Learn Salsa, Cuban Salsa (Casino), Rueda de Casino and Son Cubano in downtown Ottawa. Beginner through intermediate classes, private lessons and social dancing.
From your very first salsa steps to Cuban Son, Rueda, Bachata and UrbanKiz — September is packed with opportunities to learn, grow and dance at Pure Havana.
Whether you’re stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or ready to take your dancing to the next level, there’s a class waiting for you at Pure Havana.
Founder of Pure Havana | Salsa Instructor & Social Dance Host
With over 22 years of experience lighting up the dance floor, Joaquin Pineda is more than just a salsa instructor—he’s a movement mentor, community builder, and the heart behind Pure Havana. Known for his dynamic teaching style and deep-rooted passion for Cuban rhythms, Joaquin has helped thousands of students unlock their inner dancer—regardless of age or experience.
At Pure Havana, Joaquin creates a warm, inclusive space where beginners gain confidence, experienced dancers refine their skills, and everyone comes together to celebrate the joy of Latin dance. Whether you’re learning your first basic step or diving into the heart-pounding energy of a salsa social, Joaquin makes every moment unforgettable.
Join him for a class, stay for the vibrant socials, and become part of the Pure Havana family—where every night feels like a Havana street party.
Contact: joaquin.purehavana@gmail.com
MONICA F.
Director of Operations at Pure Havana | Salsa Instructor
Monica brings the perfect balance of rhythm and organization to Pure Havana. As Director of Operations, she ensures the studio runs smoothly and efficiently, overseeing day-to-day logistics and handling all rental space inquiries with care and precision.
But Monica doesn’t just manage the studio—she also lights up the dance floor as a talented salsa instructor. Her passion for Cuban dance and her welcoming teaching style make her classes a favorite among students of all levels.
From scheduling your next event to guiding your first salsa steps, Monica is dedicated to making your Pure Havana experience unforgettable.
Check out our class schedule and book your spot today! Experience the energy of Pure Havana. Learn from expert instructors and meet fellow dance enthusiasts.
Beautiful space, large dance floor. The instructors are truly remarkable. No stress, enjoyable lessons. Good variety of lessons and times to accommodate everyone’s tastes and schedules.
Marc P.
★★★★★
Amazing, big and beautiful place to take lessons and dance in central Ottawa! Joaquin and Monica offer different styles of salsa, rueda and son; with such attention to detail in a welcoming and positive way – love them and this place!
Catherine G.
★★★★★
This is a beautiful space for daytime and evening parties with a large dance floor and a welcoming vibe. They also provide quality dance instruction at reasonable prices. Located perfectly in the heart of Elgin Street. Love this place
Paul
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My wife and I love salsa dancing, but we've taken lessons before that haven't gone so well. Admittedly, we're not the easiest students! But Joaquin's instruction was so fun, light-hearted and easy to understand, that for the first time ever we made some actual progress. My wife was laughing and having so much fun. Dancing shouldn't be a stressful experience, and Joaquin made sure stress was the furthest thing from our mind. Monique and I both highly recommend Pure Havana Dance Studio and we're already looking forward to our second lesson.
Mike Caldwell
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Pure Havana is the best Latin dance school I’ve been to in Ottawa. Not only do they have a beautiful studio and a large selection of dance styles, but the teachers are very skilled. Their love of dance is inspiring and incredibly fun!
Kelly K
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Joaquin is a great teacher who genuinely cares about his students and goes the extra mile to help them learn salsa dance, something that was completely new to me. I have so much fun going to class, meeting new people, and learning a skill I never thought was possible.
Laura Leonard
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Great studio! Joaquín is a thoughtful instructor who brings so much positive energy and encouragement to every class. Highly recommend if you’ve been wanting to learn Latin dancing. You’ll feel welcomed right away!
Elnaz Shadabi
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Joaquin is an experienced and committed Latin dance teacher. He creates a welcoming and supportive learning environment for new and seasoned dancers. I highly recommend his classes and workshops.
Roger Corpas
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I’ve been training at Pure Havana for about one year now. The private Salsa classes with Joaquin are really great and serve as a perfect complement to the group classes. Good location for those centrally located in Ottawa. Great vibe and community. Have to keep going and improve my skills here.
Hardeep Gill
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I've been going to salsa classes weekly for just over 6 months now and I already feel way more confident. Joaquin does an excellent job making sure each class pushes you to learn more, but not so fast that you fall behind. I still have a bit more to learn before I'll feel comfortable dancing at a social but it's so rewarding being able to see my own progress, I know I'll be ready soon. Highly recommend this studio!
Bryden Arndt
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Pure Havana is the best place to learn salsa. Learning salsa with Joaquin has been a highlight in my life. His patience, consistency, and genuine enthusiasm for helping students grow make each class unforgettable. He doesn’t just teach steps, he teaches confidence, musicality, rhythm, and joy. If you’re looking for an instructor who cares about your progress and celebrates your wins with you, Joaquin is someone you’ll be grateful to learn from. I 100% recommend Pure Havana and Joaquin to anyone who wants to grow, feel inspired, and fall in love with dancing!
Jennifer Badiel
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great space with attentive and skilled instructors!
