Top dating app to meet latinas

With all these new dating apps promising to find your perfect match, it can be tricky to figure out which one actually connects you with a normal, decent guy instead of a creep that just wants a bunch of nudes sent to him. We'd hate to see you turn into some swipe-crazed maniac fishing through a bunch of rejects to land a quality hombre, so we had Cosmo for Latinas fashion intern Ashley Jimenez investigate some of the most popular dating apps today to see which one connects you with a fine caballero. 

Plenty of Fish

The app: This app linked to my Facebook profile — all I had to do was
write an intro saying I'm an aspiring broadcast journalist who works in fashion
and loves entertainment. I tailored my search by age, height, and education
level, and then POF searched my extended friend network.

The date: A muchacho guapo pinged me, saying he was interested in
meeting new people. We texted and chatted throughout the day — while stalking
each other's Facebook and Instagram pages. At dinnertime, he asked if he could
pick me up to take me to his favorite Halal food truck. By now, he already felt
like a friend, so I said sure! We had instant chemistry. He had gentle,
light-brown eyes, and was tall and athletic. He also was super-polite, opening
the car door for me and giving me his jacket when I started shivering. We ate
Middle Eastern food under the stars and talked about our hopes and dreams.
We're both big believers in positive thinking. We ended up staying out until 3
a.m.! We said good-bye with un beso suave and agreed to see each other again.

Verdict: A+. This is a great app. It's easy to use and all of the
guys I encountered on it were very respectful. 

Meetup

The app: This isn't really a
dating app — it recommends group events based on your interests and age. You join
a group, and it gives you the location and time of the event. The good part is
that it takes the stress out of figuring out where to go. The no bueno part is
that some member profiles have limited info and sometimes no picture. Plus,
you can only see a partial list of RSVPs.

The date: I went to a Cinco De Mayo singles party at a chic bar and
lounge. The place was packed, and we all had to wear corny nametags. I quickly
noticed a hot executive-type — black hair, green eyes, glasses, and a suit but no
tie. Green Eyes said he'd been checking me out too. He bought me a margarita,
and we blabbed nonstop for an hour about music festivals, modern art, soccer,
the Yankees, and the intersection between his profession (finance) and mine
(fashion). We also both agreed that we were interested in finding a serious
relationship. A day later, he texted me and now we have a date.

Verdict: I wished I could have learned more about the guys
beforehand. It's also a bit weird to go on a group date.

Tinder

The app: Tinder is really fun: You scroll through pictures of guys,
and say a quick yes or no. If you are into a guy, you swipe right, if not, you
swipe left. If you both say yes, the app sets up a chat. Nice and easy for a
busy chica like me. Unfortunately, a lot of the guys seemed to want a fast
hookup and said creepy things like, "You have such beautiful toes!" or, "What
size are your shoes?"

The date: I finally heard from
a guy who sounded normal, so we met after work at a restaurant with a cool
happy-hour vibe. He mostly looked like his picture: Muscular and rugged in
jeans and work boots. But when we sat down, I instantly recalled that his mouth
was closed in all his pictures. He had braces on his bottom teeth! That seemed
like something he should have told me. The conversation was más o menos. I
liked that he grew up in a strict family where manners were emphasized — I'm
Puerto Rican, and my family is like that too. But he talked in a
monotone — giving short, dull answers to my questions. When the check came, he
said he was broke. I thought, Then why are we out?! He did pay, but I'm not
interested in seeing him again.

Verdict: It's fine if you want to meet someone quickly, but I found
the guys too straightforward and tacky.

Amigos

The app: Amigos is tailored to
the Latino community. It has an app, but when I couldn't find it in the Apple
App Store, I just used the site. This seemed like a much older group, about 28
to 48, and a lot of the guys only spoke Spanish.

The date: I started texting a
guy with a cute baby face. I thought he was about 28, but he was actually 35!
When I saw him sitting at a restaurant bar, he looked great in a smart blazer
and khakis, but he definitely looked his age, and I wondered if we'd look weird
together. We had a great conversation about fitness, politics, and music, but
he also said most of his friends were married and having kids. I'm 23 — not ready
to settle down. We ended the night with a kiss on the cheek. I'd like to see
him again, but his age is a big concern. On the other hand, his maturity has
some good points. He was a gentleman — held the chair out for me, gave me the
last sweet-and-sour chicken wing, and picked up the check — no whining about
being broke!

Verdict: I liked my date, but I wouldn't use Amigos again. I'm
interested in a younger, English-speaking crowd.

Final Analysis

Although I think Plenty of Fish is the best all-around app, I found my fave match on
Meetup. My fun-loving POF date and I started out strong, but he has been kind of scattered since. Happily, my Meetup
Man is in the same place as me. He wants a serious relationship — but not marriage and babies yet! Overall, digital dating
was cool. Even if some guys weren't for me, it's great to know I can find a fab dating adventure just by tapping my phone.

"This piece was originally published as "One Girl, 4 Dating Apps" in the August issue of Cosmo for
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