Your flight is booked. Your bags are (almost) packed. There is just one problem: the last time you spoke Spanish was in high school, and all you remember is ¿Dónde está la biblioteca?where is the library? — which, as it turns out, is not the most useful phrase at a taco stand in Oaxaca.
Relax. You do not need to be fluent to have an incredible trip in a Spanish-speaking country. You need about a hundred well-chosen phrases, the confidence to use them imperfectly, and a willingness to smile and point when words fail.
This guide gives you every phrase you need, organized by the actual situations you will face: airports, hotels, restaurants, streets, shops, and emergencies. Learn these, and you will go from being a helpless tourist to a traveler who connects.
At the Airport and Border
These phrases get you from the plane to the exit.
- ¿Dónde está la recogida de equipaje?Where is the baggage claim?
- ¿Dónde está la salida?Where is the exit?
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un taxi?Where can I find a taxi?
- Tengo una reservación en [nombre del hotel]I have a reservation at [hotel name]
- Estoy aquí de vacacionesI'm here on vacation
- Me quedo [X] díasI'm staying for [X] days
- No tengo nada que declararI don't have anything to declare
The Golden Phrase
If you learn only one sentence before your trip, make it this: Disculpe, ¿habla inglés?Excuse me, do you speak English? Starting in Spanish — even just this one phrase — changes the entire interaction. People respond with warmth and patience when they see you are trying.
At the Hotel
- Tengo una reservación a nombre de [nombre]I have a reservation under [name]
- Necesito una habitación para [X] nochesI need a room for [X] nights
- ¿Tienen habitaciones disponibles?Do you have rooms available?
- ¿Cuánto es por noche?How much is it per night?
- ¿El desayuno está incluido?Is breakfast included?
- ¿A qué hora es el checkout?What time is checkout?
- ¿Cuál es la contraseña del wifi?Where is the Wi-Fi password?
- ¿Puedo dejar mi equipaje aquí?Can I leave my luggage here?
- El aire acondicionado no funcionaThe air conditioning doesn't work
- Necesito más toallasI need more towels
hotel (A place that provides lodging, meals, and other services for travelers.)
View in dictionaryGetting Around
Taxis and Rideshares
- ¿Me puede llevar a [lugar]?Can you take me to [place]?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a [lugar]?How much to go to [place]?
- Pare aquí, por favorStop here, please
- Quédese con el cambioKeep the change
- ¿Me puede esperar?Can you wait for me?
Walking and Public Transport
- ¿Dónde está la estación de metro más cercana?Where is the nearest metro station?
- ¿Cómo llego a [lugar]?How do I get to [place]?
- ¿Está lejos de aquí?Is it far from here?
- ¿Puedo ir caminando?Can I walk there?
- ¿Qué autobús va a [lugar]?Which bus goes to [place]?
- Gire a la izquierda / Gire a la derechaTurn left / Turn right
- Siga derechoGo straight
- Está a dos cuadras de aquíIt's two blocks from here
You need to ask a taxi driver how much it costs to go to the airport. Which phrase is correct?
At Restaurants and Cafés
This is where your Spanish gets a real workout — and where the rewards are greatest.
Getting Seated
- Una mesa para dos, por favorA table for two, please
- ¿Tienen mesa disponible?Do you have a table available?
- ¿Podemos sentarnos afuera?Can we sit outside?
Ordering
- ¿Qué me recomienda?What do you recommend?
- Me gustaría...I would like...
- Voy a pedir el/la [plato]I'll have the [dish]
- Para mí, un café, por favorFor me, a coffee please
- ¿Me puede traer la carta?Can I see the menu?
- ¿Este plato es picante?Is this dish spicy?
- Soy alérgico/alérgica a [comida]I'm allergic to [food]
- Soy vegetariano/vegetarianaI'm vegetarian
- ¿Esto tiene carne?Does this have meat?
- Otro/otra, por favorAnother one, please
Paying
- La cuenta, por favorThe check, please
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?Can I pay with a card?
- ¿La propina está incluida?Is the tip included?
- Estuvo delicioso, graciasIt was delicious, thank you
Drag the handle to compare
to eat (consuming food)
View in dictionaryShopping and Markets
- ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?How much does this cost?
- Es muy caroThat's too expensive
- ¿Tiene uno más barato?Do you have a cheaper one?
- Me lo llevoI'll take it
- Solo estoy mirando, graciasI'm just looking, thank you
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta?Do you accept cards?
- ¿Tiene esto en otra talla?Do you have this in another size?
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar una farmacia?Where can I find a pharmacy?
Bargaining in Markets
In many Latin American countries, bargaining is expected at markets and street vendors — but not in stores with fixed prices. A polite way to ask for a discount: ¿Es su mejor precio?Is that your best price? or ¿Me puede hacer un descuento?Can you give me a discount? Always be friendly and respectful. Aggressive bargaining is considered rude.
You are at a market and want to know the price of a handmade bracelet. What do you ask?
Emergencies and Health
These phrases could save your trip — or your life.
- ¡Ayuda!Help!
- Necesito ayudaI need help
- Llame a la policíaCall the police
- Llame una ambulanciaCall an ambulance
- ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?Where is the nearest hospital?
- Perdí mi pasaporteI lost my passport
- Me robaron la carteraSomeone stole my wallet
- No me siento bienI don't feel well
- Necesito un doctorI need a doctor
- Soy alérgico/alérgica a [sustancia]I'm allergic to [substance]
- ¿Dónde está la embajada?Where is the embassy?
Social Phrases: Making Friends Along the Way
The best travel memories come from the people you meet.
- Mucho gustoNice to meet you
- ¿De dónde eres?Where are you from?
- Estoy aprendiendo españolI'm learning Spanish
- ¿Puedes hablar más despacio?Can you speak more slowly?
- No entiendoI don't understand
- ¿Puede repetir eso?Can you repeat that?
- ¿Cómo se dice [esto] en español?How do you say [this] in Spanish?
- ¡Esto es hermoso!This is beautiful!
- Me encanta este paísI love this country
- ¿Puedo tomar una foto?Can I take a photo?
- ¡Salud!Cheers!
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Cultural Tips for Travelers
Greet Everyone
When you enter a small shop, restaurant, or elevator, greet people. A simple buenas tardesgood afternoon is expected. Walking in silently is considered rude in most Spanish-speaking cultures.
Learn the Meal Schedule
Meal times vary dramatically by country. In Spain, lunch is at 2-3 PM and dinner is at 9-10 PM. In Mexico, the main meal (comida) is around 2-4 PM. Showing up at a restaurant at 6 PM in Madrid may mean eating alone in an empty room.
Tip Appropriately
Tipping customs vary:
- Mexico: 10-15% at sit-down restaurants
- Spain: Rounding up is common; large tips are not expected
- Colombia: 10% is usually included in the bill as propina sugerida
- Argentina: 10% at restaurants
Be Patient with Time
The concept of time is more flexible in many Spanish-speaking cultures. A meeting at 3 PM might start at 3:15 or 3:30. This is not rudeness — it is a different relationship with time. Embrace the slower pace. You are on vacation.
Say Thank You and Goodbye
When leaving a shop, restaurant, or any interaction, always say gracias, adiósthank you, goodbye or gracias, que tenga buen díathank you, have a nice day. The warmth matters.
Your Pre-Trip Prep Plan
Two weeks before your trip:
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Learn the 20 most essential phrases from this guide. Focus on greetings, restaurant ordering, directions, and emergency phrases.
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Read five A1 stories to build your ear and confidence.
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Practice basic grammar: ser vs. estar, present tense verbs, and question words.
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Listen to Spanish audio to calibrate your ear to real spoken Spanish.
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Practice your top ten phrases out loud every day until they are automatic.
You do not need to be perfect. You need to be brave. Every attempt at Spanish — no matter how clumsy — will be met with appreciation and encouragement. The locals know you are trying, and that is what matters.
¡Buen viaje!Have a nice trip!