Latin dance has captured hearts worldwide, exploding in popularity and becoming a global phenomenon. Originating primarily from the vibrant cultures of South America and the Caribbean, these dances have transcended geographical boundaries, eclipsing even established American and European partnered dances like Swing and Waltz in global appeal.
For newcomers to the world of dance, the sheer variety of Latin styles can be both exciting and overwhelming. With over a dozen distinct forms, navigating this rich landscape requires a knowledgeable guide. That’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to the diverse Types Of Latin Dance, offering insightful descriptions and engaging videos to illuminate each unique style.
By the end of this article, you’ll possess a thorough understanding of the Latin dance panorama, empowering you to discover the perfect style that resonates with your spirit and gets you moving!
Discover the Spectrum of Latin Dance Styles
Latin dance is broadly categorized into social dances, enjoyed in casual settings and dance floors around the world, and Latin ballroom dances, refined for the competitive dancesport arena. Let’s explore both categories:
Latin Social Dances: Experience the Joy of Connection and Rhythm
These dances are the heart of Latin social scenes, inviting everyone to join in the fun and express themselves through movement.
- Salsa
- Bachata
- Argentine Tango
- Merengue
- Cumbia
- Quebradita
- Mambo
- Zouk
- Kizomba
- Pachanga
- Latin Hustle
- Baile Folklorico
- Bomba
- Plena
- Son
- Danzón
Latin Ballroom Dances: Elegance and Precision in Motion
These styles are honed for the competitive world of dancesport, emphasizing technique, grace, and artistry.
Latin Dance FAQ – Your questions about Latin dances answered.
Salsa: The King of Latin Social Dance
Salsa reigns supreme as the most popular type of Latin dance globally. It’s not just a dance; it’s a cultural phenomenon, the most popular partnered dance in the world, with vibrant communities, dance schools, and pulsating clubs thriving in virtually every major city across continents.
Alt text: Dynamic salsa dancers execute a turn, illustrating the energetic partnership and flair of salsa.
Born in the melting pot of the United States in the 1960s, Salsa’s origins are deeply rooted in New York City, blossoming from the Puerto Rican and Cuban diasporas. This dynamic dance style and its infectious music draw inspiration from a rich tapestry of earlier Latin dances, including mambo, cha cha, son, and Latin hustle. Salsa embodies fun, flirtation, and boundless energy, expressed through lively movements. While known for its upbeat rhythms, salsa also embraces slower, more romantic melodies, offering a spectrum of emotional expression. Furthermore, the beauty of salsa lies in its diversity, with various styles of salsa dancing each possessing a unique flavor and character.
The diverse styles of salsa dancing include:
- LA Style (On1): Linear style, danced “on one” count, known for flashy shines and intricate patterns.
- New York Style (On2): Linear style, danced “on two” count, emphasizing musicality and smooth, controlled movements.
- Cuban Style (Casino): Circular style, danced in a round, playful and energetic with partner interaction.
- Colombian Style (Cali Style): Fast-paced footwork focused style, known for rapid steps and intricate leg movements.
Salsa thrives as a social dance, with countless clubs and dance studios hosting vibrant salsa nights. Performance is also deeply ingrained in salsa culture, with numerous festivals worldwide showcasing spectacular choreographed routines. Prestigious international salsa competitions elevate the dance form, celebrating the artistry and skill of the world’s best salsa dancers.
Bachata: Sensuality and Romance on the Dance Floor
Bachata stands as another incredibly popular type of Latin dance, experiencing a surge in global popularity, particularly captivating a younger generation of dancers.
Alt text: Sensual bachata dancers in a close embrace, highlighting the intimate connection and romantic essence of bachata.
Originating in the Dominican Republic, Bachata is celebrated for its typically slower, more sensual rhythms compared to salsa, as explored in detail in our article comparing the differences between salsa and bachata. Bachata music often tells stories of love, longing, and passion, reflected in the dance’s intimate and expressive movements.
Similar to salsa, Bachata encompasses several distinctive styles, primarily:
- Dominican Bachata (Traditional): Rooted in the dance’s origins, emphasizing intricate footwork, quick steps, and a close partner connection.
- Sensual Bachata: A more contemporary style characterized by fluid body waves, dips, and sensual movements, emphasizing body isolations and partner connection.
- Urban Bachata (Bachata Fusion): A fusion style blending traditional bachata elements with influences from hip hop, R&B, and other contemporary dance forms, adding modern flair and versatility.
Bachata dancing frequently shares venues with salsa, often found in the same clubs and dance studios. Bachata’s immense popularity has led to the emergence of dedicated festivals and events solely focused on celebrating this captivating dance style.
Argentine Tango: Passion and Drama in Every Step
Argentine Tango, a captivating Hispanic dance, hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina, with its roots intertwining Spanish and Cuban influences. This type of Latin dance is steeped in history and tradition, renowned for its dramatic expression and intense connection.
Alt text: Passionate Argentine Tango dancers in a dramatic pose, emphasizing the intense connection, sharp lines, and emotional depth of tango.
Heavily influenced by traditional European ballroom dances, Argentine Tango distinguishes itself with its upright posture and close embrace, minimizing hip movements and maximizing upper body connection. Tango carries a reputation for intensity and passion, famously expressed through dramatic poses and holds, including the iconic image often associated with Latin dance.
While typically danced at a slower tempo than salsa, Argentine Tango incorporates sharp flicks and kicks, adding bursts of rapid, dynamic movements. The dance is characterized by improvisation and musicality, encouraging dancers to express their emotions and interpret the music in real-time.
Argentine Tango is enjoyed socially at gatherings called “milongas,” and also captivates audiences through stage performances, showcasing its theatrical and artistic dimensions.
Merengue: Dominican Republic’s Energetic National Dance
Merengue, like bachata, is a vibrant social dance originating from the Dominican Republic—in fact, it proudly holds the title of the country’s national dance. This type of Latin dance is synonymous with fun and high-energy rhythms.
Alt text: Energetic merengue dancers in side-to-side motion, demonstrating the lively steps, hip action, and joyful spirit of merengue.
Sharing similarities with bachata, Merengue employs a side-to-side movement and emphasizes hip motion. However, merengue music typically boasts a faster tempo than bachata, contributing to its reputation as an energetic and fun-loving dance, contrasting with bachata’s sensual undertones.
Merengue enjoys widespread popularity within the Latin American community, particularly among Mexicans and Dominicans. It’s a common sight in Latin dance clubs, though less frequently encountered in salsa socials or festivals, maintaining its distinct identity.
Merengue stands out as one of the easier types of Latin dance to learn. Many merengue dancers acquire their skills informally, picking up the steps simply by observing and participating, highlighting its accessible and community-driven nature.
Cumbia: Colombia’s Circular Dance of Connection
Cumbia, a captivating South American dance style, originated in Colombia and has expanded its reach throughout Latin America, particularly resonating in Mexico and Peru. This type of Latin dance is known for its circular formations and rhythmic steps.
Alt text: Cumbia dancers in a circular formation, emphasizing the communal aspect, flowing movements, and rhythmic footwork of cumbia.
Danced in a circular motion, Cumbia’s basic step features a characteristic short kick followed by a rock step, bearing a resemblance to East Coast Swing. This circular formation fosters a sense of community and shared experience among dancers.
Cumbia shares some kinship with Colombian style salsa, which was significantly influenced by Cumbia, although Cumbia is danced at a considerably slower pace, allowing for a more relaxed and grounded feel.
Similar to merengue, Cumbia is a dance often learned informally, rarely formally taught in dance schools. It may occasionally be introduced in nightclubs, with most dancers learning through observation and immersion, reinforcing its social and organic learning process.
Quebradita: Mexico’s Acrobatic Dance Spectacle
Quebradita is a high-energy partner dance originating from Mexico, renowned for its exhilarating pace and daring acrobatics. This type of Latin dance is a true spectacle of athleticism and showmanship.
Alt text: Quebradita dancers execute an impressive acrobatic lift, illustrating the high-energy, dynamic lifts, and thrilling nature of quebradita.
Popular in Los Angeles during the 1990s, Quebradita remains a niche dance primarily within the Mexican community, preserving its cultural identity and unique style.
Due to its demanding athleticism for both lead and follow, Quebradita is rarely danced socially. Instead, it shines in quebradita competitions, where couples compete to outdo each other with increasingly complex tricks and lifts. Quebradita also occasionally graces dance performances, adding a thrilling and visually captivating element to shows.
Mambo: The Rhythmic Roots of Salsa
Mambo is a term that can be confusingly applied to several dance styles (explore the mambo vs salsa article for clarification). This type of Latin dance holds a significant place in Latin dance history, paving the way for salsa and influencing numerous styles.
Alt text: Elegant mambo dancers in a classic pose, emphasizing the sophistication, vintage charm, and historical importance of mambo as a precursor to salsa.
Originally developed in Cuba in the 1940s, Mambo gained international fame in New York City’s legendary Palladium Ballroom. The style drew inspiration from earlier Cuban dances like Son and Danzón, evolving within the vibrant and innovative dance scene of NYC.
Traditional Mambo is now rarely danced in its pure form. However, Mambo is directly ancestral to salsa, lending many of its movements and core elements to its successor. Notably, New York-style salsa is sometimes referred to as “Mambo” because its break step occurs on the second beat of the music, a characteristic inherited from Mambo.
There’s a growing resurgence of interest in incorporating traditional Mambo styling into salsa dancing, honoring salsa’s rich origins. Influential dancers such as Eddie Torres, Adolfo Indacochea, and Benny & Brandon Ayala are actively reviving and championing the classic Mambo style.
Intriguingly, the term “Mambo” has also been adopted in Ballroom Dance, where it confusingly refers to Salsa On1, adding another layer to its multifaceted identity.
Zouk: Brazilian Dance of Flow and Connection
Brazilian Zouk, a captivating type of Latin dance, emerged in Brazil during the 1990s, evolving from an earlier dance style called Lambada. Zouk is celebrated for its emphasis on fluid movements, deep connection, and dynamic turns.
Alt text: Fluid zouk dancers with flowing hair and connected movements, emphasizing the smooth transitions, partner connection, and graceful lines of zouk.
Zouk is danced to Zouk music, as well as contemporary genres like hip hop and pop, demonstrating its adaptability and modern appeal. The dance is characterized by its sensual body movements, rhythmic isolations, and often features dramatic hair movements for the followers.
Zouk’s popularity has surged in recent years, with many salsa and bachata festivals incorporating zouk into their dance programs. Numerous festivals and events are now dedicated exclusively to Brazilian Zouk dancing, highlighting its growing community and global reach.
Zouk thrives both socially and in performance and competition settings. Jack & Jill competitions, where dancers are randomly paired, are particularly popular within the Zouk community, fostering improvisation and adaptability.
Kizomba: Angola’s Sensual Partner Dance
Kizomba, while technically originating from Angola in Africa rather than Latin America, has become deeply integrated into many Latin dance scenes in recent years. This type of Latin dance, often found at Latin dance socials and festivals, offers a slow, sensual, and intimate experience.
Alt text: Intimate kizomba dancers in a close embrace, highlighting the sensual connection, slow rhythms, and grounded movements of kizomba.
Kizomba shares some similarities with tango in its close embrace and grounded movements. It evolved from an earlier Angolan dance form called Semba, inheriting its rhythmic complexity and partner connection.
Due to its slower tempo and emphasis on connection, Kizomba is almost exclusively danced in social settings, with Kizomba performances being quite rare. The focus is on the intimate dialogue between partners and the musicality of the dance.
A variation, Urban Kiz, has gained traction recently, retaining Kizomba’s core characteristics while incorporating elements from hip hop and other contemporary dances, adding a modern edge to this sensual style.
Pachanga: Cuba’s Bouncy Dance of the 1950s
Pachanga is a vibrant Hispanic dance style and music genre originating from Cuba in the 1950s. This type of Latin dance is characterized by its lively bouncing movements and playful energy.
Alt text: Energetic pachanga dancers with bouncy knee action, illustrating the playful rhythm, knee bends, and dynamic steps of pachanga.
Pachanga is defined by a distinctive bouncing movement, generated by bending and straightening the knees, combined with gliding and sliding steps. This creates a lighthearted and joyful feel to the dance.
The dance style reached peak popularity in the 1950s, spreading to New York alongside mambo and gracing the dance floor of the Palladium Ballroom. Eddie Torres has played a key role in its recent revival, and Pachanga has become a cherished staple move in salsa dance shines, adding a touch of vintage flair to contemporary salsa.
Latin Hustle: New York’s Swing-Salsa Fusion
The Latin Hustle, also known as New York Hustle, is a dynamic dance form born in New York City, blending elements of West Coast Swing and salsa. This type of Latin dance emerged from the creative fusion of different dance influences in the city’s vibrant scene.
Alt text: Dynamic Latin Hustle dancers in a striking pose, emphasizing the swing elements, partnered connection, and energetic character of Latin Hustle.
Created by Puerto Rican teenagers in the 1970s, Latin Hustle has both influenced and been influenced by salsa dancing, reflecting the interconnectedness of dance styles in New York’s cultural landscape.
While Latin Hustle’s popularity has waned in many Latin dance scenes, it continues to be taught and danced in some ballroom studios, preserving its legacy. Latin dance competitions like the World Salsa Summit have recently incorporated Latin Hustle as a category, signaling a renewed interest in this energetic style.
Baile Folklorico: A Tapestry of Latin American Folk Dances
Baile Folklórico serves as an umbrella term encompassing folkloric dances originating from across Latin America. This type of Latin dance represents the diverse cultural heritage and traditions of Latin American countries.
Alt text: Vibrant Baile Folklorico dancers in traditional Mexican attire, highlighting the colorful costumes, storytelling through dance, and cultural richness of Mexican folklorico dance.
Many folkloric dances remain primarily within their country, region, or even city of origin, reflecting their deep local roots. Some predate the arrival of the Spanish in South America, rooted in the traditional dances of indigenous peoples. Others represent a blend of Native American and Spanish cultural influences, showcasing the syncretism of Latin American cultures.
Perhaps the most widely recognized forms of Baile Folklórico originate from Mexico, with numerous styles performed both in Mexico and the United States, celebrating Mexican heritage and artistry.
Mexican folkloric dance is renowned for the flamboyant colors and flowing dresses worn by women and the large sombreros donned by men. The dances often narrate stories of courtship and daily life, incorporating elements of solo and partnered dancing. Notably, the dance steps frequently integrate tap dancing elements, adding rhythmic complexity and visual interest.
Numerous styles of Baile Folklórico originate in Mexico, including:
- Jarabe Tapatío from Jalisco (often considered Mexico’s national dance)
- Danza de los Viejitos from Michoacán (Dance of the Little Old Men)
- Danza del Venado from Sonora (Deer Dance)
- La Bamba from Veracruz (famous for its ribbon and zapateado footwork)
- Danza de los concheros (Concheros Dance, with indigenous and religious roots)
Explore this article to delve deeper into traditional Mexican folk dances and their unique characteristics.
Many other South American countries boast their own unique folkloric dances, including Brazil, Panama, Argentina, Honduras, and Colombia, each reflecting their distinctive cultural identities.
Colombia, in particular, has contributed numerous traditional dances that have gained recognition beyond their place of origin, including Champeta, Cumbia, Joropo, Mapale, and Vallenato, enriching the global landscape of Latin dance.
Bomba: Puerto Rico’s Rhythmic Expression of Resistance
Bomba is a powerful type of Latin dance and musical genre originating in Puerto Rico, primarily developed by enslaved Africans. It stands as a testament to cultural resilience and the enduring power of music and dance.
Alt text: Bomba dancers in traditional ruffled skirts, highlighting the Afro-Caribbean heritage, rhythmic drumming, and expressive movements of bomba.
Like many Latin American dance styles, Bomba blends traditional African dance elements with Spanish and indigenous influences, creating a unique cultural synthesis. Bomba shares similarities with Afro-Cuban dances like Guaguancó in both style and costumes, reflecting shared historical and cultural connections.
While Bomba is rarely danced outside of Puerto Rico, elements of Bomba can be traced in salsa dancing, as salsa music was initially developed by Puerto Ricans living in New York, demonstrating the subtle yet significant influence of Bomba on broader Latin dance forms.
Plena: Puerto Rico’s Narrative Song and Dance
Plena is another significant type of Latin dance style originating in Puerto Rico. It is deeply intertwined with Puerto Rican culture and history, serving as a form of musical storytelling and social commentary.
Alt text: Plena musicians playing traditional percussion instruments, emphasizing the rhythmic complexity, instrumentation, and musical storytelling aspect of plena.
Plena was strongly influenced by bomba, sharing many similarities with it and Afro-Cuban dances. Plena is also a folkloric dance with resemblances to other folkloric traditions, such as baile folklórico, highlighting the interconnectedness of Latin American folk expressions.
Like most folkloric dances, Plena is primarily performed these days rather than danced socially. It is a rare sight to see Plena danced outside of Puerto Rico, preserving its cultural significance within its homeland.
Son: Cuba’s Foundation of Salsa and More
Son, also known as “Cuban Son,” is a foundational type of Latin dance and musical genre originating in Cuba in the early 1900s. It played a pivotal role in shaping numerous Afro-Cuban dances that followed, including Cuban salsa.
Alt text: Elegant son cubano dancers in a classic Cuban style, emphasizing the refined movements, partner connection, and historical significance of son as a precursor to salsa.
The Son basic step involves dancers breaking back on the second beat of the music, similar to Salsa On2, demonstrating its rhythmic and structural influence on salsa.
Son Cubano is rarely danced socially these days outside of cultural performances in Cuba. However, many salsa dancers incorporate steps and styling from Son into their dancing, paying homage to its legacy and enriching their salsa vocabulary.
Danzón: Cuba’s Elegant and Influential Partner Dance
Danzón is another significant musical genre and type of Latin dance style that developed in Cuba. It is recognized as Cuba’s national dance, embodying elegance and grace.
Alt text: Elegant danzón dancers in formal attire, highlighting the refined movements, traditional setting, and graceful partner connection of danzón.
Danzón is a slow, partnered dance resembling the foxtrot in its smooth and controlled movements. While rarely danced outside of Cuba today, Danzón exerted a significant early influence on other partner dances originating in Cuba, such as cha cha cha and mambo, making it a crucial ancestor in the lineage of Cuban and Latin dances.
Latin Ballroom Dances: Competition and Artistry
In the ballroom dance world, the category of International Latin American Dance showcases a specific set of dances for competition. In International Latin competitions, dancers showcase their skills in five distinct dances: cha cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive. These types of Latin dance are judged on technique, musicality, and artistry.
Cha Cha Cha: Cuba’s Lively and Playful Ballroom Dance
The Cha-cha-cha, often shortened to Cha Cha, is a vibrant musical style and type of Latin dance that originated in Havana, Cuba, in the 1950s. It quickly gained global popularity, reaching the US and worldwide by 1955, sparking the “cha cha cha craze.”
Alt text: Ballroom cha cha cha dancers in competitive attire, emphasizing the sharp movements, precise footwork, and energetic character of ballroom cha cha cha.
The dance’s name playfully derives from the rhythmic sound created by dancers’ shoes as they shuffle three quick steps consecutively – the characteristic “cha-cha-cha” rhythm.
Cha Cha is one of the five core dances featured in ballroom dance competitions within the International Latin American Dance category, highlighting its technicality and performance quality.
Cha Cha also enjoys popularity as a social dance at Latin dance gatherings. Many salsa socials will incorporate the occasional cha cha song into the mix. Notably, many steps and turn patterns in Cha Cha are shared with salsa, but executed at a slower tempo, with the signature cha-cha-cha step inserted between musical measures, creating a distinct rhythmic feel.
Samba: Brazil’s Festive and Energetic Dance
Samba is a dynamic musical genre and type of Latin dance originating in Brazil in the early 20th century. It is globally recognized for its incredibly rapid footwork and distinctive hip movements, becoming an iconic dance of Brazil’s Carnaval festival. Some Colombian salsa dancers also incorporate Samba elements into their salsa, adding Brazilian flair to their style.
Alt text: Brazilian samba dancers in elaborate carnival costumes, emphasizing the vibrant energy, fast footwork, and festive spirit of Brazilian samba.
Samba also refers to a ballroom dance style inspired by the Brazilian dance. Ballroom Samba retains some elements of Brazilian samba but is highly stylized to fit the ballroom dance aesthetic. Ballroom samba is a partnered dance, while Brazilian samba is often danced solo or in groups, reflecting different performance contexts.
Both styles of samba are primarily showcased in performances or competitions, and are less commonly danced socially, highlighting their performance-oriented nature.
Rumba: Latin Dance of Romance and Storytelling
Rumba (also spelled “rhumba”) is a term that encompasses a range of types of Latin dance. The term “rumba” itself translates to “party” in Spanish, reflecting its social and celebratory origins.
Alt text: Romantic rumba dancers in a close embrace, emphasizing the slow, sensual movements, partner connection, and storytelling aspect of rumba.
“Rumba” is used as an umbrella term to refer to several Afro-Caribbean dances developed in Cuba, including Guaguancó, Yambú, and Columbia. These are often categorized as “Afro-Cuban rumba,” highlighting their strong African musical and dance influences.
Rumba also designates a specific type of Latin dance within International Latin ballroom dance competitions. Ballroom Rumba bears limited resemblance to Afro-Cuban Rumba. It can be described as a slow-motion salsa, evolving from an earlier Cuban dance style called “bolero-son.” Intriguingly, there are two variations of ballroom rumba: American Style, danced on1, and International Style, danced on2, adding complexity to its categorization.
Paso Doble: The Dramatic Bullfight Dance
Paso Doble, meaning “double step” in Spanish, is a fast-paced type of Latin dance featured in the International Latin category of ballroom dance. While its exact origins are debated, it is widely believed to have originated in France, drawing inspiration from the drama and pageantry of Spanish bullfights.
Alt text: Dramatic paso doble dancers in bullfighter-inspired attire, emphasizing the powerful poses, theatrical expression, and fast-paced movements of paso doble.
Paso Doble is almost exclusively danced in ballroom dancesport competitions, rarely seen in social dance settings. Paso Doble is characterized by its rapid tempo and dramatic flair, evoking the intensity and passion of flamenco, with dancers often embodying the roles of matador and cape.
Jive: Swing’s Energetic Cousin in Latin Ballroom
Jive, while included in the International Latin category in ballroom dance, is not strictly a type of Latin dance. It originated in the US, drawing influences from swing dance, particularly Lindy Hop, and other American folk dances.
Alt text: Energetic jive dancers in mid-motion, emphasizing the fast tempo, bouncy steps, and swing dance influences in jive.
Jive is defined by its quick tempo and bouncy steps, sharing a rhythmic kinship with Lindy Hop and other swing styles.
Today, Jive is almost exclusively danced within the ballroom dance world as a competitive dance, showcasing its athleticism and performance-oriented nature within the Latin ballroom context.
Latin Dance FAQ
What are the Top 5 Latin Dances?
The top 5 types of Latin dance ranked by popularity are: salsa, bachata, cha cha, merengue, and cumbia. These dances are widely enjoyed socially and offer a great starting point for exploring the Latin dance world.
What are the Five Latin Dances in Dance Sport?
The five dances comprising the Latin dance category in ballroom dancesport are cha cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive. These dances are judged on technical skill, musicality, and artistic expression in competitive settings.
What are the Hardest Latin Dances?
The types of Latin dance considered most challenging are often the fastest and most technically demanding. These include salsa (especially the rapid footwork of Colombian salsa), Brazilian samba with its intricate rhythms and fast hip action, and Jive due to its speed and bouncy quality. Slower Latin dances requiring high technical precision and intricate partnerwork, such as Argentine tango and Latin hustle, also present significant challenges.
What are the Modern Latin Dances?
Some of the more contemporary and recently popularized types of Latin dance include salsa (which continues to evolve), bachata (particularly sensual bachata with its modern interpretations), kizomba, zouk, and reggaeton (though reggaeton is often categorized separately, it shares Latin roots and is frequently danced in Latin dance scenes).
What is the Most Sensual Latin Dance?
The types of Latin dance generally considered the most sensual are sensual bachata with its body waves and close connection, kizomba with its intimate embrace and slow rhythms, zouk with its flowing movements and partner connection, and Argentine Tango with its passionate and dramatic expression.
This concludes our comprehensive exploration of the most popular types of Latin dance! From the social energy of salsa and bachata to the theatrical flair of paso doble and the folkloric richness of plena, we hope this guide has provided you with a valuable overview of the diverse styles within the Latin dance world. Now you are equipped to find the Latin dance styles that best suit your taste and get moving to the infectious rhythms! Share your thoughts in the comments below – Did we miss any of your favorite styles, or do you have any further questions?
