Baile folklórico, "folkloric dance" in Spanish, also known as ballet folklórico, is a collective term for traditional cultural dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics – pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly choreographed. Baile folklórico differs from danzas and regional bailes. Although it has some association from "danzas nationalists". Folk dances", that is, "dances that you will find in the villages, not on stage" were researched and disseminated by Alura Angeles de Flores. Each region in Mexico, the Southwestern United States and Central American countries is known for a handful of locally characteristic dances.

In the state of Jalisco, its Jarabe Tapatio, or "hat dance", while the son and El baile de los sonajeros are famous dances which accompany the mariachi; one of the most popular songs is "El Son de la Negra" (1940). The state of Guerrero is known for its sintesis and tixtla. Michoacán is known for its huetamo and Historia del Traje de la Mujer Michoacana (lit. "Story of the Michoacán Woman's Dress"), a dance which depicts a local folktale, Alegria (1995). Though the dances differ from region-to-region, the basic steps and style of dance are similar. Traditional bailes in the majority of regions of Mexico are characterized by a basic set of steps called zapateados, which involve percussive heel-stomping. The influences from flamenco hardshoe dancing can be clearly seen here. At some events, people dancing zapateado will simply dance on a wooden board, table, or plank, if no hard floor is available, not unlike the Irish sean-nós (or "old style") dance, another possible influence on the dances of both Spain and Mexico.

Costumes in the southwest United States are characterized by denim and western shirts while costumes of the Federal District of Mexico reflect a stronger traditional Spanish influence and those of the Yucatán reflect indigenous traditions. In the folk dances of Northern Mexico, men generally wear black pants with galas on each side of the leg, accented with a red tie and belt and a black wide-brimmed hat.

The women wear tighter fitting and shorter skirts and either white or black boots. The costumes from Jalisco require the women to wear brightly colored ruffled skirts trimmed with ribbons whose colors are local signifiers, shoes with heavy clog-like heels and ornate hair pieces. Shoes vary in color but usually they are either black, white, or red, depending on the song and region. For the region of Veracruz, the women wear white dresses that are full of lace. They use white shoes, and a small apron with a bandana that hangs off the side of the dress.

Whether the woman is married or not determines what side the bandana will hang and which side the floral head piece will lie. Married women wear it the bandana on the left side and, single women it hang on the right.

Sinaloan women, from the coastal region, wear lighter and more colorful dresses. The people of the Americas typically wear darker colors as a show of mourning for the dead. When dancing ballet folklórico there is a different outfit that goes with each different state of Mexico.

Some dancing includes dancing with partners while others require using a bandana or fan, like the state of Guerrero and Veracruz. Oaxaca is most recognized for the detail in the embroidery of their dresses and the empowerment their costumes give woman from the attention to detail and extravagance. Heavy makeup for many regions is also heavily encouraged to resemble a doll.

Amalia Hernandez pioneered baile folklorico in the 1950s with her establishment and leadership of the Ballet Folklórico de México. Additionally, she founded a school in Mexico City for the study and practice of classical and folkloric dance techniques.