Brief Rundown
What is it: A language exchange/international party that happens weekly on Tuesdays.
Where is it: Cali, Bogotá, Medellín, and Panama City
Languages you can practice: English, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Hours: Language exchanges start either at 4 or 5pm, depending on the city, and the party starts at 9pm.
Is it safe: I had a great time both times I went, and did not have any issues. They also have a lot of people working the event, so I felt very safe the whole time.
Would I recommend it: Absolutely.
Gringo Tuesdays Website
Gringo Tuesdays Instagram
Intro
Gringo Tuesdays is a one of a kind language exchange experience. I have done quite a few language exchanges since traveling in Central and South America, but Gringo Tuesdays stands out.
These language exchanges began in Bogotá in 2011, and have since built a strong following and are now offered in Medellín, Cali, Bogotá, and Panama City. They give travelers and locals the opportunity to practice languages, connect, and build friendships.
As a solo, female traveler, it can sometimes be tough to meet people and to strike up conversations, especially if you’re not staying in a hostel. So, I tend to look for events like language exchanges where I know others will be willing to engage without any feelings of discomfort. I saw this event online and also had been told that it’s a fun time, so I decided to take the plunge.
What was the language exchange portion like?
My first Gringo Tuesdays event was in Medellín. It’s at Vintrash in the El Poblado neighborhood, so it’s easily accessible for tourists staying in the area.
I arrived to the event around 5pm and there were already several tables set up with groups practicing in French, German, Spanish, and English. The more popular languages such as English and Spanish are offered at various skill levels including beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
The range of experience in the languages people were practicing was quite wide—there were people who only knew a few words and others who were basically fluent, so no matter your language level, you can find someone to practice with. If possible, it’s best to be with the group that is close to your skill level so you can get the most out of the experience. There is a facilitator at the table who keeps the conversation moving and who tries to include everyone sitting at that table in the conversation.
When I arrived, I intended to practice my Spanish, but I was offered the opportunity to be a facilitator in English in exchange for a free beer. The price of the drinks are quite marked up compared to other areas of the city, so I was definitely willing to make that trade.
It started off slowly with only 2-3 other people at the table, but by the end, there were about 10-12 people at the English table, so it was possible to speak in smaller groups. Because I was the facilitator with people practicing English, I was mostly grouped with locals, which was a happy accident. As much as I love connecting with other travelers, having the opportunity to spend time with locals was so valuable. I met people who I ended up hanging out with throughout my time in Medellín. So, if you’re asked to be a facilitator, don’t hesitate to do it. I did still get to practice my Spanish because I was with native Spanish speakers, but the bulk of the conversation was in English.
The second time I went to Gringo Tuesdays was in Bogotá. I arrived a little later this time, closer to 7pm, and I did have to pay the cover because they start charging at 6pm. It was already insanely full, and I sat at the Intermediate Spanish table. It was extremely crowded and I found it difficult to effectively communicate, so I didn’t have as many in-depth conversations as I did in Medellín. I would highly recommend going earlier if you want to get the most out of the language exchange.
Who else attended?
The event had a pretty even distribution in regards to both gender and solo attendees vs. people attending with others. It did seem like the event attracts more people in their 20s and 30s, but there were a few older people who participated in the language exchange portion.
During both the language exchange and the party, I met several other women who came to the event solo, so there’s no stigma in attending the event alone. It was really easy to meet others, especially during the language exchange, so I found a great group to hang out with for the entire night.
There were plenty of other tourists who were only in town briefly, but I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many locals who attend the event regularly, some even go on a weekly basis. That’s definitely a good sign and a great way for people from around the world, near and far, to build connections.
What is the international party like?
After 8:30pm, the language exchange part of the evening winds down and then it transitions to a party (i.e. it’s basically a club). Vintrash bar in Medellín has 3 levels, so there is a music style for everyone depending on their preference. The bottom level had mostly Reggaeton, the middle had a lot of American music, and the top floor/roof was techno. There are bars on every level, so it’s very easy to get a drink.
By participating in the language exchange, the entrance into the party is automatically included. The cover starts at different hours for different cities, with the earliest being Bogotá at 6pm, and the latest being Cali and Medellín at 9pm. Check the website for more specific information.
The Vintrash location in Bogotá also has the concept of different styles of music in different areas of the bar. One nice addition was a lounge area where you could sit, have a conversation, and play Jenga. I love that the party feels like a ‘choose your own adventure’ and you can find what area suits your mood throughout the night.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really appreciated these events as a solo, female traveler. Especially since I didn’t stay in hostels in either Medellín or Bogotá, it was a fun way to meet other people. I went to several other language exchanges, but these ones were the best attended, so there are tons of people to have conversations with. I have found that language exchanges can either be very formal and truly focused on learning or an absolute free-for-all where it can be tough to have a conversation because it’s in a crowded, chaotic bar. Gringo Tuesdays falls somewhere in the middle because it has the time dedicated to structured conversation, but then you can just let loose and have fun during the party portion.
Have you been to a Gringo Tuesdays event? If so, I’d love to hear how it was for you and your thoughts.
