The Apple and Google Play Stores are awash with dating apps, but which are the best choices if you’re traveling in Asia and Latin America?
Here are six safe dating apps with millions of users in both regions, helping you to connect with and date other singles while traveling this year.
1: Tinder: Still the Number One Dating App Worldwide
Tinder is still number one if you’re hoping to meet other singles on your upcoming travels. Approximately 50 million people actively use it every month, while around 9.5 million have signed up for a paid subscription.
You’ll find Tinder users in all major travel hubs in Asia and Latin America, making it perfect if you’re looking for a date or a casual hook-up while traveling.
We encourage you to sign up for the Plus plan if you’re traveling, as it unlocks the Tinder Passport. This lets you match and chat with people in any country without physically being there, so you can set up dates before you touch down.
Pricing Structure
Tinder is free to use for basic swiping and matching. But you’ll need to sign up for one of the following subscriptions for better prospects and advanced features:
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
| Free | $0 | Account creation, limited number of matches |
| Tinder Plus | $24.99 per month | Unlimited likes, unlimited rewinds, Tinder Passport to switch locations, hide ads |
| Tinder Gold | $39.99 per month | See who likes you, top picks (daily curated matches), weekly super likes (boosted visibility) |
| Tinder Platinum | $49.99 per month | Priority likes (your likes shown ahead of others), message before matching, review your likes |
| Tinder Select (Invite-only) | $499.99 per month | Exclusive access to top-tier users, enhanced profile visibility, priority in matching, and special perks |
2: Bumble: A Cheaper Alternative to Tinder
While Bumble used to be a woman-led platform (i.e., women had to make the first move), things changed in 2024 with the introduction of ‘opening moves,’ letting men reach out first.
Bumble now mandates that every user upload at least four photos (rather than two), and it clarifies users’ dating intentions, often helping secure better, more suitable matches.
The platform has also made recent inroads into spam detection, using AI to flag and remove spammy profiles, improving the experience for all.
While Bumble has significantly fewer paid users than Tinder (2.8 million compared to 9.5 million), its paid plans are more affordable, starting at just $14.99 per month, as explained below.
Pricing Structure
Bumble’s free plan is similar to Tinder’s, letting you swipe, match, and chat with others without paying a monthly fee. But for a better chance of matching, you can sign up for one of the following plans:
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
| Free | $0 | Account creation, limited number of matches |
| Bumble Boost | From $14.99 per month | Unlimited swipes, backtrack (undo accidental swipes), extend and rematch, weekly spotlight (put your profile at the top of others’ queues), weekly SuperSwipes |
| Bumble Premium | From $39.99 per month | BeeLine (see everyone who has liked you), advanced filters, travel mode (choose location), and incognito mode |
| Bumble Premium+ | From $79.99 per month | Priority likes, daily automated boosts (profile shown more often), more SuperSwipes, photo and profile performance insights |
3: Happn: Popular Choice for Dating in Latin America
Happn is widely used in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where there are over 20 million users. It’s also the dating app of choice for many people in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, making it an essential if you’re backpacking in the region.
Happn works by helping you identify people that you have physically crossed paths with in a specific location. This might be during your morning gym workout or on your way to a train or bus station.
It uses your phone’s geolocation to show a timeline of profiles that have been within a 250-meter radius. You can then send FlashNotes or play CrushTime games to connect with other singles in the local area.
This unique approach lets you match with real people in the different locations you travel through. Like Tinder and Bumble, Happn offers a free version, but it’s worth upgrading to the premium plan for unlimited likes.
Pricing Structure
The free version of Happn is good enough to get you started, but sign up for the premium plan for advanced features and improved privacy controls:
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
| Basic | $0 | Browse nearby users, send likes, chat with matches, and play CrushTime games |
| Premium | From $24.99 | See who liked you, unlimited likes, invisibility mode (browse without showing your presence), ad-free, advanced search filters, better privacy controls |
4: Badoo: Excellent Credits-Based Dating App
Badoo is part of Bumble Inc., and it’s particularly popular in Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia, with millions of users in each country.
One unique aspect of Badoo compared to other dating apps is the option to buy credits. Instead of paying for a monthly subscription, you can purchase credits to access specific premium features. These can help boost your visibility while in a particular city for a short period of time.
For some users, this can be a much more cost-effective way of using the app than maintaining an expensive monthly subscription.
Another cool feature is Encounters. This is a gamified, swipe-based feature that helps you find people nearby. It’s a bit like Happn’s FlashNotes and can be an effective way of meeting people on your travels.
Pricing Structure
If you’re sold on Badoo, the basic plan will help you test the waters. You can then purchase credits or pay for a subscription to access the app’s premium features:
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
| Basic | $0 | Match with others, send and receive messages, see who visited your profile, play Encounters (matching game), use basic search filters |
| Premium | From $12.99 per month | Undo accidental no votes, browse invisibly, priority messaging with new users, become a feature member for improved visibility, send crush alerts, and ad-free |
| Credits | 100 credits from $2.99 | Boost your profile in searches temporarily, be seen more frequently in Encounters, send virtual gifts |
5: OKCupid: Popular Dating App in Southeast Asia
If you’re traveling to Thailand, Indonesia, or the Philippines, OKCupid is a viable option, with millions of paid users in these countries. It’s also growing in popularity in India and maintains a strong user base in Hong Kong.
OKCupid is detail-oriented and goes the extra mile to help you find suitable matches. After answering questions, you will receive a match percentage that helps you identify compatible partners.
The app’s primary function is DoubleTake, which is similar to the swiping mechanisms in other dating apps like Tinder and Bumble.
At $29.99 per month, the paid subscription isn’t the cheapest, but its advanced filtering and unlimited number of likes can help you meet people quickly during your travels.
Pricing Structure
Like most other apps, OKCupid has a free plan to get you started, but you may wish to upgrade to one of the paid plans for the best possible dating experience:
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
| Free | $0 | Create a profile and match with others, send likes, message matches, conduct basic searches |
| Basic | From $29.99 per month | Unlimited daily likes, no ads, dealbreakers (improved filtering), unlimited introductions with ice-breakers, read receipts, and message priority |
| Premium | From $39.99 per month | See who liked you, three SuperLikes, advanced filters, boosted visibility, and access to other users’ Q&A details |
6: Tantan: China’s Number One Dating App
Often described as China’s version of Tinder, Tantan has over 300 million users. If you’re going on vacation in China, backpacking across the country, or working in one of the nation’s tech hubs, Tantan will help you meet people during your stay.
You can experiment with Tantan for free with over 100 swipes per day, and the basic, cost-free plan also lets you like other profiles and match with verified users.
If you’re in China, Tantan is cheaper than Tinder and Bumble, starting at just $8.99 for a VIP plan. Like Badoo, you can also buy credits on Tantan for premium features, without committing to a subscription.
Pricing Structure
Tantan is free to use, but you’ll need to upgrade for full access to the app’s premium features:
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
| Basic | $0 | Like other profiles, match and chat with other users, and use basic search filters to find matches |
| VIP | From $8.99 per month | Unlimited likes and swipes, unlimited rewinds (undo accidental swipes), five daily SuperLikes, location change (browse and match anywhere), and incognito mode |
The Best Dating Apps for Solo Travelers in Asia & Latin America
The six dating apps above can help you date other singles on your travels through Asia and Latin America. But which is best for you? Use our comparison chart below to decide which one to use:
| App | Paid Plans From | Why Use it? |
| Tinder | $24.99 | Massive global user base & the option to match remotely before arriving |
| Bumble | $14.99 | Affordable plans and clear dating intentions for suitable matches |
| Happn | $24.99 | Meet locals you’ve crossed paths with – significant user base in Latin America |
| Badoo | $12.99 | Flexible credits system boosts your visibility without requiring a subscription |
| OKCupid | $29.99 | Detailed compatibility matching helps find suitable partners quickly while traveling in southeast Asia in particular |
| Tantan | $8.99 | Best app for meeting locals and other expats while traveling in China |
Sometimes the best way to prepare for dating on the road is to practice the art of conversation first — especially if language barriers or cultural differences feel daunting. AI companion apps have come a long way, and many solo travelers use them to build confidence, explore connection styles, or simply enjoy some company on a long-haul flight.
We’ve rounded up the best AI girlfriend apps available right now — from emotionally intelligent chatbots to immersive virtual companions — so you can figure out what you’re looking for before you land.
