Does Colombia celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14?
Yes, but it is not Colombia's main day for love. Many couples in Medellín celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14, while the national tradition is Amor y Amistad, "Love and Friendship Day," held on the third Saturday of September. In 2027 it falls on September 18, and it celebrates friends as much as partners.
Why Colombia moved the celebration to September
In 1969 the date was moved for commercial reasons: the National Federation of Merchants (Fenalco) asked for the change because February comes right after December spending and the start of the school year, while September had no major holidays. September is still the date that matters most to locals, but February 14 keeps growing, and many restaurants and hotels now plan special offers for couples.
The two dates at a glance
| Celebration | Date | Next edition | Who it celebrates | Typical plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amor y Amistad | Third Saturday of September | Saturday, September 18, 2027 | Partners, friends, family and coworkers | Secret friend gift exchange, group dinners |
| Valentine's Day | February 14 | Sunday, February 14, 2027 | Mostly couples | Romantic dinner, flowers, weekend getaway |
The signature September custom is amigo secreto, a Secret Santa-style game: names are drawn at the office, at school or among friends, small treats are exchanged for several days, and identities are revealed on the big day. Since Valentine's Day 2027 falls on a Sunday, a Friday-to-Sunday trip from February 12 to 14 is the easiest plan.
What are the best Valentine's Day ideas in Medellín?
The best Valentine's Day ideas in Medellín pair nature by day, a viewpoint at dusk and an unhurried dinner. From Laureles you can spend the morning at the Botanical Garden, ride the Metrocable up to Parque Arví, see the city lights from the hillside viewpoints and end the night with cocktails on a rooftop.
By day: gardens, forest and a neighborhood stroll
- Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden. Entry is free except during special events, and it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Mondays; when Monday is a public holiday it closes the following Tuesday instead). It sits next to Universidad metro station, and the Orquideorama and butterfly house make the most photogenic corners. Check the official Botanical Garden hours before you go.
- Parque Arví. Forest trails and cool mountain air east of the city. Take the metro to Acevedo, the K Metrocable line to Santo Domingo and then the L line, a ride of approx. 15 minutes over the treetops. Keep in mind that the L line runs approx. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., does not operate on Tuesdays and closes for annual maintenance (in 2026 the closure overlapped with the Amor y Amistad weekend), so confirm it is running before you go.
- A walk around Laureles. Architect Pedro Nel Gómez laid out the neighborhood with circular streets around parks, following the garden-city idea. Strolling under the trees between Primer and Segundo Parque de Laureles is free and feels genuinely local.
At sunset: the viewpoints
The Viewpoints Tour, arranged through the Living by Armóniko front desk, visits the highest points of the city within a 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. window. It lasts about two and a half hours and includes a bilingual professional guide, snacks and travel insurance.
If you have half a day or a full day
Of the 16 tours arranged from the hotel, three work especially well for couples:
- Guatapé Tour (8 to 10 hours): El Peñol Rock, streets lined with colorful zócalos and a boat ride on the reservoir, with breakfast and lunch included (the rock's entrance fee is not).
- Coffee Experience (3 hours): ecological trails through coffee farms, bean picking and a coffee cupping.
- Green Connection (5 hours): a hike in a nature reserve about 30 minutes from Medellín, ending at a waterfall where you can take a dip.
For more ideas any time of year, see our guide to romantic things to do in Medellín.
Where to have Valentine's dinner near Segundo Parque de Laureles
You do not need to cross the city for a good Valentine's dinner. In the same building as Living by Armóniko, Rocoto Rooftop on the fifth floor serves Peruvian cuisine and signature cocktails, and several partner restaurants around Segundo Parque de Laureles offer perks for hotel guests, such as the La Pampa grill.
- Rocoto Rooftop (5th floor): ceviches, Peruvian dishes, signature cocktails and views of the Laureles park, with a menu designed for sunset and evening. Book your table ahead.
- Torrealta (2nd floor): a craft brewery with pizzas and tapas to share. Guests get 10% off the entire menu from 3 p.m.
- 123 Wok (1st floor): contemporary Asian cuisine with bowls and pokes; 10% off the whole menu for guests.
- La Pampa: a grill about a 2-minute walk away on Segundo Parque de Laureles, offering guests a complimentary appetizer or dessert.
To compare more options by mood and budget, read our guide to a romantic dinner in Laureles, Medellín.
Visiting in September? Celebrate Amor y Amistad like a local
If your trip lands in mid-September, join Amor y Amistad instead of waiting for February. The day is as much about friends as about couples, so a local-style plan starts with a long brunch, moves on to the amigo secreto reveal and ends with craft beer and tapas or a night out in Provenza.
Brunch near the park
- Botswana Café Bar, on the building's second floor: specialty coffee and all-day brunch.
- La Hojaldrería, a 1-minute walk: 10% off all-day brunch for guests.
- Le Brunch, at Mall Baratza, a 7-minute walk: 15% off all-day brunch for guests.
A night out with friends
Torrealta is the easy meeting point for a group. If you arrive before the weekend, the Provenza Pub Crawl arranged at the front desk runs on Thursdays only, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with a bilingual guide, pre-drinks, shots and entry to bars and clubs. If you would rather go out on Saturday on your own, El Poblado and Provenza are about 20 minutes away. One practical note: meet friends who are not staying at the hotel in the restaurants or around the neighborhood, since hotel policy charges COP 250,000 per person per day for visitors in rooms.
How can you surprise your partner on a trip to Medellín?
The surprises people remember are usually planned ahead. If you are celebrating in Medellín, you can ask the hotel whether a special in-suite decoration is possible (extra charge), book a table for sunset, and add a wellness session or a scented keepsake to take home.
- Decoration: message the hotel on WhatsApp before arrival to ask whether it's possible, what options exist and the cost; special decorations are not included in the room rate.
- Dinner and a slow morning: book Rocoto for the evening and keep the next morning free, since the à la carte breakfast is included at Botswana Café Bar until 10 a.m.
- Wellness: Samaar, a partner about a 5-minute walk away, offers yoga, hot yoga, Pilates, sauna and spa treatments at exclusive guest rates, booked through the front desk.
- A keepsake: ask at the front desk or on WhatsApp about the Living by Armóniko aromatherapy collection of candles, mists and diffusers.
Browse all partner perks for hotel guests before you finalize the plan.
A Valentine's getaway at Living by Armóniko
Living by Armóniko is a boutique hotel with 14 apartment-style suites facing Segundo Parque de Laureles, each with an equipped kitchen and a private balcony. For a special occasion, the Deluxe Suite offers 62 m² with a king bed and a separate living room, while the 27 m² Comfort Suite is designed as a refuge for couples.
- Superior Suite: 32 m² with a queen bed and balconies overlooking Segundo Parque de Laureles.
- Timing: check-in at 3:00 p.m. and check-out at 12:00 p.m., with luggage storage before and after so you can enjoy the whole day.
- Arrival: airport transfers can be arranged on prior request.
Find suites, restaurants and a step-by-step plan for your romantic getaway in Medellín. For a 48-hour itinerary, see our romantic weekend in Medellín, planned from our boutique hotel in Laureles.
What should you book ahead for Valentine's weekend?
For Valentine's Day or Amor y Amistad in Medellín, book your room, your main dinner and any full-day tours a few weeks in advance. Around both dates many restaurants, hotels and shops launch couples' offers, and places with views or limited spots tend to fill up first.
- Accommodation: book direct on the hotel's website, which offers a best-price guarantee for direct bookings.
- Dinner: reserve Rocoto Rooftop early, especially for the Saturday of Amor y Amistad.
- Tours: Guatapé, coffee and viewpoints tours run on set schedules; request them at the front desk as soon as your dates are fixed.
- Decoration and extras: ask about them on WhatsApp before you arrive.
- Third-party hours: confirm the Botanical Garden's closing day and whether the L line to Arví is running before heading out.
