4 Types of Salsa Dancing: How to Pick Your Style | Somoloco
4 Types of Salsa Dancing — How to Choose One
Updated September 2026
Want to learn to dance salsa? The first thing to decide is what type of salsa you want to learn.
“Salsa” is, in fact, a very broad term. In 1960s New York, musicians playing a wide range of high-energy Latin rhythms would cry out “salsaaa!” to the crowd to signal: bring the spice; crank up the heat on the dance floor. The name stuck, but remains quite general, encompassing 4 major global styles: On-1, Cuban, Caleña (Colombian), and On-2.
The 4 main global salsa styles: How to choose your style
You may want to consider where in the world you plan to dance (ie where you will find other people with whom to dance your style), what type of music makes you want to get up and move, and how you like to dance — rapid turns, or fun footwork; fast and frenzied, or smooth and sensual.
We’ll go over the basics of each style to help you decide which best fits your groove.
Quick reference — at a glance:
| Style | Also called | Timing | Vibe | Popular in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombian | Salsa Caleña, salsa colombiana | On 1 | Fast footwork, playful, explosive | Colombia, Latin America |
| On-1 | LA Style, Salsa en Linea | On 1 | Fast turns, showy, elegant | USA, Europe, Asia |
| Cuban | Casino, Salsa Cubana | On 1 | Hip-heavy, circular, Rueda group dancing | Cuba, USA, Europe |
| On-2 | New York Style, Mambo | On 2 | Smooth, sensual, rhythmically complex |
If you’re joining us for a Somoloco Salsa Immersion in Medellín (our flagship), Cali (the birthplace of Colombian salsa itself), Mexico City, or Barcelona — you can choose from all 4 major styles. Our internationally recognized champion dancers and teachers as a group command all styles, and the scenes in our destinations are vibrant for all of them.
Colombian salsa
Popular in: Colombia, Latin America, Latin American diaspora in USA / Europe / Asia
If you’re looking for an easy-to-learn dance style AND being able to dance with most Latinos around the world, this is the style for you! AND if your primary goal is getting down in Colombian clubs, and this rapid, flashy footwork looks wildly fun to you, then Colombian salsa is your groove.
Colombian salsa (often called Salsa Caleña or Cali-style salsa — and yes, “salsa colombiana” is the same style, just another name for it) stands out for its explosive energy and speed, with more emphasis on kicks and footwork, and fewer complex turns. When salsa first arrived in Cali in the late 60s, DJs would often play records at up to double their intended speed — and the exhilarating pace of Cali-style salsa hasn’t let up since.
Also danced on the count of 1, Colombian salsa is more approachable for beginners than you might think — you won’t need to know the intricate, speedy footwork in order to get out and shake it on the dance floor!
We like to think that “street salsa” danced by many Latinos in the world is most akin to Colombian style salsa — so why not dance what most of the world’s salsa dancers are dancing?! (Just be aware that “academic” salsa schools aren’t teaching this as much as On-1, On-2, or Cuban as seen below.)
Want to go deeper on Colombian salsa specifically? Read our full guide: What is Colombian Salsa? (Salsa Caleña Explained).
On-1 Salsa
Popular in: The U.S., Europe, Asia
Do you love the look of fast, complex turns, and an energetic, elegant style of dancing? Does this look cool to you? If so, check out salsa On-1 (commonly called Salsa en Linea in Colombia, or LA style in the U.S.). One of the most popular styles of salsa in the U.S. and Europe, On-1 is a great place to start because of its accessible timing (with the leader stepping forward and the follower stepping back on the count of 1, hence “On-1”). As you get better, you’ll learn intricate, showy spins, graceful arm styling, and jazzy steps called “shines” (like those you’ll see by our instructors, Sergio and Jessica in their winning dance at the Cali world championship!)
Cuban Salsa
Popular in: Cuba, US (eg Miami,), Europe (eg Barcelona), Mexico City
If you’re all about shaking your hips and shoulders, and you love the funky sound of Cuban Timba — Cuban salsa is for you. Salseros worldwide love Cuban salsa, also known as Casino, for its playful, provocative vibe, vigorous hip movement, and Afro-Cuban styling. Compared to On-1, Cuban style follows a more circular pattern of motion, as dancers weave intricate, pretzel-like figures around each other. Cuban-style social dancing also differs from the other styles in that it isn’t just a couples dance. From the streets of Havana to clubs in Berlin, Cuban salsa is commonly danced in a synchronized ring of couples, called a Rueda.
Many dancers start out with this style because its timing (on the count of 1) is easy to grasp — and few things are more fun than a sweaty, boisterous Rueda.
Quick answer to a common question: Is Cuban salsa on 1 or 2? Cuban salsa is danced on beat 1 — same timing as On-1 / LA style. Only On-2 (New York style) breaks on beat 2.
On-2 Salsa
Popular in: The U.S. (New York in particular), Colombia (eg Medellin), Europe (eg Berlin, Athens)
Are you drawn to a smoother, more sensual style of dancing? Do you like the intricate, old-school rhythms of Mambo music? If so, check out On-2 Salsa. Also called New York style, On-2 shares much in common with On-1, but has different — and more complex — timing. Followers step forward on the count of 2, and leaders on the count of 6, giving the dance a slower cadence — with time for some extra sabor / flavor. Experienced dancers love On-2 for its rhythmic complexity. However, the On-1 count is more dominant and easier to hear as a beginner, so most dancers start with one of the first 3 types of salsa before learning On-2. Here’s our very own Waldy showing what smooth On-2 dancing is all about.
Ready to dance?
Our community of instructors offers salsa classes in Medellín (our flagship), Cali (the birthplace of Colombian salsa), Mexico City, and Barcelona — in all 4 of the salsa styles above. Nothing makes us happier than getting new dancers out on the floor! Read more about our teachers and the styles they offer.
And remember, there is no wrong place to start. No matter what style you begin with, you’ll build a foundation of salsa vocabulary that transfers to the others — enabling you to find common ground with salseros on any dance floor, anywhere in the world.
Reserve your immersion or message us on WhatsApp with questions.
Con amor y sabor,
Somoloco
PS There’s also another Colombian variant called Salsa Choke and a slightly varied type of On-2 Salsa in Puerto Rico. And then there’s root Afro-Cuban rhythms like son, mambo, pachanga and more that you can learn with if you really wanna go deep with us 😉
Post originally published December 2018. Refreshed September 2026 with updated destination info and quick reference table.