Cuban Salsa, Bachata or Kizomba: Which Dance Should You Start With?

It's THE question every future dancer asks: which dance should I start with? Cuban Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba rule the Latin nights across French-speaking Switzerland, but each one has its own personality. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose — knowing there's no wrong answer, and that many people end up dancing all three.

Cuban Salsa: energy and celebration

The character: joyful, dynamic, social. Cuban Salsa is danced in constant rotation, with figures that flow into one another and plenty of interaction between partners. It's the dance of energy and smiles.

The music: brass, percussion, vocals — Cuban music is rich and infectious. The tempo is fast (between 170 and 220 BPM), which also makes it excellent cardio.

The difficulty: you'll learn the basic step in a single class. The depth comes later, from the figures and the play of rotation, which offer years of progression.

Who's it for? Anyone looking for energy, a large community, and a festive dance you can enjoy anywhere in the world.

Bachata: accessible sensuality

The character: slower, closer, more sensual. Born in the Dominican Republic, Bachata is danced on a very intuitive four-count basic step. The modern style (Bachata Sensual) adds body waves and expressive movements.

The music: guitar, romance, catchy melodies. Modern Bachata also weaves in remixes of international pop, which makes it especially easy on European ears.

The difficulty: the easiest of the three to start with. The basic step is simple and the tempo moderate. The subtlety comes later, through body movement and connection.

Who's it for? Anyone who wants quick results, a romantic partner dance, and music that's easy to love from day one.

Kizomba: connection above all

The character: slow, enveloping, all about connection. Originating in Angola, Kizomba is danced in a close hold, with fluid movement and a subtle bodily dialogue. It's often described as a "silent conversation".

The music: soft and hypnotic, between African influences and zouk. The modern variants (Urban Kiz) bring a more contemporary style.

The difficulty: the steps are simple, but the quality of the connection calls for finesse. It's a dance of listening more than of figures.

Who's it for? Anyone seeking calm, connection with their partner, and an elegant dance that requires no particular fitness level.

The comparison at a glance

	Cuban Salsa	Bachata	Kizomba
Tempo	Fast	Moderate	Slow
Ease of getting started	Medium	Easy	Easy
Physical effort	High	Medium	Low
Style	Festive	Sensual	Connected
Community in French-speaking Switzerland	Very large	Large	Growing

Our advice: just give it a try

On paper, one dance might appeal to you — and on the floor, it's another that wins you over. It comes down to falling in love with the music and the atmosphere. In fact, most experienced dancers practise several styles, because Latin nights alternate between Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba over the course of a single evening.

👉 Discover our trial classes in Biel and La Chaux-de-Fonds and find the dance that makes you come alive.