Help: All Day Salsa Training in Latin America

B

BunmiAde

Changui
Hey fellow Salsa lovers!

I'm on the hunt for a dance school preferably in Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru, or other Latin American countries that offers salsa classes from morning to night, giving me the chance to dance for 6-8 hours daily. Whether it's group classes, private lessons, or socials – the key is spending the majority of my day immersed in dancing. I'm aiming to undertake this intensive training for a duration of 4-8 weeks.

Can anyone suggest a dance school/place that fits this description?

I've done some research into these types of courses but have only come across fully organized dance trips, which isn't what I'm after. I'm looking for an authentic experience and want to emerge myself into the culture. I don't need an agency to book my accommodations, transport and schedule. I'm capable of arranging that on my own.

Just to provide some context, I'm in the final year of my master's studies in Austria and am looking to spend a few months in Latin America before starting a full-time job next year. I've spent several years living in Mexico before starting my studies, where I learned to dance Salsa. While I do have opportunities to dance here in Austria, it's not as frequent or intensive as I'd like it to be. Therefore, I would love to spend the time I have after completing my degree to follow my passion!

Looking forward to your recommendations and insights!
 
BunmiAde said:
I'm looking for an authentic experience and want to emerge myself into the culture. I don't need an agency to book my accommodations, transport and schedule. I'm capable of arranging that on my own.

Just to provide some context, I'm in the final year of my master's studies in Austria and am looking to spend a few months in Latin America before starting a full-time job next year. I've spent several years living in Mexico before starting my studies, where I learned to dance Salsa. While I do have opportunities to dance here in Austria, it's not as frequent or intensive as I'd like it to be.
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Are you aware that there are different styles of salsa dance in the world? Or you just don't see it of any relevance? If you spend 6-8 hours daily learning a style different to what you have already learnt, you will be starting as a complete beginner. Even more importantly, you could be learning a style that no one in Austria (or anywhere else you plan on dancing) actually knows.

Personally I would decide what style of salsa I wanted to learn before planning to spend 6-8 hours a day for 1 or 2 months taking classes.
 
Today is my last day here in Lima, where I was doing sth. similar but less hours a day.
If you combine private classes with normal group classes of the different local dance schools, it's no problem to have 4 - 6 hours of dance class a day and then go 4 - 5 times aweek social dancing. Obviously, the more experienced you are, the more difficult it is to find dance classes and teachers for you. Problems are transportation between the different places, flakiness of private teachers and, eventually, your own stamina and health.
There's social dancing here 5 - 6 days a week but not all events are big. Don't expect the dance level higher than in Europe. I experienced less connection because of general lack of eye contact and some girls seemed very intimidated. I met a Peruvian living in my city in Germany last Friday in Lima, and he had a similar experience with respect to the Bachata scene (significantly smaller scene than in my city, dance level lower and girls more distant). For girls the experience may be different.
A very good thing: music is very popular and you would have the chance to go to a lot of concerts here.
As mentioned by Yuca, you should be sure about your preferred style, your dance level and also what month you travel. Lima in Peruvian winter is very grey for example.
 
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Food is indeed great. I think that's internationally recognized that Peru has one of the best cuisines of the world. I had some problems with digestion though which may have slowed me down a little bit.
 
BunmiAde said:
Hey fellow Salsa lovers!

I'm on the hunt for a dance school preferably in Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru, or other Latin American countries that offers salsa classes from morning to night, giving me the chance to dance for 6-8 hours daily. Whether it's group classes, private lessons, or socials – the key is spending the majority of my day immersed in dancing. I'm aiming to undertake this intensive training for a duration of 4-8 weeks.

Can anyone suggest a dance school/place that fits this description?

I've done some research into these types of courses but have only come across fully organized dance trips, which isn't what I'm after. I'm looking for an authentic experience and want to emerge myself into the culture. I don't need an agency to book my accommodations, transport and schedule. I'm capable of arranging that on my own.

Just to provide some context, I'm in the final year of my master's studies in Austria and am looking to spend a few months in Latin America before starting a full-time job next year. I've spent several years living in Mexico before starting my studies, where I learned to dance Salsa. While I do have opportunities to dance here in Austria, it's not as frequent or intensive as I'd like it to be. Therefore, I would love to spend the time I have after completing my degree to follow my passion!

Looking forward to your recommendations and insights!
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The three places you mentioned first off are all good for what you want to do. The main difference is money.
My guess is Cuba = cheapest, Cali Colombia = in between, Puerto Rico = most expensive. PR price range is similar to US which is more expensive than Austria by a lot.

Cuba has the advantage that you could learn body movement basics. Those apply to all versions of salsa.
Cali, Colombia has the advantage that there are many many dance schools to choose from and most are fairly well organized. Linear and Cuban style are not so common though. Some schools focus on social dancing (Salsapura, Arrebato Caleño). Other schools push harder and might get you to a performance level if that is your thing (Sondeluz, Swing Latino).
PR as stated above is the most expensive of the three but would be the only place of those three where you might find a dance school that teaches only on2.
 
BunmiAde said:
Hey fellow Salsa lovers!

I'm on the hunt for a dance school preferably in Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru, or other Latin American countries that offers salsa classes from morning to night, giving me the chance to dance for 6-8 hours daily. Whether it's group classes, private lessons, or socials – the key is spending the majority of my day immersed in dancing. I'm aiming to undertake this intensive training for a duration of 4-8 weeks.

Can anyone suggest a dance school/place that fits this description?

I've done some research into these types of courses but have only come across fully organized dance trips, which isn't what I'm after. I'm looking for an authentic experience and want to emerge myself into the culture. I don't need an agency to book my accommodations, transport and schedule. I'm capable of arranging that on my own.

Just to provide some context, I'm in the final year of my master's studies in Austria and am looking to spend a few months in Latin America before starting a full-time job next year. I've spent several years living in Mexico before starting my studies, where I learned to dance Salsa. While I do have opportunities to dance here in Austria, it's not as frequent or intensive as I'd like it to be. Therefore, I would love to spend the time I have after completing my degree to follow my passion!

Looking forward to your recommendations and insights!
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Sounds like a great idea! I would do this. I may his South America later in the year. I was also thinking about doing something like this in Spain. I think you might also try contacting some of the schools individually, and see if you can arrange your own custom setup. In some of the these countries if you are bringing US dollars, your money may buy a lot. I recently found a Yoga studio in a smaller town in Thailand, and arranged for daily classes plus a room to sleep and food for $70/day. Probably you could find a school where they teach you in the late afternoon and early evening, and then you go out dancing at night. If you offer then some amount per week, they might go for it!
 
bailar y tocar said:
The three places you mentioned first off are all good for what you want to do. The main difference is money.
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There's 1 even bigger difference: what he will learn in those 3 different countries. Cuba, PR and Colombia really epitomise the differences between the 3 styles of salsa dance.
 
BunmiAde said:
Hey fellow Salsa lovers!

I'm on the hunt for a dance school preferably in Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru, or other Latin American countries that offers salsa classes from morning to night, giving me the chance to dance for 6-8 hours daily. Whether it's group classes, private lessons, or socials – the key is spending the majority of my day immersed in dancing. I'm aiming to undertake this intensive training for a duration of 4-8 weeks.

Can anyone suggest a dance school/place that fits this description?

I've done some research into these types of courses but have only come across fully organized dance trips, which isn't what I'm after. I'm looking for an authentic experience and want to emerge myself into the culture. I don't need an agency to book my accommodations, transport and schedule. I'm capable of arranging that on my own.

Just to provide some context, I'm in the final year of my master's studies in Austria and am looking to spend a few months in Latin America before starting a full-time job next year. I've spent several years living in Mexico before starting my studies, where I learned to dance Salsa. While I do have opportunities to dance here in Austria, it's not as frequent or intensive as I'd like it to be. Therefore, I would love to spend the time I have after completing my degree to follow my passion!

Looking forward to your recommendations and insights!
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For Cuba... BAILA HABANA. Tell them Jason from Canada sent you. I have the what's app numbers for the coordinators (do it through my numbers. It's easier). In busy times it is a group warm up.. but is almost always private.
Tell them clearly what you want and your level. They will also dance with you and assess what they think you should learn. They might teach more touristy style unless you tell them you want more traditional style.
 
BunmiAde said:
Hey fellow Salsa lovers!

I'm on the hunt for a dance school preferably in Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru, or other Latin American countries that offers salsa classes from morning to night, giving me the chance to dance for 6-8 hours daily. Whether it's group classes, private lessons, or socials – the key is spending the majority of my day immersed in dancing. I'm aiming to undertake this intensive training for a duration of 4-8 weeks.

Can anyone suggest a dance school/place that fits this description?

I've done some research into these types of courses but have only come across fully organized dance trips, which isn't what I'm after. I'm looking for an authentic experience and want to emerge myself into the culture. I don't need an agency to book my accommodations, transport and schedule. I'm capable of arranging that on my own.

Just to provide some context, I'm in the final year of my master's studies in Austria and am looking to spend a few months in Latin America before starting a full-time job next year. I've spent several years living in Mexico before starting my studies, where I learned to dance Salsa. While I do have opportunities to dance here in Austria, it's not as frequent or intensive as I'd like it to be. Therefore, I would love to spend the time I have after completing my degree to follow my passion!

Looking forward to your recommendations and insights!
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Hello!
I’ve just seen your comment today and I’m looking for something similar immersed in the salsa culture and wanted to know how your trip went and where did you go. Please don’t hesitate to be specific! Thank you in advance for your answer :))
 
Issmb said:
Hello!
I’ve just seen your comment today and I’m looking for something similar immersed in the salsa culture and wanted to know how your trip went and where did you go. Please don’t hesitate to be specific! Thank you in advance for your answer :))
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Havana.
I know a few schools but also independant teachers taht are amazing. Hit me up for fheir contacts.
 
Hey! That would be great thank you! Is it places where you think I can train more than 2-3 hours a day?
 
Issmb said:
Hey! That would be great thank you! Is it places where you think I can train more than 2-3 hours a day?
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Also... I'll give the numbers to you only when I know you are going. Please don't contact them amd be like "maybe, I dunno". They are starving there right now
 
Hii! Well I’m not going to contact anyone if I’m not sure but I’m not going there before knowing in what school either who I am going to train with. So if you’re down to give me schools not necessarily contacts directly so you’re sure.
 
Issmb said:
Hii! Well I’m not going to contact anyone if I’m not sure but I’m not going there before knowing in what school either who I am going to train with. So if you’re down to give me schools not necessarily contacts directly so you’re sure.
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Send me dm
 
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