About this course.

Nestled in the interior highlands at 5,000 feet above sea level, the Mexican colonial city of Oaxaca enjoys a pleasant, year-round climate. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world’s great walking cities, and you’ll be staying at Casa Murguía—an oasis in the heart of the historic center.

Supercharge your dance skills, whatever your current level, with six high-energy dance classes and nightly social dancing to live music. This immersive week is focused on dance—primarily salsa in its diverse forms: Salsa On1 (L.A. style), Salsa On2 (New York style), Cuban salsa, and the kaleidoscopic Rueda de Casino. Given the deep roots of Afro-Cuban traditions, the program also includes instruction in bachata, chachachá, and the foundational rumba.

All classes are taught by Oaxaca’s top instructors, and you’ll have the chance to dance the night away with skilled local dancers—who also happen to be incredibly warm and welcoming. This dynamic mix of local dance companions and fellow participants creates a vibrant and friendly social atmosphere. While speaking English isn’t a requirement for local dancers, most have some level of conversational fluency.

Oaxaca’s cultural richness extends far beyond dance. Daily excursions—personally curated by your host at Casa Murguía, Mary Jane Gagnier—are designed to immerse you in the region’s stunning diversity. As founder of the iconic art gallery La Mano Mágica (est. 1987), a nature and horse-riding guide, and creator of Salón Alcalá (the city’s premier social dance venue), Mary Jane brings unmatched expertise. Her curated highlights include: the best mole in the city, the world’s widest tree, the valleys’ rare ecosystems, renowned arts and crafts, ancient cobblestone streets, and vibrant local markets.

This is just a taste of what promises to be an unforgettable week of dance, culture, and connection in Oaxaca.