What is the difference between Salsa LA and Salsa Cubana?
When you start dancing Salsa, you soon hear terms like LA Style and Cuban Salsa. But what exactly is the difference between these two styles? And most importantly, which one suits you best?
In this blog, we explain it clearly for you – so you can step onto the dance floor with even more fun.
🎯 1. The basics: what is Salsa?
Salsa is a popular partner dance with roots in Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York. It is not a set choreography, but an improvisational dance to lively Latin music, with plenty of room for your own style and creativity.
Over the years, several styles emerged, the best known being Salsa LA (on1) and Salsa Cubana.
🔥 2. Salsa LA – Line, show and tight lead
Salsa LA (also called on1) is danced in a straight line: the dancers move back and forth along an imaginary line.
This style originated in Los Angeles and is characterized by:
- Tight structure and timing
- Clear figures and fast spins
- Lots of show elements and partner work
LA Salsa is ideal for those who love precise technique, flair and musicality. It is also the style you often see at shows, conventions and videos.
💃 Salsa Cubana – Circle, flow and playfulness
Salsa Cubana, also called Casino, is danced in a circular form – you literally move around each other.
The style comes straight from Cuba and exudes playfulness and spontaneity.
Typical features:
- Lots of movement with the body and footwork
- Playing with rhythm and improvisation
- More “dance for fun,” less tightly structured
This style often feels looser and more “by feel” – perfect if you love natural movement and enjoying the dance floor together.
🔄 And what about Rueda de Casino?
Fun fact: Rueda de Casino is a group form of Cuban Salsa where you dance in a circle and switch partners on commands. Super fun, surprising and connecting!
❤️ Which style suits you?
It depends mostly on what you are looking for in dance:
- If you are looking for structure, technique and flow, choose Salsa LA.
- Looking for playfulness, connection & fun, choose Salsa Cubana
- Looking for fun in group, choose Rueda de Casino
At Bailando Latino you can discover all these styles – and even combine them! This way you build a strong foundation and learn to develop your own style.
📍 Try it for yourself!
Want to feel the difference yourself?
👉 Request a free trial lesson and find out which style suits you best.
We would love to welcome you to our dance family in Lier.