Tour operator
Real City Tours
A Medellín family-run tour company whose tip-based Free Walking Tour of the city centre has run twice daily since 2013, alongside food, fruit and neighbourhood tours.
DanceFree Salsa School
A Medellín dance school teaching salsa, bachata and more since 2011, with daily private lessons, evening group classes, socials and language-exchange nights.
At a glance
- Type
- Salsa and dance classes
- Area
- El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
- Official site
- dancefree.com.co
Good to know
- Group and private classes
- Salsa and bachata
- Language exchange
- Social dance nights
- English-speaking instructors
Why we recommend it
DanceFree is a well-established way to learn salsa in Medellín. The school has been teaching in Medellín since 2011, is registered with the city's Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Medellín tourism network, and has been featured by Lonely Planet and the newspaper El Colombiano. Classes are taught in Spanish and English, which makes it accessible to visitors with no Spanish.
The range of styles is wide. For salsa, the school teaches On1, On2, Cuban salsa (casino) and Colombian salsa, and for bachata both Dominican and sensual styles. Beyond those, classes cover tango, hip hop, kizomba, zouk, cumbia and reggaeton among others, so it is possible to try something new on each visit.
There are two main ways to learn. Private classes are available every day from 9:00 to 21:00 and can be booked as single sessions or discounted packages, which suits travellers who want quick progress before a night out. Group classes run in the evenings: recent timetables have included salsa class and practice and bachata class and practice from 19:45 to 22:30, and combined salsa and bachata classes from 20:15 to 21:30, followed by a bar and social from 21:30. Check the calendar on the website for the current week, as it changes.
DanceFree is also a social hub. The school hosts language-exchange evenings, and it teaches Spanish to English speakers and English to Spanish speakers. It organises bar nights and themed parties, and its events calendar points students to salsa socials, bachata socials and milongas around the city where they can practise. Payment can be made online through Wompi, by card, by PayPal or by Colombian bank transfer, and the school is reviewed on Google, Facebook and TripAdvisor.
The school suits solo travellers, couples and digital nomads who want to dance with confidence at venues such as Son Havana or Salón Málaga, and it is a good way to meet people. It is at Calle 10A No. 40-27 in El Poblado, and bookings and questions are handled through the call centre and WhatsApp on +57 316 288 7063. Payment details and class packages are listed on the website's Get Started page.
DanceFree Salsa School FAQs
What dances does DanceFree teach?
Salsa (On1, On2, Cuban and Colombian styles), bachata, tango, kizomba, zouk, cumbia, reggaeton and more.
Are there group classes?
Yes. Group salsa and bachata classes run in the evenings, followed by practice or a social.
When are private classes available?
Every day from 9:00 to 21:00.
Are classes in English?
Yes. Classes are offered in Spanish and English.
How long has the school been running?
It has served Medellín since 2011.
Does it offer anything besides dance?
Yes. Spanish and English classes, language exchanges and social nights.
Where is DanceFree?
At Calle 10A No. 40-27 in El Poblado.
How do I book?
Through the website or by WhatsApp on +57 316 288 7063.