What is Bachata? Origin, history, styles
Bachata is music and a partner dance from the Dominican Republic. Here you learn where it comes from, how it developed and which styles exist.
What is Bachata?
Bachata is both a style of music and a partner dance from the Dominican Republic. The music is carried by guitars, the dance is done in pairs and at its core is a simple basic step with four counts. Today Bachata is danced in many countries, including Germany, where there are classes, parties and festivals.
This page gives an overview: where Bachata comes from, how the music and the dance developed, which styles exist and how you get started as a beginner. For each point we link you to the detailed guides.
Where does Bachata come from?
According to Wikipedia, the dance was created in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s. The music began as romantic guitar music in the tradition of the bolero and was at first less dance music. Later it took on elements of merengue, the tempo rose and Bachata was increasingly played for dancing.
In the 1970s and 1980s Bachata was regarded as music of the lower classes and hardly played on the radio. Around 1990 that changed, above all through Juan Luis Guerra, who won a Grammy in 1992 with “Bachata Rosa”. In 2019 UNESCO added “Music and dance of Dominican Bachata” to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. More on the music is in the guide Bachata music.
The beginnings: a word for “party” and the first recording
Before “bachata” named a style of music, the word usually stood for a party or an informal gathering, according to Salsa Vida. Songs by José Manuel Calderón from 1962 are regarded as the first Bachata recordings. The music grew up in the countryside and in the shantytowns of Santo Domingo and was strongly shaped by bolero and son, later also by merengue.
The radio station Radio Guarachita, run by Radhamés Aracena, played this music almost exclusively and, according to The Conversation and Salsa Vida, contributed decisively to its spread.
Stigma and “música de amargue”
Bachata was long the music of poor, rural migrants. The urban middle and upper class looked down on it and, according to The Conversation, it was associated with brothels and lower-class life. Merengue had a much higher standing in Dominican culture.
In the mid-1980s the artists Luis Segura and Leonardo Paniagua coined the term “música de amargue”, music of romantic bitterness. It describes the often wistful lyrics full of heartbreak and became a lasting feeling of Bachata, similar to the blues.
A short timeline of Bachata
- 1962: first recordings regarded as Bachata (José Manuel Calderón).
- 1960s: Radio Guarachita brings the guitar music to a wider audience.
- Mid-1980s: the term “música de amargue” is coined.
- 1990: Juan Luis Guerra’s album “Bachata Rosa” makes the music more romantic and brings it to an international audience. The Grammy follows in 1992.
- 2002: Aventura from the Bronx have an international hit with “Obsesión”, in 2004 the song is number 1 in the German charts.
- 2000s: teachers outside the Dominican Republic develop Bachata Moderna and Bachata Sensual.
- 2019: UNESCO adds the music and dance of Dominican Bachata to the list of intangible cultural heritage.
How the dance developed
According to Salsa Vida, the dance grew socially at parties, in bars and at family celebrations, not in the dance studio. It drew mostly on the couple dancing of the bolero. At Salsa festivals and congresses in the 1990s and 2000s Bachata was often treated like merengue or cumbia, as a social dance alongside the main programme.
When teachers outside the Dominican Republic began to teach Bachata systematically, turns and partner work from Salsa were added: Bachata Moderna. In Spain Korke and Judith developed Bachata Sensual in Cádiz, with body waves, isolations and a softer look which, according to Salsa Vida, is partly influenced by zouk. Since the early 2010s there have been Bachata categories at major dance competitions.
What does the dance look like?
According to Wikipedia, the original dance was done in closed position, similar to the bolero, often in a close embrace. The basic step moves within a small square. Today people often dance to faster music, with more footwork, simple turns and a change between closed and open position.
The basic step consists of three steps in one direction and a tap on count four, then you go back in the other direction. Exactly how that looks is on the page Bachata basic step.
The styles of Bachata
- Bachata Dominicana: the original style from the Dominican Republic with lively footwork. See Bachata Dominicana.
- Bachata Moderna: according to Wikipedia developed especially in New York by the diaspora and by salsa dancers, with more turns and figures. See Bachata Moderna.
- Bachata Sensual: created in Spain, associated with Korke Escalona and Judith Cordero, with a close connection and soft body movement. See Bachata Sensual.
Which style suits you depends on taste. Beginners usually learn the basic step first and decide later which style to deepen.
Bachata in Germany
In Germany Bachata became known through songs such as “Obsesión” by Aventura, which reached number 1 in the Media Control singles chart in September 2004. Meanwhile there are classes, regular parties and festivals in many cities. You will find dates under Bachata socials and Bachata festivals.
Bachata and Salsa: what is the difference?
Both dances come from the Caribbean, but have different roots, music and steps. Bachata is a four-count rhythm with guitar, Salsa lives on percussion and brass. All differences at a glance are in the guide Salsa and Bachata, the basics of Salsa on the page Dancing Salsa.
Learning Bachata: how to start
- Practise the basic step: it is easy and the base for everything. See Bachata basic step.
- Find a class: see Bachata class near you and Bachata for beginners.
- Go to a party: you learn dancing by dancing. Tips on Bachata party.
A complete introduction is in the guide Learn to dance Bachata.
Finding schools in your city
Schools with links to their websites are listed for Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. The lists are alphabetical and not a rating. If you want to learn Bachata in your own city, you will find the schools there. The official ranking is published on December 20, 2026 on the ranking page, and the method is on the homepage. An overview of all cities is on All cities and schools.
Do you run a school? Apply for free by November 30.
More on Latin Dance Awards
All cities, styles and festivals at a glance. The full method is on the homepage, and schools can enter on the application page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bachata?
Bachata is a style of music and a partner dance from the Dominican Republic. The music is carried by guitars and the basic step has four counts.
Where does Bachata come from?
From the Dominican Republic. According to Wikipedia the dance was created in the 1960s.
What does the word Bachata mean?
Originally it usually meant a party or an informal gathering. Later it became the name of the style of music.
When did Bachata begin?
Songs from 1962 are regarded as the first Bachata recordings. The dance developed in the following decades at parties and in family circles.
Who made Bachata known internationally?
Juan Luis Guerra with “Bachata Rosa” (1990) and later Aventura with “Obsesión”, plus Romeo Santos as a solo artist.
Which Bachata styles are there?
The three best known are Dominicana, Moderna and Sensual. There are also fusion forms.
Is Bachata hard to learn?
The basic step is easy. How fast you progress depends on your practice. A beginner class is a good start.
What is the difference between Bachata and Salsa?
Different roots, different music, different basic step. Details in the guide Salsa and Bachata.
When is the ranking of Bachata schools published?
On December 20, 2026 at 7 pm (CET) on the ranking page.