Mexico, a country celebrated for its vibrant culture and passionate spirit, offers an equally exhilarating dance scene, especially for salsa aficionados. As a fellow dance enthusiast and content creator for ten-dance.com, I’ve explored the dance floors across Mexico and am excited to share an expanded guide to help you navigate the world of “Dance Mx” and salsa in this captivating country. This guide, inspired by a fellow traveler’s experiences, is crafted to be your ultimate resource for finding the best dance spots in Mexico, ensuring you don’t miss a beat.
Full dance floor at Mérida’s Sunday social at Las de Guanatos restaurant
For those whose travels, like mine, are deeply intertwined with dance, knowing where to find a vibrant dance scene is paramount. The phrase “dance mx” might be your starting search, and you’ll quickly discover Mexico is a treasure trove for dancers. From bustling metropolises to charming colonial towns, the rhythm of salsa and other Latin dances pulses through the heart of Mexican nightlife. My personal journeys have been significantly shaped by dance, often influencing my destinations and length of stay. Upon arriving in a new city, my first online search is invariably “where to dance salsa in XYZ city.” Dance is not just a pastime; it’s a universal language that connects travelers and locals, forging lasting relationships both at home and abroad.
My exploration of Mexico was no different. I made it a mission to experience the dance culture in every city I visited, and I was thrilled to find thriving “dance mx” scenes across the country. To assist other traveling dancers seeking to explore Mexico’s dance floors, I’ve compiled this enhanced guide to dance venues in various Mexican cities. This is based on my personal experiences and the venues I had the pleasure of visiting. Remember, the dance landscape is ever-changing, so always confirm details with local sources upon your arrival to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for your “dance mx” adventures!
(If you find this guide helpful, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide to social salsa dancing in Colombia and my detailed guide to salsa and bachata in Medellin, Colombia!)
Understanding the Dance Beat of Mexico: Salsa and Beyond
When diving into “dance mx,” it’s essential to understand the prevalent dance styles in Mexico. Salsa reigns supreme, with two main styles dominating the dance floors: “en línea” (linear salsa) and Cuban salsa. “En línea” encompasses Salsa On1 and Salsa On2. While both exist, Salsa On1 is more commonly seen in social settings and clubs. Interestingly, many establishments offering salsa classes often teach Cuban-style salsa, leading to a significant number of social dancers embracing this style. To truly immerse yourself in the “dance mx” experience, familiarity with both linear and Cuban salsa styles is highly advantageous.
Among the Latin rhythms echoing through Mexico’s dance venues, salsa takes center stage. Many places feature live salsa bands, ensuring salsa music forms the majority of the night’s soundtrack. However, the “dance mx” scene isn’t limited to salsa. Bachata, primarily urban bachata, also finds its place, with sensual bachata being the favored style among bachata dancers. Cumbia is another significant presence in many dance spaces. You might also hear hints of cha-cha-cha and, on rarer occasions, merengue, adding to the diverse “dance mx” musical landscape.
Most Mexican cities boast a dance community, reflecting the global appeal of salsa. Smaller cities typically have dance nights concentrated on Fridays and Saturdays, while larger cities often offer dance opportunities every day, sometimes with multiple venues to choose from each night. Guadalajara stood out as my favorite city for “dance mx” and salsa. The dance venues in Guadalajara were exceptional, the community incredibly welcoming, and the dancers’ skill level notably advanced.
Now, let’s journey through a city-by-city guide, focusing on the venues where I personally danced and incorporating local insights. I hope this guide proves invaluable as you explore “dance mx” across Mexico. Get ready to dance!
Mexico City: A Metropolis of Movement
Pata Negra: A Mexico City classic for “dance mx” enthusiasts! Pata Negra hosts salsa nights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I experienced the Wednesday social twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s no cover charge, and they offer complimentary salsa classes. These classes, lasting two hours, cater to all levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Post-class, the social dancing begins with an hour of DJ-led music followed by an hour of live salsa. After midnight, the DJ returns, transitioning the music towards general dance tunes, shifting the atmosphere to more of a club vibe. However, before midnight, it’s a fantastic “dance mx” social. You’ll find dancers of all skill levels in a friendly and welcoming environment. The wooden dance floor, while spacious, can become very crowded, but it’s still a must-visit for anyone exploring “dance mx” in Mexico City.
Bachata Mexico: Primarily a dance studio, Bachata Mexico hosts a Thursday night social. They offer Cuban salsa and sensual bachata classes, followed by a social dance session encompassing both salsa and bachata. The social, though brief, typically concluding around midnight, provides about two hours of dancing. There’s a fee for classes and a cover charge for the social, often combined. This venue was one of the few places in Mexico City where I could truly indulge in bachata, adding another dimension to the “dance mx” scene.
Mama Rumba: Mama Rumba is dedicated to Cuban salsa, a cornerstone of “dance mx”. Open several days a week with a cover charge, it’s a popular spot. My visit coincided with a special event, so I can’t speak to a typical social night. Mama Rumba is large but lacks a defined dance floor, instead offering wide aisles for dancing, which can become congested. It’s excellent for live Cuban music but can be a challenging space for social dancing if you’re seeking a more open “dance mx” experience.
Nuevo Foro Hilvana: This is a superb venue for Friday night “dance mx” socials. Entry is free during a short window early in the evening, with a cover charge after 8:30 PM. Foro Hilvana offers a salsa class before the social dancing commences. The social itself is lively, featuring a live band and a diverse crowd of dancers from beginners to advanced. The dance floor is generously sized and quite slick, making it a highly recommended “dance mx” location in Mexico City.
Fusion Salsa Fest: While not a regular social, Fusion Salsa Fest (FSF) is a significant “dance mx” event – Mexico City’s salsa congress. My trip fortuitously coincided with FSF, and I purchased a Saturday pass, attending daytime workshops and returning for evening performances and social dancing. Workshops were popular, often with over 100 participants. The Saturday night party started around 2:00 AM after performances and was still energetic when I left at 5:00 AM. It featured a live salsa band and two dance rooms: one for salsa and another for bachata/kizomba. Both rooms were packed with high-caliber dancers, typical of a congress. FSF was a fantastic experience; if you’re in Mexico City in October, consider immersing yourself in this “dance mx” festival.
San Miguel de Allende: Colonial Charm and Dance Rhythms
Bar La Chula: La Chula offers a decent “dance mx” experience in San Miguel de Allende. Initially, I thought dancing in this smaller city might be limited, with social dancing mainly from Thursday to Saturday. However, La Chula surprised me by hosting a live salsa band on Wednesday nights! It’s a cozy venue with a small dance floor, but the music and the view are worth the visit alone. The bar and dance floor are on a covered terrace, offering a picturesque night view of San Miguel de Allende. While not a bustling “dance mx” social with numerous dancers, it’s perfect for enjoying music, drinks, and dancing at your leisure.
Guanajuato: Historic City, Hot Dance Scene
La dama de las camelias: Ah, La dama de las camelias… I truly enjoyed dancing here, though venues of this type can be unpredictable. It’s essentially a bar with a small dance floor, open several nights a week, playing Latin music. It could easily be overrun by general party-goers, not dedicated social dancers. However, I had a great time because the local Guanajuato salsa community gathers here, and they were incredibly welcoming. La dama is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The floor gets very crowded by midnight, making dancing challenging. Thursday nights were slightly less crowded than Fridays, which attracted more weekend party crowds. There’s a small cover charge, and the music is DJ-led, primarily salsa with occasional bachata and cumbia sets. This spot is a hidden gem in the “dance mx” landscape.
El Guaguancó: During my time in Guanajuato, local salseros buzzed about a new venue, El Guaguancó, soon to open. I didn’t get to dance there before leaving, but I peeked inside, and the dance floor looked stunning. This might become the new hub for the Guanajuato “dance mx” scene. Next time I’m in GTO, you’ll likely find me here, exploring this new addition to “dance mx”.
Guadalajara: The Heart of Mexican Salsa
Chapultepec Salsero: Chapultepec Salsero is truly special in the “dance mx” world. Guadalajara’s Monday night social is entirely free and takes place outdoors on the wide pedestrian walkway in the median of Avenida Chapultepec. Starting early and ending early, it kicks off with a free class at 6:30 PM, followed by open dancing. The dance floor is incredibly spacious, stretching an entire block, and the dancer community is exceptionally welcoming. Chapultepec Salsero happens rain or shine! I loved this social and highly recommend it for an authentic “dance mx” experience.
Outdoor salsa dancing in Guadalajara
Hotel Riu: Another fantastic Guadalajara “dance mx” social! Salsa fills the lobby of Hotel Riu every Tuesday and Friday. Enjoy a free salsa class from 9:00 to 10:00 PM, followed by open dancing. There’s no cover charge, and a live salsa band performs both nights. The dance floor is a decent size but does get crowded. Highly recommended for your “dance mx” itinerary, both Tuesday and Friday nights offer great experiences.
Gran Salon Corona: This became one of my favorite “dance mx” socials in Mexico. I absolutely loved dancing at Salon Corona. It boasts a huge, slick dance floor, two live salsa bands, frequent bachata sets between salsa performances, and no cover charge before 11:00 PM. I visited on a Thursday night, though salsa is also featured on Fridays. A salsa class precedes the social. This was one of the few socials in Mexico that played substantial amounts of bachata, interspersed within the live band sets. I wholeheartedly recommend Gran Salon Corona for an unforgettable “dance mx” night.
Bailamos salsa en GDL: For more insights into Guadalajara’s vibrant “dance mx” scene, check out the Facebook page “Bailamos salsa en GDL.” The dance scene in GDL is incredibly active, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Enjoy exploring the rich “dance mx” culture here!
Morelia: Historic Dances
La Porfiriana: La Porfiriana gets mixed reviews from Morelia’s salseros, and I’m not entirely sure why. I visited on a Wednesday night and had a pleasant time. Located in Morelia’s historic center, it’s open several nights a week. They offer a salsa class followed by open dancing with a live band. The class, however, was a ballroom salsa style, which wasn’t to my personal taste. La Porfiriana has a table minimum (80 pesos per person, I believe). The dance floor is slick and fairly spacious, and the band played a mix of salsa and cumbia, interspersed with DJ sets of salsa, cumbia, and a bit of bachata. I enjoyed my time at La Porfiriana and managed to get in some good dances. It’s worth trying, especially if you’re staying in the historic center and seeking “dance mx”.
Konkolo Snack Bar: Konkolo is a cool “dance mx” venue located slightly outside Morelia’s historic center. The venue is quite large, though the dance floor fills up quickly. Arrive early to avoid a cover charge. Konkolo is open multiple nights and features a live band, along with DJ sets mainly playing salsa and cumbia, with some bachata sprinkled in. Local salseros recommended Wednesday nights as the best; I went on a Thursday and had a good night overall, experiencing a different facet of “dance mx”.
Puebla: Sunday Salsa Socials
Mambito’s Salsa Social: Mambito’s was my favorite social out of all the “dance mx” venues I explored in Mexico! I highly recommend it. This social happens every other Sunday night, so plan your Puebla visit accordingly. There’s a small cover charge, and it’s an early evening affair, running from about 7 PM to midnight. No live band, just a DJ. The music format during my visit was typically three to four salsa songs followed by a bachata. The hardwood dance floor is spacious (and notably, it didn’t feel like a crowded battleground, unlike some other “dance mx” venues). The dancers were highly skilled, and the community was incredibly welcoming. Loved it and highly recommend experiencing this “dance mx” gem.
Oaxaca: Exploring the Scene
La Tentación: I visited La Tentacion on a Wednesday night, and it was nearly empty. They played Latin music—DJ sets including salsa, bachata, and cumbia—but La Tentación might be a venue where you need to bring your own dance partner to truly enjoy the “dance mx” experience. I didn’t return to see if other nights were different, but my Wednesday visit wasn’t very fruitful for social dancing. La Tentación has a very small dance floor and no cover charge when I visited. It’s okay for a drink and Latin music, but not recommended for social “dance mx” if you’re looking for partners.
Restaurante Candela: Candela was disappointing, especially as it’s often touted as “the” salsa venue in Oaxaca. Open several nights with a small cover charge, I visited on a Thursday. Despite a crowd, social dancing was difficult. The DJ played limited salsa and bachata, heavily favoring cumbia and reggaetón. While skilled salsa dancers were present, the local community didn’t seem particularly welcoming. Overall, I wasn’t impressed with the Oaxaca “dance mx” scene at Candela.
Oaxaca Salsa Congress: Oaxaca hosts a salsa congress! This seems to be a larger congress in Mexico, so if you’re in Oaxaca at the right time, attending the Oaxaca Salsa and Bachata Festival might be a better way to get your “dance mx” fix.
Puerto Escondido: Beachside Beats
Playa Kabbalah: Kabbalah is Puerto Escondido’s Saturday night “dance mx” venue. No cover charge and a live band playing salsa, cumbia, and even a little bachata. I arrived a bit after 11 PM, and the place was packed, but with more party-goers than dedicated social dancers. Salsa dancing was challenging. However, Kabbalah is uniquely situated right on Zicatela Beach—so if dance partners are scarce, you can relax on the beach and enjoy the ocean views. After the band, a DJ takes over, playing reggaetón and other club music, transitioning the venue into more of a general club.
Congo Bar: Congo Bar is the “dance mx” spot for Wednesdays and Fridays in Puerto Escondido. I went on a Wednesday night; there was no cover, and a live band was playing. My visit coincided with a special event, so the band played outside, and dancing spilled into the street. On a typical night, I’m unsure of the setup, but my experience was enjoyable, with some good dances with Puerto Escondido’s salsa community. The band and DJ mixed salsa and cumbia, and by late evening, the dance floor filled with party crowds. For salsa dancing, arriving earlier is advisable to maximize your “dance mx” time.
Puerto Escondido Salsa Fest: Puerto Escondido hosts a small salsa festival, the Puerto Escondido Salsa Fest, resembling a mini-congress. Held on Friday and Saturday, Friday is a night party with shows and social dancing. Saturday includes daytime workshops (salsa, bachata, and quebradita) and a night party with more shows and social dancing. Friday night featured a live band and DJ sets, while Saturday was DJ-only. Music was primarily salsa, with some cumbia, bachata, and a bit of quebradita. Social dancing felt slightly challenging, with some dancers seeming a bit cliquey. However, I met many welcoming social dancers. The festival organizer is actively building the “dance mx” community in Puerto Escondido, making attendance worthwhile to support the local scene.
Outdoor salsa dancing in Guadalajara
Playa del Carmen: Caribbean Coast Rhythms
La Salsanera: La Salsanera was the only “dance mx” spot I found in Playa del Carmen. It’s quite pleasant and open multiple days a week, offering free salsa classes. Arrive early to avoid a cover charge (starting after 10:30 PM, I believe). La Salsanera features a nice wooden floor and often hosts live salsa bands, providing a consistent “dance mx” option in Playa del Carmen.
Mérida: Yucatán Dance Scene
Mambo Cafe: Thumbs down for Mambo Cafe. I wasn’t a fan and wouldn’t recommend it for social dancing if you’re seeking “dance mx”. It’s a club with reggaetón, strobe lights—more geared towards “perreo” than salsa. I tried it based on its Facebook page advertising a bachata night, but in two hours, I didn’t hear a single bachata song. Perks, if you’re looking to party, include occasional free entry for women and an open bar. They do have live music—a fusion of salsa, cumbia, and reggaetón, but not ideal for “dance mx” purists.
Astro Salsa: I attended a fantastic salsa/bachata social in Mérida organized by Astro Salsa dance school, which has unfortunately ceased. However, Astro Salsa remains active in Mérida, hosting socials and classes. Check out Astro Salsa’s Facebook page for their upcoming events. During my visit, I found a very welcoming dance community with a high level of dancing. Highly recommended for a genuine “dance mx” experience in Mérida.
This guide is a starting point, and I hope to expand it with future “dance mx” adventures in Mexico, covering more cities and venues. Have you danced salsa in Mexico? Do you have recommendations? What are your favorite dance spots worldwide? Share in the comments below!
