Workshops & Classes in South America: 15 Picked and Priced

1.Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,071 reviews · 1 hour · from $25Our pick

Spend one lively hour learning samba at Samba Fit in Ipanema with Carla, Ranaa, or Gaby, instructors who have performed with major samba schools. You will practice basic steps, rhythm, and body movement in a small group, then try carnival costumes for photos. English and Portuguese instruction is available.

“Gaby was an incredible instructor and really brought the positive energy to this samba class! I would highly recommend and can’t wait to come back!”

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2.Samba Class in Copacabana

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 262 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Spend one hour learning basic Brazilian samba in Copacabana with an English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking instructor. Teachers such as Marco, Thiago, Mauricio, Bruno, and Helio keep the class friendly and beginner-focused. You will practice samba no pé, meet dancers from around the world, and may finish with group dancing or carnival-style photos.

“The teacher was great, but there was too many of us in a small space. Didn't learn as much as I hoped.”

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3.Private Tango Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 244 reviews · 1 hour · from $39

Learn the embrace, tango walk, basic step, ocho, and simple combinations in a private 60-minute lesson with an English- or Spanish-speaking instructor. Teachers such as Martin, Joshua, Gabriela, Luciano, and Beatriz work with complete beginners, couples, families, and private groups. Your studio may be in Palermo, downtown, or another available neighborhood.

“Great basic tango lesson. We had so much fun! Highly recommended”

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4.Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 211 reviews · 6 hours · from $20

Join Beyond Colombia for a six-hour Cartagena night out with local hosts, salsa or Champeta lessons, drinking games, free shots, live music, and entry to three or more bars and clubs. Meet at Viajero Hostel Cartagena or Masaya Cartagena, then walk through Getsemaní and the Old City with English- or Spanish-speaking guides such as Camila, Marbeluz, Hugo, or Jorge.

“This pub crawl was an absolute blast! The guides were super fun and kept the vibe upbeat, enjoying ourselves at every stop. What stood out most was how much they prioritized our safety. They made sure the entire group stayed together, and ensured we all made it to each destination. If you’re looking for a memorable night out with a team that knows how to party while keeping things safe. Highly recommend!”

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5.The First Class Machu Picchu Train by Inca Rail

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 182 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $855

Travel from Cusco toward Machu Picchu in Inca Rail’s First Class carriage, with an observatory car, three-course meals, drinks, live music, a certified citadel guide, and private bus service to the ruins. The package costs $855 per person and includes the entrance ticket, subject to availability.

“I am writing to tell you that this is the worst operation I have ever seen.”

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6.The Textile Workshop Experience in Cusco Region

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79Top rated

At Andean Colors in Racchi, learn the full textile process with Miguel, Paulita, Marco, and their team. Clean and spin wool, make natural dyes, weave a bracelet or bookmark, feed llamas and alpacas, shop for handmade goods, and share a traditional Andean lunch with mountain views.

“Loved this workshop! Very informative and interesting but also laid back. Highly recommend doing this while in the area.”

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7.Samba Class and Samba Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 115 reviews · 4 hours · from $63

Start with a one-hour beginner samba class led by an English-, Spanish-, or Portuguese-speaking instructor such as Marco or Bruno. Then travel with your guide to a samba club or Monday street party, where your ticket, transfer, fast-track entry, and three hours of guidance are included. No partner is needed.

“I just had to share this incredible experience we stumbled upon recently! So, my wife and I were on the hunt for something fun to do, and we came across this Samba class that promised not only dance lessons but also a taste of that electric nightclub atmosphere. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Our instructor, Elio (I hope I got the spelling right!), was an absolute gem. Not only was he exceptional at teaching us the dance moves with infectious enthusiasm, but he also went above and beyond to ensure we had a blast. What really touched me was how he looked out for our safety as…”

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8.Caipirinha Workshop and Samba Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 113 reviews · 2 hours · from $12Best value

Start at Pura Vida Hostel near Copacabana’s Posto 5 with a caipirinha lesson and two drinks, then join a one-hour samba class led by teachers such as Nati, Camilo, or Bruno. Finish with a Gabriela cachaça shot and, if you wish, continue to a samba event, boat party, or club.

“We loved this night! Thanks to Pietro, we discovered really cool places in Lapa and how to make a great caipirinha. I totally recommend the tour in case you are looking for a way to meet people and go out at night in Rio feeling safe!”

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9.Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 97 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $35

At Tango Porteño, steps from Buenos Aires’ Obelisk, you can take a beginner-friendly tango lesson, enjoy a three-course Argentine meal with wine, and watch a polished 90-minute stage show at 10 p.m. Professional dancers, live musicians, singers, gaucho-style drums, colorful costumes, and hotel transfers are available with selected options.

“The show and dinner were perfect. Wish I could dance. The only problem was pickup. We had paid for transportation and it turns out that the venue was across the street from the hotel. When no one showed up we walked 5min”

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10.Private Tango lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $39

Spend 60 private minutes learning Argentine tango with an instructor such as Martin, Joshua, Celeste, or Gabriela. Your studio is arranged near your Buenos Aires hotel, in areas such as Downtown or Palermo. Expect work on posture, embrace, walking, the basic step, ocho, musicality, and a short sequence suited to your level.

“Super approachable and fun class learning the basic steps of tango. Our teacher was delightful and made us feel at ease.”

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11.Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $420

Travel by private transport from Cusco to a family-run textile workshop near the Sacred Valley. With Ruth Pimentel, Nayda, Delia, and local master weavers, you’ll gather plants, dye baby-alpaca yarn, spin fibers, and use a backstrap loom to make a bracelet, bookmark, or headband. Lunch, drinks, and your dyed yarn are included.

“What an amazing experience with the Pimentel family! From beginning to end we really enjoyed the cultural tour and spending the day learning the traditional weaving practice.”

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12.World-class Wines, Visit to 4 Vineyards and Tanino

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 10 hours · from $149

Spend 10 hours exploring the Casablanca Valley with a small group and an English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. Visit Emiliana, Viñamar, Bodegas RE, and Casas del Bosque, with tastings, cellar tours, and time to enjoy Tanino restaurant. Guides such as Joao, Ignacio, John, and Sebastian are praised for their wine knowledge and warm service.

“Excellent day trip from Santiago! We visited 3 wineries with tastings, and ended the day at Casas del Bosque (separate purchase of lunch and wine here). Our guide John was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, I had a great experience!”

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13.Chocolate Workshop in Cusco with Premium Organic Cacao

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

At Cusco Chocolate Workshop, you’ll spend about 2.5 hours with instructors such as David, Abelardo, or Randy, learning to make pralines, mendiants, ganache, and hot chocolate from organic Chuncho cacao. Choose local jams, nuts, coconut, and dried fruit, then pack about 21 pralines and 10 mendiants in a personalized box.

“Such a fun activity and something a bit different to do, the chocolates we made were awesome and everyone was so friendly”

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14.Fun Graffiti Workshop: The Art of Aerosol and Color

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58

Meet at OCIO Gallery in Bogotá for a beginner-friendly graffiti workshop led by local artists such as Diego and Cali, known as TET. Learn spray-can control, invent a graffiti name, sketch it, then paint a colorful 3D throwup on a shared wall. The small group includes supplies, gallery access, and a cultural-house visit.

“I was very impressed both by the artist who led this workshop and by the gallery (OCIO) where it was hosted. The workshop started with a chance to explore the gallery, which is full of amazing prints by an array of Colombian artists. They also sell a line of printed clothing - really interesting work, and a chance to take home an exceptional souvenir. (If you don't take the workshop, you could still have a super visit to the gallery, which is close to the La Perseverancia Market and lots of eating options.) The grafitti workshop took place in a courtyard behind the building, with walls covered by experiments and…”

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15.Spanish Group Course in Buenos Aires, Argentina: 20 Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $275

Spend five days building practical Spanish skills at Expanish Buenos Aires. Classes begin at 9:30 am at Federico Lacroze 2315, with small groups of up to 12, first-day orientation, social activities, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and a certificate at the end.

“Spent a week at Expanish. Lovely group of students, great teacher made learning lots of fun. My confidence and Spanish definitely improved. Everything was very well organised and professional. Hope to do it again next year”

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