Looking for a Colombian folk dance show in Medellin? Joyas Colombianas is a dinner show held on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. at the Hotel Marriott Medellín in El Poblado. You enjoy a three-course dinner while dancers bring Colombia's regions to the stage, from Caribbean mapalé to Cali salsa.
You don't need a week in Colombia to feel its rhythm... you need one Saturday night. This guide explains what a dinner show is, which dances you'll see and where each one comes from, so you know exactly what you're clapping along to.
What is a dinner show?
A dinner show is an evening where dinner and a live performance happen in the same room. You sit at your table, the food is served, and the show is the center of the night. In Spanish it's called a "cena show".
At Joyas Colombianas, your ticket includes:
- A three-course dinner: starter, main course and dessert.
- One glass of wine or one local beer with the classic, vegetarian or tapas-style menu.
- The full folk dance show.
Kids ages 3 to 10 have their own menu. Each person picks a menu when buying the ticket online.
Which Colombian dances will you see?
Colombia's folklore changes from region to region. Indigenous, African and European roots mixed differently on the Caribbean coast, in the Andes and on the Pacific, and each region kept its own rhythm, instruments and costumes. Here's a short guide to the four dances you'll see on stage at Joyas: mapalé, sanjuanero, the Barranquilla Carnival with its marimonda, and Cali salsa.
| Dance | Region | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Mapalé | Caribbean coast | Fast drums, short quick steps, full-body energy |
| Sanjuanero | Huila, in the southern Andes | Its own steps and figures, set to a famous tune |
| Barranquilla Carnival | Caribbean coast | Elaborate costumes and the marimonda mask |
| Salsa caleña | Cali, in the southwest | A faster tempo than classic salsa |
Mapalé, the heartbeat of the Caribbean
Mapalé is an Afro-Colombian dance from the Caribbean region, driven by drums and intense body movement. Its roots go back to the enslaved Africans brought to the Caribbean coast. One popular story says the name comes from a fish that leaped on the docks when fishermen pulled it from the water; another links it to a drum of the same name. Either way, you'll feel it in your chest.
Sanjuanero, the pride of Huila
The sanjuanero comes from Huila, in southern Colombia. Its music was written in 1936 by Anselmo Durán Plazas, and its traditional choreography was created by folklorist Inés García de Durán. It's the anthem of the Festival Folclórico y Reinado Nacional del Bambuco in Neiva, held during the June festivities of Saint John and Saint Peter.
The Barranquilla Carnival and the marimonda
The Barranquilla Carnival was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003. Its most famous character is the marimonda: a mask with huge ears, bulging eyes and a long trunk-like nose. Traditionally it pokes fun at the city's elite. As we like to say: no need to wait for Carnival to see costumes this bright, in all the colors of Colombia.
Salsa from Cali
Cali lives and breathes salsa. Every year the Feria de Cali, from December 25 to 30, opens with the Salsódromo parade, and local dancers are known for taking the classic partner dance to a faster tempo.
Two more Colombian rhythms to know
Two more rhythms you'll hear about on almost any trip through Colombia:
Cumbia, born by the river
Cumbia was born on the Caribbean coast, along the river towns of the Mompox Depression and the Montes de María hills. It blends African drums such as the tambora and the llamador, Indigenous gaita flutes and European influences in its songs, its dress and its dancing in couples.
Music and dance of the Pacific coast
On Colombia's South Pacific coast, music is played on the marimba, a palm-wood xylophone with bamboo resonators, together with drums and chanted songs. In 2015 UNESCO added this marimba music, with its chants and dances, to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. One of its traditional dances is the currulao.
What to wear to a dinner show?
Most dinner shows ask for smart, elegant clothing rather than formal wear. Think dress trousers or dark jeans with a shirt, or a dress or a nice top. Comfortable shoes help, since you'll be seated for dinner and the show, and a light layer is useful for air-conditioned rooms. Always check the show's dress code before you go.
How long is a dinner show?
There's no standard length. It depends on the show and on how many courses are served, so check the start and end time before you plan the rest of your night.
Things to do in Medellin at night
Medellin's nightlife is spread across a few areas. In El Poblado, Provenza is full of restaurants and bars, and the area around Parque Lleras is where many people start a night of dancing. Laureles, along La 70, feels more local, with salsa bars and live music. Downtown has bohemian bars with live bands and independent theaters.
A good Saturday plan: dinner and the show at 8:00 p.m., then a drink in El Poblado if you still have energy. For more ideas, read our Spanish guide to planes en Medellín de noche.
Is a dinner show a good date night in Medellin?
Yes, and here's why. Dinner, a toast and a live show all happen in one place, so there's no planning where to go next and always something to talk about. Whether it's a first date or an anniversary, it gives you a story to share.
Traveling with a group or planning an event? We also do private shows: see private dinner shows in Bogotá and private shows for companies and celebrations.