Puerto Rican culture isn’t a singular aspect of its history—it’s more like a sum of all its parts throughout the centuries. From the scratching of the Taíno güiro, the twang of the Spanish guitar, and the percussion of West African drums, the Island’s music and dances distills centuries of history, tradition, and, above all else, a profound sense of love and pride. 

Take a journey through time and explore the history of the dances that have shaped Puerto Rico’s rich cultural legacy.

Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana an important Taíno ceremony site.

Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana, an important Taíno ceremony site.

Puerto Rico’s Taíno Influences

Some of the Island’s first inhabitants were the Taínos. 

These Arawak people reached Puerto Rico between 1200 and 1500 CE, migrating from Venezuela. Similarly to other indigenous communities in the Americas, their music was deeply intertwined with their spiritual beliefs and daily life. These musical celebrations, called areítos or "sung dances," celebrated or recounted specific events and often took place in a ceremonial park known as batey. 

The ritual of the cohoba is a well-known example of an areíto, in which the tribe's shaman, or behique, consumed a herbal concoction to commune with Taíno deities. These ceremonies often included singing and dancing, for example, during rituals invoking the rain god’s blessing for their crops. Rhythmic accompaniment came from traditional instruments like the güiro, a scraped gourd, and the maraca, a rattle, both of which were prominently featured.

Musicians playing bomba and dancing.

In Puerto Rico, you don’t just listen to bomba, you feel it!

Spanish and African Arrival: Caribbean Fusion

Puerto Rican dance continued to evolve with the arrival of the Spanish and Africans in the 16th century. The Spaniards introduced popular European-inspired styles such as the waltz, mazurca, lanceros, rigodón, and contradanza. Manuel Alonso, Boricua author of 1849’s El Gíbaro, mentions the seis (six in Spanish) as one of the most prominent dances during this time. It got its name from the six couples that would participate in the dance, similar to a waltz. 

On the other hand, African slaves introduced their own musical styles, including rhythms, instruments, and dance forms. This cultural exchange gave rise to new genres, such as the body-expressive bomba and, later on, plena. These dance traditions have been passed down centuries—especially within communities in Ponce, Loíza, Guayama, and Yauco. 

A group dancing plena, a traditional genre of music and dance of Puerto Rico.

Plena dances often feature coordinated outfits and lots of colors.

The 19th Century: Rise of the Boricua Dance Identity

The 19th century saw the emergence of the Puerto Rican identity as distinctly unique from Spain and other Spanish colonies. Danza, for example, was a ballroom dance influenced by European waltzes and polkas. It became popular among the elite but quickly became mainstream across the Island. Plena also rose to prominence during this era, starting in the Southern region of Puerto Rico, fusing elements of Taíno, Spanish, and African ancestries and traditions. In many ways, plena perfectly encapsulates the different aspects and cultures that shaped the Puerto Rican identity we know today.

Couple dancing salsa.

In Puerto Rico, where there’s music, there’s always dancing.

Puerto Rican Music Goes Global

In the 20th century, Puerto Rican music gained international recognition. The development of salsa, a dynamic dance music that emerged from the fusion of Cuban son, Puerto Rican bomba and plena, and other Caribbean rhythms, captivated audiences worldwide. Born from the Cuban and Boricua diaspora in New York, salsa not only influenced generations of musicians but also made its way onto millions of dance floors, both recreational and competitive. 

During the end of the 20th century and into the 21st century, reggaetón exploded onto the scene with catchy lyrics and an even more infectious rhythm. It’s danced the world over, with artists like Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Rauw Alejandro, and others achieving unprecedented levels of success. 

People dance on a street in Old San Juan

A Timeline of Dance in Puerto Rico

  • Taino Influences: Ceremonial dances, circle dances, and storytelling through movement during areítos.
  • 16th-18th Centuries: Introduction of Spanish ballroom dances and African-influenced rhythms. Emergence of bomba.
  • 19th Century: Rise of the danza, a popular ballroom dance. Plena also began to rise in popularity in the southern regions of the Island.
  • 20th Century: Salsa becomes a global phenomenon, influencing dance styles worldwide. Reggaetón emerges as a contemporary urban genre and begins to take over the dancefloors.

From its Indigenous roots, Spanish dances, the rhythmic beat of bomba and plena, and the contemporary beats of salsa and reggaetón, Puerto Rico's heritage of dance and music will continue to showcase the Island’s traditions for many more years. 

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