Bachata and salsa are two giants of the latin social dance world genre. If you go to any latin social dance the dancers will be usually dancing bachata or salsa. So, what distinguishes bachata and salsa from each other?
There are several key differences between bachata and salsa, including their tempo, steps, and energy. Bachata is a slower-paced dance with an intimate feel while salsa is high-energy and more flirtatious than sensual. In addition, bachata involves side-to-side movements whereas salsa’s steps go forward and backwards.
Let’s take a closer look at both of these dances!
What are the differences between salsa and bachata?
| Salsa | Bachata | |
| Pace | Fast, energetic | Slow, sensual |
| Beats | In an 8-beat combination, the steps follow the pattern of 1, 2, 3, pause, 1, 2, 3, pause | In an 8-beat combination, the steps follow the pattern of 1, 2, 3, tap, 1, 2, 3, tap |
| Intimacy Level | Salsa partners hold each other at a decent distance to make room for upper body movements | Bachata partners hold each other close, basically hugging |
| Instruments | Salsa music typically includes vocals, piano, guitar, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, double bass, congas, bongos, timbales, claves, the cowbell, maracas, and guiro. Percussion is a crucial component of salsa music! | Bachata music normally involves a five-piece band comprising lead guitar (requinto), rhythm guitar (segunda), bass guitar, bongos, and guira. |
| Basic Steps | Forward and back movements | Side to side movements |
| Mood | Playful | Intimate |
| Popularity | Salsa has been the most popular Latin dance style for decades. | Bachata’s popularity has been increasing over the years. |
What are the similarities between salsa and bachata?
- Both are hugely popular Latin dances
- Both follow a 4/4 time signature (although salsa’s dance rhythms are generally more complicated)
- Both are partner dances
As you can see, while salsa and bachata are both prominent and romantic Latin dances, they are extremely distinct. We’re going to discuss each of these unique, historic dances in more detail.
What is Salsa?
Origins of Salsa
Salsa began in Cuba in the early 1900s. At the time, the country was brimming with immigrants from both Europe (voluntary) and Africa (as part of the slave trade). Salsa was created out of influences from Son Cubano, or the Cuban sound; Spanish troubadour music; the rumbas of African slaves; danzón, which is the official music and dance of Cuba; and the instruments available in Cuba. As the years went by, salsa began to absorb even more music and dance styles, including North American jazz.
In 1964, record label Fania Records adapted salsa music to the tastes of the Latinx community in New York City and named this genre “salsa.” It’s generally believed that this term either refers to “sauce,” because of the mix of components that make up this musical genre and dance, or “spicy,” because of the dance’s alluring movements. As people from New York moved to other parts of the US, they brought salsa with them. The music and dance style achieved peak worldwide popularity in the 1970s and remains one of the most beloved Latin dance styles to this day.
Types of Salsa
As you might expect from such a widely popular dance, there are many variations of salsa dance. Here are eight types of salsa dancing:
1. Cuban style salsa
Cuban style salsa, also known as salsa cubana, most closely resembles the original form of salsa from Cuba. It’s danced in a circular motion with partners traveling around each other and involves prominent hip movements. The footwork in Cuban salsa is more simple than in some other forms of salsa, but the arm movements are more showy.
Watch these expert salsa cubana dancers showcase this style to music by Marka Registrada:
2. Miami style salsa
Miami style salsa is sometimes called cubano or casino. It’s similar to Cuban style salsa in its circular movements, but it involves more complex movements that require flexibility. For this reason, it’s considered more technically challenging.
To see how Miami style salsa is performed, check out this detailed workshop and performance:
3. Casino Rueda style salsa
Another salsa variation performed in a circular motion is casino rueda, or salsa rueda. In this variation, couples dance in a big circle and a leader calls out the moves that the couples are supposed to perform. Casino rueda requires coordination among the various couples and involves partner switches and complex turn patterns. Dancers also have to be familiar with the moves the leader calls out, which can go up to 300 moves. It’s a salsa form that might be difficult for dancers but is extra fun to watch!
Witness it in action in this amazing casino rueda street dance:
4. Colombian style salsa
Colombian style salsa is also referred to as Cali style salsa because it originated in Cali, Columbia. It has its roots in cumbia, a traditional Colombian genre and dance, and is performed to cumbia music. In Colombian style salsa, elaborate footwork is combined with stiff upper bodies. It’s danced at an extremely fast tempo—DJs back in the 1960s used to play salsa music at double speed so Colombian style salsa dancers could tear up the floor with incredible energy!
While the city of Cali offers many salsa competitions and classes, Colombian style salsa in rural areas is generally not as showy as some of the other salsa variations. It’s often passed down by family members rather than taught in dance classes. Like the other three styles we’ve covered so far, it’s done in a circular motion.
If you’re thinking about learning Colombian style salsa, maybe you’ll be inspired by this video of Columbia style dance in a Cali salsa bar.
5. LA style salsa (On 1)
Los Angeles style salsa, or LA style salsa, is one of the most well-known salsa variations globally. Fast and flashy, LA style salsa is dazzling to watch. Acrobatics is sometimes included in LA style salsa routines.
Unlike the types of salsa mentioned above, this variation is performed in a linear motion instead of a circular one. It’s termed “On 1” salsa because it’s danced on the first beat of the music. Since this first beat is the dominant one, getting the rhythm of LA style salsa tends to be easier for new dancers.
Watch the fancy footwork of Luis Vazquez and Weronika Pilat as they freestyle to LA style salsa:
6. New York style salsa (On 2)
New York style salsa, which is often called “mambo,” is a nightclub-style salsa. While less popular than the LA style salsa, it’s one of the most famous salsa variations.
New York style salsa is called “On 2” salsa because dancing starts on the second beat. Rather than incorporating acrobatics, spins, and styling like LA style salsa, New York style salsa emphasizes elegance, control, and grace. It’s danced in a linear motion. Because starting “On 2” is less intuitive than “On 1,” dancers usually learn LA style salsa before moving on to New York style salsa.
Enjoy New York style salsa performed by On2 world champions Tabo Simone and Maso Serena!
7. Puerto Rican style salsa
Puerto Rican style salsa may seem similar to New York style salsa to the casual onlooker. However, in Puerto Rican style salsa, the leader steps forward on the second beat; in New York style salsa, it’s the follower who does so. Puerto Rican style salsa can also be danced on 1 or on 2, unlike New York style salsa, which always starts on 2.
Puerto Rican style salsa values clean lines and arm movements, and it often features “shines.” A “shine” is a solo moment where dancers break from each other to freestyle and show-off their footwork. The female dancer—the follower—is usually given the spotlight in Puerto Rican salsa.
Watch this super fun Puerto Rican style salsa video featuring dancers Griselle Agosto and Reniel Hernández:
8. Salsa choke
Salsa choke is a modern style of salsa that started in Cali, Colombia like Colombian style salsa. It’s not a partner dance, but an individual one danced in a group with linear motions.
This salsa type was popularized worldwide when the Colombian national soccer team performed salsa choke moves during the 2014 World Cup. Salsa choke has influences from reggaeton and electronica and is danced exclusively to salsa choke music.
You’ll want to get up and dance too after watching this salsa choke performance:
Basic Salsa Steps
The basic salsa steps involve forward and back movements. Men, who typically lead, step forward with the left foot (first beat), then shift their weight to the right foot (second beat). Next, they bring their feet back together (third beat). Dancers pause on the fourth beat. They then step back with their right foot (fifth beat), shift their weight to the left foot (sixth beat), then bring their feet back together again (seventh beat). They pause on the eighth beat. For women, who typically follow, these steps are mirrored.
Here’s a great example of these forward and back basic steps as well as the side basic steps:Beginner’s Guide: How To Salsa Dance (No Experience Needed)
Salsa Music
Salsa music always involves strong percussion, and salsa bands usually have a percussion section that comprises congas, bongos, timbales, claves, maracas, guiro, and the cowbell. The claves provide the rhythm for the other instruments to follow. The percussion is enhanced with piano, guitar, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and double bass. Vocalists, who are called soneros, normally sing in Spanish about a variety of topics, including love and culture.
Listen to salsa classics on this playlist:
What to Wear to Salsa Dancing
If you’re going to a salsa dancing class, wear lightweight, stretchy clothing that you can move around in without any trouble. For shoes, you can wear Latin or jazz dance shoes, comfortable flats, sneakers, or low heels. Make sure your shoes won’t slide off your feet and will allow you to pivot.
Similarly, if you’re going salsa dancing at a club or other venue, make sure you wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. Keep in mind that dancing the night away will mean getting hot and sweaty, so don’t wear anything too heavy. For shoes, pick something comfortable with a soft, smooth sole. If you go with heels, remember that a lower heel will cause less discomfort.
We have actually written a detailed guide on what to wear to different dance classes including salsa. It can be viewed here What To Wear To Each Dance Class: Inspired by professional dancers and contains both practical and fashion advice for salsa clothing and footwear.
Now that we’ve covered the basics about salsa, let’s talk about bachata.
What is Bachata?
Origins of Bachata
Bachata emerged in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s. Like salsa, it was influenced by Son Cubano, but it also drew inspiration from the Cuban bolero and African rhythms. The name “bachata” means “backyard party” or “celebration,” and bachata was danced everywhere, from street corners to courtyards.
Its music about passion and heartbreak was initially popular among the working class and associated with bars and brothels. The stigma around the genre meant it took some time for the upper class to warm up to it. As Dominicans emigrated to the US in the 1980s, they brought bachata with them. Today, bachata is a globally renowned dance that’s nearly as beloved as salsa.
Types of Bachata
Some popular types of bachata include Dominican, traditional, modern, sensual, and tango.
1. Dominican bachata
Dominican bachata is most similar to the original dance started in the Dominican Republic decades ago. It includes box-steps and plenty of freestyling.
Here’s a video of international bachata coaches Alex and Desiree performing Dominican bachata:
2. Traditional bachata
Traditional bachata is the style that evolved as bachata spread throughout the world. Instead of box steps, traditional bachata usually includes side-to-side movements and numerous dips.
Watch this great demonstration of some traditional bachata steps from Frank Santos and Amneris Martinez:
3. Modern bachata
The latest addition to the bachata world is modern bachata, or bachata moderna. It uses more upper body movements than other types of bachata and frequently incorporates dance elements from salsa or tango.
To see how modern bachata uses moves from other dances, check out this awesome video of dancers Marco and Sara at the 2019 Bachata Festival:
4. Bachata sensual
Bachata sensual is the most intimate type of bachata. Dancers hold each other close with their pelvises connected and perform body rolls among the other bachata steps.
Watch this intimate bachata sensual routine by dancers Cornel and Rithika:
5. Bachata tango
A fusion style of bachata is the bachata tango, also known as bachatango. It has all the sensuality of bachata with the dramatic flair of tango. Along with the usual bachata steps, dancers perform tango dips and turns, creating a higher level of intricacy.
Enjoy this video of a wonderful choreographed bachata tango routine at Germany’s Bachata Festival:
Basic Bachata Steps
The basic bachata steps are right, left, right, tap, performed in a square (this is known as a box-step). Dancers pop their hips in the direction of the tapping foot when they tap on the fourth count. Female dancers typically exaggerate the hip-pop more than male dancers do. Bachata can be danced with an open or closed embrace, with the male dancer taking the lead. It has a 4/4 beat structure.
Bachata Music
Bachata music is associated with romantic lyrics and a sultry beat. A requinto or lead guitar, a segunda or rhythm guitar, a bass guitar, bongos, and a guira are among the instruments used in bachata music. The bongos and guira are occasionally replaced by a tambora and maracas. Bachata music has recently started to include instruments such as the electric guitar and synthesizer. Newer bachata music typically has a more optimistic perspective on love, whereas older bachata music focused more on broken hearts.
If you’d like to listen to some great bachata music, here’s a playlist you can check out:
What to Wear for Bachata Dancing
The attire for dancing bachata is similar to that of dancing salsa. For a bachata class, wear something breathable and easy to move in. For shoes, any smooth-soled shoes that won’t fall off (or make you fall) will work well.
If you’re going to a party or club, ensure your outfit is comfortable to dance in, doesn’t make you feel too warm, and gives you confidence! Pro tip: wear darker colors to hide sweat stains. You don’t want to be worrying about something like that when you’re supposed to be having fun! Pick out a comfortable pair of dance shoes, smooth-soled sneakers, or low heels to dance in.
For more information take a look at our detailed article What To Wear To Each Dance Class: Inspired by professional dancers. This article contains both practical and fashion advice for bachata clothing and footwear.
Which is more popular, salsa or bachata?
Generally, salsa is more popular than bachata. From Benin in West Africa to London, England, salsa is considered the most popular Latin dance.
While salsa wins the popularity contest in Australia too, avid dancers report a recent surge in bachata’s popularity. Bachata is also beginning to thrive in East Asia and Southeast Asia, with salsa and bachata socials held most nights of the week in many capital cities. While the Dominican Republic is the home of bachata.
The US offers a good mix of salsa and bachata festivals, suggesting there’s lots of interest in both dances. And, as you might imagine, Cali, Colombia and Havana, Cuba are salsa hotspots.
Salsa’s massive popularity can be credited to a few things, including the public’s love of its distinctive, rhythmic music, its flirtatious energy, and its quick, intricate footwork. Salsa may have also had a head start in popularity due to bachata’s initial stigma associated with the working class.
Is salsa or bachata more difficult to learn?
Salsa is danced at a much quicker tempo than bachata, and the rhythm of the dance is not as intuitive. For these reasons, salsa might be a more difficult dance for a beginner to learn.
Anecdotally, many dancers at Latin social dance nights will state that bachata is an easier dance to learn as it is a slower dance with more flow and fewer changes of direction.
Should you learn both salsa and bachata?
You definitely should! The main reason is that Latin social dance nights/events usually play 50% salsa songs, and 50% bachata songs. If you only know one dance type, you will, unfortunately, be on the sidelines half the time.
Salsa and bachata are also different enough that you should be able to keep the steps distinct in your training. In fact, learning them simultaneously might even allow you to apply helpful techniques from salsa to your bachata dancing, and vice versa.
If you had to choose, should you learn salsa or bachata?
It depends on which of these two dances you find more appealing. The videos and playlists included throughout this article will have given you a better idea of what each dance form is like. From there, pick the one you prefer! There are no wrong answers.
Pro tip: Pick the dance which has the music that you enjoy the most. Listen to a variety of bachata and salsa music playlists, and go from there.
Both salsa and bachata are beautiful, culturally significant dances with unique qualities. Whichever you choose to pick up, we know you’re going to have a wonderful time learning it!