Music & Dance

One of the most breathtaking demonstrations of the heritage Puerto Ricans carry is the bomba, an Afro-Caribbean rhythm played by two or more drums guided by the dancer's feet. It is best described as a dialogue between a dancer and a drummer where the dancer approaches the musicians with steps called piquetes that shape a rhythmic discourse. The dance and song can go on for as long as the dancer continues to move.

Even though plena is often associated with Christmas time and parrandas, this genre is heard throughout the Island year-round. The plena's beat is played in a 2/4 time with differently sized and tuned hand-held drums called panderos. The narrative of the songs details the struggles and burdens of the coastal regions of Puerto Rico.

Unlike the bomba, the steps become secondary to the lyrics and melody in the plena. And, although you can dance solo, plena is usually choreographed in pairs to a more blistering pace than bomba, with couples facing each other.

This genre, which literally translates as “sauce,” originated in the Puerto Rican and Cuban community in New York and is a fusion of different rhythms and dances from across the Caribbean. The music can be played fast or mellow, with bands and orchestras combined in a tight ensemble.

Salsa dancing incorporates fast footwork, turns, and hip-swaying over an eight-count time. Places with an active nightlife, like La Placita de Santurce or Calle Loíza, have many hot spots where you can dance to this contagious rhythm every night.

Influenced by hip-hop, Latin American, and Caribbean music, this style originated in the clubs of San Juan in the late 1990s and quickly went global. Its heavy percussive beat, marked by the bass, is called dembow, and the commonly rapped lyrics have a hook repeated throughout the song.

The dance associated with this “underground” or urban movement is called perreo, and its sensual moves center on grinding with a partner facing the back of the other. With many artists like Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel, and Nicky Jam, the driving bass that marks the beat will have you swinging your hips and losing yourself to the music.

With a lot of European influence, the décima, also known as trova, is a traditional Holiday music in Puerto Rico. This style is accompanied by a cuatro, güiro, and guitar and dates to the 17th century. Known to be the music from the countryside, the singers are called trovadores, and the lyrics are often compared to poetry, given the particular rules of composition.

This genre is divided into different styles, such as aguinaldos, seis, chorreaos, or bombeao, and danza. The choreography does not have a name, but it is danced in pairs where the men and women would separate into lines, facing and crossing each other several times.

Serving a vibrant fusion of European traditions and Boricua essence, Puerto Rico’s classical music is one of the Island’s best-kept secrets. The genre has its roots in 16th-century liturgical chants, which later developed into a sophisticated secular movement in the 19th century, led by composers such as Juan Morel Campos. The local scene became much more international during the 20th century thanks to the work of several composers, as well as the legendary cellist Pablo Casals, founder of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the Conservatory of Music, and the prestigious Festival Casals.

Today, classical music continues to thrive through world-class institutions and a new generation of avant-garde composers who continue to blend international techniques with Caribbean influences. From grand orchestral performances to intimate chamber concerts, the Island’s classical music remains a cornerstone of its cultural heritage, celebrating a unique history that is quintessentially Puerto Rican.

Latin jazz is a vibrant fusion of Caribbean and Latin American rhythms with traditional jazz. Shaped in early 20th-century New York by Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Latin American musicians, the genre blends classic jazz with instruments like timbales, congas, and güiros. Its lasting influence was recognized in 2024, when Puerto Rican musician Miguel Zenón won a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.

From popular jazz clubs like Café Carli Concierto and C Note Jazz Club, to renowned festivals and events such as the Jazz Fest and Puerto Rico Jazz Jam, the Island offers many experiences where you can tap your feet and swing.