Salsa Dancing in Peru!
Salsa dancing in Peru
You cannot come to Cusco, Peru to learn Spanish and not dance salsa! Salsa dancing in Peru is amazing! But although salsa is a must, it may be best to take a couple of days of rest before dancing the night away. Cusco is located at almost 3.500 m. and this is extremely high. When you arrive in Cusco you have to get used to the altitude. Altitude sickness occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air at high altitudes. When you go too high and fast, your body cannot get as much oxygen as it needs. Your body then starts to breathe faster causing symptoms such as headaches. As your body gets used to the altitude, the symptoms go away. Just give yourself a few days to adjust and before you know it, you are ready to explore the nightlife.
Two weeks after my arrival in Peru and the start of my Spanish classes in Cusco, I discovered the nightlife in Cusco. Most bars and discos in Cusco are near the “Plaza de Armas”.
The Plaza de Armas or main square is the center of the historic section in Cusco, accessible from all directions. It is a great meeting place. The Plaza de Armas was called ‘Huacaypata’ after the construction during the Inca Empire. It functioned as the cultural center, or “heart”. The Plaza is often used for special events like festivals, concerts, and gatherings.
Most bars around Plaza de Armas are open from 11 pm to 2 am. The clubs are open from 9 pm to 5 am. Around 9:30 pm you can go to Inca Team, a small, but cozy club at the corner of the Plaza de Armas and Calle Suecia. Every day you can learn salsa there from 9 till 11 pm. I like it there because it is a club where many locals come dancing.
Salsa is the most popular dance in Cusco, and it is not just in Inca Team where you can learn to dance it. You can also learn in clubs such as, Mythology and Mama Africa. But Inca team is my preference. Every Friday evening there is a salsa lesson in AMAUTA Spanish School and the teachers from Inca team come to the school and teach you all the moves you need to know. They truly want you to learn, that is why it is a nice activity to do with all your friends. I have not missed a class since I have been in Cusco. We have a lot of fun, especially with the Enchufla, the most basic salsa turn. Turning is not my strongest point.
When people think of salsa, they think of Cuba. But they usually do not know that it is also a big thing here in Cusco and in Peru! Many people think that the slaves of African origin in Cuba invented the clave, which is the heartbeat of the Salsa. However many other people think that Salsa was created in New York in the 1970s. In every club in Cusco you see people dancing salsa. Just join them; Peruvians love to help foreigners learn to dance.
After 11 pm you can go to Mama Africa. Mama Africa is located on the second floor high above Plaza de Armas and is one of the most popular nightclubs in Cusco. It attracts relatively young people. There are locals and also many tourists. It’s a great place to dance and to enjoy music, especially if you like salsa.
As far as I know, you cannot dance salsa in every club back home. You have to go to a special club just for salsa. And the biggest difference with the men in my country (the Netherlands) is that the men can dance here in Cusco. And I mean they can really dance. But also the women are so good! It is my goal to learn to dance salsa in the five months I am living here in Peru for my internship in Cusco. Luckily I have plenty of time to learn it.
AMAUTA Spanish School in Peru offers a Spanish & Salsa Dancing course package.
Benefit from the sensual culture of Peru by participating in our Salsa classes, a true cultural immersion experience.
The art of salsa dancing is a quick and easy art to learn; before you know it you will master the rhythm, movement and language!.
