What is Cuban salsa?
Cuban salsa (casino) is the social dance from Cuba. You dance in circles: lead and follow move around each other instead of along a line. The music is son and timba, driven by the clave. In group form it becomes rueda de casino — a caller shouts figures and the whole circle performs them at once.
The emphasis is on partner work, feel and play, not on shows. Many people find the Cuban basics quick to dance at a real party.
What is Colombian salsa (Cali-style)?
Colombian salsa (Cali-style) comes from Cali, the “salsa capital”. It's danced to fast salsa with minimal cross-body, few turns and instead spectacular, rapid footwork low to the ground — often to pachanga and boogaloo.
The key differences
| Aspect | Cuban salsa | Colombian salsa (Cali-style) |
|---|---|---|
| Music | Son, songo and timba — clave-driven and percussive. | Fast Caleña salsa, pachanga, boogaloo. |
| Structure | Circular; lead and follow rotate around each other. | Compact, on the spot; little cross-body. |
| Connection | Playful, lots of short hand changes and impulses. | Shorter; fewer figures, more footwork. |
| Footwork | Compact; emphasis on figures and partner work. | Extremely fast and intricate — the trademark. |
| For beginners | Quick to dance at a party; rueda makes it social. | The footwork tempo is demanding. |
Which style do you learn first?
Cuban salsa is more versatile as a social dance language; Cali-style is a specialty for those who love speed and footwork. Start with casino and pick up Cali elements as styling.
Where do you dance Cuban salsa in the Netherlands?
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Leiden have weekly Cuban socials, workshops and courses. Most nights include rueda too.
Browse all Cuban salsa events or find a workshop near you.
· START DANCING
Want to try Cuban salsa?
The fastest way to feel the difference is to just go dance. Find a social or workshop near you.