Colombian Dances & Music: Much More Than a Hip Movement
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Did you know that the Colombian people dance much more than just Salsa?
Colombians love to dance at every opportunity, and their diverse dance styles celebrate their heritage, daily lives, love, and that contagious joy of living that completely captivated me.
Join me on a trip through Colombian dances—traditional, urban, sensual, frenetic, or mesmerizing. Get ready to feel an irresistible urge to move your hips!
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Colombian Dances & Music: Much More Than a Hip Movement
The diversity of Colombian rhythms fascinates me. I often notice how foreigners hold back, too timid to let their hips move, worrying they’ll look silly. Are you like that too? My advice? Just go with the flow. Nothing pleases a Colombian more than seeing someone join the dance floor rather than staying seated with folded arms!
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Dive into our inspiration section for all our articles on Colombian culture. You’ll also find helpful guides to craft your travel plan and live unforgettable, out-of-the-ordinary moments.
Cumbia
Cumbia is a folkloric musical genre and the ultimate dance of seduction, blending joy and sensuality. Born on the Caribbean coast in the 17th century, it fuses the musical rhythms of Indigenous, African, and Spanish cultures. El Pescador, performed by the iconic Toto La Momposina, is one of the most famous tracks in the Cumbia repertoire.
The man, dressed in white with a red scarf and belt, circles around the woman, bowing with his hat in hand. She playfully ignores him, swaying her hips with graceful, teasing movements while twirling her white skirt with red checks. Couples whirl, exchanging sly smiles—his playful and cheeky, hers mischievous and flirtatious.
During Christmas, Cumbia fills homes with songs like Rodolfo Aicardi’s classic La Colegiala—you probably know it 😉 And if you visit the Barranquilla Carnival, you’ll get to enjoy live outdoor Cumbia concerts.
Although originally from Colombia, every Latin American country has its own unique “style” of Cumbia. That’s why Rodolfo Aicardi’s music (Peruvian-style Cumbia) sounds very different from that of Toto la Momposina.
Salsa
Born in Cuba in the 1930s, Salsa blends Cuban, Puerto Rican, and African-American rhythms. The word “Salsa” (literally “sauce”) captures the dance’s fiery, sensual essence.
For Colombians, Salsa is in their blood. Personally, I can’t resist its upbeat, captivating tempo. Couples come together and break apart in a mesmerizing flow of quick, rhythmic steps and fluid body movements—it’s truly hypnotic!
Now, that doesn’t imply everyone is a dancer—though most have likely been raised with the rhythms of Joe Arroyo and Willie Colón.
Salsa is danced across the country, and in big cities, you’ll easily find specialized bars. In Medellín, I love joining the dancers at El Tibiri or Nueva Guardia on La 70 (Laureles).
But the real Salsa capital is Cali! It’s packed with bars like Topa Tolondra and MalaMaña, plus salsa schools. Some hostels and bars even offer free group lessons. The basic steps are quite easy, so forget your shyness and dive in!
To feel the vibrant energy of Salsa and witness incredible performances, head to Cali in December for its Feria.
Salsa Choke
Born in 2008 on Colombia’s Pacific coast, Salsa Choke is an urban dance that blends traditional salsa, reggaeton, and African rhythms. It’s usually danced solo, often in a group led by a leader.
This style combines quick side steps with fluid hip movements and figures inspired by hip hop, leaving plenty of room for improvisation. Its energetic beats quickly gained popularity across Colombia, particularly in Cali.
Here’s a fun fact: Salsa Choke became widely popular after the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when the Colombian team celebrated their victories with a few Salsa Choke moves right on the field. You probably already know how much football means in Colombia! 😉
During your trip around Colombia, you’ll likely hear some hits from this genre, such as Bien Pegaito or Swagga by Cali Flow Latino, one of the leading Salsa Choke groups.
Merengue
Born in the Dominican Republic in the 19th century, Merengue gained popularity in Colombia during the 1950s. Its musical style, influenced by Amerindian, African, and European traditions, is defined by melodic rhythms driven by percussion instruments like the güira, a metal tube played with a stiff brush.
Once only a rural folk dance scorned by the elites, Merengue adopted modern touches in the 1970s, adding bass guitars and brass instruments under Salsa’s influence. Now, it’s loved across Latin America.
Merengue’s basic steps are simple—more of a rhythmic walk. Couples glide smoothly, turning at varied speeds with playful spins. You’ll easily join in!
Expect to hear it often on Colombian bus rides. Did you know that the iconic hit Suavemente, which you simply have to know, or the equally famous Enamorame, are Merengue classics?
Champeta
Champeta dance emerged in the 1970s in the poor neighborhoods of Cartagena de Indias, along Colombia’s Caribbean coast, within Afro-descendant communities. Strongly influenced by African rhythms, Champeta quickly absorbed other styles like Salsa and Reggae.
At the time, loudspeakers filled the streets with Champeta, giving it a social role. The music created a relaxing atmosphere, offering a brief escape from the country’s economic problems. This also earned it the nickname Terapia (Therapy). With its infectious beats, Champeta is danced solo with quick, almost frenzied steps, or as a couple, closely entwined, swaying hips in a steady rhythm.
It soon evolved into a music genre, led by artists from Cartagena and San Basilio de Palenque – a town founded by escaped slaves and recognized as the first free city in the Americas, expressing the resilience and hopes of Afro-descendant communities against social injustices.
If you stroll through the Bazurto market in Cartagena, you’ll likely spot posters advertising upcoming Champeta concerts in the city.
Bachata
Bachata emerged in the 1960s in the bars and brothels of Santo Domingo’s poor neighborhoods. Inspired by Bolero, its rhythms reflected the melancholy and nostalgia brought on by the rural exodus of the time, earning it the name música de amargue (music of bitterness).
Once considered vulgar, Bachata evolved with modern instruments and new influences, gaining popularity. It now blends romantic themes with a distinctly erotic and sensual undertone.
A highly seductive partner dance, Bachata is often compared to Tango. Its basic step involves a side-to-side sway with a rhythmic back-and-forth motion. Intricate footwork is paired with arm movements and complex turns, as the man leads his partner closely.
You’ve probably heard at least one Bachata classic—there’s no way you’ve missed Obsession by Aventura 😉
Vallenato
Vallenato originated in the late 19th century in Colombia’s Magdalena Grande region, now Magdalena, Cesar, and La Guajira. It blends the indigenous Guacharaca, European accordion, and African drum.
This Colombian music tells stories of daily life mixed with imagination. Gabriel García Márquez, the Colombian Nobel Prize-winning author, drew inspiration from it for his novel One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Vallenato is danced as a couple, with steps moving side to side, forward, and backward. Dancers stay close during slow beats, then move apart as the tempo speeds up. Colombians love dancing Vallenato at the end of the week to unwind and let loose. Don’t hold back—it’s customary to forget the formal rules.
You can enjoy Vallenato in bars across the Caribbean coast or major cities like Bogotá and Medellín (on La 70), or visit the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata in Valledupar at the end of April.
A Vallenato classic is La Gota Fría by Carlos Vives.
Mapalé
Born on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Mapalé dance has its roots in African culture, brought over by slaves during the colonial era. Set to the captivating and energetic beats of drums and maracas, this festive dance radiates an infectious energy that’s impossible to resist.
While showcasing joy and playful seduction, Mapalé also honors the cultural heritage of African communities and the resilience of slaves under their masters’ oppression. Its name is said to come from a particularly feisty fish that struggles intensely after being caught.
This Colombian dance is performed in groups, with brightly colored costumes consisting of just pants for men and a minimalist skirt and bustier for women. Dancers throw themselves into the rhythm with dazzling speed and skill, performing leaps, mesmerizing hip movements, and wild head swings full of sensuality, even eroticism. It’s a dance that demands both skill and stamina!
If you’re in Cartagena, stop by Plaza Bolivar one evening—you might just catch a live Mapalé performance.
Joropo
The Joropo, dating back to the colonial era, is a traditional Colombian dance from Los Llanos, celebrating rural life and nature. Its lively rhythm, inspired by the Spanish Fandango, is driven by traditional instruments like the harp and cuatro (a small four-stringed guitar).
Joropo is danced in pairs. The man wears matching pants and shirt along with a hat, while the woman dons a brightly colored dress with a short, puffy skirt like a ballerina’s tutu. Both wear a type of flat espadrilles.
The man leads the dance in a captivating display of seduction. Holding hands, they twirl around with intricate footwork, showcasing remarkable skill, speed, and elegance. The man often sends his partner into an endless series of dizzying spins while stomping sharply on the floor in a style reminiscent of Flamenco. It’s truly breathtaking!
If you’re near Villavicencio (Meta) in June-July, you might catch the International Joropo Festival, where the best dancers compete.
Bambuco
The Bambuco is a traditional folk Colombian dance from the Andes. Its origin is disputed, with a patriotic claim linking it to the Quechua people. The melody is soft, and the rhythm is light and cheerful, carried by the sounds of the guitar, lyre, and flute.
Danced in pairs, Bambuco mimics a courtship ritual. It’s a delightful mix of subtle elegance and humor. The men make advances, but the women push them away, avoid them, before accepting their courtship by exchanging scarf or hat and twirling together.
Women wear blouses with wide sleeves and long skirts with ruffled, colorful, or embroidered designs. Men dress in black pants, white shirts cinched at the waist, paired with a vibrant scarf and hat, often showcasing an item that represents their local trade, such as a machete, apron, or carriel.
In Neiva (Huila department), from late June to mid-July, the Festival Folclórico y Reinado Nacional del Bambuco offers a great chance to witness great performances.
Bullerengue
The bullerengue, originating from Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is a dance with African roots, once performed by the descendants of escaped slaves who found refuge in San Basilio de Palenque, near Cartagena. It feels very similar to Cumbia to me.
Originally reserved for women, this dance reflects rites of passage into adulthood for young girls and maternity from West Africa. The bullerengue’s rhythm is driven by drums and a woman’s singing voice. Nowadays, men are allowed to join the women, who undoubtedly remain the stars of the show 😉
Traditionally, women wear a white dress with a long, flowing skirt and a white headscarf, while men wear simple white pants.
The female dancers move in small, rhythmic steps, with sensual hip movements and graceful chest undulations. They cross paths, form circles, spin around, play with their skirts, and accompany their dance with rhythmic gestures of the hands and fingers, punctuated by shouts. The men, on the other hand, limit their choreography to small steps and bows around the women.
Reggaeton and Perreo
Reggaeton is a musical genre and urban dance that emerged in Puerto Rico in the 90s. A mix of reggae, hip hop, and Jamaican dancehall, its catchy beat, a “boom-ch-boom-chick,” is designed to get you moving and having fun.
Reggaeton features a free-style choreography centered on small, repetitive steps and more or less lascivious hip movements, much like the Perreo. This is one of Colombia’s only types of music where you can dance solo alongside Champeta.
Perreo is a dance style rooted in seduction or, more precisely, flirting with sensual hip movements that some critics deem outright obscene. The man follows closely behind his partner, mimicking her rhythm as she provocatively shakes her hips.
A feud divides reguetoneros and rappers, who see Reggaeton as simplistic and vulgar, refusing to recognize it as a real musical genre. In short, Reggaeton and Perreo stir controversy!
Make up your mind! You’ll hear and dance to Reggaeton everywhere in Colombia (especially in Medellin), at beach clubs of the Caribbean coast, or on the lively Isla Cholón near Cartagena.
By the way, you’ve probably already danced to the hit song by Colombian Reggaeton stars Karol G (Si antes te hubiera conocido), J Balvin (Mi gente), and Maluma (felices los 4).
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