Don't know the answers to any of your questions, except

1) Cuban style, I should think!

Cubans dance on the downbeats (a tiempo) or on the upbeats (contratiempo), but it's the same style, and not the same as Eddie Torres style on2 mambo dancing... (or Luis Vasquez style on1 spinning and dipping for that matter :-))

- Edited by tallpaul on 17/11/2010 at 00:01

Hmmm perhaps I should have rephrased question one then

The problem I had was - beginner cuban style that I find on the interwebulator, looks a bit like on-1, but when I see vids of people actually dancing it looks more like some weird version of on-2. 

Good to know of the two styles of cuban however   Cheers!

To be more specifc I know a reasonable amount of On-1 to have fun + keep the lady interested ( modesty aside ), but On-2 tends to annoy me, I find myself concetrating so much on the steps and change in tempo that I'm not enjoying my dance.  I dont want to spend 2 weeks dancing salsa in a form I dont like

I could I guess take a few cuban salsa classes over there and find out on the fly,  but... then I'm unprepared - something I find anathema to having good time and relaxing

- Edited by Hugh1a on 18/11/2010 at 12:15

It's not as simple as on-1 or on-2. It's simply dancing to the music. Most of the more recent music breaks the traditional structures but remains true to using clave despite changing clave during the song. Anyway, you don't need to worry cos they'll dance your way, while you mightn't dance theirs-joy of being the leader.

If you haven't gone already, Hugh, I would suggest polishing up on your Rueda moves before you go.

And then when you go, they'll show you how to dance them properly (if you ask nicely!)

Cuban salsa is Rueda for 2 people - "Rueda de Casino" grew out of Cuban salsa (i.e."Casino"), rather than Cross-Body salsa (LA or NY style).