Born from the Cuban and Puerto Rican diaspora in New York during the 1960s, Salsa was one of the ways that both groups shared their love for their homelands and built community with each other. Spanning a whole sub-culture in Puerto Rico, Salsa is a beloved part of the Island’s culture that has remained steadfast since the 1970s.
Get ready to dance to the music, feel the beat, and explore the rich history that keeps Salsa alive and thriving!
What is Salsa?
Salsa is a vibrant and energetic music genre rooted in Caribbean music traditions, serving a unique blend of various musical styles, including Cuban son, mambo, and Puerto Rican Bomba. This fusion gave birth to a genre that has become synonymous with Latin joy, celebration, and cultural expression.
Salsa is not just a musical genre—it's also a dynamic and expressive dance. The salsa dance involves a series of intricate footwork patterns and body movements that are designed to showcase the rhythm and energy of the music. There are several variations of salsa, each with its unique characteristics and style.
Salsa is part of most Puerto Rican celebrations. It's always easy to find a dance partner!
Salsa Dura, which rose to popularity in the 1970s, emphasizes the instrumental elements of the music over lead vocals, showcasing powerful rhythms and energetic beats. In the 1980s, Salsa Romántica emerged, featuring slower melodies and lyrics centered on love and relationships, bringing a softer, more sentimental touch during a period of creative stagnation in the genre. Meanwhile, Timba, originating in Cuba, offers a modern twist by blending Afro-Cuban jazz, montuno son, and new trova sounds, creating a fresh and innovative style within the salsa tradition.
Old San Juan is an incredible backdrop for anything, from photo shoots to movies and music videos.
Visit Iconic Music Video Sets
Learn about the music videos shot on the Island, including salsa greats like El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.
Salsa uses a variety of percussion, string, and wind instruments, like the trumpet.
The History of Salsa
Born from the passion and creativity of the Puerto Rican and Cuban diasporas, the origins of Salsa can be described as a labor of love. Musicians drew inspiration from Cuban composers Arsenio Rodríguez, Conjunto Chappotín, Machito, Roberto Faz, and Benny Moré in the 1930s and 1950s. Salsa fuses rhythms from various genres, like Cuba’s guaguancó, guajira, boogaloo, mambo, montuno, chachachá, guaracha, and descarga, Puerto Rico’s plena and bomba, as well as African-American jazz and blues.
The result? A genre that has audiences dancing all over the world.
Instruments Used in Salsa
Salsa music is characterized by its lively and energetic instrumentation, which includes a variety of percussion instruments, brass, and woodwinds. The conga drums, bongos, and timbales provide the rhythmic backbone of Salsa, while the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone add melodic elements. The bass guitar, and piano provide the harmonic foundation, completing the ensemble.
It's very common to see people break out into group salsa dancing at national holidays and festivals.
Iconic Puerto Rican Salsa Artists
It’s no secret that countless Puerto Rican musicians and bands have created legendary Salsa hits! The genre is often divided between “Salsa Clásica” (classic salsa) and “Salsa Nueva” (new salsa). This often refers to the different generations of salsa artists, with “Salsa Clásica” referring to artists that became famous from the 1960s to the 1980s—Salsa Nueva covers artists from the 1990s onwards. During the “Salsa Clásica” period, icons such as Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, the Fania All-Stars, Ismael Rivera, Frankie Ruiz, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Bobby Valentín, and Ismael Miranda brought the vibrant sounds of Salsa to life, shaping its global appeal. Today, the legacy continues with contemporary “Salsa Nueva” artists from Puerto Rico, including Marc Anthony, Víctor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jerry Rivera, and La India, who have carried the torch, infusing modern energy while honoring the genre’s roots.
Enjoy world-class drinks, DJs, and dancing at La Factoría in Old San Juan.
Where Can You Enjoy Salsa in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is the perfect destination to bust out your spins and dance moves! From lively clubs to energetic dance studios and unforgettable festivals, the Island’s salsa scene is as vibrant and rhythmic as the music.
Here are some popular places to dance Salsa in Puerto Rico:
In Puerto Rico, where there’s music, there’s always dancing.
La Placita de Santurce
A lively square in San Juan that is filled with salsa bars and clubs.
El Boricua
Located near the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras, this bar also has bomba and plena dancing as well.
La Factoría
This famous speakeasy in Old San Juan comes to life at night with music, drink, and dancing into the wee hours of the morning.
Best Places to Experience Nightlife in San Juan
Salsa Festivals
Puerto Rico has a variety of salsa festivals, such as the world-famous Día Nacional de la Zsalsa (yes, you read that right), held sometime between February and March.
Recommended Articles
Delicious food, followed by salsa dancing await you at La Placita de Santurce.
Guide to La Placita Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife
La Placita de Santurce in San Juan is a hub for great restaurants, intriguing bars, and all-night salsa dancing.
The cocktail scene at La Factoría.
Best Places to Experience Nightlife in San Juan
Looking for a party? You'll always be able to find one in the vibrant nightlife scene of San Juan!
Where to Go Out Dancing in San Juan
Don't forget to pack your dancing shoes when traveling to Puerto Rico.
Piñones, an area just east of San Juan that is famed for its seaside food kiosks and colorful local culture.
Learning the Dances of Puerto Rico
If you love to dance, you'll love Puerto Rico.
POP is a buzz-worthy shop with a local focus in Santurce
LGBTQ-Friendly Shopping in San Juan
Explore locally owned, LGBTQ-friendly shops in the capital city
