Whether you’re a two-left-feet beginner or a smooth-moving salsero, Mérida is one of the most rhythm-filled cities in Mexico to learn and dance salsa. From energetic classes in colonial studios to live-band nights in atmospheric cantinas, the Yucatán capital offers plenty of ways to step into the beat.
This 2025 guide rounds up the best places to take salsa classes and the top venues to dance the night away—all while soaking in Mérida’s charm and Caribbean flair. So grab your dancing shoes (and maybe a sweat towel), because the salsa scene here is hot.
Why Salsa Dancing Is So Popular in Mérida
Salsa has found a home in Mérida’s cultural heartbeat. It’s not just about the steps—it’s a social ritual, a form of expression that connects people across languages and generations. With strong Caribbean and Cuban influences, salsa (and its close cousin bachata) are a staple in many local events, dance clubs, and even plazas.
And thanks to the growing international and expat community, salsa dancing in Mérida has become more accessible than ever—offered in English and Spanish, in both traditional dance academies and casual, friendly studios.
Below is a list of a few of our recommendations for a fun salsa night as well as some places to learn to dance!
💃 Top Salsa Venues and Social Dance Nights in Mérida
Where to let loose, feel the rhythm, and maybe meet a dance partner (or three).
La Bianca Tropical
📍 Calle 60 x 53 y 55, Centro, Mérida, Yucatán
🕖 Free salsa classes: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays at 8:00 PM and after you complete 4 classes you get a formal certificate!
🍸 2×1 cocktails for Happy Hour: Tuesdays to Thursdays all night
🎶 Live music or DJ every night (DJ only on Wednesdays)
📞 Private group bookings available
A tropical Italian restaurant by day, salsa hotspot by night—La Bianca Tropical is Mérida’s new go-to for dancing, dining, and vibrant vibes. Their goal? To become one of the top 5 places to dance salsa in the city.
💃 Free salsa classes are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8 PM. Attend four consecutive classes, and you’ll get a certificate of participation (in collaboration with their instructors). You can also book free group classes (min. 10 people) on other nights.
🍝 The food is a standout feature—100% Italian cuisine made with traditional methods and ingredients brought straight from Italy. The menu includes other delicious options, but their Italian culinary identity is something they proudly showcase on social media.
🌴 With its tropical vibe, welcoming crowd, and spacious dance area surrounded by seating and a well-stocked bar, La Bianca is a place where everyone feels at home, regardless of age or background. The dance floor is adults-only (due to the bar), but the rest of the venue is family-friendly.
🥂 Want something more intimate? Ask about their private wine cellar room—perfect for events or a quiet dinner with a view of the action.
Hre you get free salsa classes with Coco and more! Tuesdays and Sundays the class starts at 8:30 pm for free.
Social media: @labiancatropical
Mercado 60
📍 Calle 60 x 53 y 51, Centro, Mérida, Yucatán
🕕 Open daily from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM
🎶 Live music every night Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after 8:30pm and Thursday through Sunday starts at 7:30pm
🐾 Pet- and bike-friendly | 🚗 Parking available on Calle 51 x 60 and 58
A must-visit for anyone looking to dance, dine, and soak up Mérida’s vibrant cultural scene. Mercado 60 brings together the best of food, music, and movement in one beautiful, open-air venue.
💃 Salsa Dancing at Mercado 60
Classes with renowned instructor Xanthe Vargas take place several nights a week, offering a fun and friendly space to learn or sharpen your Cuban salsa moves.
🗓️ Salsa Class Schedule:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
7:00–8:00 PM: Beginners
8:00–9:00 PM: Advanced
9:00–10:00 PM: Cuban rhythm fundamentals (Rueda de Casino) - For information contact their salsa teacher Xanthe: +52 999 217 1198
🎉 Free Salsa Class every Thursday at 9:00 PM
💰 Paid classes from $100 MXN – monthly packages available
Note: Classes are weather dependent.
🍽 Mercado 60 is a lively culinary and cultural hotspot in Mérida, a great spot for those looking to enjoy a night out. With a tempting selection of restaurants like The Burger House, Taco Grill, Lego Pizza, Mexa: Cocina de Maíz, Holy Guacamole, and Pastas Mona, and three full bars with a fun mixology as well as beer and wine. There’s a flavor for every craving. But it’s more than just great food — it’s the atmosphere that makes it unforgettable. Mercado 60 has been a favorite among locals and tourists since it’s opening! It’s family friendly and you have music and the magic of dancing salsa under the stars with a drink in hand. It’s become a favorite spot for those looking to share a special evening full of sabor, ritmo, and connection.
🌟 Since opening in 2016, Mercado 60 has become one of Mérida’s top destinations, attracting over 25,000 people each month. It’s more than a food hall—it’s a cultural hub where you can eat, drink, dance, and connect under the stars.
📲 Follow @mercado60 for weekly music and salsa schedule
El Cuarto de Tula
📍 Calle 50 x 45, Centro, Mérida, Yucatán
🕕 Live Cuban music Thursday to Sunday from 6:00 PM
🎉 Ladies’ Day Wednesdays – 50% off cocktails from 12–6 PM
📞 Reservations: 999 531 2834
📲 Follow @elcuartodetula461 on Instagram for events and updates
Step into a little piece of Havana in Mérida at El Cuarto de Tula, a vibrant Cuban cantina named after the legendary Cuban song. With its colorful decor, booming Cuban rhythms, and an impressive rum selection, this spot is a full-on fiesta from the moment you walk in.
🎵 What to expect:
- Live salsa and Cuban son every Thursday through Sunday
- A band that brings the heat—and waiters who join in the dancing!
- A fun, high-energy atmosphere that blends music, food, and culture
- Over 52 types of rum, making it Mérida’s ultimate Casa de Ron
🌴 Whether you’re on the dance floor or sipping cocktails from your table, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight to Old Havana.
🍽 Menu highlights:
Classic Cuban dishes like ropa vieja, moros y cristianos, Cuban sandwiches, and tostones with garlic mojo, plus signature Cuban cocktails like mojitos, daiquiris, and their house favorite, El Cuarto de Tula cocktail.
💃 Looking for a place to hear live salsa, drink incredible rum, and feel the Latin vibe? This is it.
Social media: @elcuartodetula461
Like Mérida – Salsa Nightclub Experience
📍 Multiple locations across Mérida – including Terranorte, Altabrisa, and inside Estadio Kukulcán (home of Los Leones)
🕚 7pm-3am but INSIDER TIP: The party doesn’t really get going until after 11:00 PM
🎶 Live salsa orchestras, Latin beats, reggaeton, and more
🌐 Reserve a table: likebar.com.mx
If you’re ready to dance until the early hours, Like Mérida is the place to be. With four locations across the city, this high-energy nightclub is dedicated to Latin rhythms, salsa dancing, and late-night partying. It’s where locals and visitors go when they want a full salsa club experience—complete with live music, packed dance floors, and drinks flowing all night.
💃 What to expect:
- Live salsa bands and orchestras on select nights
- A mix of salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, and Latin pop
- Spacious dance floors and lively, stylish crowds
- Table service and bottle packages for groups
- A nightclub setting made for dancing, flirting, and celebrating
📍 Our favorite location: Terranorte – Here, you get the full salsa nightclub experience with a dedicated stage for live bands, a high-energy crowd, and plenty of room to dance the night away.
🎉 Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a bachelorette, or just want to move to live Latin beats—Like Mérida hits the mark.
📲 For music schedules and table reservations, visit likebar.com.mx or follow them on Instagram @likebar_oficial
Best Salsa Classes in Mérida 🕺💃
Learn the steps, meet the community, and build confidence.
1. Salsa at Mercado 60 with Xanthe Vargas
📍 Mercado 60 – Calle 60 x 53 y 51, Centro, Mérida
🕖 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday – 7 PM to 10 PM
🎉 Free salsa class every Thursday at 9:00 PM
💰 Paid classes from $100 MXN – packages available
Contact the teacher: +529992171198
Dance under the stars with Xanthe Vargas, a respected instructor bringing Cuban rhythms to this popular open-air venue. From beginner to rueda de casino, classes happen almost daily (weather permitting). Don’t miss the free Thursday night class open to all.
2. Ashé Mamá Bailes Cubanos
📍 Calle 40 between 29 and 31, Col. Jesús Carranza, Mérida, Yucatán
📞 938 134 1695
🕖 Opens at 7:00 PM
A beloved Cuban dance academy with a spacious dance floor and warm, experienced instructors. Classes are lively and structured, and students rave about the good vibes and welcoming environment.
Social media: @bailescubanosashémamá
3. Bailemos Salsa en Mérida
📍 Located in Plaza Versalles – Av. Reforma 400, Centro, Mérida, Yucatán
📞 999 145 9308
🌐 bailemossalsaenmerida.com
🕡 Open from 6:30 PM
One of the most recommended salsa academies in town, offering Cuban salsa classes in a fun, inclusive atmosphere. Perfect for expats, locals, and anyone wanting to move their body and meet new people.
🎵 What else to expect:
- Salsa orchestras, Cuban son, and Latin fusion bands
- Cultural shows and folkloric dance performances
- Two live stages and a packed weekly music calendar
- Open dance floor and energetic, welcoming crowd
🎟 What to Expect at a Salsa Night in Mérida
Whether you’re at a dance academy’s noche social or a busy cantina with a live band, Mérida salsa nights are friendly, fun, and wildly inclusive.
- You don’t need a partner—just a smile and an open mind.
- The crowd is a mix of locals, expats, and travelers.
- Dancing starts late (9:30–10pm is early).
- No one cares if you’re perfect—just move.
Wear light clothing (it gets sweaty fast), comfy shoes you can spin in, and don’t forget cash for cover or drinks. Most importantly, say yes to the dance when someone invites you. That’s part of the joy.
🪩 Bonus: Other Latin Dance Styles in Mérida
Salsa may be the queen of the dance floor, but Mérida’s also home to:
- Bachata nights
- Kizomba workshops
- Cumbia and Caribbean fusion events
