LatinAmericanCupid Review

Editor’s Summary

According to a 2011 review published by HookUpSpanish.com, LatinAmericanCupid.com was founded in March of 2003 by Cupid Media Ltd. (which also owns bbwcupid.com, blackcupid.com, indiancupid.com, among many other sister sites). The site now has over 1,000,000 members (2011 data) and the site is easy to navigate although the interface is busy and not as clean as other modern dating sites. When I logged into the system as a free user there were over 2,259 active members online. 

When a user signs up for a free account they are limited to only the basic matching system, providing their interests on their profile and connecting only with other paying members (I assume this is a way to get free users to upgrade their accounts.) The profile questions themselves are long but the choices for most questions are in a drop bar and do not require a lot of writing on the user's part. Users are asked to describe their ethnicity, martial status, job, smoking & drinking habits, etc. If a user does not complete their profile before playing around on the site, a pop-up appears every two minutes asking the user to complete their profile or else they will be “timed out” of the system. The site deeply encourages you to pursue your profile to avoid having fake accounts and people using the system for reasons other than actually trying to make connections with other members. This is an annoying, yet smart security technique. 

Like most other online dating sites, LatinAmericanCupid.com requires its participants to be over the age of 18, however unlike other sites, if you sign up as one gender, the site assumes you are heterosexual and begins to show you profiles of the opposite gender. At the bottom of the screen, there is a scrolling list of profiles with photos showing you who is online and interested. Users may edit the criteria to get a more precise match if they do not see anyone of interest (this is where users can preface sexual orientation and even more detailed criteria like smoker or non-smoker, hair color, eye color and body type). Although the site is geared towards Latin Americans, it is not exclusive to only that ethnicity. 

Overall, the site offers some pretty interesting matchmaker features that even free members can access to get a taste of the site. However, it is clear that this site is also being used by a lot of foreign Latin women to meet a non-Latin husband and perhaps leave South America. According to a 2013 report in Cupid Views, 28% of users are Latin women seeking foreign marriages and 40% are non-Latin men requiring the same. (The site even has an IMBRA section detailing immigration requirements and issues on bringing in a foreign partner into the United States.) As a male using the site, this might be something to look out for if you are not interested in landing a Latin wife. Although this mail-order-bride type of communication does happen on LatinAmericanCupid.com, over 20% of the site are people just looking to date or hook-up. Being straight forward about exactly why you are using the site is essential here. 

IN-DEPTH

Sign-Up Process

As mentioned previously, this sign-up process is timely, but requires very few long form answers. Most of the questions can be completed by checking the box that most suits you. Likes, dislikes, habits, hobbies and other interests are all laid out in the questions. LatinAmericanCupid.com uses an exclusive feature called “CupidTags” that helps users match-up by tagging their own profiles with certain adjectives. It’s a really simple and effective way to see people who have things in common, whether it’s personality or physical attributes. Paid members can also attach a video greeting to their profile along with photos (free users are limited to 5 photos). There is no elaborate matching algorithm. The user needs to put in the search time themselves and without a paid membership, it’s impossible to talk to everyone online. The free trial does not last long. I was terminated after one log out. 

Members & Messaging

The messaging system is easy to use and is really no different than other sites of this nature, other than the fact that with a Platinum account members can have their messages translated into the native tongue of whomever they are speaking with. (Obviously, this is catering to the whole mail-order-bride situation.) Users can block members, report inappropriate behavior as well as “show interest” (a button you click which alerts a suitor that you are into them without having to actually send them text). Free trial members can only message those users who have Gold and Platinum accounts and not other free users, which is an obvious ploy that relies on the hope that sparks will fly and the free users will purchase an account to unlock more. 

Key Features

- Members can make personal video greetings to share on their profiles. 
- The IM chat feature works as a great ice breaker activity. 
- The “CupidTags” feature allows members to chose select descriptors for themselves and match up with like minded suitors.
- The messaging system is simple and easy to use. 

Safety & Security

The site is owned by Cupid Media Ltd and Latinamericancupid.com has a strict privacy policy found here. 

Main Competitors

AmoLatina.com
InterracialRomance

Screenshots

LatinAmericanCupid.com