Latin Dance

Latin dances are a large family of dance styles from Latin America and the Caribbean, united by their passionate rhythms and expressive performances. They spread through Europe and the United States as ballroom and club dances, and they owe their popularity to a mix of European, African and indigenous cultures. The Spanish folk dance performed by bullfighters, for example, became the world-famous paso doble, while African influence is clear in rumba and cha-cha-cha, which originated in Cuba.

Latin Dances List: Social, Ballroom and Folk Dances

The quick list below groups the most common Latin dance names by type. Each name links to its full description further down.

15 Social Latin American Dances

• Salsa
• Bachata
• Merengue
• Mambo
• Kizomba
• Zouk
• Reggaeton
• Argentine tango
• Cumbia
• Quebradita
• Lambada
• Pachanga
• Danzón
• Bomba
• Plena

5 Latin Ballroom Dances (International Latin)

• Samba
• Rumba
• Cha-Cha-Cha
• Paso Doble
• Jive

7 Latin American Folk Dances

• Joropo (Venezuela)
• Cueca (Chile)
• Chacarera (Argentina)
• Zamba (Argentina)
• Jarabe Tapatío (Mexico)
• Marinera (Peru)
• Huayno (Peru)

What Is Latin Dance? History and Origins

Latin dance is the umbrella term for partner and social dances that originated in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Iberian Peninsula, marked by rhythmic hip movement, expressive musicality and close partner connection.

Its history is a story of three cultures meeting. Indigenous peoples of the Americas had ceremonial dance traditions long before colonization. From the 16th century, Spanish and Portuguese colonizers brought European couple dances, guitars and forms like the fandango and contradanza. Enslaved Africans brought polyrhythmic drumming, body isolations and call-and-response traditions, which became the rhythmic heart of nearly every Latin dance, from Cuban rumba to Brazilian samba to Colombian cumbia.

In the early 20th century these dances travelled from Havana, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro to the ballrooms of Paris, London and New York. Tango arrived in Europe around 1911, rumba reached the United States in the 1920s, and mambo and cha-cha-cha followed in the 1940s and 50s. New York's Latin communities then created salsa in the 1960s and 70s, and today Latin dances are danced socially and competitively in virtually every country.

Types of Latin Dance: Social, Ballroom and Folk

Latin dances fall into three broad groups, and the group a dance belongs to explains where and how it is danced.

Social (club) Latin dances are the most widely danced: salsa, bachata, merengue, mambo, kizomba, zouk, reggaeton and Argentine tango. They are popular across Latin America, the United States, Europe and Asia. They do not demand perfected technique; it matters more to express the music and turn movement into a love story. The film “Dirty Dancing” with Patrick Swayze has long been a favorite among Latin dancers for showing amateur social dancing at its best.

Latin ballroom dances (International Latin) are the competitive program adopted by the World DanceSport Federation: samba, rumba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble and jive. They are danced by a man and a woman, and unlike the European (Standard) dances, partners may break contact or hold each other very close. Jive, the only one of the five with United States origins, is always danced last in competition.

Latin American folk dances weave together indigenous, African and European influences. They express community, spirituality and celebration, and often serve as storytelling and a link to ancestral roots.

Social Latin American Dances

Salsa

Salsa developed into a distinct style in the 1940s, from a tradition of Latin dance that dates back to the early 1900s. It is heavily influenced by Afro-Cuban traditions and dances such as mambo, guaguancó and danzón. As people moved and settled in new cities, salsa evolved into local styles. The best known in the United States are New York style (danced “On 2”) and Los Angeles style (danced “On 1”), and many dancers argue New York is the original since the term and the dance were coined there. Other styles include Cuban salsa and Rueda de Casino. Major salsa cities include Toronto, Vancouver and London, and salsa festivals and congresses (multi-day events with workshops, social dancing, performances and competitions) attract thousands of salseros every year.

 

Bachata

Bachata is known for its love stories and syncopated rhythm. It was born in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s, with guitar-led music and heartrending lyrics. Because it grew up in bars and brothels, and a dictatorship regarded it as an art form of low standing, it was held back for decades. The dance has since spread worldwide and become widely accepted, and in recent years the dance has grown faster than the music.

Merengue

Merengue is a couple dance from the Dominican Republic. There are many theories about how it took its present form, but dictator Rafael Trujillo declared it the Dominican national dance and music after rising to power in the 1930s. A similar style is enjoyed in neighboring Haiti.

Mambo

Mambo is a Cuban dance developed in the 1940s as the music genre of the same name swept Latin America. It shares much with rumba and cha-cha (the cha-cha-cha was at first called syncopated mambo), but it is known for its temperament, freedom of expression and luxurious music. Mambo rhythms are widely used in cinema, notably in The Mambo Kings (with Antonio Banderas and Armand Assante) and Dirty Dancing.

Kizomba

Kizomba originated in Angola in the 1980s, shaped by French Creole music and African folk rhythms, and spread widely across Europe in the twenty-first century. It resembles samba, bachata and Argentine tango but is smoother and calmer: more romantic and flirtatious than expressive. Many Latin festivals feature it as a headline dance.

Zouk

Zouk emerged in the late 20th century from lively concert performances in Haiti, Martinique and the Cape Verde Islands, combining Haitian music, calypso and Angolan sounds. “Zouk” means “party” or “festival” in French Creole. It is danced on three counts, with flowing upper-body curves, waves, head turns and spectacular “falls,” so partner flexibility matters. It is more sensual than most social dances, and acrobatics are allowed. It has found fans in France, Canada, Brazil, Asia and the United States.

Reggaeton

Reggaeton is a music style from Puerto Rico and Panama that took shape in the 1970s and 80s under the influence of reggae, dancehall and hip-hop. It became a separate style in the 1990s and reached the United States through immigrants. It is known for its clear dembow rhythm, Spanish-language lyrics and overt sexuality. Nando Boom and El General are considered its fathers.

Argentine Tango

Tango is one of the most famous and sensual couple dances. It was born in the poorer districts of Buenos Aires in the early 1900s, at a time when few dances asked couples to face each other so intimately. Its early history is muddled because it began among the lower classes. Around 1911 it became a sensation in Paris, London and Berlin, and in 1913 it hit New York in full force. Today the biggest tango community is in Buenos Aires, with large ones in New York, Seattle and Berlin. Social tango takes place at milongas, and tango festivals attract thousands of tangueros.

 

Cumbia

Cumbia comes from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, with roots in African, indigenous and European music. It is built on a 4/4 beat and syncopated rhythm and is danced with swaying movement, intricate footwork and flirtatious partner play. It has become a global phenomenon with many regional variations while remaining an emblem of Latin American identity.

Quebradita

Quebradita is an energetic dance from northern Mexico, particularly Sinaloa and Durango, blending traditional Mexican rhythms with banda music and Latin pop. Its name means “little break.” It features fast footwork, dramatic spins and partner lifts, often in costumes with sequins and bold colors.

 

Lambada

Lambada evolved from older forms such as maxixe into a popular Brazilian dance, and the group Kaoma's hit song “Lambada” carried it worldwide. Indigenous influences and rhythms brought by enslaved Africans enriched it, and elements of salsa, merengue, Bolivian saya and Caribbean music were added over time. The result is a sensual dance that became a symbol of Brazilian culture.

Pachanga

Pachanga emerged in Cuba in the mid-20th century from a blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms with mambo and cha-cha-cha. It has an upbeat tempo, playful footwork and lively hip movement. Unlike more structured dances, it emphasizes improvisation and playful interaction between partners.

Danzón

Danzón, often regarded as the official dance of Cuba, dates to the 19th century and blends European and African influences into an elegant, intimate partner dance. It is performed to a charanga ensemble of flute, violins and timbales, with graceful movement and subtle gestures.

Bomba

Bomba is a traditional dance and music style of Puerto Rico, born where African, Spanish and native Taíno cultures met. It is named after the drums made from rum barrels. As in Cuban rumba, a singer, a dancer and a percussionist engage in a kind of competition, and what sets bomba apart is that the musicians follow the dancer rather than the reverse. The soloist improvises verses and a chorus of at least three voices answers. Bomba remains very popular in Puerto Rico and New York.

Plena

Plena is a Puerto Rican music and dance style used as a means of social and political expression. It was created about 100 years ago in the working-class barrios of Ponce, reflecting the social changes as Puerto Rico moved from Spanish to U.S. rule. It uses panderos (hand drums of three sizes: seguidor, segundo and requinto) and the güiro, has a 4/4 pace and does not follow the clave. After mostly living in folklore, plena was revived in the 1990s by bands from Puerto Rico and New York.

International Latin Ballroom Dances

The five International Latin dances have been the Latin program of competitive ballroom dancing since the early twentieth century, and the World DanceSport Federation recognizes them today. Argentine tango is culturally Latin but is not one of them; it is covered further below.

Samba

Samba is known for the joy it expresses. The traditional Brazilian samba is the star of Rio's Carnival, where men and women, each called a sambista, dance through the city. Samba as we know it developed in Rio near the close of the 19th century, was seen as a dance in its own right by 1917, and was accepted as a ballroom dance in 1930. Ballroom samba differs greatly from the Brazilian original but keeps some of its character.

Rumba

Rumba is a sultry story in motion and is widely considered the most sensuous Latin dance. Some of its roots trace to African tribal dances, but it became the rumba we know in Cuba. Often called the grandfather of Latin dance, it reached the United States in the 1920s and laid the groundwork for the Latin dances that followed.

Cha-Cha-Cha

Cha-cha-cha is a flirtatious, upbeat partner dance developed in Cuba and picked up by dancers visiting Havana from around the world. Its name has been shortened over the years to simply cha-cha. The authentic Cuban style is sensual and teasing, and the music is still performed by popular artists today.

Paso Doble

Paso doble (Spanish for “two steps”) is a Spanish dance that imitates a bullfight. The leader represents the torero, the partner his cloak (or, sometimes, a second torero) and very rarely the bull, which is defeated by the final blow. The music matches the procession before a bullfight. The dance was first performed in France in 1920 and became popular in Parisian high society in the 1930s, which is why many of its steps have French names. After the Second World War it was added to the Latin program of sport ballroom dancing.

Jive

Jive is a fast, free-moving type of swing of African American origin that appeared in the USA in the early 1940s. Modern jive looks quite different from swing even though it uses many of the same shapes. In competitions it is always the last of the five Latin dances, a sparkling finale that lets couples show both technique and fitness.

 

Latin American Folk Dances

These are the best-known folk dances by country. Each one has a full article on DanceUs.

Joropo (Venezuela)

The energetic national dance of Venezuela, rooted in the country's history and the landscapes and resilience of its people. Read more about Joropo dance.

Cueca (Chile)

Declared Chile's national dance in 1979 and a symbol of Chilean identity and pride. It originated in colonial Spain and absorbed indigenous influences, spreading to Argentina and Bolivia as well. Read more about Cueca dance.

Chacarera (Argentina)

A spirited folk dance from rural northern Argentina, particularly Santiago del Estero, mixing indigenous and European influences. Read more about Chacarera dance.

Zamba (Argentina)

A dance of love and courtship. Despite the similar name, it has different roots and rhythms from Brazilian samba. Read more about Zamba dance.

Jarabe Tapatío (Mexico)

The national dance of Mexico, known outside the country as the Mexican Hat Dance. Read more about Jarabe Tapatío dance.

Marinera (Peru)

A national dance of love and courtship, believed to have been influenced by the Spanish contradanza and African zamacueca. Read more about Marinera dance.

Huayno (Peru)

A folk dance from Peru's heartland that dates back to the Incan Empire. Read more about Huayno dance.

Latin Dances by Country: South American, Caribbean and Cuban Dance Names

Every country in Latin America and the Caribbean has its own signature dances. Use this list to find dance names by country of origin, including the most-searched South American, Cuban and Brazilian dances.

Country / Region	Dances
Cuba	Rumba, Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, Danzón, Pachanga, Son Cubano, Casino (Cuban Salsa), Rueda de Casino. Cuba has produced more world-famous Latin dances than any other country.
Dominican Republic	Bachata and Merengue
Puerto Rico	Bomba, Plena, and a leading role (with New York's Puerto Rican community) in creating Salsa and Reggaeton
Brazil	Samba, Lambada, Brazilian Zouk, Forró, Axé, Frevo and the dance-martial art Capoeira
Colombia	Cumbia, Vallenato, Mapalé, Champeta
Mexico	Jarabe Tapatío, Quebradita, Baile Folklórico, Huapango
Argentina	Argentine Tango, Milonga, Chacarera, Zamba
Peru	Marinera, Huayno, Afro-Peruvian Festejo
Venezuela	Joropo, the national dance of the llanos (plains)
Chile	Cueca, the national handkerchief courtship dance
Panama	Tamborito, the drum-driven national dance, and an early home of Reggaeton
Haiti, Martinique and the French Caribbean	Konpa (Kompa) and Zouk
Angola and Cape Verde	Kizomba and Semba, African dances fully adopted by today's Latin dance scene

Latin, Hispanic, Latino and Spanish Dances: What's the Difference?

People search for Latin, Latino, Hispanic and Spanish dances interchangeably, but the terms point to slightly different things. Latin and Latin American dances come from the Americas, including Portuguese-speaking Brazil. Hispanic and Latino dances usually mean the dances of Spanish-speaking communities, including Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Argentina. Spanish dances come from Spain itself and form their own family (covered below), though they strongly influenced almost every Latin American style.

Mexican Dance Names and Styles

Mexico has one of the richest dance traditions in Latin America. Traditional Mexican dancing is collectively called Baile Folklórico (folkloric dance), a term covering many regional dances, each with its own costumes, music and steps. It is famous for swirling skirts (faldeo), rhythmic footwork (zapateado) and mariachi or banda accompaniment, and it is the answer to the common question “what is Mexican dancing called?”

• Jarabe Tapatío: the national dance of Mexico, known as the Mexican Hat Dance (see the folk dances section above).
• Quebradita: the acrobatic partner dance performed to banda music (see Social Latin American Dances above).
• Danza de los Viejitos: the “Dance of the Little Old Men” from Michoacán, in which young dancers wear old-men masks and alternate between shuffling and explosive footwork.
• Huapango: a lively dance from the Huasteca region, danced on a wooden platform that amplifies the heel-and-toe zapateado.
• Danza del Venado: the Yaqui “Deer Dance” of Sonora, a pre-Hispanic ritual that dramatizes a deer hunt.
• Norteño and banda dancing: the popular couple dances of northern Mexico, danced at parties and quinceañeras. The most common Mexican couple dance today is a smooth two-step often called bailando norteñas or cumbia norteña.
• Mexican Cumbia (Cumbia Sonidera): Mexico's take on Colombian cumbia, one of the most danced rhythms at Mexican celebrations.
• Concheros: a ceremonial Aztec-influenced dance with shell anklets, drums and feathered headdresses.

Modern Mexican dance blends these traditions with contemporary club dances: at a typical Mexican party you are as likely to see cumbia, salsa and bachata as folk dances.

Spanish Dance Names: Traditional Dances of Spain

If you are looking for Spanish dance styles and their names, these are the most popular traditional dances of Spain.

• Flamenco: Spain's most famous dance, born in Andalusia from Gitano (Roma) culture, combining guitar (toque), song (cante), handclaps (palmas) and percussive heelwork.
• Paso Doble: the bullfight dance that became an International Latin ballroom dance.
• Sevillanas: a joyful four-part couple dance from Seville, danced at every feria in Andalusia.
• Jota: a fast triple-meter folk dance from Aragón, danced with castanets and high hopping steps.
• Fandango: a lively courtship dance in triple time, one of Spain's oldest, with guitars and castanets.
• Bolero: an elegant, slower 18th-century dance that later lent its name to the romantic Cuban bolero.
• Zambra: a sensual Andalusian Gitano dance with Moorish roots, danced barefoot with flowing arms.
• Zapateado: both a dance and a technique: the rapid percussive footwork found in flamenco and Mexican folk dance alike.
• Sardana: the circle dance of Catalonia, danced with joined hands in town squares.
• Muñeira: the “miller's dance” of Galicia, danced to bagpipe (gaita) music.

Spanish colonization carried the fandango, bolero, contradanza and zapateado across the Atlantic, where they mixed with indigenous and African traditions to create the Latin American dances in this guide.

Latin Dance Names A–Z: Dances by Starting Letter

Searching for a Latin dance when you only know the first letter? These are the dances covered in this guide, sorted alphabetically.

• B: Bachata, Bolero, Bomba
• C: Capoeira, Casino, Cha-Cha-Cha, Chacarera, Concheros, Cueca, Cumbia
• D: Danzón
• F: Fandango, Flamenco, Forró
• H: Huapango, Huayno
• J: Jarabe Tapatío, Jive, Joropo, Jota
• K: Kizomba, Konpa
• L: Lambada
• M: Mambo, Marinera, Merengue, Milonga, Muñeira
• P: Pachanga, Paso Doble, Plena
• Q: Quebradita
• R: Reggaeton, Rueda de Casino, Rumba
• S: Salsa, Samba, Sardana, Semba, Sevillanas, Son Cubano
• T: Tamborito, Tango
• V: Vallenato
• Z: Zamba, Zambra, Zapateado, Zouk

Latin Dance Music: Genres and Songs for Every Dance

Almost every Latin dance is inseparable from its music, and in most cases the dance and the genre share a name. Use this guide to match genres to dances, with classic songs to practice to.

• Salsa: built on Cuban son and mambo, with congas, timbales and brass. “Quimbara” (Celia Cruz), “Vivir Mi Vida” (Marc Anthony), “Idilio” (Willie Colón).
• Bachata: romantic, guitar-led songs from the Dominican Republic. “Obsesión” (Aventura), “Propuesta Indecente” (Romeo Santos), “Burbujas de Amor” (Juan Luis Guerra).
• Merengue: a fast 2/4 rhythm driven by tambora, güira and accordion. “Suavemente” (Elvis Crespo), “El Baile del Perrito” (Wilfrido Vargas).
• Cha-cha-cha and mambo: classic Cuban big-band sounds. “Oye Como Va” (Tito Puente), “Mambo No. 5” (Pérez Prado).
• Cumbia: Colombia's hypnotic 4/4 rhythm. “La Pollera Colorá,” “Mi Cucu” (La Sonora Dinamita).
• Samba: Brazil's carnival rhythm with surdo drums and cavaquinho. “Mas Que Nada” (Jorge Ben Jor), “Magalenha” (Sergio Mendes).
• Reggaeton: the dembow beat of today's Latin party playlists. “Gasolina” (Daddy Yankee), “Despacito” (Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee).
• Tango: dramatic bandoneón-led orchestras. “La Cumparsita,” “Por Una Cabeza” (Carlos Gardel).
• Kizomba and zouk: slow, sensual Afro-Caribbean grooves from Angola and the French Antilles.
• Bolero: the slow, romantic genre often used for rumba. “Bésame Mucho.”

The Influence of Latin Music

Latin music has shaped the world's musical landscape far beyond its origins. Its syncopated rhythms have influenced pop, hip-hop, jazz and electronic dance music, and centuries of African, indigenous, European and Caribbean fusion produced hybrids such as Afro-Cuban jazz, bossa nova and Latin rock. Artists like Shakira, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez carried the sound into the mainstream, and cross-genre collaborations are now routine. Latin music is also a source of cultural identity and community for Latin American and Caribbean people abroad, and it is celebrated by the Latin Grammy Awards and the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Best Latin Dances for Beginners

The best first Latin dance has a simple basic step, forgiving timing and plenty of places to dance socially. This is the order most instructors recommend:

1. Merengue: the easiest of all. The basic is a simple march on every beat, so you can dance it the night you learn it, and it builds hip motion and partner connection.
2. Bachata: a slow tempo and an easy 8-count basic (three steps and a tap) make it the fastest-growing beginner dance.
3. Salsa: the most popular social Latin dance worldwide. The basic is easy to learn, and classes and socials run nightly in most major cities.
4. Cumbia: a relaxed back-rock basic at mid-tempo, a staple at Latin parties across the Americas.
5. Cha-Cha-Cha: a great first ballroom-style Latin dance once you can step on rhythm.

Kizomba and sensual bachata are also beginner-friendly, while Argentine tango and samba reward dancers who already have some experience.

Dances Similar to Salsa and Bachata

If you like salsa, try mambo (its direct ancestor, danced to similar music), cha-cha-cha, pachanga and cumbia, which share related rhythms and partner work. If you like bachata, try kizomba and Brazilian zouk, which share its close connection and sensual styling. If you love Argentine tango, milonga is its faster, playful cousin, and kizomba offers a similar close embrace.

Basic Latin Dance Moves and Steps

Common Latin dance vocabulary includes the basic step (each dance has its own), Cuban motion (the characteristic hip movement), the cross-body lead, right and left turns, shines (solo footwork in salsa), body rolls and waves (bachata and zouk), dips, and zapateado (percussive footwork in Spanish and Mexican dance). Bachata is generally considered the dance with the most hip movement, followed by rumba and salsa.

Is Tango a Latin Dance?

Yes, by origin. Argentine tango was born in Buenos Aires, which makes it a Latin American dance. In competitive ballroom, however, tango belongs to the Standard/Smooth dances rather than the five International Latin dances. So tango is culturally Latin but technically not part of the “Latin” ballroom category.

Trends in Latin Dance Today

• Style fusion: salsa, bachata and merengue are mixing with hip hop, contemporary and reggaeton, producing fresh choreography.
• Sensuality: sensual bachata and kizomba lead a growing emphasis on body isolations, fluid movement and close connection.
• Afro-Latin roots: Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Caribbean elements are playing a bigger role in choreography.
• Inclusivity: communities are moving beyond fixed gender roles toward fluid partnering.
• Technology and social media: online classes and livestreamed events let people learn from anywhere, while Instagram, TikTok and YouTube spread new moves, challenges and music.
• Theatrical choreography: choreographers are adding storytelling, stagecraft and multimedia to create immersive performances.

Learn Latin Dance: Classes, Clothing, Partners and Events

Why learn Latin dances?

Latin dancing is an excellent cardiovascular workout that improves flexibility, coordination, balance and confidence, and it is a social outlet for meeting people who share your love of the music.

Where can I learn?

Options include dance studios, community centers and online platforms, with classes for every level and online video tutorials you can follow at your own pace. Check our Salsa Calendars and Tango Calendars for classes and socials near you.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing that moves with you, such as leggings or dance pants, or athletic shorts or trousers. Choose supportive dance shoes with smooth soles to make turns and pivots easier.

Do I need a partner?

No. Group classes rotate partners, which helps you practice leading and following with different people, and solo footwork and styling classes build technique on your own.

Events and competitions

Dancers can join salsa congresses, bachata festivals and international competitions such as the World Salsa Summit and the World Latin Dance Cup. See the complete lists in our Latin & Salsa Festivals and Tango Festivals calendars.

Latin Dance FAQ

What are the most popular Latin dances?

Salsa, bachata, merengue, cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba and reggaeton.

What are the five Latin ballroom dances?

Samba, rumba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble and jive, as recognized by the World DanceSport Federation. They are different from the social Latin dances danced in clubs, such as salsa, bachata and merengue.

What are some traditional Latin dances?

Danzón (Cuba), cueca (Chile), tango (Argentina and Uruguay), cumbia (Colombia), huayno and marinera (Peru), joropo (Venezuela), zamba (Argentina), jarabe tapatío (Mexico) and bomba (Puerto Rico).

How many styles of Latin dance are there?

It depends on how broadly you define it. The most recognized include salsa, bachata, merengue, cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, paso doble, mambo, cumbia, bolero, Argentine tango, milonga, vallenato, forró, lambada and reggaeton.

What is the Mexican couple dance called?

The most famous is the Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance). At modern parties, couples most often dance the norteño/banda two-step, cumbia and quebradita. See the Mexican dance section above for the full list.