Salsa is a syncretic dance genre originated from Cuba, as the meeting point of European and African popular culture. It later spread to Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean islands. Salsa is essentially Cuban with deep Afro-Cuban beats, and additional musical influences from Son, Guaguancó, Rumba.

Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms called "shines", line dancing (suelta), and Rueda de Casino where groups of couples exchange partners in a circle. Salsa can be improvised or performed with a set routine. Salsa is popular throughout Latin America, and also in USA and Europe.