How a Somoloco Dance Immersion Works

Last updated: September 18th, 2026

What is Somoloco?

Somoloco runs 1–4 week salsa and bachata immersions in Medellín and Cali, Colombia; Barcelona, Spain; and Mexico City, Mexico.

Each week is built around 15 hours of one-on-one private classes with local teachers. You also get group classes, two nights of social dancing with your teachers, cultural experiences tied to the dance, accommodation, and a full-time trip leader. You travel with a small group of dancers arriving the same week, up to 10 people.

9 out of 10 people come solo. All levels are welcome, from first-timers to experienced dancers. Somoloco has won Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award twice.

Is Somoloco a dance school, a retreat, or a tour?

None of those, exactly. Somoloco is a dance immersion.

• Not a school: you don’t sign up for a class schedule. You get a personal training plan with your own teachers for the week.
• Not a retreat: the week is built around training, not downtime. (Here’s how immersions compare to retreats and bootcamps.)
• Not a sightseeing tour: culture is part of the week, but it’s the culture of the dance: the clubs, the music, the people who dance there.

What’s included in a week?

Personalized dance training

• 15 hours of one-on-one private classes in your chosen style
• 3 hours of group classes with the other dancers on your trip
• A musicality class that maps the music to the moves, with live percussion where available
• A plan built around your level and goals

Dancing out

• 2 nights of social dancing with your teachers at the city’s best salsa or bachata spots

The people

• Lunch with each of your teachers
• A welcome dinner with your group and the Somoloco team
• Two special experiences depending on the city (ie Medellin is a visit to our teacher’s beautiful finca (country home) for nature + authentic food, and a special visit to local gem with vinyls, live music, and best artisan pizza in the city
• A full-time trip leader who runs the week and helps with anything in the city

Your stay

• 7 nights of comfortable accommodation we picked, walking distance from the studio. You get your own room!

Most days start with 3 hours of private classes, which leaves afternoons free to rest or explore.

What’s not included?

• Flights
• Visas, if needed
• Most daily meals (the welcome dinner and teacher lunches are included; breakfast is included at the Cali hotel)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Optional add-ons, like extra excursions

Where does Somoloco run immersions?

You choose one style for your week. Staying longer? You can switch styles or go deeper in the same one.

Want to try something else while you’re there? Add-on classes in other styles are available: reggaeton, zouk, tango, twerk, and heels.

The two special experiences in each city:

• Medellín: a visit to a local salsa radio station, and a day at a teacher’s finca (country home).
• Cali: a night at El Mulato Cabaret, and a visit to the city’s salsa museum.
• Barcelona: a walking tour with your trip leader; intimate flamenco show.
• Mexico City: day excursion to the pyramids for a hot air balloon excursion, local food market tour.

What does a typical day look like?

• Morning: 3 hours of private classes, split between two teachers
• Midday: lunch, sometimes with your teachers
• Afternoon: free time, a group class, or a cultural activity
• Evening: dinner, and on social nights, dancing with your teachers

Who is a Somoloco immersion for?

• Solo travelers. 9 out of 10 people come alone. You arrive to a group and a trip leader, so you’re never figuring out a new city by yourself.
• Dancers who’ve plateaued. One-on-one time is where habits get fixed. 15 hours in a week is more private instruction than most people get in months.
• Beginners who want to start right. Your plan starts where you are. Not everyone leaves dancing at a high level; for some it’s the start of a longer road. Either way, you’ll be enjoying the dance at your own pace.
• Couples. Book as a couple to share a room and your teachers.
• Groups. Dance schools, friend groups, birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, wellness coaches, and company teams can book a private group immersion.

It may not be the right fit if you want a resort vacation with a little dancing on the side. A retreat may suit you better.

How much does a Somoloco immersion cost?

Per person, per week, with your own private accommodation:

Sharing accommodation lowers the price. Couples can book together and share a room and teachers. See current dates and prices on each immersion page: Medellín salsa, Medellín bachata, Cali salsa, Barcelona salsa, Barcelona bachata, Mexico City salsa. Mexico City bachata.

Is it worth it? It isn’t a budget trip. It also isn’t a list of classes with a hotel attached.

The dancing is the core: 15 hours a week, one-on-one, with top teachers who do this for a living and who build the week around you.

Around that, everything is handled. Your accommodation, your schedule, your teachers, your nights out. People tell us they felt safe and looked after all week, which left them free to just enjoy it.

Then there’s the part that’s hardest to put on a page: the people. A Somoloco week is fun, open, and hard to stay a stranger in. You arrive on your own and leave with a group that dances together.

Dori Leavitt, a professional salsa dancer in Miami, called Somoloco “the Lamborghini of dance immersions”. Several people have told us it was the best vacation of their lives.

How payment works: a $350 USD deposit (€350 EUR in Barcelona) holds your spot and goes toward your trip. The balance is due 60 days before you arrive. Full payment and cancellation policy in our FAQ.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

No. Classes are taught in English. If you’d like to practice your Spanish, your teachers can teach in Spanish instead.

Do I need a dance partner?

No. Your teachers are your partners in class. At socials, locals will ask you to dance.

How do I book?

1. Pick a city and a week on the immersion dates page.
2. Reserve with a deposit
3. We’ll match you with teachers based on your dance style, level, and goals, and send everything you need before you fly.

FAQ

Is Somoloco only in Medellín? No. Somoloco runs immersions in Medellín and Cali, Colombia; Barcelona, Spain; and Mexico City, Mexico. Medellín is the flagship location, and a Dominican bachata immersion in the Dominican Republic is coming soon.

What dance styles does Somoloco teach? Salsa (On1, On2, Cuban, and Colombian/Caleña) and bachata (Dominican / traditional, sensual, and modern). Options vary by city.

Are Somoloco classes private or group? Both, but private comes first: 15 hours of one-on-one classes each week, plus 3 hours of group classes.

How many people are on a Somoloco trip? Up to 20 per week in Medellin, 15 per week in Barcelona and Cali, 10 per week in Mexico City.

Can I go alone? Yes. 9 out of 10 people do.

How much does Somoloco cost? From $2,350 USD per week in Medellín and Cali, $2,750 USD in Mexico City, and €3,300 in Barcelona, with private accommodation.

Does Somoloco teach other dance styles? Salsa and bachata are the immersions. Other styles (reggaeton, zouk, tango, twerk, and heels) are available as add-on classes.

Is Somoloco good for beginners? Yes. Your plan starts at your level.

How long is a Somoloco immersion? One to four weeks, in every city.

What do reviews say?

Somoloco has won Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award twice, in 2025 and 2026, putting it in the top 10% of experiences worldwide.

Starting from zero

“I came to Medellín without ever having danced salsa in my life. After just five days of classes, I had learned so much that I was already able to join the social dance nights and actually dance, which had been my goal from the very beginning. What really made this experience so special were the teachers and organizers… I had two amazing dance teachers who were incredibly patient, kind, and always brought such positive energy to every class. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn salsa, whether they are complete beginners or already experienced dancers.”
— Samantha B., USA · Medellín

“Great experience! I stayed 3 weeks in Medellín and Somoloco. When I arrived I couldn’t dance at all (great challenge ahah), and when leaving I was able to dance in any social, with anyone, very happy with the result. The teachers were great (Catalina and Christian), with a great teacher approach, caring and nice. Having the opportunity to go to social with the taxi dancer is a great approach as it helps you to get know the local surroundings very quickly and practice what you learned. Great organization from A to Z.”
— Lauriane C., France · Medellín

Traveling solo

“My dance immersion week with Somoloco in Medellin, Colombia was hands-down one of my best travel experiences yet! As a solo traveler, I was initially very nervous about safety, but Somoloco completely put my mind at ease by taking care of all my transportation from start to finish. My instructors, Miguel and Laura, were absolutely incredible—not only are they mesmerizing dancers, but they are also phenomenal teachers. If you want to rapidly improve your dancing while truly experiencing Colombian culture, I 100% recommend this program!”
— Denise A., USA · Medellín

“I am a total salsa beginner… I tried taking one-off classes back home but it was too hard to get the hang of it in a group that was often more advanced than me. Almost everyone in the group came alone or with friends, and we got along so well that we ended up spending most of our free time together as well! While the group was mixed in experience, the lessons are private and tailored to your own experience… I shocked myself that within 4 days, I could actually just move around the floor with my leader and feed off their energy. I have already bought tickets to a salsa party where I will (much more) confidently accept the invitation to dance with strangers. That’s success!”
— Meredith T., New York, USA · Medellín

Stuck at intermediate

“So. Much. Fun! I have been dancing for a number of years but always at an intermediate level. This program was intensive but not overwhelming, with private lessons but in a group setting, making it a fun, social experience. The entirety of the program was scheduled in such a way where you had a great blend of group activities and time to explore, either solo or with new friends. Met some amazing people and most importantly, improved my salsa skills! I would 100% do it again.”
— Amy J., Tampa, Florida, USA · Medellín

“Sounds too good to be true, but it’s both good and true… There’s nothing like private lessons. Each person gets two, for an hour and a half per day. One helps with leading, and the other helps with how you move on your own. My two Somoloco teachers were exceptional instructors, who saw exactly what I needed to improve on and helped me work on it in a way that stuck… The instructors come out social dancing with you too, which really helped with getting me comfortable on the dance floor. I had great classmates, the group bonded over the course of the week and it felt like a small community by the end. All in all, would do it again, wish I stayed longer and definitely will next time around.”
— Uciel V., New York, USA · Medellín

Cali and Barcelona

“After my third Somoloco immersion, I’m so grateful for the week I had. When we experienced an earthquake early in the trip, the trip leader Estilito responded with grace, sensitivity and creativity, ensuring that we had an unforgettable visit and saw the beauty of Cali while navigating closures and changes. My instructors Cristian and Pauline were fantastic, and the whole Somoloco team created a friendly and supportive environment… At week’s end I left feeling like I received the training I wanted along with new dance inspiration, and I made amazing connections. I will definitely come back.”
— Trish D., New York, USA · Cali

“I just came back from an amazing week in Barcelona. I went for a private immersion and really felt like I levelled up! Gabriel and Katya were amazing instructors. I learned so much from them but more importantly had a blast… The whole experience felt very curated — Katya took the time to get to know me and my goals and adjusted the classes accordingly. On top of that, she’s a great guide to the city. I truly cannot say enough good things about them and the Somoloco experience!”
— David L., Vancouver, Canada · Barcelona

“I saw a video, felt something pull me towards it, and before I knew it, I had found Somoloco and booked it for the following week. Barcelona… And then there was the Bachata. I knew nothing. Not one step. Not one song. I was blessed with the most incredibly talented, patient and kind hearted teachers I could ever have wished for. My first Bachata social was terrifying. My second was a little less terrifying, still terrifying, but progress… I came here to learn how to dance. I left remembering how to feel.”
— Laura H., London, UK · Barcelona

Couples, and people who keep coming back

“My husband and I came with a group of friends and family — I dance a bit, he was a complete beginner. The instruction was intense but fun, and we learned a lot. Sydney, Miguel and Johan were caring and encouraging. But more than anything, we had a really wonderful experience, together. We danced, we ate, we laughed, and we even cried a bit too (tears of love). In the end I feel more confident on the dance floor, the husband will dance, and I know exactly what I need to keep practicing.”
— Beth H., Massachusetts, USA · Medellín

“I have returned multiple times to Somoloco in Medellin and will return again. Reasons: (1) High quality and fun private instructors; (2) although very diverse, students naturally bond as all have chosen to have the same adventure; (3) Somoloco makes everything easy starting from airport pickup and ending with airport drop off; (4) Medellin has a beautiful mountain valley setting and beautiful weather year round; (5) most days 3 hours of instruction done at noon and plenty of time to explore Medellin.”
— John T., Houston, Texas, USA · Medellín

Read all the reviews here.

Tell us what you want to feel on the dance floor. We’ll build the week around it.

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