Merengue & Bachata Dance Class

Merengue and bachata are the beating heart of Dominican culture, and there's no better place to learn them than Santo Domingo. Dance classes for tourists are offered at studios, cultural centers, and through private instructors across the capital. You'll learn the basic steps, partnering technique, and musical timing from Dominican instructors who have been dancing since childhood.

Merengue is the easier of the two — a straightforward marching step with hip movement that almost anyone can pick up quickly. Bachata is more nuanced, with its distinctive four-step side-to-side pattern and sensual hip rolls. Both dances are deeply social, and your instructor will share the cultural context that makes them more than just dance moves. Classes are typically followed by practice time at a local bar or dance hall.