15 essential Spanish travel phrases

We can’t emphasise enough how much it can enhance your experience in Latin America if you spend a short while before your trip learning a few Spanish phrases. The locals you will encounter are some of the warmest and most hospitable people you could wish to meet, so why not return the favour with a small token of respect by impressing them with a Spanish phrase or two?

We’ve been specialising in travel to Central and South America for over 30 years and can tell you that knowing just a little can go a long way!

Here are 15 very simple yet essential phrases you can learn to use on your trip:

1) Hola – Hi

2) Por favor / Gracias – Please / Thankyou

3) Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches – Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening

4) ¿Cómo estás? – How are you?

5) Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you

6) Me gustaría – I would like

7) Yo necesito – I need

8) ¿Tiene? – Do you have?

9) ¿Dónde está? – Where is?

10) ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?

11) ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?

12) A la derecha / A la izquierda  / Siga derecho – On the right / On the left / Straight ahead

13) A una cuadra / A dos, tres, cuatro cuadras– In one block / In two, three, four blocks

14) El baño – The bathroom

15) Banco / Dinero / Cambio / La cuenta – Bank / Money / Change / The bill

And finally, if all else fails:

Yo (no) entiendo – I (don’t) understand

¿Habla inglés? – Do you speak English?