Cali

Colombia's third-largest city is the undisputed capital of salsa dance, with over 200 salsa schools and a world salsa festival each September that draws 200,000 visitors. Cali's salsa circuit -- the salsotecas of Juanchito and Parque El Penon -- represents a living cultural tradition dating to 1950s Cuban musicians fleeing to Colombia. Compared to Barranquilla, Cali's salsa schools offer 50% more weekly classes, and the festival attracts 3 times the average attendance of comparable events worldwide.