How To Learn Cuban Salsa Dance Step By Step

It is hard to resist the charms of the Cuban salsa. It is frisky, round and highly social. The type of dance which does not require you to be the perfect dancer-it simply requires you to dance. There are no special partners, there is no need to have any experience and you definitely do not have to be born with rhythm.

It just takes the desire to give it a go.

As opposed to flashy precision of LA salsa, the cool footwork of New York On2 style, Cuban salsa (otherwise known as Salsa Cubana) is a community-based style. It is danced circle-like, with a lot of interaction, improvisation, and connection. It is not the matter of impressing the crowd- it is the matter of fun.

It is a beginner step-by-step guide to the Cuban salsa, how to start, with the simplest coordinates of the step in it to the first dancing with the partner. Be it practicing at home or getting ready to go out, this is your track of choice in order to get in the groove one step at the time.

What is Cuban Salsa Special?

Cuban salsa is not only a type of dance. It is a cultural tale. Having been born out of the mixture of African and Spanish music in Cuba, it includes centuries of euphoria, rhythm, and passion. What makes it so different to the other varieties of salsas?

Circular motion: The Cuban salsa also does not dance in a linear manner, but moves in a central axis, which makes the interaction more circular and dynamic.

Improvisation: No definite routine. Dancers tend to mix joy tricks and improvisation.

Rueda de Casino Cuban style rueda (group form of dancing salsa) with two or more couples, arranged in a circle and directing a clentalike impersonator who cries out steps.

However, Cuban salsa is based on community most of all. It is not the quality of your moves that matter, it is about the experience.

Before You Start What You Will Need

It does not require having a dance studio. You can just do it in a sitting room or any open area at home. These are what can be useful:

Smooth-soled shoes, non-heeled, with no grip-heavy sneakers (flat)

Wearable pieces of clothes that enable one to move freely

Enough space allowing free movements (2x2m at least)

Full-length mirror (optional) to make a posture check and to ensure coordination is all right (optional)

A list of slow and mid-tempo Cuban salsa music (90110 BPM)

Pro tip: You don’t need to have a partner to learn the basics by yourself. You can use a chair, a mirror, and even a wall to re-create partner dynamics until you are ready to attend a class or a social event.

Getting Started with Cuban Salsa: Mastering the Basics

Before you can flow into partner turns or group Rueda formations, it’s essential to master the solo foundation. In Cuban salsa, that foundation is the Guapea—the building block of rhythm, coordination, and connection.

Step 1: Basic Solo Footwork – Guapea

All steps in Cuban salsa are built upon Guapea, the fundamental solo pattern. It shows up in almost every song and acts as the launch point for partner work.

Guapea – Step Breakdown (Counts: 1, 2, 3 — pause — 5, 6, 7 — pause)

Footwork:

• 1 – Step back with the left foot

• 2 – Return to center

• 3 – Step in place with the right foot

• 5 – Step back with the right foot

• 6 – Return to center

• 7 – Step in place with the left foot

✅ Tips:

• Keep your knees slightly bent

• Stay light and rhythmic, not stiff

• Feel the bounce and let your movement flow with the beat

Arms:
Keep them relaxed in front of your body, as if holding a partner who isn’t there. Your elbows should stay softly rounded.

💡 Pro Tip: Clap, tap, or snap the rhythm as you move—it helps internalize the beat and makes transitions feel natural. Relax, then gradually pick up the tempo.

Step 2: Side Step Variation – Lateral Guapea

Once you’re comfortable with the Guapea, add a side variation to build spatial awareness and prepare for turns or Rueda.

Counts:

• 1 – Step out to the left

• 2 – Return to center

• 3 – Step in place

• 5, 6, 7 – Mirror the move to the right

This variation introduces lateral movement, which becomes essential in Rueda circles and open partner transitions.

Step 3: Add Cuban Body Movement

Cuban salsa isn’t just about footwork—it’s a full-body language. Incorporate shoulder rolls and hip accents to bring in natural Cuban flair.

Start small:

• Keep your chest high and relaxed

• Let your shoulders follow your feet

• Shift your weight intentionally from foot to foot

Don’t overanalyze—let your body loosen up. The more relaxed you are, the more organically the movement will come.

Step 4: Learn Partner Positioning

Once you’re steady with solo footwork, you’re ready to connect with a partner—or at least understand the mechanics.

Partner Position in Cuban Salsa:

• Face each other about arm’s length apart

• Take hands in open position

Closed Position:

• Leader’s right hand rests on the follower’s upper back

• Follower’s left hand rests gently on the leader’s shoulder

✅ Keep arms relaxed. No stiff arms or rigid grips—Cuban salsa is all about fluid motion and responsiveness.

Step 5: Dile Que No – The Most-Needed Move in Cuban Salsa

“Dile Que No” translates as “tell him no”, and though it sounds dramatic, this is actually one of the main transition steps in Cuban salsa. It’s the foundation for changing partners and executing turns, making it absolutely essential in both social dancing and Rueda.

Step-by-Step Instructions (Leader’s Role):

1. Step back with the left foot slightly

2. Step open with your left foot and turn your body to face the follower

3. Step slightly forward or sideways to invite the follower across
   5-6-7. Guide the follower to cross in front of you and change places

Follower’s Role:

1. Step forward

2. Turn slightly as you maintain the connection

3. Front cross step
   5-6-7. Complete the turn and return to open position

🟡 Common Mistake: Rushing the transition. Instead, stay relaxed, lead through the arm, and let your follower move at a natural pace.

Step 6: Enchufla – The Gateway to Flair

Once you’ve got Guapea and Dile Que No working, it’s time to add Enchufla, a light, energetic turn that’s a favorite in both social dancing and Rueda de Casino.

Leader:

1. Step back on 1

2. On 2, lead to the side, one hand guiding out

3. On 3, turn the follower halfway
   5-6-7. Reconnect hands and circle around into the new position

Follower:

1. Step forward on 1

2. Connected turn begins

3. Complete the turn
   5-6-7. Reset and settle into place

✅ Why it’s great: Enchufla is the move that makes beginners feel like they’re really dancing—it introduces spins in a manageable way and sets up nearly all the fun partner combos.

Practicing Plan: 10-Minute Daily Practice

Here’s a simple, compact routine to help you solidify the core Cuban salsa moves:

• 2 min – Guapea with clapping or metronome

• 2 min – Lateral step + body movement drills

• 3 min – Dile Que No (add smoothness and timing)

• 3 min – Enchufla (shadowing or video-following)

🎥 Pro Tip: Record yourself or practice in front of a mirror to fix your posture, observe your balance, and build confidence in your flow.

Your Week 1 Cuban Salsa Roadmap

Step 7: Learn Setenta – Your Very First Multi-Move Sequence

One of the most popular Cuban salsa combinations also used in Rueda circles is Setenta. It also shows you how to smoothly switch between arm lock-ups, spins, and controlling the partner without the loss of rhythm and fluidity.

What is Setenta?

• Translation: Spanish going by seventy

• Style: The style is smooth, gradual, and amazing once it is achieved properly

• Level: In case of doubt, beginners to intermediate

Destiny (Leader View):

• First, Guapea

• Begin Enchufla, rather than release, bring the follower to an arm wrap

• When open, step back and unwind her by stepping around

• End with a reset position – Dile Que No

Follower’s Perspective:

• Take the turn of Enchufla

• Give the leader the right to lead your arm into the wrap

• Keep arms soft, not tight

• Make confident steps on beat and at map’s unwinding stage

🟡 Hint: Concentrate on your grip of hands and wrist bendability. Setenta plays out best when the front is evident but not violent.

Step 8: Arm Styling and Position of the Hips

When you are sure about simple steps, it’s time to get your body on the dance floor (not only your feet). That is where the Cuban salsa becomes expressive and personal.

Arm Styling Tips (For All Dancers):

• Have elbows bent; hands relaxed

• In open steps, extend the arms with rhythm of torso

• Include smooth circular motions in sync with the beat (not mechanical)

• Try not to go too far – minor rhythmical tinges are sufficient

Hip Movement:

• Results automatically when weight transfer is done correctly

• As you step, shift your weight entirely to one side, then the other

• The hips should not lead – they follow the motion

✅ These should be practiced in partner drills after solo drills to gain confidence.

Step 9: Enter the Circle – Rueda de Casino Fundamentals

Rueda de Casino can be defined as a group dance form of Cuban salsa whereby several couples are organized around a circle and accept instructions as dictated by a leader (called “the caller”). The choreography of moves is performed in unison and in most situations involves partner changes and turns.

It is entertaining, energetic, and teaches how to react fast and work with a team.

Rueda Essentials:

• Basic calls each couple should know: Guapea, Enchufla, Dile Que No, Setenta

• Caller yells moves and groups react on the rhythm

• Music is social and fast-paced

• Usually danced at salsa nights, festivals, or outdoor social sessions

Basic Calls Young Ones Should Learn:

• Guapea – simple stage

• Enchufla – turn of the follower

• Dame – change right-way partners

• Dile Que No – transitional step

• Setenta – all logos use Setenta principal 1: sequence wrap

🎯 Try to practice in small groups or take a Rueda course in your city. It is a genius strategy to develop social skills along with speed.

Step 10: Know the Music – Dancing with Feeling

Salsa is not only musical, but also dancing. The most desirable dancers are the ones who not only have the pure technique, but shake their bodies to beats.

Important Elements of the Salsa Music to Study:

• Clave Rhythm: Clap of salsa. Listen to the 2-3 or 3-2.

• Tumbao: A rhythm of the bass and the conga drums. Aid in body sway.

• Breaks: Dramatic pauses, or musical hits, enable you to freeze, or emphasize a move.

• Horn Cues: Usual methods to signify the chorus or a climax – cool for fashion.

The Way to Improve:

• Work on with slow Cubanizace (90–100 BPM)

• Clap or tap along with the beat then dance

• Repetitive elements with the variation of melodies

• Timing can also be developed by using songs such as El Cuarto de Tula or the Chan Chan style

Step 11: Mistakes to Avoid

This happens even to an experienced dancer. The good news is? The first step is to be aware. 1/2 is the remedy.

1. Overleading / Underleading

• Overleading: Forcing your partner to follow into an action

• Underleading: Being ambiguous or indicating that one does not care

Solution: Choose open, assertive yet soft signals. They should not boss you around – your body does all the talking.

2. Psychological Tension in Shoulders and Arms

• Makes one tired and interrupts fluidity

• Keep elbows round and shoulders loose

• Warm yourself up before dancing, shake off the strain in between practice

3. Skipping the Beat

• Occurs when you are obsessed with moves and forget music

• Do a few minutes of dancing without including movement every day

4. Failure to Do Solo Practice

• Partner work is only half the way there

• By undergoing solo drills, you will gain better posture, balance, and confidence

• Self-corrected practice in a mirror

Step 12: Daily Practice Plan – Level Up in 15 Minutes

To be better, you do not have to spend hours every day. Simply 15 minutes of regularity will do miracles.

Here’s your final section formatted into a polished blog post format, continuing the style and keeping all original wording intact:

Step 13: You Are Ready, Right? – Hit the Dance Floor

Become a dancer comprises learning a number of steps. The other ones take place in real spaces, with real people. Once you are sure about your basics:

• Go to a Cuban salsa social downtime in your town.

• Find a Rueda de Casino team

• Go to a Latin bar or cafe that entertains dances

• Stepping on the feet: Don’t fear to ask someone to dance – the salsa community is usually friendly.

In case you feel shy, invite a friend or you can only observe first. It will probably take you several minutes to become absorbed by music and energy.

Cuban Salsa Progression Cheat Sheet

Summary

It is not a race to the end. Cuban salsa is a continuous loop of teaching, giggling and dancing. You are going to foul up. You will go out of rhythm. You will laugh at thyself. That is what makes doing it worthwhile.

You will feel the self-improvement as an individual, transforming not only into a better dancer, but becoming much more confident, very expressive and well in touch with the moment.

As you learn and dance it at home alone or dance with the stars under an outside Havana themed bar, you laugh:

You do not learn just steps. You are training to walk with rhythm.