A side-by-side guide to Edinburgh's two most popular Latin dances, so you can pick the one that suits you and book your first class with confidence.
No partner needed. No experience required. You can always try the other one later; in fact most people do.
Salsa and bachata are the two biggest partner dances in Edinburgh and are extremely popular all over the world. They share venues, share DJs, and often share an evening, but they feel completely different to dance.
If you're trying to choose where to start, the honest answer is that you can't go wrong with picking either of them (or both). Salsa and bachata are both welcoming to absolute beginners, have weekly drop-in classes in the city, and most dancers eventually learn at least a bit of both. We at bailemo first learnt salsa and are now learning bachata ourselves. This guide breaks down the differences so you can pick the one that excites you most right now.
Two dances, two different roots, two different feelings on the floor.
Salsa on 1, often called crossbody style, or LA style, is fast, playful, and full of flair. Danced “on the 1” beat, it has a lively, forward-driving energy that makes it instantly exciting, whether you’re spinning across the floor or hitting sharp accents in the music. The signature crossbody lead creates smooth, flowing patterns between partners, giving the dance its sleek, linear feel.
Bachata is a dance from the Dominican Republic which all about connection, rhythm, and a relaxed vibe. With its easy-to-learn basic step and signature hip movement, it’s a dance that welcomes beginners while still offering depth for more experienced dancers. The music, often romantic or melodic, sets the tone for smooth, flowing movements and playful footwork.
The music is usually the first thing that decides which dance someone falls for. Put on a salsa track and a bachata track back to back and you'll feel the difference immediately.
| Salsa | Bachata | |
|---|---|---|
| Tempo | Fast: ~180-220 BPM | Slower: ~120-140 BPM |
| Feel | Energetic, percussive, fiesta-driven | Romantic, melodic, guitar-led |
| Lead instruments | Brass, piano, congas, timbales | Requinto guitar, bongos, güira |
| Vibe | Party and celebration | Party and celebration, but a little slower |
Bachata is generally quicker to pick up. Salsa takes a little longer to feel natural, but rewards the time you put in with a huge worldwide scene and endless room to grow.
| Salsa | Bachata | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic step | Forward-back on counts 1-2-3, 5-6-7 | Side-side-side-tap, four-count |
| Time to feel comfortable | Around 6-8 weeks of regular classes | Often 3-4 weeks of regular classes |
| What's tricky early on | Hitting the 'on 1' timing and following turns at speed | Keeping the hip movement relaxed and natural |
| First social-floor confidence | Takes a little longer | Usually faster |
Both scenes in Edinburgh are warm, beginner-friendly and dominated by partner rotation, so you'll dance with lots of people whether you arrive alone or with friends. The atmosphere on the floor, though, is different.
| Salsa | Bachata | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy on the floor | High-energy, lots of spins and shines | Closer, more grounded, slower flow |
| Connection style | Mostly open hold with frequent turn patterns | Open and close hold, lots of body movement |
| Partner rotation | Absolutely, typically every song | Absolutely, typically every song |
There's no rule, but these are the patterns we see most often in Edinburgh's beginner community.
Still not sure? Check out our curated guides to best salsa beginners classes and best bachata beginners classes to help you decide.
Many beginners worry that learning salsa and bachata together will confuse them, but in practice it rarely does. The rhythms, steps, and movement vocabularies are different enough that your brain naturally keeps them separate.
If you can only commit to one class a week, pick whichever style excites you more right now. If you can manage two, doing one salsa and one bachata class each week is a great combination and many dance schools actually offer both within the same 90 - 120 minute class. Moreover, the skills transfer well, and you'll get to dance at almost every social night in Edinburgh rather than sitting out half the songs.
We at bailemo started with salsa and added bachata later, but plenty of our friends did the reverse. There's no wrong order.
Alma Latina Dance Project
University of Edinburgh Salsa Society
Salsa Club Edinburgh
Orlando OG
Orlando OG
Bachata Blues Edinburgh
Orlando OG
Orlando OG
Still undecided?
Read the full beginner guide
