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The cha-cha-cha (in Spanish cha-cha-chá) is a Latin American dance. In ballroom dancing, it is increasingly popular to call the dance cha-cha.

The dance teacher Pierre Lavelle from the United Kingdom, a founder of the Latin American Faculty of the ISTD, visited Cuba in 1952 to discover mambo (some say, rumba) danced with the triple step in place of the slow one. He brought this dance idea to Europe and eventually created what is known now as ballroom Cha-cha-cha.

There are three flavors of Cha-cha-cha dance, differing by the place of the chachacha chasse with respect to the musical bar. Ballroom Cha-cha and street Cha-cha-cha in Cuba count "two-three-chachacha". Country/western Cha-cha-cha and Latin street Cha-cha-cha in many places other than Cuba count "one-two-chachacha" or "chachacha-three-four".

Guajira , a product of triple Mambo via Danzon predates all the " social " versions .The Guajira rhythm, is still used as the basis for most Cubans and Puerto Ricans who are of the belief, that the other versions were " anglicised " , to suit the American market. As is usual with the more authentic forms of dance, a very limited variety of steps, is used. It can still be seen danced in many South Florida night clubs.^{[citation needed]}

Cha Cha is either danced to authentic Latin music, or more contemporary Latin Pop or Latin Rock. The music for the ballroom Cha-cha-cha is energetic and with a steady beat. The "Latin" cha-cha-cha is slower, more sensual and may involve complicated rhythms. "Cowboy" Cha-Cha-Cha is danced basically to any "four to the floor" music; in addition there are a number of C/W novelty dances with the names that include "cha-cha-cha".

Footwork: Steps in all directions should be taken first with the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, and then with the heel lowering when the weight is fully transferred. When weight is released from a foot, the heel should release first, allowing the toe to maintain contact with the floor.

Hip movement: In American Rhythm style, Latin Hip movement is achieved through the alternate bending and straightening action of the knees. In International Latin style, the weighted leg should be straight. The free leg will bend, allowing the hips to naturally settle into the direction of the weighted leg. As a step is taken, a free leg will straighten the instant before it receives weight. It should then remain straight until it is completely free of weight again.

• Basic Movement

• New York
• Spot Turns & Switch Turns Left and Right
• Shoulder to Shoulder
• Hand to Hand
• Three Cha Chas Forward
• Side Steps
• There and Back
• Time Steps
• Compact Chasse
• Alternative Compact Chasse

• Fan
• Alemana
• Hockey Stick
• Natural Top
• Natural Opening Out Movement
• Closed Hip Twist

• Open Hip Twist
• Reverse Top
• Opening Out from Reverse Top
• Aida
• Spiral Turns
• Cross Basic
• Cuban Breaks
• Chase
• Ronde Chasse
• Twist Chasse
• Slip Chasse

• Advanced Hip Twist
• Hip Twist Spiral
• Turkish Towel
• Sweetheart
• Follow My Leader
• Foot Changes
• Runaway Chasse

• USDBA.org - International Latin Syllabus
• - Description of latin dances and some of the steps