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Who’s behind Al Ritmo
Hey, I’m Selçuk
Founder of Al Ritmo Travels, and your host on every trip — from the moment you land to the last dance of the night. Always on the hunt for the most authentic socials.
How it started
It started with a WhatsApp from my bachata teacher
I was travelling through the Dominican Republic for the second time (once you’ve been, you have to go back) when Michelle, my bachata teacher in Holland, messaged me. A few of her students were planning a trip to the DR and she wanted hotel tips. That’s where the idea came from: if her students wanted this, other people did too — and I couldn’t think of anyone better placed to build it.
What was already out there bothered me. Most dance holidays are dance camps: hours of class every day, not much of the country. Which seems a waste, flying nine hours and barely getting past the dance floor. And if a dance camp is what you want, you don’t need to fly at all — stay closer to home and fly the best teachers in, which people do. Cheaper, and better for the environment.
So I offer something else. We dance every day, but in places that only exist there: Bonyé on a Sunday night, a proper salsateca in Cali, or a busy colmado in the afternoon. Those are the experiences I like best, and what you actually travel to these countries for. They’re also the hardest to find: you have to know when to be where, and you won’t work that out in a two-week holiday — either you never find out, or by the time you do you’re already in another town.
A bit about me
Why I’m the one building this
Part of it is selfish. Someone has to organise trips to the Caribbean to dance, lie in the sun and drink the occasional rum — a sacrifice I’m happy to make. And part of it is that I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to do it.
I’ve lived in ten countries — I’m comfortable anywhere and I find my way around fast.
I speak Spanish — I sort things out on the ground and lean on local friends I’ve known fifteen years.
I’ve grown a travel company — Charlie’s Travels in Kenya, from one person to twenty in six months.
I dance — so I know the scene, the people in it, and what they want from a trip.
My approach
This applies to every trip
Whichever trip you’re on, this is what you can expect.
Everyone is welcome
Any age, any level, or no dancing at all — what matters is energy and curiosity. Everyone gets introductory classes in the local dances, and if you want more you can book as many private lessons as you like.
Arranged by myself
Every trip is built by me, with local instructors, dancers and guides. Sometimes a local operator for a specific excursion, but never a ready-made package from someone else. And I come along to make sure it runs.
Dance where the locals dance
We go where people actually go: a street party like Bonyé, a classic salsateca, a busy colmado in the afternoon. The hard part is knowing when to be where — that’s what I’m there for.
Good, not perfect
Quality yes, luxury no. Clean hotels, good guides, food worth eating — but not five stars, because five stars doesn’t make the trip better. Same as dancing: I’d rather do it out on the street than in a fancy ballroom.
Small groups
Maximum twenty people. Arrive somewhere with a bigger group and you don’t join the party — you become it. Which is exactly what I want to avoid. Small also means you fit in one bus and leave knowing everyone’s name.
What drives me
Mission & vision
Mission
Take people to the source of their dance
Take people to the country their dance comes from. Not just to dance there, but to find out where it began and how the dance is lived there. All of that, while seeing the country itself too.
Vision
Wherever your dance is from
Salsa and bachata first. But ultimately I want to be the place you go for dance trips to the source of any dance. Because every dance comes from somewhere: tango from Argentina, samba from Brazil, kizomba from Angola. And all of it is worth discovering.
Come Dance
Join me on the first trip
Dates and prices for the Dominican Republic are nearly final. Interest-list members hear first — and get first pick of the spots.