Latin dance is a generic label and slang term for partnered dance competitions. It refers to the types of ballroom dancing and folk dancing that (with a few exceptions such as the United States) originated in Latin America. The Latin American dance category in international dancesport competitions consists of cha cha cha, rumba, samba, paso doble, as well as American origin jive.

Social Latin dances (Street Latin) include salsa, mambo, merengue, rumba, bachata, bomba, and captivity. There are many dances that were popular in the first half of the 20th century but are now only of historical interest. The Cuban danzón is a good example.

Perreo is a Puerto Rican dance related to reggaeton music with Jamaican and Caribbean influences. Argentine folk dances are chacarera, escondido and zamba, and tango was a popular dance until the middle of the 20th century. Cueca is a Chilean folk dance. Uruguayan folk dances are perikon, polka, ranchera, etc., as well as candombe – a common street and ceremonial dance in cities. Typical Bolivian folk dances are the morenada, kullavada, caporales and the newly created tinku. In Colombia, one of the typical dances is the cumbia.