What a Week With Somoloco Is Actually Like

Most dance trips are described in inclusions: hours, classes, nights out. That tells you what you’re buying and almost nothing about what the week feels like.

So here’s the week itself.

The short version: you arrive on a Sunday with up to nine other people you’ve never met, most of them traveling alone. You get two local teachers who build your week around what your dancing actually needs. You take what you learn out to the city’s clubs that same week, with those teachers beside you. By Friday the group eats together as people who know each other. That’s the week.

The group you arrive with

Somoloco immersions run on set dates for people from around the world to join the experience together. Everyone on your week starts the same day and finishes the same day, with a maximum of 10 people. (Somoloco also receives people on rolling basis, where people choose their own dates and come for their own immersion)

9 out of 10 people come alone.

That matters more than it sounds. A group of people who each decided, separately, to fly to another country to dance has already self-selected for something. Nobody was dragged along. By the second day you’re texting about dinner.

“We were a self-selected bunch of travelers drawn to a week of salsa in Colombia, so everyone shared a similar adventurous worldview and love of dance… We had 2 from Dallas, 1 from Ohio, 1 from New York City, 1 from North Carolina, 1 from Cyprus, 2 from London, and more… Bonds formed quickly over shared meals, nerdy conversations about dance and much laughter — instant community.” — Del, Houston, Texas, USA

“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!” — Meredith T., New York, USA

There’s also a full-time trip leader who is also an established local dance leader who is with you all week: someone local who runs the schedule, sorts transport, answers the question you’d otherwise Google, and comes out with the group at night.

“Our trip leader, Miguel, was absolutely excellent. He stayed in contact with us every day, checked in to make sure we were okay, asked if we needed anything, and provided transportation whenever we needed to get somewhere. He also accompanied us in the evenings… Having someone so attentive and available made me feel very comfortable, especially being in a new country.” — Marisol G., New Jersey, USA

 

Your teachers are from here

This is the part that can’t be replicated by flying instructors in.

Your teachers live in the city. They came up in its scene, they dance in its clubs on their own nights off, and the people at those clubs know them. When you walk into a social with your teacher, you’re not a tourist who booked a class. You’re with someone who belongs there.

You get two teachers, matched to you based on your style, experience and goals. One lead and one follow so you get perspectives from both vantage points, for an hour and a half each per day. Fifteen hours of one-on-one in a week.

“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. They were also patient and warm, which helped when I felt I was hitting my limits during practice. The instructors come out social dancing with you too… They’re said to be some of the best dancers in Medellin, and after watching them move, I believe it.” — Uciel V., New York, USA

 

What a day looks like

• Morning: three hours of private classes, split between your two teachers. This is the core of the week.
• Midday: lunch, sometimes with your teachers.
• Afternoon: free. People nap, explore, work, or go find coffee together. Group classes and cultural activities land here too.
• Evening: dinner with whoever’s up for it. On social nights, out dancing.

“Most days 3 hours of instruction done at noon and plenty of time to explore Medellin; the Somoloco local team offers advice and assistance with extra plans.” — John T., Houston, Texas, USA

 

The nights out

Two nights a week, the group goes dancing with the teachers.

This is the part people are most nervous about and most changed by. Walking into a club where everyone can dance is intimidating. Walking in with your teacher, who then dances with you, introduces you around, and gets you onto the floor in the first ten minutes, is a completely different night.

“The instructors come out social dancing with you too, which really helped with getting me comfortable on the dance floor.” — Uciel V., New York, USA

“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.” — Lauriane C., France

“My first Bachata social was terrifying. My second was a little less terrifying, still terrifying, but progress.” — Laura H., London, UK

That’s the honest version. It’s still scary the first time. It’s just scary with people beside you.

The parts that aren’t dancing

Each city has its own, and they’re tied to the dance rather than to a tourist list.

• Medellín: a day at a teacher’s rural finca, an evening at a local bolero bar artisan pizza and a tour of traditional neighborhood.
• Cali: a night at El Mulato Cabaret and the city’s salsa museum, local fruit market tour, and more.
• Barcelona: a walking tour with your trip leader and an intimate flamenco show.
• Mexico City: a visit to the pyramids with hot air balloon ride. a food tour in local markets.

Plus a welcome dinner at the start and lunch with each of your teachers during the week.

“The combination of salsa and immersion of what Medellin has to offer was top notch! From experiencing comuna 13 by an amazing guide, to having a crazy Paella workshop…” — Thor, Norway

 

The last night

By Friday the group has been dancing together for six days. People have seen each other be bad at something and get better at it, which turns out to be a fast way to become friends.

Most groups keep a chat going afterward. A lot of people come back, and some plan their next trip before they leave.

“EVERY single person in my group of 17 students loved the experience and we left with life long friends and a plan to come back again.” — Kristen H., Michigan, USA

“We will forever call the Somoloco team as well as the other Somoloco Alum we danced with our friends.” — Jim G., USA

 

Who this week is for

• Solo travelers. 9 in 10 come alone, so coming alone is the normal case rather than the exception.
• Beginners. 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 dancing at your own pace by the end of the week.
• Dancers who’ve plateaued. One-on-one time is where habits get fixed.
• Couples. Book as a couple, share a room and your teachers.

It may not be the right fit if you want a vacation with just a bit of dancing. This week is dance heavy, by design.

Can you come on your own dates instead?

Yes. We also run private immersions, where you pick your own week and it’s just you (or you and whoever you bring) with your teachers and trip leader. Some people want exactly that.

But the group weeks are the heart of what we do, and they’re what most people book.

FAQ

Do Somoloco immersions run on set dates with a group? Yes. Group immersions run on set dates in each city, with up to 10 people per week. Everyone starts and finishes together. Private immersions on your own dates are also available.

How many people are on a Somoloco trip? Up to 10 per week.

Will I be the only one traveling alone? No. 9 out of 10 people come alone.

Are the teachers local? Yes. Your teachers live in the city, dance in its clubs, and take you out to them.

Do the teachers come out social dancing with the group? Yes, on social nights. They dance with you and introduce you to the local floor.

Is someone with the group all week? Yes. Our full-time trip leader handles the schedule, transport and anything you need in the city, and comes out at night.

What does a typical day look like? Three hours of private classes in the morning, a free afternoon, and dinner or dancing in the evening.

What if I don’t know anyone? That’s the normal case. You arrive with a group of people who also came alone, and you spend the week dancing, eating and going out together.

You’ll arrive with nine strangers and leave with a group chat.

See immersion dates · How a Somoloco immersion works