What to Pack for Your Salsa Congress

You made the jump and are finally attending your first Salsa Congress. As excited as you are, the question is: What do you bring?  

As eager as you may be, packing for these events can require some planning. You want to look your best on the dance floor, be comfortable when there’s downtime, avoid outfit mishaps, and more.

There are two categories of essentials that take precedence, and the first one is clothing. A huge oversight is the appropriate number of undergarments and accessories. It’s common for attendees to forget enough socks, underwear, or belts, for instance. Plan for these smaller details ahead of time, because while many Congresses take place in populated cities, certain events may not be anywhere near a simple mall.  

In terms of outfits, a helpful rule of thumb is a minimum of two outfits per day attended. This ensures having an outfit for workshops and another for nighttime social dancing. Workshop attire should be comfortable and athletic (leggings, athletic crop tops, sport bras, dry-fit shirts, or your favorite dance school shirt). Extra athletic tops are highly recommended, since some workshops are high-energy and can cause a lot of sweating. A change of shirt will keep you fresh, leaving both you and your fellow attendees happy. 

Evening attire should be in accordance with the theme and feel of the event. While dressing up for event themes is not a requirement, participating does help promote camaraderie and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the event. A perfect example of this was seen at Tri-State Dance Fest with Sunday’s all-white theme. As with workshops, extra tops for social dancing can be essential to remaining fresh all night or avoiding wardrobe malfunctions. 

You cannot dance without your dance shoes (obviously). But after deciding on clothing, it is just as important to bring a variety of footwear. Heels after four hours of classes can cause great discomfort. Since dancing in sports sneakers is not a great idea, it is important to bring footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for the class in question. For instance, if you are taking a heels class, wearing heels would reap the maximum benefits. However, for other workshops, a pair of dance flats or dance sneakers from Fuego would give your feet a break.

Next up…what to assemble in your toiletry bag. This aspect is just as important as clothing so you can stay fresh. Let’s not forget that Bachata, Salsa, Kizomba, and Hustle are all partnered dances that involve a lot of contact and interaction. Since some events have weak air conditioning or are held outdoors, getting sweaty can be unavoidable sometimes. This is why it’s important for your toiletry bag to contain deodorant, wipes, towels, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, and face wash. While hotels usually have soap and body wash, it’s wise to bring your own just in case. Light body spray, perfume, or cologne are also great ideas. 

Beyond these essentials, there are other items you may find helpful. First is a water bottle, because hydration is extremely important. The weekend will be action-packed and it would be very easy to feel drained, so hydrating is crucial to feeling healthy.  Many events have water stations, but cups can sometimes be difficult to find. Carrying your own water bottle eliminates this potential issue.

Snacks are also high on the list. You may be running from one workshop to the next, so until you have a break for a proper meal, bring some packable snacks like protein bars, fruit, trail mix, or other light bites that are easy to carry. It will give you fuel and keep you energized for the day without taking time away from all the action.

Next are your electronics. Make sure you have your chargers for your phone, watch, headphones, or any other products you enjoy carrying with you, especially if you like recording workshops or performances. Some people like to pack a bluetooth speaker so they can play music in their hotel room while they get ready. 

A makeup bag is also important for some. If you’re getting decked out for the day’s events, make sure you bring the essentials like primer, foundation, eyeliner, lipstick, lip liner, etc. And at the end of a long night out, no one wants to spend extra time washing off hard-to-remove products, so makeup wipes will make your life much easier. Fashion tape is also a wise addition in case you’re wearing clothing that’s prone to shifting.

There’s one more important thing to bring that won’t take up any space in your weekend bag: an open mind! Over the course of a Congress weekend, you’re going to meet people of all different backgrounds, ages, walks of life, experiences—and that can be a truly incredible thing. To make the most of it and even form new friendships from all over the globe, a receptive outlook can truly enrich your journey and take it to the next level, leaving you with priceless memories and new connections.

If you prepare for your first Congress using these tips, then by the end, the question will no longer be, “What should I bring?” Instead, it’ll become: “When’s the next one?”

Is there anything we left off the packing list? What are the must-haves in your travel bag during a Congress weekend?