’s the opportunity to surprise your special one with an incredible Colombian-style date. Romance hits different here in Colombia, and, for that reason, we celebrate it big time, in our own very lubby-dubby way. Here, in Colombia, love is always in the air and our charm will help make this day and celebration all the more unforgettable. Although we’re big on love, Colombians don’t actually celebrate Valentine’s Day all that much here we have “Día del Amor y la Amistad” (Love and Friendship Day), and we don’t usually celebrate it in February, but on September 16^th (there is, however, an increasing number of people joining in both celebrations). If you’re thinking adding a Colombian spice might do the trick, here are some terrific tips for the perfect date. Let’s get our “cita a la colombiana” on wherever you are!

Prepare the best gift

Colombians are really passionate people. We love to express how we feel and how much we love everybody, and we’re willing to show it with lovely and thoughtful gestures. For Saint Valentine’s, we’d surely do everything possible to make our special someone feel like there’s no-one like them in the world. Kick off your Colombian-style date with a beautiful “made in Colombia” present. We love gifts. We see it as a means to convey love, care and respect, and we take it as a fantastic opportunity to show how well we know the other person. That’s why whenever we get the chance to give a present to somebody we care for, we take it, and Valentine’s Day is, of course, a great chance to do it. But even though the gift is important, we care less about the price tag than we do about the meaning. Colombians love feeling that every gift is a well-thought-out one, a recognition of loved ones’ hobbies or their most precious motivations. So, if you want to have an impact, you should give that special someone something with meaning that shows you know them to the core. What about giving your loved one an artifact crafted by our ancestral indigenous peoples? Thanks to Artesanías de Colombia, you can purchase stunning traditional garments, jewelry and other fashion articles worldwide. They’re fabulous—even Oprah's got her own! Another possibility for the more stylish ones is our Colombian fashion. Our country is well-known for being home to lots of great world-renowned fashion designers. Wondering about what to buy? Worry not, there are plenty of options for all tastes. Designers like Silvia Tcherassi, Adriana Castro, Esteban Cortázar, Hernán Zajar and many more are sure to have what you’re searching for. Beyoncé and Victoria Beckham, just to name-drop a couple high-profile celebrities, wear Colombian designs. 

Whatever you decide is the best choice to go with, there's something that’ll go perfectly with any pick: trusty-old flowers. Our country is world-famous for our stunning flower diversity, and you’re guaranteed to charm your loved one with any of our beautiful varieties. Choose wisely, though—not every flower means the same: red roses are for your “special one” (they represent love and respect), while white roses are for friends or someone you sympathize with. For us, every flower has a history and a meaning. Now, never get gladiolus! This blossom represents respect for someone who has passed away recently. Unless you know your loved one’s favorite flower, red roses are the perfect go-to. Trust us when we talk about flowers, here in Colombia we don’t just grow them, we even hold a festival in their honor. 

Oh—and don’t forget the chocolates! You’ll definitely win them over with a taste of Colombian chocolate, one of our most precious delicacies. When it comes to cocoa, here in Colombia we know best. Not only do we grow the highest quality, but we also make with it the best chocolate you'll ever have. You can find some of our top brands anywhere in the world, especially those that have been awarded for their quality and flavor.

Make it special

Okay, so you’ve got the gift covered: now you have to decide what to do. If you, like most Colombians, think there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal, we’ve got you covered. Among our countless recipes, we recommend some of our easy-to make hits (sorry about classics like ajiaco, but there are ingredients you’ll find nowhere but here): how about a delicious “arroz de camarón”? Or a Colombian Pacific shrimp ceviche? Try our amazing “arroz atollado” and spice it up with a classic cocktail with a traditional twist: a “lulada mai tai”! And remember: Colombians love to cook while listening to music. Put those jams on! For dessert, grab some "merengón" or "desamargado". Or go with both, they’re delicious. If you really want to go all-out Colombian-style, it’s time to seduce your partner with some salsa steps! But if salsa proofs to be a bit too hard, there are a lot of great Colombian “moves” and dance steps to learn: vallenato, champeta, and reggaeton are some of our favorite rhythms. Give them a try! Oh, and if what you’re thinking of is a Valentine’s getaway, boy do we have options for you!

Pack your bags and pick your destination

If you’re both road-trip lovers, there are plenty of options for a romantic highway getaway. Beautiful landscapes and lovely starry nights await. Here you’ll find lots of glampings or traditional hotels near colonial towns or ancestral places in a variety of climates and temperatures just a few of miles from each other. Adrenaline-junkie couples can have a blast by skydiving, rock-climbing, hiking, rafting, kitesurfing and so on. Our country is full of great experiences to live and these are just a few. If you’re looking for the best sunset ever, some of Colombia’s most beautiful beaches await you. Whether on the shores of the lush Colombian Pacific, or along the vibrant coasts of the Greater Colombian Caribbean (that’s right, we have both!), the sun and summer magic will make you two fall in love all over again. 

But Colombia is so much more than just sun-kissed tropics. You could visit our Eastern Colombian Andes, a region rich in colonial architecture and magnificent mountain landscapes where the weather is always chill. In Bogotá, you could visit stunning museums (traditional and modern alike) and enjoy the Colombian nightlife. Now, if you do happen to be in Bogotá, not all tourist attractions are couple-friendly. If you’re superstitious and want to get married, avoid Monserrate! It may be one of Bogota’s most beautiful spots (a unique viewpoint over the city from atop its iconic eastern mountains), but according to superstition couples who summit it together will see their relationship go downhill. The Colombian Massif is another great destination. Here, you could visit exotic places like the Tatacoa Desert, or the beautiful White City of Popayán. Besides being one of Colombia’s most interesting places, there are a lots of great hotels and experiences to choose from. Other tourist spots like San Agustín, a mystic archaeological park will light that explorer spark and the Colombian Pacific’s Cali, one of Colombia’s most appealing cities and home of salsa await you too. Half of our territory is covered by a region loved by travellers seeking to live a unique ancestral and natural experience: Colombian Amazon-Orinoco. This is a place full of native heritage and nature, home to many of Colombia’s indigenous peoples and our famous pink dolphins. 

If none of these suit you, the Western Colombian Andes will surely do the trick: here you’ll find some of the greatest museums and parties in Colombia—what a mix, right?  Medellín embodies this perfectly: the city of Fernando Botero—one of Colombia’s greatest painters—and silletero culture (remember that whole flower festival deal? That’s them) is also home to ridiculously good restaurants, clubs, bars and nightlife. And if cities aren’t for you and your SO, perhaps a coffee-mountain getaway is the best retreat you’ll find lots of lovely ones all over the region.

The perfect place for a perfect date

By this point you can’t possibly have no clue what to do this Valentine’s Day. A unique experience awaits you however you decide to celebrate it. Give it a try, let yourself and the person you’re celebrating with feel yellow butterflies in your tummies while living the experience of García Marquez’s home!

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