This is the story I never wanted anyone to know…

It’s the raw, unfiltered truth about my life as a woman in Colombia.

In February 2013, I set foot in Colombia for the first time—a surprising twist in my second journey to South America. My original destination was Peru, but fate had other plans. This wasn’t my first time in the region; I had spent six months in Brazil in 2012, so I had a better idea of what to expect.

The opportunity came with a secure job, a legal work visa, and a decent salary—making my decision a no-brainer. I called my mom and asked for help switching my flight to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. A lifelong adventurer herself, she didn’t hesitate. Within moments, my ticket was changed.

On the plane, serendipity introduced me to strangers who kindly invited me to stay with them in a strata 3 neighborhood of Bogotá. Taking a leap of faith, I trusted them. By my second day, I was traveling with them to Honda, a charming town where they showed me around. By day three, I had arrived in Ibagué, Tolima.

Two weeks of corporate training in teaching culture and policies followed. Then, I was sent to Pereira—where my real adventure began.

As a Woman in Colombia

Nothing could have prepared me for the reality of navigating Colombia as a woman. The streets feel like a constant stage for unsolicited attention—men catcalling, whispering compliments, or shouting them for anyone who happens to pass by. It’s not personal; they do it to nearly every woman.

Other expat women have shared mixed reactions to catcalling—ranging from anger to fear and even disgust. Over time, I’ve grown more confident in myself. Now, I simply smile slightly and keep walking as if I didn’t hear a thing.

Culture Tip #1:
Never respond rudely to catcalls, especially in smaller towns. A little diplomacy goes a long way. In Colombia, kindness and social grace will earn you more allies than reacting negatively to cultural differences.

You never know—someone who catcalls you today might unexpectedly help you tomorrow. Instead of dismissing people outright, I’ve learned to look beyond the culture and assess each individual. Some encounters have genuinely surprised me.

However, what truly makes me cringe as a woman in Colombia isn’t the catcalling—it’s the economic challenges I face. In one situation, being polite and friendly led a married man in his 70s to assume I had special interest in him. I didn’t. But now, I minimize contact because he sees me more as a potential partner than a professional.

Beyond personal discomfort, many people have tried to take advantage of me—whether for being a woman, a foreigner, or simply someone they perceive as easy to exploit. Some have refused to pay me, paid less than agreed, or delayed payment while still expecting me to deliver work as usual.

When someone refuses to pay, I don’t waste time chasing them. They go on my blacklist, and I never work with or acknowledge them again. Unfortunately, this happens far more often than one might expect.

Falling in Love…And out of Love

Of course, it didn’t take long after my arrival to meet a friendly local—a 30-year-old man who introduced me to new experiences in Colombia. He took me swimming, on scenic motorcycle road trips, and even on bi-annual visits to San José del Palmar, a charming pueblo in the Chocó Department.

I fell in love—far too quickly and naively. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I was more enchanted by the untouched jungle, exotic flowers, and breathtaking beauty of his mother’s farm than by the man himself.

Culture Tip #2:
Don’t fall in love with the scenery. Lush farms and stunning landscapes won’t put food on the table or keep love in your life.

Reality hit hard when I tested positive for pregnancy—and suddenly, I was thrown into an accelerated crash course on Colombian culture. (Read more about my dating experiences HERE, HERE, and HERE.)

Before things unraveled, I had even helped him start a business. Our conversation went like this:
“Our lives are heading in different directions. I’m launching my own business, and you’re painting walls. Figure out your passion, and I’ll help you pursue it.”

He did. But once he started making his own money and I hit a rough patch, there was no reciprocal support—unless selling off my bicycle to pay the bills counts. That was my breaking point. I ended the relationship and made him move out.

Now, he reluctantly provides the bare minimum in child support, leaving the rest of the financial responsibility to me and my mom. But at least he pays—and for that, I have to be grateful.

He supports our son, with reluctance, and a bare monthly minimum. The rest is on me and my mom. Gotta be grateful he pays something. I have been told repeatedly that most men in this country don’t.

Having a Baby…

I had my baby in the public hospital of San Jorge, in Pereira. Three years afterwards, I broke up with the father.

By then, everything I had arrived with was already four years old, and while I could cover my bills, I still lacked the financial flexibility to upgrade my electronics. So, I made do with my 2011 MacBook, pushing it to its limits.

Becoming a single mom after the breakup was a harsh reality to accept. But that experience has deeply influenced my writing and reshaped my perspective on Colombian culture.

One of my greatest blessings was my mom moving to Colombia in 2015. Together, we’ve built a strong support system, lifting each other up through life’s challenges. Living with my mother isn’t always easy, but the rewards far outweigh the struggles.

As of 2021, in my eight years here, I’ve had only two serious relationships—and a few failed attempts. In Colombia, choosing who gets the lion’s share of your time and attention is crucial.

Culture Tip #3: Understanding Gender Roles

As a woman in Colombia, it can feel like stepping back in time 30 to 50 years when it comes to gender dynamics. The way many men treat women—and the cultural expectations both sexes are raised with—reflect more traditional idealsthan what many foreigners may be used to.

Building a Global Web Presence

Despite personal challenges, I’ve also had incredible professional experiences. One of the most rewarding has been developing a regional information hub for Colombia’s Coffee Axis. What started as one website has grown into three platforms, dedicated to answering all your questions about this beautiful region.

Every day, I strive to learn more about Colombian culture, its people, and its places. Through active listening and careful observation, I document my experiences, sharing insights into local life.

I started as an amateur with OpenMindedTraveler.com. A few years later, I launched PereiraCityGuide.com, a more professional platform dedicated to promoting small businesses, tourism services, local products, gastronomy, artists, dancers, musicians, and social causes worth supporting.

Culture Tip #4: Embrace Entrepreneurship

One of the biggest opportunities in Colombia is starting your own business. Some of the happiest expats I’ve met run small businesses, turning their passions into profitable ventures. Even a hobby that generates income is a valuable asset!

Self-Taught Success and Industry Growth

Most of my skills—writing, photography, digital marketing, WordPress, and SEO—have been self-taught through workshops, YouTube tutorials, blog articles, freelancing, and real-world experience. I also gained valuable knowledge from regional meet-ups like the former Colombian Bloggers Association, where I connected with fellow foreign resident writers, journalists, and bloggers.

Gaining Regional Visibility

As my online presence grew, so did my local visibility, leading to media opportunities. I have been invited twice to Telecafé, a regional government TV station (similar to PBS or BBC), where my interviews continue to air.

Through hands-on experiences, I’ve developed skills in modeling, public relations, social media, journalism, and camera presence. I’ve supported political campaigns, covered live press events like La Feria de Manizales, and attended press conferences alongside top journalists, taking notes and broadcasting live on Facebook.

A Vision for the Future

My passion for Colombia’s culture, lifestyle, gastronomy, and tourism is as strong as my ambition to expand nationwide visibility—helping international visitors discover the beauty of this country while growing as a woman in Colombia.

Going Forward

​Today, I live in a fun and integrated mix of American and Colombian foods, habits, local conditions, and cultural quirks. Like many, my mom and I have had our own set of struggles due to the COVID-19 crisis, we are now being forced to tighten our belts significantly due to the loss of tourism in Colombia.

As the economy continues to get back on track, my own process continues as well.

Surviving the Pandemic – Post COVID

Returning to OpenMindedTraveler.com, I realized the site had carved out a unique niche—sharing my disastrous dating experiences, conflict-zone adventures, and a raw yet lighthearted cultural critique. Everything I write is based on real experiences as a woman in Colombia.

After enduring the worst of the lockdowns in Manizales, we were eager to move again. This time, we chose a small pueblo west of Pereira, drawn by its warmer climate, flat terrain, natural surroundings, and lower cost of living.

Tourism, Lifestyle Services, and My Work

Tourism remains unpredictable, but lifestyle services have become my main source of income. I work as a consultant and interpreter, assisting with visa processes, bank transactions, and expat relocation.

While teaching English provides stable income when I have students, I find myself wanting more. My true passions remain writing and photography, and I’m now expanding my skills into video editing to reach wider audiences across different platforms.

My Main Project – Coffee Axis Travel

Coffee Axis Travel was designed with my mother’s Baby Boomer generation in mind—offering insights, resources, and support for foreign residents looking to build their dream life in Colombia.

It has also become an essential tool for locally owned businesses, allowing them to connect with international audiences through real stories that highlight quality products, services, and experiences.

Why I Need Your Support

To continue sharing authentic stories about the Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero) and the people, places, and lifestyles that deserve recognition, I need extra funding. My goal is to promote local businesses and culture without having to charge them—allowing the content to pay for itself.

Your support makes a real impact. By backing my work, you’re helping:
✅ Sustainable tourism
✅ Local economies grow through foreign investment
✅ Authentic expat insights reach a wider audience

For those interested in relocating to Colombia, I also offer consultation services. Feel free to email me at openmindedtravel@gmail.com for more details.

👉 Support my work on Patreon—for the cost of a cup of coffee, you can help me create more valuable content while boosting local economies and supporting sustainable lifestyles.

Learn about how you can help my projects grow via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/coffeeaxistravel

Thank you for your continued readership and support, it has meant a lot to me and I am so excited about what the future might bring to me As a Woman in Colombia.

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