Malta Bachata Escape 2026: For the Love of Bachata
I have never written a review about a festival before, even though I have attended many over the past few years across Europe. However, this experience left me genuinely disappointed, and I feel it is important to share honest feedback.
I attended this bachata festival with a group of friends, and unfortunately, it was one of the worst dance festivals we have experienced in Europe.
The main issue was not the size of the venue itself, but the atmosphere and setup. The location was underground, cramped, and felt uncomfortable. It was not well suited for a festival environment. On top of that, there were not many people attending, which made the space feel even more awkward and empty rather than vibrant and energetic as a festival should be.
Secondly, the price was high compared to other festivals around Europe, especially considering what was actually offered. We regularly attend dance festivals and congresses across Europe, and this one did not provide value for money. The overall quality of the organization did not justify the cost.
The information on the promotional posters was unclear and not detailed enough. Important aspects of the program were not communicated properly, which led to confusion and unmet expectations.
One of the biggest issues was the organization of the evening program. On two out of the three nights, there were group and solo bachata battles as well as a Jack & Jill competition that interrupted the social dancing for about an hour and a half in the middle of the party. This is unacceptable and disrespectful to dancers who paid to attend primarily to social dance, especially those who traveled from other parts of Europe. If competitions were necessary, they could have been scheduled at the beginning of the evening (for example at 10:30 PM) instead of interrupting the flow and ruining the atmosphere later on. The long break completely killed the mood.
Another disappointing aspect was the social environment. Many of the female dancers seemed to dance mainly in groups and mostly with the invited artists or people from their own dance school. This created a closed and unwelcoming atmosphere. Instead of feeling like an international festival open to everyone, it felt more like a private event reserved for a specific circle.
By the last night, my friends and I decided not to attend at all. That alone reflects how disappointed we were. Rather than feeling like a true festival, it felt like a small, closed school gathering with a high ticket price.
Overall, this was a very disappointing experience and, unfortunately, one of the worst festivals we have attended.
