Surtido is believed to have originated in the poorer classes of Havana as an alternative to the more expensive dance styles such as Danzón and Mambo. It is characterized by its improvisational nature, and dancers are free to create their own unique combinations of steps and movements.
The basic step of Surtido is a side-to-side motion with a slight hip movement, and is often accompanied by a variety of spins, turns, and dips. The dance is also known for its use of syncopated rhythms, and dancers often incorporate elementos de la rumba and other Afro-Cuban dance forms into their routines.
Surtido gained popularity in the 1950s–60s, and was widely danced in social clubs and dance halls throughout Cuba. It later spread to other parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, and is still enjoyed today as a popular social dance.