Rumba is the most sensual of the Latin American dances. It is a dance of seduction, set to slow Cuban Son, and similar in basic construction to the Cha cha cha.

I often refer to Rumba as "Cha cha without the Cha cha". If you remove two particular steps from many Cha cha figures (including the basic) what you have left is the same figure as danced in Rumba. To take advantage of this similarity we like to teach Rumba alongside Cha cha.

Rumba music is a more subtle interpretation of Cuban Son than is the music for Cha cha. This subtlety, the slower pace of the music, and the requirement to dance fewer steps, combine to create a timing challenge for the beginner. However, as you become familiar with the structure of this music you simultaneously develop the ability to dance in time to Cha cha, Rumba, and Salsa, the latter also being danced to Cuban Son.