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67 Essential Spanish Travel Phrases Every Traveller Needs To Know

Spain. Mexico. Argentina. Peru. Colombia.

If you're learning Spanish , the mere the mention of these countries can leave you daydreaming about your next trip abroad.

And although there are many incredible things to do and see in Spanish-speaking countries, what really makes these places special are the local people.

So before you pack your bags and jump on a plane, why not learn a little Spanish to help you make the most of your trip?

In this post, you’ll learn 67 Spanish phrases for travel that can help you survive in the language during your trip abroad. And who knows, they might even help you make a few new friends too!

To make it easier for you, I’ve divided the phrases up into different categories:

Table of Contents

Take the time to learn a few of these key Spanish travel phrases and you’ll be able to mix with the locals, get by in various situations and have a much more enjoyable and authentic experience during your trip.

By the way, if you want to learn Spanish in time for your trip, my top recommendation for language learners is my Uncovered courses, which teach you through StoryLearning®.  Click here  to find out more and try out the method for free.

Press play on the video below to learn Spanish travel phrases thanks to a story. Otherwise, keep scrolling to discover all 67 Spanish travel words and expressions.

First Things First: Greetings To Use On Arrival

Knowing how to greet people is the most basic thing you can learn in a foreign language. And yet its importance shouldn't be underestimated.

Even if you aren’t fluent enough to hold a long conversation, a simple ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?  (Hello, how are you?) can make all the difference.

You'll be able to use these expressions as soon as you arrive at your destination, whether it's at the airport, the train or bus station, or the hotel.

People appreciate it if you make an effort to speak their language when you visit their country, even if it’s only a few words.

Spanish-speaking countries are especially polite and greeting people correctly will go a long way towards endearing you to the locals, be they friends, people you meet in shops or on the street.

• ( BWAY-nos DEE-as)
• (BWAY-nas TAR-des)
• (BWAY-nas NOH-chays)
• (KOH-moh eh-STAH)
• (KOH-moh eh-STAHS)
• (bee-EN  GRA-thee-as [Spain] / GRA-see-as [Latin America])
• (KOH-moh te YA-mas?)
• (May YA-moh… )
• (MOO-choh GOO-stoh)

And of course, let’s not forget common courtesy!

• (por fa-BOR)
• (GRA-thee-as [Spain] / GRA-see-as [Latin America])

If you get stuck in your Spanish conversation, you can always fall back on these next two phrases to get you out of trouble.

• (yo no en-tee-EN-doh)
• (Ab-la in-GLAYS)

Get What You Want On Your Trip With The Verb Querer 

Once you’ve finished greeting someone, you’ll need to be able to move on to the crux of your conversation and to do that you’ll need to learn a couple of common verbs.

There are hundreds of Spanish verbs to learn and, to make your life more difficult, these verbs conjugate (change form).

This means learning a verb is never as simple as learning one word; you have to learn multiple different forms.

Having said that, you might be surprised by how far you can get only knowing one simple verb: I want .

It may not make you the most sophisticated Spanish speaker but 9 times out of 10 it will get you what you, well, want .

The verb in question is querer (to want) and in the first person form, it becomes quiero (I want).

Let’s take a look at how you can use it:

• (yo kee-EH-ro oon me-NOO)
• (YO kee-EH-ro oon taxi)
• (yo kee-EH-ro OO-na ser-BAY-za)

If you’d like to be a bit more polite (which is usually a good idea), you can also use:

• (kee-see-EH-ra…)

Asking For & Understanding Directions On Your Trip

Whether you’re looking for the toilet in a restaurant or trying to find a hotel to stay at, you’ll inevitably need to ask for directions at some point during your trip.

The simplest way to ask where something is, is to use ¿Dónde está? followed by the noun you are looking for:

• (DON-day es-TAH el BAH-nyo?)
• (DON-day es-TAH el BAN-koh?)
• (DON-day es-TAH la KA-yay de al-cal-AH?)

When travelling in a foreign country, if you're asking someone on the street for directions, don’t forget your manners! To get someone’s attention, start by saying:

• (Dis-KUL-pay)
• (Con per-MEE-soh / Per-DOH-nah-may)
• (eh- stoy per-DEE-doh)

Asking for directions is one thing but it’s pretty pointless if you don’t know how to understand the directions that are given to you!

Memorise these phrases to help you understand what the friendly locals are trying to tell you when you ask for their help:

• (A la de-RE-cha)
• (A la iz-kee-ER-da)
• (De-RE-cho)
• (En la es-KEE-nah)
• (a OO-na KWAD-rah)

Getting Around Spanish-Speaking Countries

If you’re not keen on walking everywhere, you'll need to be able to find out about local transport options to find your way around wherever you are.

Here are a few simple phrases you can use to locate a bus, train or taxi and get to wherever you need to go:

• (DON-day PWAY-doh en-kon-TRAR oon taxi?)
• (DON-day eh-STAH la pa-RAH-dah de ow-to-BOOS mas ser-KA-nah?)
• (DON-day eh-STAH la es-tah-see-ON de ferro-carr-EEL mas ser-KA-nah?)
• (KWAN-to KWES-ta oon bee-YET-ay PA-ra …)
• (oon bee-YET-ay PA-ra … por fa-BOR)

At A Restaurant On Your Travels

Each Spanish-speaking country has its own unique flavours and cuisine for you to try when you travel!

Food is definitely one of the big attractions to cities like San Sebastian in Spain and Buenos Aires in Argentina , so you'll need to make sure you have a basic grasp of food vocabulary ahead of your journey!

To start with, you need to be prepared to hear and understand certain questions in restaurants, such as:

• (kee-EH-res AL-go PA-ra koh-MER?)
• (kee-EH-res AL-go PA-ra beh-BER?)
• (KAY kee-EH-res koh-MER?)

When you read the menu, you'll see the available food grouped into different categories, just like in an English menu:

• (oo-na en-TRA-da)
• (oon PLA-toh prin-si-PAL)
• (oon POS-tray)
• (OO-na beh-BEE-da)

When you're ready to order, use either  quiero (I want) or  quisiera (I would like) with the items on the menu to tell the waiter what you'd like. For example,  quiero…

• (OO-na SOH-pah)
• (OO-na en-sa-LA-da)
• (el POY-oh)
• (la CAR-nay)
• (oon AG-wa)
• (oon BEE-noh TIN-toh / BLAN-koh)
• (OO-na ser-BAY-sa)
• (oon ka-FAY)

So, for example, to order that ice-cold beer you're looking forward to at the end of a long day, you'd say  quiero una cerveza.

If you're not sure what to try, you can always ask your waiter for a recommendation:

• (kay may re-kom-ee-EN-dah?)

In most restaurants in Spanish-speaking countries, the staff will be more than happy to suggest a particularly tasty local dish for you to try.

If you're a vegetarian or you have dietary complications, these next two phrases are essential:

• (soy be-he-tah-ree-AH-noh/nah)
• (TEN-go al-ER-hee-ah a las noo-EH-ses)

Finally, let's learn a couple of quick phrases you can use to ask about prices and pay the bill.

• (KWAN-to KWES-ta? )
• (la KWEN-ta por fa-BOR)

Key Spanish Question Words For Your Trip

Over the course of your journey, you'll almost certainly find yourself asking lots and lots of questions.

You might not have a huge Spanish vocabulary to draw on, but if you know the basic question words, you'll be able to get by in almost any common situation you might find yourself in.

Here are some key Spanish question words you need to know:

• (KWAN-doh?)
• (A kay AW-ra?)
• (KWAN-toh?)
• (KWAN-tohs)
• (kah-dah KWAN-toh?)
• (por KWAN-toh tee-EM-poh)

Once you’ve got these question words in your memory bank you’ll start noticing the patterns in Spanish grammar which will help you to move away from the basic Spanish phrases every tourist is using.

As you learn new words on your trip, you'll be able to combine them with these question words to start forming your own sentences and questions!

Get Ready For Adventure With These Spanish Travel Phrases!

Take the time to memorise these key Spanish travel phrases and you'll have everything you need to get the most out of your journey.

With just a few words of Spanish, I'm sure you'll meet lots of amazing people and have plenty of life-changing experiences along the way.

Who knows, perhaps spending some time visiting a Spanish-speaking country will motivate you to strive for fluency?

If this article has inspired you to both travel and to learn Spanish, then I've got something to get you started on your Spanish learning journey. 

I'm a big believer in the power of story to enable you to learn a language. That's why I've created an entire beginner course dedicated to learning Spanish by immersing yourself in an engaging story.

It's my Spanish Uncovered course, and it's designed to take you from beginner to B1 Intermediate level.

Click here for more information on the course, test it out for free and to find out how it'll help you.

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91 Top Spanish Travel Phrases & Words for Travelers

Are you planning a well-deserved vacation? Is your destination a Spanish-speaking country? If so, you may want to take the time to learn some essential Spanish travel phrases that can help you communicate. 

There’s no doubt that English is a widely spoken language . But if you travel to a Spanish-speaking country, your chances of randomly finding someone who speaks enough English to help you aren’t that high. Trust me, I have seen enough confused tourists to know.

To avoid any communication issues, I’ve built a list of 91 crucial Spanish travel phrases that will help you get by on your vacation. Are you wondering how on earth you are supposed to pronounce them if you don’t speak Spanish? Fear not! I’ve also included the audio recordings to help you overcome this issue.

Here is a quick overview of the situations we’ll cover and the resources you’ll find in this guide:

• Common verbs for travel
• Phrases & Vocabulary for the Airport
• Phrases to Use in a Restaurant
• Phrases & Words to Ask for Directions
• Phrases to Use at a Hotel
• Downloadable PDF

Basic Spanish Travel Phrases, Questions & Words

When it comes to Spanish vocabulary for travelers, there are some essential words that you’ll use more frequently or that can help you sound more polite when addressing a native speaker. Let’s start with some greetings and expressions to catch a person’s attention.

As you’ll see in the examples I’ve provided, these words are usually placed at the beginning of the sentence. 

• Hola – Hi / Hello 
• ¿Qué tal? – Hello / What’s up
• Buenos días – Good morning
• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
• Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night 
• Disculpa / Disculpe – Excuse me / Sorry
• Perdón – Sorry / Excuse me 
• Señorita – Miss
• Joven – Young man / Mr. 

The following question words and expressions can also be useful when you travel:

• ¿Qué…? – What…?
• ¿ Cuál …? – Which…?
• ¿Dónde…? – Where…?
• ¿ A qué hora …? – What time does…?
• ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
• ¿Cuándo…? – When…?
• ¿Cómo…? – How….?
• ¿Podría…? – Could you…?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta…? – How much…? 

Hola , ¿ cuánto cuesta el llavero? Hi , how much is the keychain?

Disculpe , ¿ dónde está la catedral? Excuse me , where is the cathedral?

Señorita, ¿ podría darme otro formulario? Miss, could you give me another form?

Buenos días , ¿ a qué hora abre el museo? Good morning, what time does the museum open?

Basic Spanish verbs for traveling

Many simple Spanish travel phrases are built with the verbs querer , gustar and poder , which we use to make requests. These are the most common forms that you’ll need:

• Quiero … – I want…
• Quisiera … – I would like…
• Me gustaría … I would like…
• ¿Puede…? – Can you…?
• Tiene / Tengo … – Has / Have

As you can imagine, these expressions are very versatile because they can be combined with different words for tourists:

Quiero dos boletos.  I want two tickets. 

No tengo cambio.  I don’t have change. 

Me gustaría una habitación con vistas al mar.  I would like a room with an ocean view. 

Quisiera visitar el museo de artes.  I would like to visit the art museum. 

¿ Puede decirme dónde está la parada? Can you tell me where the bus stop is?

Disculpe, ¿ podría ayudarme? Excuse me, could you help me?

Travel Phrases & Spanish Vocabulary for the Airport

You’re likely to find more than one person who speaks English at the airport. However, this is an excellent opportunity to start practicing your Spanish. Here are some common phrases that you’re probably going to encounter or use while at the airport:

• ¿Va a documentar su maleta? – Are you going to check your bag?
• ¿Me permite su pasaporte? – Can I have your passport? 
• Por favor, abroche su cinturón – Please, fasten your seatbelt
• ¿Desea algo de beber? – Would you like something to drink?
• Por favor, regrese a su asiento – Please, go back to your seat
• Llene este formulario, por favor – Please, fill in this form
• ¿Cuál es el motivo de su visita? – What’s the reason for your visit?
• ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero? – Where can I exchange money?
• ¿Dónde están los baños? – Where are the restrooms? 

In addition to these phrases, here are some words that may be useful in this situation. Remember that you can combine the words below with the expressions and questions you learned in the previous section.

[Basic Spanish expression] + [airport vocabulary]

Quisiera un asiento en el pasillo .  I would like an aisle seat . 

Disculpe, ¿a qué hora aterrizamos ? Excuse me, what time do we land ?

¿Podría ayudarme? Mi equipaje está perdido .  Could you help me? My luggage is missing . 

¿Cuántas maletas va a documentar ? How many bags are you going to check ?

Buenos días, ¿tiene café ? Good morning, do you have coffee ?

Spanish Phrases for Tourists in a Restaurant

As a tourist, you’re probably going to spend some time trying different foods at restaurants. Here are some common phrases you can use and are likely to hear at a restaurant.

• ¿Qué desea ordenar? – What would you like to order?
• ¿Me puede dar unos minutos? – Could you give me a few more minutes?
• ¿Desea ordenar algún postre? – Would you like to order a dessert?
• ¿Qué lleva…? – What’s in the…? 
• ¿Qué platillo me recomienda? – What dish do you recommend? 
• ¿Todo bien? – Is everything okay?
• ¿Le hace falta algo? – Is there something you need?
• ¿Me puede traer la cuenta? – Could you bring me the bill?
• Soy alérgico a … – I’m allergic to…

Here are other terms that can be useful in this type of situations:

Joven, ¿cuál es la especialidad de la casa? Young man, what’s the specialty of the house?

Quisiera ordenar dos postres, por favor.  I would like to order two desserts, please. 

Disculpe, ¿qué platillo me recomienda? Excuse me, what dish would you recommend to me? 

¿Me podría traer un cuchillo y un vaso de agua? Could you bring me a knife and a glass of water?

Take Note: If you want to learn more about this topic, I recommend you check this guide on ordering food in Spanish . 

Spanish for Visiting the City & Asking for Directions

One of the biggest challenges you may face is communicating with native speakers when visiting the city or a tourist attraction. Here are some of the most common Spanish phrases for travel that you may need in this situation:

• Con permiso / Permiso – Excuse me
• ¿Dónde está el/la…? – Where is the…?
• ¿Cómo llego a…? – How do I get to…?
• Estoy buscando… – I’m looking for
• No hablo mucho español – I don’t speak Spanish very well
• ¿Hay algún/alguna… por aquí? – Is there…around here?
• ¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
• ¿ Puedes repetirlo? – Can you repeat that again?
• ¿Me podría ayudar? – Could you help me?
• ¿ Nos puedes tomar una foto? – Can you take a picture of us?
• ¿ Nos puedes tomar otra ? – Can you take another one of us?
• ¿ Dónde puedo tomar…? – Where can I take…?
• ¿Por aquí pasa el camión…? – Is this place on the bus route? / Does the bus come by here?  
• ¿ Cómo se llama este lugar? – What’s the name of this place?

Take Note: Con permiso is a polite way to ask people to let you through. So, we use this phrase in crowded places or when walking on the street.

On the other hand, people are likely to give you the following answers: 

• Está… – It’s…
• Siga caminando …- Keep walking…
• De vuelta a/en – Turn…
• Siga derecho –  Go straight…
• Camine – Walk…

Additionally, here are some basic words that you can use or might hear when visiting the city:

Here are some examples of how to use these Spanish words and expressions:

Disculpe, ¿ dónde está la estación de tren? Excuse me, where is the train station?

Buenas tardes, estoy buscando el museo.  Good afternoon, I’m looking for the museum. 

Camine dos cuadras y dé vuelta a la izquierda.  Walk two blocks and turn left. 

Perdón, ¿ hay algún restaurante por aquí? Excuse me, is there a restaurant around here?

Hola, ¿ me podría ayudar ? Quiero ir al museo.  Hi, could you help me ? I want to go to the museum.

Spanish Phrases for Hotels & Accommodations

Although nowadays it’s easier to make reservations before your trip, there may be some situations where you need to speak Spanish to communicate with staff and others in your hotel. Here are some essential phrases applicable to this context:

• Tengo una reservación a nombre de … – I have a reservation for…
• Quisiera hacer una reservación – I would like to make a reservation. 
• No funciona … – It doesn’t work…
• ¿Me puede mandar más toallas? – Could you send me more towels? 
• ¿Incluye desayuno? – Is breakfast included? 
• ¿ Cuenta con acceso a internet? – Is the internet included?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña? – What’s the password?  
• ¿En qué piso está la habitación? – On what floor is the room? 
• ¿Me permite su tarjeta? – Can I have your card? 
• El cuarto se entrega a la … – The checkout time is…

As for vocabulary, these are some of the words that you may want to keep in mind:

Señorita, ¿dónde está el elevador ? Miss, where is the elevator ?

Buenos días, la regadera no funciona .  Good morning, the shower doesn’t work . 

¿A qué hora termina el servicio a la habitación ? What time does room service end? 

Spanish Expressions for Souvenir Shopping

Even if you’re not a big spender, it’s likely that at some point you may want to do some shopping. These are the key expressions that you need in this situation:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta…? – How much is..?
• ¿ Tiene otra talla? – Do you have another size?
• ¿Qué otros colores tiene? – Do you have other colors?
• Me queda grande – It’s too big for me.
• Me queda apretado – It doesn’t fit.
• No me queda – It doesn’t fit.
• ¿Cuánto va a ser? – How much will it be?
• No tengo cambio – I don’t have change. 
• ¿Acepta tarjeta? – Do you take cards? 

On the other hand, these are some of the expressions that the clerk may use with you:

• ¿En qué le puedo ayudar? – How can I help you?
• Pregunte/Vea sin compromiso – You can ask/see, without any obligation.
• ¿Buscaba algo en especial? – Are you looking for anything in particular?
• ¿En qué talla? – What size?
• ¿Cómo le quedó? – How does it fit? 
• ¿Buscaba algún color en especial? – Were you looking for a particular color?
• ¿Quiere que le muestre algo? – Would you like me to show you something? 
• Es el último que me queda – It’s the last one. 
• ¿Tiene un billete más pequeño? – Do you have a smaller bill? 
• ¿Qué tamaño buscaba? – What size were you looking for?
• Aquí tiene – Here you go. 

As for vocabulary, here are some common objects that you may find during your trip:

Check the examples below. Notice that you can combine this specific vocabulary with the basic words and questions you learned at the beginning of this article. 

¿Tiene dulces típicos ?  Do you have traditional candies ? 

¿Podría darme tres llaveros ? Can you give me three keychains ? 

Final Points: Spanish for Travelers

Many tourists visiting Spanish-speaking countries face communication difficulties. Let’s face it, there might be some people that speak English and will be able to help you. But chances are that, at some point, you’ll need to use some Spanish. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

To help you with this, I’ve prepared this guide for tourists with basic expressions, questions and words that you’ll use in most traveling situations. Just remember that:

• Many of these travel phrases are built with ‘ querer’, ‘gustar’, ‘poder’ and ‘tener’ . 
• Questioning words can take you pretty far if you combine them with the appropriate vocabulary. 
• You use greetings and words to address people to sound more polite.

Hopefully, this guide will help you keep basic conversations. ¡Buena suerte and (disfruta) enjoy your vacation!

Spanish Resources for Tourists & Travelers

To make your trip as enjoyable as possible and get the most out of speaking Spanish, I recommend checking out the free resources below. Here’s my pro tip: Quickly read them and write down a “script” of the most common Spanish phrases, words and expression you’ll need to use while you travel.

Download the PDF with Spanish Phrases & Vocabulary for Traveling

Learning Spanish can be an incredible experience. But it can also be challenging at times, especially when you’re visiting a new place. I’ve created a free PDF for this guide which you can download with the key Spanish phrases, expressions and words you need to start speaking the language while still enjoying your vacation.

Related Guides & Spanish Vocabulary

If you’re traveling to Mexico or another Latin American, Spanish-speaking country then this guide will show you all the vocabulary and phrases you need to interact and order your food at a restaurant .

One of the best ways to get ready for a day of speaking a foreign language is by achieving an easy win as soon as possible at the start of the day. Here are different expressions that native speakers use to say ‘good morning’ in Spanish , which is easy to incorporate into your conversations as well as common Spanish greetings and farewells .

How to Ask for & Reserve a Hotel Room in Spanish : In this article you’ll find different questions and phrases that you and the hotel staff are likely to use when booking a hotel room. 

Daniela Sanchez

¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. Read More About Me

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131 Useful Spanish Travel Phrases Every Traveler Should Learn

Have you been dreaming about your upcoming vacation to Spain?

Eagerly awaiting your backpacking trek through South America?

Whatever the case, your trip to any Spanish-speaking country will be so much more fun and meaningful if you can communicate with locals .

But what kind of Spanish travel phrases do you even need to know?

Below are the essentials— the most common Spanish phrases for travel  to help you upgrade your trip from “goodw” to “great.”

1. Basic Spanish Greetings and Phrases

2. basic spanish phrases for everyday use, 3. asking for directions in spanish, 4. spanish travel phrases for the hotel, 5. spanish travel phrases for the restaurant, 6. spanish phrases for the airport and ticket offices, 7. medical emergencies in spanish, 8. spanish phrases for having a bit of fun.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Spanish-speaking countries are generally very polite and you must always be courteous and say “hello” and “how are you?”

Don’t worry about making mistakes. Most people will try their utmost to understand you and to make sure you understand them. Try your best and they will be happy to reciprocate!

• Buenos días — Good morning
• Buenas tardes — Good afternoon
• Buenas noches — Good evening
• ¿Cómo te llamas? — What’s your name? (informal)
• ¿Cómo se llama? — What’s your name? (formal)
• Me llamo… — My name is…
• Mucho gusto — Nice to meet you
• ¿Cómo estás? — How are you? (informal)
• ¿Cómo está? — How are you? (formal)
• Bien, gracias — Good, thank you
• Por favor — Please
• Gracias — Thank you
• Perdón — S orry
• ¿Habla inglés? — Do you speak English?
• No hablo español — I don’t speak Spanish

You can go far with some very easy-to-remember travel phrases and words.

You’ll likely use “I want,” “I like” and “Do you have…?” quite often. If you don’t know the noun, you can simply point at the object or show a photo.

You can also say a lot of things with very simple verbs we’re about to introduce. It may not be the sophisticated way you speak in English, but you will be understood.

• Quiero / No quiero  — I want / I don’t want
• Me gustaría ; Quisiera — I would like (more polite)
• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is…? Since  dónde ends in  e and  está  starts with one, these two words flow into each other, almost like they were a single word.
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? 
• ¿Qué hora es? — What time is it?
• ¿Tiene…? — Do you have…?
• Tengo / No tengo  — I have / I don’t have
• Entiendo / No entiendo  — I understand / I don’t understand
• ¿Entiende? — Do you understand?
• Quiero un boleto — I want a ticket

…un hotel — …a hotel

…un taxi — …a taxi

• No funciona — It doesn’t work

That last one is an all-purpose word . You can use this for a million circumstances! Just point at the shower or whatever and say “ ¡No funciona!”

What we’ve seen so far is basic survival Spanish, so even if you can only remember these words and phrases, they’ll still help a great deal.

If you get a bit lost or unsure of how to get somewhere, “¿dónde está?”  is the simplest way of asking for directions. Here are a few more phrases, locations and other directions in Spanish that will be helpful on your trip:

• ¿Dónde está la estación de ferrocarril? — Where is the railway station?
• ¿Dónde hay un restaurante? — Where is a restaurant?
• Un tren — A train
• La calle… — The street…
• Un banco — A bank
• El baño — The bathroom
• Busco un hotel — I’m looking for a hotel
• Necesito un hotel — I need a hotel

…un cuarto — …a room

…un cuarto con baño — …a room with a bathroom

• ¿Dónde hay una casa de cambio? — Where is the currency exchange?
• ¿Dónde está el banco? — Where is the bank?
• Dinero — Money

Once you have asked a question, someone will answer you in Spanish. Listen for these key words:

• A la derecha — To the right
• A la izquierda — To the left
• Derecho — Straight ahead
• En la esquina — At the corner
• A una cuadra — In one block

…dos cuadras — …two blocks

…tres cuadras — …three blocks

…cuatro cuadras — …four blocks

You’ve finally found your hotel and you’re ready to check in!

Staff at international chains will probably be able to communicate in English with you, but these phrases and questions will come in handy for local hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, etc.

These will also be helpful when you need to make adjustments to your reservation or are curious about other hotel amenities.

• Tengo una reserva a nombre de… — I have a reservation under the name of…
• Estadía de tres noches — Three-night stay
• Una habitación para dos personas — A room for two people
• Una habitación con una cama de matrimonio — A room with a double bed As you can see, habitación is a synonym of cuarto . You can use either term when booking a room.
• ¿Dónde está la piscina? — Where is the pool?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? — What time is breakfast?
• ¿Puedo solicitar una salida tardía? — Can I request a late check-out?
• ¿Tiene servicio de habitaciones? — Do you have room service?
• ¿ Cuál es la contraseña de WiFi ? —  What is the WiFi password?
• Una cama supletoria — An extra bed
• Vista al mar — Ocean view
• Vista a la ciudad — City view
• Un balcón — A balcony
• La terraza — The rooftop / terrace
• El gimnasio — The gym
• La playa — The beach
• El vestíbulo — The lobby

Probably the most useful travel phrases you will need are the ones you would use in a restaurant. Let’s go over some basic restaurant vocabulary in Spanish :

Ask for anything by using quiero  or quisiera  — “I want” or “I would like.” And remember to say  por favor  and  gracias!

• Una mesa — A table
• Una mesa para dos — A table for two

…tres — …three

…cuatro — …four

• Un menú / Una carta — A menu
• Sopa — Soup
• Ensalada — Salad
• Hamburguesa — Hamburger
• Con salsa de tomate — With ketchup

…mostaza — …mustard

…tomate — …tomato

…lechuga — …lettuce

• Una entrada — An appetizer
• Un postre — Dessert
• Una bebida — A drink
• Agua — Water
• Vino tinto / Vino blanco — Red wine / White wine
• Cerveza — Beer
• Un café — Coffee
• ¡Señor! / ¡Señorita! — Mister / Miss (when calling a waiter or waitress)
• La cuenta — The check
• Una tarjeta de crédito — A credit card
• Una tarjeta de débito — A debit card
• Pagar en efectivo — Pay in cash

Note that many places in smaller towns still don’t take credit cards , so make sure you have enough cash with you.

You can ask if a place takes credit cards by using the noun with a question. For example, you can pull out your credit card and say: ¿Tarjeta de crédito? They will understand.

It’s time to soak in some culture ! Whether you want to go see a show, check out an art exhibit, watch a local movie or visit the next town (or country) over, you’ll need to buy some sort of ticket.

We’ll start with some airport-specific vocabulary —bearing in mind that many of these phrases are versatile and can be used in various situations—followed by more general vocabulary. 

• Su pasaporte, por favor — Your passport, please
• Quisiera cambiar mi reserva — I would like to change my reservation
• ¿Podría elegir mi asiento? — Could I choose my seat?
• Quisiera cambiar mi asiento — I would like to change my seat
• Este es mi equipaje de mano — This is my carry-on luggage
• ¿Se ha cancelado el vuelo? — Has the flight been canceled?
• ¿Dónde está la terminal internacional? — Where is the international terminal?
• ¿Dónde está la puerta de embarque? — Where is the boarding gate?
• ¿A qué hora es el embarque? — What time is boarding?

Earlier we defined entrada as an “appetizer.” Entrada has multiple meanings related to “start” or “entry,” so you can also use it to say “ticket.”

• ¿Cuánto cuesta una entrada? — How much does a ticket cost?
• Dos boletos de ida y vuelta — Two roundtrip tickets
• ¿ Tiene un pase de un día ? — Do you have a one-day pass?
• ¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren ? — What time does the next train leave?
• ¿De qué plataforma sale? — Which platform does it leave from?
• ¿Qué puerta? — Which gate?

For more specific situations, here are some words and phrases you might need when purchasing tickets:

• El espectáculo — The show / performance
• El teatro — The theater
• La exposición — The exhibit
• El cine — The cinema
• Una película — A movie
• Un vuelo — A flight
• Viaje de ida — One-way trip
• Viaje de ida y vuelta — Return trip / round trip
• El asiento de pasillo — The aisle seat
• El asiento de ventanilla — The window seat
• La primera fila — The first row

La segunda fila — The second row

La tercera fila — The third row

La cuarta fila — The fourth row

Also, as you’ve likely noticed, for anything dealing with money or quantities, you’ll want to be familiar with numbers in Spanish .

A smart traveler always comes prepared with some emergency over-the-counter meds. After all, you never know what could happen when you’re overseas.

But when those aren’t enough, these are the phrases that will help with your health-related concerns when in a Spanish-speaking country:

• ¿Dónde está la farmacia? — Where is the pharmacy?
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? — Where is the nearest hospital?
• Seguro de salud internacional — International health insurance
• No me siento bien — I feel sick / I don’t feel well
• ¿El doctor habla inglés? — Does the doctor speak English?
• ¿Necesito una receta? — Do I need a prescription?
• ¿Qué medicina necesito? — What medicine do I need?
• La cita médica — Doctor’s appointment
• La cita de seguimiento — Follow-up appointment

If you need help explaining your symptoms, these terms will help you out. With the exception of the last phrase, start off by saying tengo , followed by any of the below:

• Un resfriado — A cold
• Dolor de garganta — Sore throat
• Tos — Cough
• Fiebre — Fever
• Dolor de cabeza — Headache
• Dolor de estómago — Stomachache
• Dolor de espalda — Backache
• Resaca — Hangover
• Me gotea la nariz — I have a runny nose

Of course, a trip to a Spanish-speaking country wouldn’t be complete without a little ¡fiesta! (carnival; party). If you’re keen to hit the town, here are a few phrases to help you get your groove on.

• ¡Salud! — Cheers!
• ¿Hay algún bar por aquí? — Is there a bar around here?
• ¿Dónde están las discotecas? — Where are the clubs?
• ¿A qué hora abren las discotecas? — What time do the clubs open?
• ¿Me recomienda un lugar para bailar? — Can you recommend me a place to dance?
• ¿Quieres bailar conmigo? — Do you want to dance with me?
• ¡Bailemos! — Let’s dance!

Of course, to use all these phrases successfully, you’ll need to practice ! You can save and print this post as a PDF or even create your own flashcards. You can also use a program that creates flashcards for you, like the video-based FluentU .

Do you feel more prepared for your trip now? Pack these Spanish travel phrases with the rest of your essentials and you’ll be sure to get the most from your vacation!

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200+ Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel (2024)

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If you’re looking for the ultimate list of useful Spanish phrases for travel, you’ve come to the right place!

Traveling is an incredible experience, and being able to communicate with the locals in their native language is a great way to enrich your travels .

I spent years vacationing in Mexico before embarking on my family’s 2.5-year journey to drive from the US to Argentina on the Pan-American Highway.

I know how important it is to be able to communicate in the language of your destination. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of useful Spanish phrases for travel, to help you bridge the gap and make the most out of your travels.

From basic Spanish greetings and polite inquiries to ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions on the street, this list of common Spanish phrases will give you the tools necessary to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

So if you’re ready to take your travels to the next level, read on for a comprehensive guide of useful Spanish phrases for travel!

Ways to Learn Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel

Are you planning for an upcoming trip and need to learn Spanish quickly? Duolingo is the perfect app to get you started with its comprehensive library of basic phrases.

If that isn’t enough, try Busuu or Lyrics Training . Both can aid in strengthening your listening skills!

Duolingo and Lyrics Training are available to use without charge, though you may need an email address to sign up. But if you’re looking for extra features, a premium account is worth considering.

You can also take Spanish classes locally while you’re traveling, or sign up with a private Spanish tutor online before you go! You can get tutor access as a beginner or even as an advanced learner

We’re big fans of online tutoring , and not just because we run a resource site with current content for online tutors.

👉 If you want the flexibility of 1:1 language learning at a reasonable cost wherever you are, then pick iTalki !

With iTalki , you can either take lessons on your computer or download an app. It’s really flexible with scheduling, too. Some tutors may even give free pdf practice materials for offline homework between tutoring sessions.

In addition to taking classes or downloading a learning app, it’s also helpful to carry a Spanish phrase book with you in case you don’t have cellular reception when you’re traveling. I recommend both of these Spanish phrase books:

Useful Spanish Phrases for Greetings

Even if you don’t get past the true basics of Spanish, it’s polite to learn a few phrases for greetings.

Here are some of the most useful Spanish phrases for travel when it comes to meeting new people and saying hello.

• ¡Buenos días!  – Good morning!
• ¡Buenas tardes!  – Good afternoon!
• ¡Buenas noches!  – Good evening!
• ¡Hola!  – Hi!
• ¡Buenas! – Slang for hello in Central America and some parts of South America.

Pro Tip: Only use ¡Buenas! if you hear others saying it. While entire countries, like Costa Rica , tend to use it, not all parts of every country are this informal. Quito and the Pacific Coast of Ecuador use it but the northern highlands in Ecuador do not.

• ¿Cómo estás?  – How are you?
• ¡Bien, gracias!  – Good, thank you!
• ¿Cómo te llamas?  – What’s your name?
• Me llamo (Your Name).  – My name is (Your Name).
• ¡Mucho Gusto!  – Nice to meet you!

Basic Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel

These useful Spanish phrases will help you communicate in everyday situations, such as saying please and thank you as well as asking if a place or person has something that you want.

It’s also helpful to be able to tell someone you don’t understand them. After all, dialects and speaking speed can make even the Spanish vocabulary you know sound unfamiliar!

• ¡Por favor!  – Please!
• Gracias.  – Thank you.
• Perdón.  – Sorry.
• Disculpe – Excuse me (for walking up to someone to ‘interrupt’ their conversation, if you’re about to ask for help, etc)
• Permiso – Pardon me (for when you need to get close to someone to move past them in a crowd)
• ¿Habla inglés?  – Do you speak English?
• No hablo Español.  – I don’t speak Spanish.
• ¿Tiene?  – Do you have?
• Yo tengo/Yo no tengo  – I have/I don’t have

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to tell people when you don’t understand or if you need them to speak slower. It’s better to have them repeat than to pretend you understood them and remain confused.

• ¿Entiende?  – Do you understand?
• No entiendo.  – I don’t understand.
• Habla más despacio, por favor.  – Speak slower, please.
• Por favor repita.  – Please repeat.
• Me gustaría  – I would like
• Yo quiero/Yo no quiero  – I want/I don’t want
• ¿Me puedes ayudar?  – Can you help me?
• ¿Dónde está?  – Where is?
• No funciona .  — It doesn’t work

Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel at the Airport

Here are some useful Spanish phrases to have in your vocabulary when you’re traveling through an airport.

• Sus pasaportes, por favor.  – Your passports, please.
• Aquí tiene.  – There you are.
• Estamos viajando juntos.  – We are traveling together .
• ¿Cuándo sale el próximo vuelo para Nueva York?  – When is the next flight to New York?
• ¿Podría ayudarme, por favor?  – Can you help me, please?
• ¿Dónde está la puerta de embarque?  – Where is the boarding gate?
• ¿Se ha cancelado el vuelo?  – Has the flight been canceled?

Pro Tip : While many immigration officials know English, not all do. The same goes for gate agents, airport transportation staff, and other personnel.

• Querría cambiar mi reserva.  – I would like to change my reservation.
• Querría confirmar mi reserva.  – I would like to confirm my reservation.
• Querría anular mi reserva.  – I would like to cancel my reservation.
• ¿Dónde está el aeropuerto, por favor?  – Where is the airport, please?
• ¿Dónde está la terminal internacional?  – Where is the international terminal?
• Necesitamos ayuda para subir al avión.  – We need help to get on the plane.
• Èste es mi equipaje de mano.  – This is my carry-on baggage.
• Quisiera cambiar mi asiento.  – I want to change my seat.

Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel When Asking for Directions

The following basic Spanish phrases are helpful when you need to ask for directions. Whether it’s a restaurant, hotel, or bus station, chances are there will be someone nearby who can help.

• ¿Dónde está…? – Where is…?
•   ¿Dónde hay…? – Where is…? (for indefinite articles like una or uno )
• la calle – the street
• la avenida – the avenue
• el aeropuerto – the airport
• la estación de trene  – the train station
• a estación de ferrocarril  – the railway stations
• la oficina de información turística  – the tourist information center
• el puesto de venta de billetes  – the ticket sales stand
• una parada de taxis  – taxi stop
• un restaurante  – a restaurant
• Busco un hotel  – I’m looking for a hotel
• Necesito un hotel  – I need a hotel
• …un cuarto  – …a room
• …un cuarto con baño  – …a room with a bathroom

Pro Tip: Even in ‘touristy’ areas, there may be no one who speaks English. Even in Grutas Tolantongo , Mexico most people spoke Spanish.

• ¿Dónde hay una casa de cambio?  – Where is the currency exchange?
• un banco  – a bank
• dinero – money
• un supermercado  – a supermarket
• un baño  – a bathroom
• el parque – the park
• una farmacia  – a pharmacy
• un autobús  – a bus
• el centro de la ciudad  – the center of the city
• el zocalo – the town square in Mexican towns and cities
• ¿Me puede ayudar?  – Can you help me?
• ¿Dónde puede comprar un billete?  – Where can I buy a ticket?
• Un adulto y un niño  – An adult and a child
• Dos adultos y dos niños – Two adults an two children

Useful Spanish Phrases for Travelers for Following Directions

When you ask for the location of a place you’re seeking, be prepared to follow simple instructions to get there. Understanding basic phrases for how to walk three blocks and turn right to find the bank will really help!

Here are the most common useful Spanish phrases for travel when following directions:

• A la derecha  – To the right
• A la izquierda  – To the left
• Gire – turn (verb and noun)
• Gire a la derecha  – Turn right
• Gire a la izquierda  – Turn left
• Derecho  – Straight ahead
• En la esquina – At the corner
• A una cuadra – In one block
• …dos cuadras  – …two blocks
• …tres cuadras  – …three blocks
• …cuatro cuadras  – …four blocks

Pro Tip: Not every place you’re seeking will be on your smartphone map app. We learned this the hard way! Don’t count on using GPS to guide you everywhere you want to go.

• Al fondo  – At the end
• Vaya recto  – Go straight
• Cruce la calle  – Cross the street
• Tome el primer giro  – Take the first turn
• Tome el segundo giro  – Take the second turn
• Vaya hasta el final  – Go to the end
• ¡Siga recto!  – Keep going!

Useful Spanish Phrases for Travelers During Hotel Stays

Since most travel includes a hotel stay , here are some Spanish phrases that you might need when checking in or asking for help at the desk.

These phrases can also help you get around your hotel, especially if it has many special amenities or is a large all-inclusive resort .

Here are some of the most helpful Spanish phrases for travel at hotels:

• He reservado una habitación.  – I have booked a room.
• ¿Puedes darme la llave de mi habitación?  – Can you give me the key to my room?
• Esta habitación es demasiado ruidosa.  – This room is too noisy.
• ¿No tiene un colchón más duro?  – Do you have a firmer mattress?
• ¿Cuándo es la hora límite de salida?  – When is check-out time?
• Gracias por tu ayuda.  – Thank you for your help.
• ¿Qué les ha parecido su estancia con nosotros?  – How was your stay with us?
• Muy agradable, gracias.  – Very nice, thanks.
• Aqui tiene su factura. Por favor revísela.  – Here is your bill, please look it over.
• Tengo una reserva a nombre de…  – I have a reservation under the name of…
• Estadía de tres noches  – Three-night stay
• Una habitación para cuatro personas  – A room for four people
• Una habitación con una cama de matrimonio  – A room with a double bed

Pro Tip : Habitación  is a synonym of  cuarto . While you can use either term when booking a room, some places use one term more than the other.

• ¿Dónde está la piscina?  – Where is the pool?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno?  – What time is breakfast?
• ¿Puedo solicitar una salida tardía?  – Can I request a late check-out?
• ¿Tiene servicio de habitaciones?  – Do you have room service?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña de WiFi?  – What is the WiFi password?
• Una cama supletoria  – An extra bed
• Vista al mar  – Ocean view
• Vista a la ciudad  – City view
• Un balcón  – A balcony
• La terraza  – The rooftop / terrace
• El gimnasio  – The gym
• La playa – The beach
• El vestíbulo  – The lobby
• Premier piso – first floor
• Segundo piso – second floor

Useful Spanish Travel Phrases for Travel When Dining Out

Savoring local delicacies is a hallmark of vacationing , and your trip would be incomplete without trying at least one regional dish that the locals adore.

If you’re not sure what to choose, go with the chef’s selection or strike up conversations with other native diners for some advice!

Here are some of the most useful Spanish phrases for travel in restaurants:

• ¡ Buen provecho! – Enjoy your meal!
• Estoy listo para pedir.  – I’m ready to ask.
• ¿Qué desea usted beber?  – What would you like to drink?
• Me gustaría algo de postre.  – I would like some dessert.
• ¿Qué me recomienda? – What do you recommend?
• Me gustaría probar la especialidad del cocinero.  – I would like to try the chef’s specialty.
• una sopa  – a soup
• una ensalada  – a salad
• un café  – a coffee
• un té  – a tea
• un zumo de naranja  – an orange juice
• una agua mineral  – a mineral water

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to point at a menu photo and ask “ ¿Que está? ” – What’s that?

• un cuenco de sopa  – a bowl of soup
• Nosotros querríamos desayunar.  – We would like to have breakfast.
• Nosotros querríamos almorzar.  – We would like to have lunch.
• Nosotros querríamos cenar.  – We would like to have dinner.
• ¿Qué me recomienda usted?  – What would you recommend?
• ¿Cuál es el plato especial del día?  – What is the special dish of the day?
• Yo querría un plato con verduras mixtas y pescado.  – I would like a plate with mixed vegetables and fish.
• Nosotros quisiéramos dos copas de vino tinto.  – We would like two glasses of red wine.
• sin grasas  – without fats
• sin sal  – without salt
• sin productos animal es – without animal products
• sin azúcar  – without sugar

Useful Spanish Phrases for Travelers to Go Shopping

If you’re planning on going shopping, then it’s best to know some basic Spanish words and phrases.

This way, you can ask for the prices of something, buy things, and even bargain for better deals. Plus, it’s a great way to get to know the locals.

Here are a few useful Spanish phrases for travel to use when shopping:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?  – How much does this cost?
• Está un poco caro.   – It’s a bit expensive.
• ¿Me lo puede bajar de precio?  – Can you lower the price for me?
• ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito?  – Do you accept credit cards?
• Me gustaría probármelo.  – I’d like to try it on.
• ¿Tienen algún descuento para esta prenda?  – Do you have any discounts for this garment?

Pro Tip: Don’t try to haggle in stores or shops with price tags on them. Haggling is better suited for markets. That’s typically where everything is negotiable.

• ¿Tiene algo más barato?  – Do you have something cheaper?
• ¿Puedo ver algo más/otro?  – Can I see something else/another one?
• Estoy sólo mirando.  – I’m just looking.
• Me lo llevo.  – I’ll take it.
• Me gustaría un reembolso.  – I would like a refund.
• ¿Puede envolverlo para regalo?  – Can you wrap it up as a gift?

Useful Spanish Phrases for Travelers to Have Fun

Let’s be honest. When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, the most important phrases are the ones geared toward having fun!

Make sure your vacation won’t end until you have experienced an authentic fiesta and tasted some sangria. You may even discover that you love learning Spanish so much that you decide to master the Spanish language fluently in no time!

Who knows? Maybe once exploring one of these countries you will fall so deeply in love with their culture and customs that maybe it’ll become your new home.

And having spent several years visiting all the Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas, I can vouch for the fact that they are happy, friendly, and are a ton of fun

Here are some useful Spanish phrases for travel when you want to have a fun time around town:

• ¿Hay algún bar por aquí?  – Is there a pub/bar around here?
• ¿Me podría recomendar un lugar para bailar?  – Can you recommend me a place to dance?
• ¿Puede conseguirme usted una entrada?  – Can you get me a ticket?
• 140 Hay un concierto gratuito en el parque central.  – There is a free concert in the central park.
• ¿Aún hay asientos disponibles?  – Are there any seats available?
• Nosotros quisiéramos dos billetes para la película Avengers: Infinity War.  – We would like two tickets to the movie Avengers: Infinity War.
• ¿Me podría recomendar algo divertido para hacer esta noche?  – Can you recommend for me something fun to do tonight?
• ¿Qué hay de interesante por aquí? – What is interesting around here?
• Necesitamos una botella de champaña. – We need a bottle of Champagne.
• ¿Puedo recoger mi pedido ahora mismo? – Can I pick up my order now?
• ¡Vamos a celebrar! – Let’s celebrate!
• ¡Salud! – Cheers!

Numbers and Counting Spanish Phrases for Travel

These basic numbers can be very handy when pointing to something you want and don’t have the vocabulary to say in a sentence.

More importantly, they are essential when you need to count money or measure amounts of something, like food and drinks.

Want a cool-looking pastry at the Panaderia? Just point and say “ uno, por favor. Here are the basic numbers you’ll need to create your own Spanish Phrases for travel on your trip !

• Uno/una – one (which one you use depends on the gender of the item you want.)
• Dos – two
• Tres – three
• Cuatro – four
• Cinco – five
• Seis – six
• Siete – seven
• Ocho – eight
• Nueve – nine
• Diez – ten

Pro Tip: Don’t worry if you confuse uno and una . Most locals will kindly correct you when repeating your order back to you. It helps you understand some Spanish grammar in real time!

• Once – eleven
• Doce – twelve
• Trece – thirteen
• Catorce – fourteen
• Quince – fifteen
• Dieciséis – sixteen
• Diecisiete – seventeen
• Dieciocho – eighteen
• Diecinueve – nineteen
• Veinte – twenty
• Trente – thirty
• Cuarente – fourty
• Cincuenta – fifty
• Sesenta – sixty
• Setenta – seventy
• Ochenta – eighty
• Noventa – ninety
• Mille – hundred

Directions and floors are typically described with ordinal numbers. Examples include “take the first turn” and “your hotel room is on the third floor.

So take note at least of the first few numbers on this list to make your travels easier.

• premier – first
• segundo – second
• tercero – third
• cuarto – fourth
• quinto – fifth
• sexto – sixth
• séptimo – seventh
• octavo – eighth
• noveno – ninth
• décimo – tenth

These phrases should be enough to help you get the most out of your vacation, whether that’s visiting monuments, trying delicious food, or just having a blast.

Of course, the more Spanish you learn, the better your experience in a Spanish-speaking country will be!

Benefits of Learning Spanish Phrases for Travel

Whether you’re planning on traveling to a Spanish-speaking country for business or pleasure, learning Spanish can help you make the most of your trip.

Learning Spanish for travel has many benefits. Being able to communicate effectively with locals is an important one; you will be able to understand a wider range of cultural references, jokes, and conversations.

Knowing the language also allows you to make friends in the country you’re visiting. This knowledge will help you feel more comfortable and welcome during your travels and will make your experience much more enjoyable.

You will also find that being able to speak Spanish can help you save money. You may be able to negotiate better prices for goods and services, or even get discounts for speaking the language.

Finally, learning the language will help you appreciate different cultures and points of view.

Trust me. Being able to express your thoughts in another language is a great way to learn new perspectives and gain insight into the culture of the people you’re visiting. It’s helped us so much on our travels!

Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel: FAQs

Do you still have some questions about useful Spanish phrases for travel? Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the topic.

What are some cool phrases in Spanish?

Some cool phrases in Spanish include: ¡Vamos! – Let’s go!, ¡Ándale! – Come on, let’s go!, ¡Qué padre! – Cool!, and ¡Buen trabajo! – Good job!.

What are some travel phrases?

Some common travel phrases include: ¿Cómo voy a llegar? – How do I get there?, ¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?, ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does this cost?, and ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva? – How long does it take?.

What is the most neutral Spanish greeting?

The most neutral Spanish greeting is “Hola.” It means “Hello” and can be used to greet both acquaintances and strangers. Other common greetings include “Buenos días” (“Good morning”) and “Buenas tardes” (“Good afternoon”).

How to respond to como estas?

When someone asks you “¿Cómo estás?” (“How are you?”) in Spanish, the most common response is “Bien, ¿y tú?” (“Good, and you?”).

You can also respond with a more enthusiastic “¡Muy bien!” (“Very good!”) if you are feeling especially upbeat. Additionally, you can also reply with “Más o menos” (“So so”).

How do you respond to Mucho Gusto?

When someone says “¡Mucho gusto!” (“Nice to meet you!”) in Spanish, the appropriate response is “¡Igualmente!” (“Same to you!”). This phrase is a polite way of acknowledging the other person’s greeting and expressing your own pleasure at meeting them.

What is the coolest Spanish accent?

The coolest Spanish accent is considered to be the Andalusian accent from Spain. It is known for its melodic and musical intonation, and is often the accent that people are most familiar with due to its presence in Spanish media.

However, each Spanish-speaking country has its own unique accent and dialect, so it is impossible to definitively say which one is the coolest. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

What is the popular Spanish toast?

The popular Spanish toast is “¡Salud!” (“Cheers!”). This phrase is used to express good wishes and celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays and weddings.

You can also use the phrase “¡Salud y amor!” (“Health and love!”) for an advanced or more intimate expression of good wishes.

Conclusion: Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel

Learning Spanish for travel is a great way to get the most out of your trip. Whether you’re going to visit a Spanish-speaking country for business or pleasure, having at least some basic knowledge of the language can help you in many ways.

With over 150 useful phrases for travel, this list should arm you with the knowledge you need to communicate effectively with locals and make the most of your trip.

If, however, this list of phrases isn’t enough to help you get through your travels in a Spanish-speaking country, consider signing up for online Spanish tutoring.

🏆 Duolingo is good for a few basic phrases and words but an experienced tutor at iTalki will be able to help you develop and perfect your language skills to their fullest.

So if you’re planning a trip and want to make sure that you’re prepared, sign up for online Spanish tutoring and get ready to explore one of the happiest countries in the world.

¡Buen viaje!

👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!

Author: Brodi Cole

Brodi Cole is a full-time digital nomad who travels the world with her family. She made the switch to blogging and content writing after spending more than a decade and a half working as a Human Resources Manager and Director. Since transitioning her family to a digital nomad lifestyle, they've visited over 20 countries together (and counting) in the last ten years! In addition to traveling extensively through Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean, she's also visited Asia, Europe, and South America. She spent most of the pandemic living in Malaysia before living in Mexico for over a year and then driving the Pan-American Highway from the USA to the southernmost tip of Argentina. Brodi is also a freelance SEO writer and editor, sharing her expertise with other companies and bloggers. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management.

Brodi Cole is a full-time digital nomad who travels the world with her family. She made the switch to blogging and content writing after spending more than a decade and a half working as a Human Resources Manager and Director.

Since transitioning her family to a digital nomad lifestyle, they've visited over 20 countries together (and counting) in the last ten years!

In addition to traveling extensively through Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean, she's also visited Asia, Europe, and South America.

She spent most of the pandemic living in Malaysia before living in Mexico for over a year and then driving the Pan-American Highway from the USA to the southernmost tip of Argentina.

Brodi is also a freelance SEO writer and editor, sharing her expertise with other companies and bloggers. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management.

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Travel Spanish: 70+ Essential Phrases for Your Trip

Updated on January 28, 2024 by Lou Mac

So you’re planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country (woohoo!). But how much language prep have you done for your trip?

Knowing basic travel Spanish is essential for any trip: for communicating with locals to find the best restaurants, asking for directions, and perhaps most importantly, in any emergency situation.

So, we’ve compiled this list of Spanish words and phrases that will be useful for when you immerse yourself in Hispanic culture.

If you’re unsure about the pronunciation of these phrases, this guide to Spanish pronunciation will help you understand all the basics!

Essential Travel Spanish Basics

The following words and phrases are worth going over and over until you can say them pretty much automatically, as they will be some of the basic building blocks to your Spanish knowledge.

• Hablo español / No hablo español . — I speak Spanish / I don’t speak Spanish.
• ¿Tiene…? — Do you have…?
• Tengo… no tengo… — I have… I don’t have…
• Entiendo, no entiendo — I understand, I don’t understand
• ¿Entiende? — Do you understand?
• Quiero, no quiero — I want…, I don’t want… E.g. quiero un boleto, un taxi, un hotel — I want a ticket, a taxi, a hotel…
• Me gustaría, no me gustaría… — I would like…, I wouldn’t like… (This one is more polite)
• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is… ?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
• ¿Qué hora es? — What time is it?

How to Ask for Directions in Spanish

Learning how to ask for directions is perhaps not as essential as it was twenty years ago, before the development of the internet and Google Maps.

However, if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t use your cellphone (which can easily happen!), you should know the basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary for finding your way around.

• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is the…?
• ¿ Cómo llego al centro? — How do I get to the centre/downtown?
• ¿Hay un restaurante bueno por aquí? — Is there a good restaurant around here?
• Busco un hotel/hostal — I’m looking for a hotel/hostal

With the phrases above you can ask for directions to other places, such as the bank, a bathroom etc. Here is some useful vocabulary to substitute into these phrases:

• El baño — the bathroom
• Un tren — a train
• La calle — the street
• Un cajero automático — an ATM

And lastly some practical vocab to help you understand the helpful directions people give you:

• A la derecha — to the right
• A la izquierda — to the left
• Derecho — straight ahead
• Una cuadra — a block
• Sigue… — keep going…

How to Ask for Help in Spanish

While there are many things you must learn if you want to speak Spanish, knowing how to ask for help is key to surviving in a Spanish-speaking country.

A few phrases or words will make things much easier if an emergency occurs or you are in trouble, including the following:

Note: These examples use the “formal” way of speaking to people.

• ¿Puede ayudarme? — Can you help me?
• ¡Ayuda! — Help!
• Necesito ayuda — I need help
• ¡Llame a la policía! — Call the police!
• ¡Llame a la ambulancia! — Call the ambulance!
• Ayúdeme, por favor . — Help me, please
• ¿Podría ayudarme, por favor? — Could you help me, please?
• ¿Podría explicarlo, por favor? — Can you explain it to me, please?
• ¿Cómo se escribe…? — How do you write…?
• ¿Cómo se dice…? — How do you say…?

Spanish for Medical Emergencies

It’s also important to know words in Spanish that can help us deal with a medical emergency.

• No me siento bien — I don’t feel well
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? — Where is the nearest hospital?
• ¿Puede llamar a la ambulancia? — Can you call the ambulance?
• ¿Dónde está la farmacia? — Where is the drugstore/pharmacy?
• ¿El doctor habla inglés? — Does the doctor speak English?
• ¿Necesito medicinas? — Do I need medication?
• ¿Qué medicina necesito? — What medicine do I need?
• Tengo un seguro de salud internacional — I have international health insurance

Navigating Your Accommodation in Spanish

Once you’ve found the perfect place to stay, here’s how to get yourself checked in and comfortable:

• Tengo una reserva a nombre de Harry Potter — I have a reservation under the name Harry Potter
• Necesito un hotel / un cuarto / un cuarto con baño — I need a hotel / a room / a room with a bathroom
• Me gustaría quedarme por dos noches — I would like to stay for two nights
• ¿Tiene una habitación doble? — Do you have a double room?
• ¿Dónde está la piscina / gimnasio? — Where is the pool/gym?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? — What time is breakfast?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña de WiFi? — What is the WiFi password?

Essential Spanish for Eating Out

The most important travel Spanish phrases to add to your mental toolbox are those surrounding eating out—either because we are hungry (obviously) or we want to experience the wonderful local gastronomy.

This list of expressions and words could save your life (well, your stomach) on your next adventure in a Spanish-speaking country.

In addition to the vocabulary below, a useful resource are these scenario podcast episodes we did about ordering vegetarian food in Spanish , and ordering coffee in Spanish .

To make things easier, we have divided these restaurant-related words and phrases into several categories. Check them out below:

When Arriving or Booking a Table

• Quisiera reservar una mesa — I would like to book a table
• Quisiera reservar una mesa para dos — I would like to book a table for two
• ¿Tiene alguna mesa disponible? — Is there any available table?
• Tengo una mesa reservada a nombre de Hermione Granger — I have booked a table under the name of Hermione Granger

When Ordering

• ¡Camarero / garzón! — Waiter !
• ¿Podría traerme el menú, por favor? — Could you bring me the menu, please?
• ¿Qué me recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• ¿Podría recomendarme un plato local, por favor? — Can you recommend me a local dish, please?
• Para beber, me gustaría… — To drink, I would like…
• Como entrada, me gustaría.. . — As a starter, I would like …
• Como plato principal, me gustaría… — For the main course, I would like…
• De postre, me gustaría… — For dessert, I would like…

During the Meal

• Perdone, ¿podría traerme…? — Excuse me, could you bring me…?
• Perdone, ¿podría traerme más servilletas? — Excuse me, could you bring me some more napkins?
• Perdone, ¿podría traerme otra copa de vino ? Excuse me, could you bring me another glass of wine? (learn this one by heart 🍷)
• La comida está muy rica . — The food is delicious
• La carne está demasiado hecha — The meat is overcooked
• La carne está poco hecha — The meat is undercooked

When Paying and Leaving

• La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please
• Estaba todo muy rico, gracias — Everything was very tasty, thanks
• Quisiera pagar con tarjeta — I’d like to pay by card
• Quisiera pagar en efectivo — I’d like to pay in cash
• Creo que hay un error — I think there’s a mistake

Lastly, if you’re a foodie like me, you might want to know some food recommendations. Click here to learn about the different foods you must try if you’re visiting Chile!

Resources to Learn More Travel Spanish

If you’ve decided you want to know a bit more than just the survival Spanish, here are a few resources to kick-start your Spanish journey.

• Seeing in Spanish Podcast. Our own language learning and travel podcast aims at helping you self-learn Spanish to make your travels unforgettable. To start, check out this episode on how to learn Spanish on your own .
• Duolingo. I think it’s safe to assume you know what Duolingo is! While it often gets a bad rap, it’s all about how you use Duolingo which makes the difference!
• YouTube Videos. Videos such as this video on top 20 travel Spanish phrases you should know are a great way to hear how phrases we learnt in this article are actually pronounced.

It’s also worth remembering that Spanish changes depending on what country you’re in, so you might also want to consider learning a specific Spanish dialect.

With these survival Spanish words and phrases, your next trip will be much easier and more memorable.

Now you can move on to getting excited for your adventure!

A Useful Guide to Spanish Travel Phrases

Written by Diana Luciana

August 25, 2022.

Are you planning a long-awaited trip to a Spanish-speaking country? 🌎

Your trip can be so much more fun and meaningful if you know how to say travel in Spanish, and communicate with the locals—how many times have you missed out on a secret spot because you didn’t speak the language?—and find your way around with this guide to Spanish travel phrases and words. From getting to the airport to ordering food in Spanish at the restaurant, we got you covered.

How do you say travel in Spanish?

We put together a list of essential Spanish travel phrases, need-to-know vocabulary, and tips for traveling in Spanish. Keep in mind that you don’t need to speak Spanish fluently to get the most out of your trip and have meaningful interactions. A basic travel Spanish vocabulary will get you a long way, and the locals would definitely appreciate the effort. And when you don’t understand or aren’t sure of what’s being said, simply ask ¿Habla inglés? (Do you speak English?)

Key phrases in Spanish for travelers

Here are some key Spanish phrases and greetings you should know. You can use them in any situation (asking for directions in Spanish, asking questions in Spanish, meeting new people in Spanish, and so on.) It’s a mini Spanish 101 lesson:

Spanish greetings

• Buenos días   — Good morning
• Buenas tardes   — Good afternoon
• Buenas noches   — Good evening
• ¿Cómo te llamas?  — What’s your name?
• Me llamo…   — My name is…
• Mucho gusto. Encantado — It’s a pleasure to meet you.
• ¿Cómo te va? / ¿Qué tal? / ¿Qué hay?  — How’s it going?
• ¿Cómo estás?   — How are you?
• Bien, gracias / Muy bien, gracia s — Good, thank you / Very well, thank you
• Por favor   — Please
• Perdón / Lo siento — Sorry
• ¿Habla inglés?   — Do you speak English?
• No hablo español.  — I don’t speak Spanish.
• No entiendo bien el español. — I don’t understand Spanish well. 
• ¿Tiene…?  — Do you have…?
• ¿Entiende?  — Do you understand?
• Yo entiendo / yo no entiendo  — I understand / I don’t understand
• Hágame el favor de hablar más despacio. — Speak more slowly, please. 
• Escríbalo, por favor. — Write it down, please.

Essential Spanish

• ¿Dónde está…? ¿Dónde están…? — Where is…? Where are…?
• ¿Por dónde se va a…? / ¿Cómo puedo llegar a…? — How do you go to…? 
• ¿Dónde estamos aquí en el mapa? — Where are we on the map?
• ¿Está lejos? ¿Está por aquí? — Is it far away? Is it near here?
• Busco… — I’m looking for…
• ¿Me podría ayudar?  — Can you help me?
• Estoy perdido  (for men) / perdida  (for women) . — I’m lost.
• ¿Hay alguien que hable inglés? — Is there anyone who speaks English? 
• Disculpe / Con permiso / Perdóname — Excuse me
• ¿Quién?   — Who?
• ¿Qué?   — What?
• ¿Cuándo?   — When?
• ¿Cómo?   — How?
• ¿Cuánto?   — How much?
• ¿Cuántos?   — How many?
• ¿Por qué?   — Why?
• ¿A qué hora?   — What time?
• ¿Por cuánto tiempo?   — How long?
• ¿Cada cuánto?   — How often?
• Yo quiero / yo no quiero  — I want / I don’t want
• Yo tengo / yo no tengo  — I have / I don’t have

How to say airport in Spanish

Imagine yourself getting off the plane ( el avión )—new place, new language, new everything—ready to start your vacation. Even though English is widely spoken, knowing the basic Spanish travel vocabulary for airports and planes will make your trip easier. And you will start your vacation on the right foot, confident that you can find your way in any situation.

Essential travel vocabulary in Spanish for when you are at the airport ( el aeropuerto ):

Spanish travel vocabulary

Airport-specific vocabulary in Spanish

• la aduana  — customs
• la aerolínea  / la linea aerea   — airline
• el asiento  — seat
• el auxiliar de vuelo, la azafata  — flight attendant
• el baño  — bathroom
• el boleto  — ticket
• confirmar una reservación   — to confirm a reservation
• el destino  —  destination
• el equipaje  — luggage
• el horario, el itinerario   — schedule
• la maleta  — suitcase
• el pasajero, la pasajera  —  passenger
• el pasaporte  —  passport
• el regreso  —  return
• la salida  —  departure, exit
• la tarifa  —  price
• la tienda libre de impuestos   — duty-free shop
• el viaje  — journey, trip
• el vuelo  —  flight, wing

Spanish travel phrases

Useful phrases at the airport in Spanish

• ¿Cuándo sale el avión?  — When does the plane leave?
• Mi vuelo es a las … en punto. — My flight is at … o’clock.
• ¿A qué hora es el embarque?  — What time is boarding?
• ¿Cuándo llega el avión?  — When does the plane arrive?
• Quisiera cambiar mi reserva / asiento.   — I would like to change my reservation / seat.
• Querría anular mi reserva.   — I would like to cancel my reservation.
• Necesitamos ayuda para subir al avión.   — We need help to get on the plane.
• ¿Podría elegir mi asiento?  — Could I choose my seat?
• Este es mi equipaje de mano . — This is my carry-on luggage.
• ¿Se ha cancelado el vuelo?   — Has the flight been canceled?
• ¿Dónde está la terminal internacional / a puerta de embarque ?  — Where is the international terminal / boarding gate?
• ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero? — Where is there a currency exchange desk?
• ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?

How to ask for directions in Spanish

You are finally in the city, ready to explore! Next on the list is learning how to ask for directions in Spanish. In this section, we’ll also cover the topic of transportation and finding a hotel in Spanish, and show you the most common travel phrases. Let’s delve into it:

• ¿Dónde está la estación de ferrocarril?  — Where is the railway station?
• ¿A qué hora sale el tren?   — What time does the train leave?
• ¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren?  — What time does the next train leave?
• ¿De qué plataforma sale?  — Which platform does it leave from?
• ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi / un autobús? (Latin America) /  ¿Dónde puedo coger un taxi / un autobús? (Spain) — Where can I catch a taxi / a bus?
• ¿Tiene un pase de un día?  — Do you have a one-day pass?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete al aeropuerto?   — How much is a ticket to the airport?
• ¿Cómo llego a…?   — How do I get to … ?
• Gira a la izquierda/derecha.   — Turn left/right.
• ¿Dónde hay un supermercado?   — ¿Where is there a supermarket?
• ¿Dónde hay una casa de cambio?   — Where is the currency exchange?
• ¿Dónde está el banco?  — Where is the bank?
• ¡Disculpe! Soy turista y estoy perdido/a.  — Excuse me! I am a tourist and I am lost.
• ¿Dónde hay un restaurante?  — Where is a restaurant?
• Me podrías recomendar un restaurante?   — Do you have any restaurant recommendations?

12 Spanish travel phrases for the hotel

• Busco un hotel . — I’m looking for a hotel.
• Yo necesito un hotel / un cuarto / un cuarto con baño.  — I need a hotel / a room / a room with a bathroom.
• Una habitación para dos personas . — A room for two people.
• Yo tengo una reserva a nombre de…  — I have a reservation under the name of…
• He reservado una habitación.  — I have booked a room.
• ¿Puedes darme la llave de mi habitación?  — Can you give me the key to my room?
• ¿Cuándo es la hora límite de salida?   — When is check-out time?
• ¿Puedo solicitar una salida tardía?  — Can I request for late check-out?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña de Wifi?  — What is the Wifi password?
• ¿Tiene servicio de habitaciones?  — Do you have room service?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno?  — What time is breakfast?
• Esta habitación es demasiado ruidosa.   — This room is too noisy.

How to order food in Spanish

After a long day of walking and exploring, it’s time to take a break and have a bite. Maybe try out the local Spanish cuisine. Whether you are ordering food or drinks, these phrases will come in handy. And if you want to learn more about how to say food in Spanish, check out this post . (You also have an entire section about ordering food in Spanish.) Start with these phrases:

• Una mesa para… dos, tres, cuatro . — A table for… two, three, four.
• ¿Cuál es el menú de hoy? — What is today’s menu?
• Me gustaría probar la especialidad del cocinero.  — I would like to try the chef’s specialty.
• ¿Qué me recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• Me gustaría algo de postre.   — I would like some dessert.
• La cuenta, por favor. – The check, please.
• ¿Acepta tarjeta de crédito? — Do you accept credit card?
• Tengo alergia a … — I am allergic to…
• Soy alérgico. — I’m allergic.
• Soy vegetariano/a. — I’m a vegetarian.

Now you’re all set for your Spanish travels! I hope this guide will enhance your travel experience, and that you will enjoy speaking Spanish—from asking for directions to ordering breakfast at the local cafe. If you want more free Spanish lessons , check out my YouTube channel and blog .

What’s your favorite travel destination? ✈️🧳 Drop your answer in the comments.

P.S. Do you know how to say safe travels in Spanish? Learn 3 ways you can say safe travels in Spanish: Te deseo que tengas un buen viaje (I wish you safe travels), Ojalá que tengas un buen viaje (I hope you have a good trip) and the formal option of Le deseo que tenga un buen viaje (I hope you have a good trip.) Now you know how to say safe travels in Spanish.

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Nadia Dardon

A comprehensive guide to travel vocabulary in spanish.

• June 6, 2023
• A1 Level Spanish Resources , A2 Level Spanish Resources , Spanish , Spanish Vocabulary

¡Bienvenidos! Are you planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country? Whether you’re embarking on a thrilling adventure or exploring the rich cultural heritage, knowing some basic travel vocabulary in Spanish can significantly enhance your experience. 

This blog post will equip you with essential words and phrases to help you navigate airports, hotels, restaurants, and various tourist attractions. Let’s dive into the world of travel vocabulary in Spanish!

Important Travel Vocabulary in Spanish

Travel facilities, tourist sites, verbs for travel vocabulary in spanish, travel vocabulary in spanish: useful phrases.

Practicing the phrases below beforehand will make your interactions smoother and more enjoyable during your travels.

Asking For Help

• ¿Puede ayudarme, por favor? — Can you help me, please?
• Necesito ayuda — I need help
• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is…?
• No entiendo — I don’t understand
• ¿Habla usted inglés? — Do you speak English?

Asking For Directions

• ¿Cómo llego a…? — How do I get to…?
• Derecha — Right
• Izquierda — Left
• Recto — Straight ahead
• Estoy perdido(a) — I am lost

Ordering Food and Drinks

• ¿Qué recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• Quisiera… — I would like…
• La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please
• ¿Tienen menú en inglés? — Do you have an English menu?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta?   — How much does it cost?
• ¿Tiene otro/a…?  — Do you have another…?
• ¿Puedo probármelo(a)?   — Can I try it on?
• ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito?   — Do you accept credit cards?

Emergencies

• ¡Ayuda! — Help!
• Llame a una ambulancia — Call an ambulance
• Necesito ir a la embajada — I need to go to the embassy
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? — Where is the nearest hospital?

Let’s Travel!

Learning travel vocabulary in Spanish can significantly enrich your experience while exploring Spanish-speaking countries. With this list of essential words and phrases, you can communicate more effectively and navigate your way through airports, hotels, restaurants, and popular tourist attractions. Remember, practice makes perfect! 

Want to learn more Spanish? Our expert staff will contact you within 24 hours, and you can start practicing your Spanish immediately. Or sign up for a group class (online or in person) or test your level for free with our free quizzes.

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Your Go-to Guide to Say Safe Travels in Spanish

Wish your friends safe travels in Spanish!

Summer vacations have begun, and there are many places where you and your friends or family can go.

Many of these tourist destinations are Spanish-speaking countries or cities where you will find a large majority of Spanish-speaking population.

Also, your Latin American or Spanish friends will surely return to their native country to visit family or friends.

And we always want these trips and vacations to go as exciting and smooth as possible for everyone to return home safely.

In this article, we’ll share a definitive guide to wish your friends safe travels in Spanish.

Let’s start the tour!

Join 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish! Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today. ➡️

Basic Travel Vocabulary in Spanish

Whenever you travel, no matter where, you should come prepared with a robust Spanish vocabulary of words to use during your visits.

So, we will give you some important words that you will use in your travels through Latin America.

Let’s start with the most essential thing, travel documents.

You must also know the names of the places you will have to transit when you travel.

And finally, we leave you the necessary vocabulary in Spanish to know the names of transportation you can take.

Must read: Qué Tal vs Cómo Estás: What’s the Difference?

Phrases and Expressions to Wish Safe Travels in Spanish

Practice makes perfect, and it is the best way to use all the learning you have acquired in your Spanish classes and apply it to new topics.

Here are some common phrases you can use about traveling in Spanish and wishing your friends safe travels.

Remember that these expressions apply in most Spanish-speaking countries.

But always keep in mind the Spanish slang of each region to make the correct variations and keep learning new things.

Que tengas un buen viaje.

Have a good trip.

Viaja con cuidado.

Travel safely.

Que llegues bien.

Arrive safely.

Que disfrutes el viaje

Enjoy the trip

¡Que te diviertas!

Has trabajado duro por este viaje, ¡te lo mereces!

You’ve worked hard for this trip; you deserve it!

There are also ways you can express concern and positive wishes when your loved ones are away.

Cuídate mucho.

Que todo salga bien.

May everything go well.

Espero que tengas un viaje tranquilo.

I hope you have a peaceful journey.

Espero que tu estadía sea placentera.

I hope your stay is pleasant.

¡Te extrañaré! Pero estoy feliz de que conozcas nuevos lugares .

I will miss you! But I am happy that you get to know new places.

Que estés seguro dondequiera que estés. ¡Disfruta el viaje!

Be safe wherever you are. Enjoy the trip!

If you want to have more conversations about your relatives’ trip and how to help them, here are some questions and expressions that can help you.

¿Cómo vas a viajar?

How are you traveling?

Si necesitas algo durante tu viaje, no dudes en decirme.

If you need anything during your trip, don’t hesitate to let me know.

¿Necesitas que te recoja en el aeropuerto?

Do you need me to pick you up at the airport?

Si deseas puedo prestarte mis maletas de viaje con ruedas.

If you want, I can lend you my travel suitcase with wheels.

¿Ya tienes todos tus papeles en orden para viajar?

Do you already have all your papers in order to travel?

Si aún no tienes quien cuide a tu perro yo puedo hacerlo con gusto.

If you still don’t have someone to take care of your dog, I can gladly do it.

Tengo un amigo en el país que viajas por si necesitas ayuda en caso de una emergencia.

I have a friend in the country you’re traveling in if you need help in an emergency.

We recommend: 50 Simple Spanish Questions To Ask in a Conversation (and How To Answer)

Tips for Responding to Good Wishes in Spanish

Showing gratitude for the good wishes on a trip from the people around us is important to maintain a close relationship.

Although it may seem very easy, there are many more ways to say thank you than with a simple gracias . Here we show you other alternatives to thank the good wishes and appreciation.

Muchas gracias por tus buenos deseos.

Thank you very much for your good wishes.

Aprecio tu preocupación.

I appreciate your concern.

Gracias de nuevo.

Thanks again.

Gracias por todo.

Thank you for everything.

Gracias por tu ayuda.

Thank you for your help.

Gracias por tu apoyo.

Thank you for your support.

Gracias por darme un aventón.

Thank you for the ride.

Gracias por preguntar.

Thanks for asking.

¡Eres el mejor!

You’re the best!

Agradezco lo que hiciste.

I am grateful to you for what you did.

Eres muy amable.

You’re very kind.

Te lo agradezco de todo corazón.

I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Te lo agradezco genuinamente.

I genuinely appreciate it.

Gracias, significa todo para mí.

Thank you, it means everything to me.

Read also: 100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers

Examples of Using Safe Travel Expressions in Spanish

Tu hija nos contó que se van de viaje para el verano.

Your daughter told us they are going on a trip for the summer.

¡Sí! ¡Estamos muy emocionados! Haremos un viaje de quince días a Costa Rica.

Yeah! We are very excited! We will take a fifteen-day trip to Costa Rica.

¡Qué emocionante! ¿Y ya tienen todos sus papeles en orden para viajar?

How exciting! And do you already have all your papers to travel?

Sí, ya chequeamos y no necesitamos permisos ni vacunas.

Yes, we already checked, and we don’t need permits or vaccinations.

¡Perfecto! ¡Que disfruten el viaje!

Perfect! Enjoy the trip!

Hola abuela, te he llamado para darte la buena noticia. ¡Ya compré mi boleto a España! ¡Pronto te visitaré!

Hello, grandma, I have called you to give you the good news. I already bought my ticket to Spain! I will visit you soon!

¡Qué alegría! ¿Necesitas que te recoja en el aeropuerto?

What a joy! Do you need me to pick you up at the airport?

Gracias por preguntar, te lo agradezco de todo corazón.

Thanks for asking; I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Lo haré con todo gusto. ¡Te veo pronto y viaja con cuidado!

I will gladly do it. See you soon, and travel safely!

En las vacaciones de invierno finalmente viajaré a Argentina a visitar a mis hermanos después de 10 años de no verlos.

I will finally travel to Argentina in the winter holidays to visit my brothers after 10 years of not seeing them.

¡Qué linda noticia, Milagro! Has trabajado duro por este viaje, ¡te lo mereces!

What wonderful news, Milagro! You have worked hard for this trip; you deserve it!

Muchas gracias por tus buenos deseos. ¡Ya no aguanto la hora de viajar y volver a abrazarlos a todos!

Thank you very much for your good wishes. I can’t wait to travel and hug everybody again!

Ready to wish a safe travel in Spanish?

Having empathy towards the stories of the people around us is always a lovely gesture that we can have towards them.

Especially if it is about trips that will change their lives and provide exciting, emotional, and joyful moments.

Keep working on learning more vocabulary in Spanish and ways to communicate your best wishes to your loved ones.

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74 Common Spanish Travel Phrases

One of the most common answers language learners give when we’re asked why we chose to learn that language is because we like the country or countries where it’s spoken. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that if you’re learning Spanish, you might like to visit Spain. So why not learn Spanish travel words and phrases?

Whether you choose to travel to Spain for a short holiday or for a longer time, here you’ll learn all the vocabulary you need to find your way in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, or any other city you want to visit. You probably already know that Spanish people aren’t that great at speaking English, especially in small towns, so if you want to avoid misunderstandings, this is the way to go.

Our purpose today is to teach you some common Spanish travel phrases that will help you be understood if you need help while you’re traveling in Spain—or if you want to order food, book a hotel room, get a cab, or take the bus. But even more importantly, we’re going to help you understand the answers you’ll receive!

Surely you don’t want to ask a local how to get to your hotel only to not understand the answer. That would make the whole process of learning the questions quite useless, wouldn’t it? Well, there’s no need to worry, because we’re making sure our guide of Spanish for travelers includes all of the Spanish phrases for travel you’ll need.

Without further ado, let’s delve into our list of useful Spanish words for tourists!

Table of Contents

• Ten Basic Expressions
• Nine Simple Conversation Phrases
• Nine Basic Spanish Phrases for Travel
• Seven Sentences You Might Need When Shopping
• Nine Sentences You Might Need in a Restaurant
• Nine Sentences to Ask for and Give Directions
• Six Expressions You Might Need in Case of an Emergency
• Five Flattery Phrases
• Ten Useful Phrases to Go through Language Problems
• How SpanishPod101.com Can Help You Learn Spanish

1. Ten Basic Expressions

Let’s start from the beginning. It’s practically impossible to have a proper conversation without using any of these basic expressions, so you’re going to need them. If you already know them, don’t worry; you can skip this section! And keep in mind that to hear these Spanish travel phrases with pronunciation, as well as more Spanish words and phrases, you can visit our vocabulary lists on our website.

As most of you might already know, Hola means “Hello.” It’s by far the most commonly used greeting in Spanish and can be used at any time of the day.

If you would like to learn more ways of greeting someone, you can check out our article How to Say Hello in Spanish .

Once again, this is one of the most common Spanish words. It means “Thank you” and it’s obviously a basic word in many conversations. We would like our tourists to be polite, so we hope you use it a lot!

Now you know how to say “Thank you,” but do you know what to say after someone thanks you in Spanish? De nada literally means “Of nothing” and it translates to “You’re welcome.”

In our first list of basic expressions in Spanish, we can’t forget to include words like “Yes” and “ No .” Again, you probably already knew that sí means “yes,” but here it is just in case!

This is clearly one of the easiest travel phrases in Spanish for most of you. No in Spanish means “no.”

6- Lo siento

Lo siento is one of the most common ways of saying “I’m sorry” in Spanish and you can use it the majority of the time when you wish to apologize to someone. But if you would like to know what the most appropriate expression is for different situations, feel free to read our article on How to Say “Sorry” in Spanish .

7- No hablo español

If you don’t feel comfortable enough speaking Spanish yet, it might be useful for you to be able to say “I don’t speak Spanish.” If you want to apologize for not speaking Spanish, remember that you can combine it with the previous expression on the list: Lo siento, no hablo español .

8- Me gusta

Whenever you want to express that you like something, you can say Me gusta . If you want to be specific and say what it is that you like, you can add a verb in its infinitive form, a noun, or a pronoun.

Example: Me gusta bailar. Translation: “I like dancing.”

Example: Me gustan los helados. Translation: “I like ice cream.”

9- No me gusta

If you don’t like something, all you need to do is add no just before me gusta .

Example: No me gusta correr. Translation: “I don’t like running.”

10- Por supuesto

The last expression on this list might not be as important as the rest, but it’s still good to know. Por supuesto means “of course.”

2. Nine Simple Conversation Phrases

Besides the basic expressions we just saw, there are a few sentences you might need to know so that you can have a basic conversation when you meet someone for the first time. These are often included in some of the first lessons when you start learning a language, but they’re always good to review.

You might want to take a look at our Top 10 Sentence Patterns for Beginners in case you’re not too familiar with them yet.

1- ¿Cómo te llamas?

One of the first questions you might ask someone you just met is “What’s your name?” This is one of the key Spanish travel phrases you should know, especially when it comes to forming relationships while in Spain.

2- Me llamo Ana / Soy Ana .

Obviously, if you learn how to ask what someone’s name is, you also need to know how to reply! Two of the most common ways of saying “My name is…” are Me llamo … or Soy … followed by your name. The last one only means “I’m…” but just like in English, it’s still an option.

3- ¿Cuántos años tienes?

This is another common question: “How old are you?” Interestingly, when we talk about our age in Spanish, we use the verb tener , which means “to have.” This means that the literal translation to this question is “How many years do you have?”

4- Tengo 25 (veinticinco) años.

As mentioned above, the literal translation to this answer is “I have 25 years.” Of course, it translates to “I am 25 years old.”

If you’re not yet comfortable with numbers in Spanish, we have you covered: check out our Numbers in Spanish article .

5- ¿De dónde eres?

This question means, “Where are you from?” Because people are normally curious when they hear a foreign accent or language, it tends to be heard quite frequently when someone’s traveling.

6- Soy de Australia / Soy australiano/a.

There are two different ways of replying to the previous question, and they’re very similar to what you would say in English. Soy de Australia means, “I am from Australia,” and Soy australiano (or australiana ) means “I’m Australian.”

To learn more nationalities in Spanish, take a look at our Spanish Vocabulary for Nationalities .

7- ¿Dónde vives?

And finally, here’s our last basic question. ¿Dónde vives? means “Where do you live?”

8- Vivo en Londres

As you might expect, this sentence is the answer to the previous question. Vivo en Londres means “I live in London.” We chose this city because its name is a bit different than it is in English.

Now you might be wondering if all cities have different names in Spanish. Well, luckily, this doesn’t always happen, but it does happen sometimes. Normally, when they’re not that easy to pronounce for Spanish speakers, the names will be changed. Here’s a list of Names of World Cities in Spanish that might help you.

9- ¿Me puedes sacar una foto?

This sentence isn’t as important as the rest, but it’s still really useful to know when you’re traveling. If you travel solo and your parents want to see how you’re doing on your travels, but you’re not a big fan of selfies, you’re going to have to ask someone to take a photo of you.

The way of asking “Could you take a photo of me?” in Spanish is ¿Me puedes sacar una foto?

Of course, if you’re traveling as a couple or even with a group, you might still want to ask a local to take a photo of you. You can ask this question in the plural by saying: ¿Nos puedes sacar una foto?

For a few more useful questions, take a look at our Top 15 Spanish Questions You Should Know for Conversations .

3. Nine Basic Spanish Phrases for Travel

Let’s get to more specific and useful Spanish travel phrases. Regardless of where you’re traveling, you’ll be taking cabs, trains, or buses. This is why we’ve listed a few sentences you might need if you take any of these means of transportation.

In each of these examples, we’ve marked in bold the most important part of the sentence. So, if you need to use any of these essential Spanish travel phrases for transportation, you’ll use the part in bold and change the rest of the sentence whenever you need to.

1- Three Sentences You Will Need When You Take a Cab

• ¿ Dónde puedo coger un taxi? Translation: “ Where can I take a cab?”
• Me puedes llevar a la calle San Juan, ¿por favor? Translation: “ Could you take me to Saint John’s Street, please?”
• Al aeropuerto, por favor. Translation: “ To the airport, please.”

2- Three Sentences You Will Need When You Take a Train

• Dos billetes para ir a Pamplona, por favor. Translation: “ Two tickets to go to Pamplona, please.”
• Un billete de ida y vuelta a Madrid, por favor. Translation: “ One round-trip ticket to Madrid, please.”
• ¿ En qué andén se coge el tren R5? Translation: “ On which platform can I take the R5 train?”

3- Three Sentences You Will Need When You Take a Bus

• ¿ Me puedes avisar cuando lleguemos al Museo del Prado? Translation: “ Could you let me know when we arrive to the Museo del Prado?”
• ¿ Dónde me bajo para visitar la catedral? Translation: “ Where do I get off to visit the cathedral?”
• ¿ Qué autobús tengo que coger para ir a Valencia? Translation: “ What bus do I need to take to get to Valencia?”

4. Seven Sentences You Might Need When Shopping

No matter what kind of trip you’re on, you’ll need to buy something at some point. It could be food, clothes, medicine…who knows. We’ve put together a few sentences you might need in order to buy something in Spain. These may be more advanced Spanish phrases for travel, but you can definitely master these with enough practice!

1- ¿Cuánto cuesta?

When we’re shopping, we sometimes need to ask about the price of a product, more often than not due to misplaced price tags. This is why asking “How much does this cost?” is such an important question to know. Obviously, the answer to this question is even more important. Here’s an example of how a conversation might go:

Example: A: Perdona, ¿cuánto cuesta esta chaqueta? B: Cuesta 35 (treinta y cinco) euros.

Translation: A: “Excuse me, how much does this jacket cost?” B: “It costs 35 euros.”

In case you skipped the simple conversation section in this article, we’ll remind you once more that if you want to know more about numbers in Spanish, you can check out our Numbers in Spanish article .

2- ¿Qué me recomiendas?

This question means, “What’s your recommendation?” and you might need to use it when you’re not sure what to get.

For example, one thing we’re really proud of in Spain is our jamón . You might want to try it when you visit Spain, but when you come to our supermarkets or restaurants and see all the different kinds we have, you might be confused.

In our example, because we’re asking for a specific recommendation, we’ll add a noun—the thing we’re interested in—after qué . This is optional except when what you’re referring to isn’t that obvious.

Example: A: Qué jamón me recomiendas? B: Este es buenísimo y no es muy caro.

Translation: A: “What ham do you recommend?” B: “This one is really good and it’s not too expensive.”

3- Quiero cambiar dólares a euros.

When traveling, you might need to exchange your currency for the local one, which in this case is the Euro. Specifically, the translation of this sentence is, “I want to exchange dollars for euros.”

For more information on talking about money or currency in Spanish, you might find it useful to check this vocabulary list of Words Related to Trade .

4- ¿Cómo puedo conseguir un descuento?

You might not be able to use this one as often as the other sentences on this list, depending on where you are, but it’s still good to know how to ask the question, “How can I get a discount?”

5- ¿Tienes esta camisa en otro color?

In case you see a shirt you like, but you can’t stop thinking that it would look better in a darker color, you might want to know how to ask ¿Tienes esta camisa en otro color? which means “Do you have this shirt in a different color?”

Other similar questions you might need to ask include asking for a different size. Here’s an example:

Example: A: Perdona, ¿tienes estos pantalones en una talla más grande? B: Lo siento, solo tenemos esta talla o una más pequeña.

Translation: A: “Excuse me, do you have these trousers in a bigger size?” B: “I’m sorry, we only have this size or a smaller one.”

6- ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta?

You’ll never have to ask “Can I pay by card?” in a big supermarket, but it might be helpful if you’re buying something in a small store, or in a local market.

7- ¿Dónde hay un cajero?

In case the answer to the previous question is “No” and you currently don’t have any cash on you, you’re going to need to ask where the nearest ATM is. The way to ask this is ¿Dónde hay un cajero?

If you think you might have trouble understanding the possible answers to this question, keep reading this article!

5. Nine Sentences You Might Need in a Restaurant

When it comes to Spanish travel and tourism vocabulary, we think that restaurant words and phrases just about top the list.

In this section, we’ve included a few sentences you’ll need in a restaurant. However, if we started listing all the vocabulary you would need to order food, we would be here all night long, so this is why we recommend our video All Food and Restaurant Phrases You Need . In this video, Rosa will explain everything you need to know about food in general, and also about Spanish food.

1- Mesa para dos, por favor.

Unless you’re at a fast-food restaurant, normally one of the first things you’ll have to tell the waiter is how many people will be eating, so that they can pick the right table for you. This situation can take place in a few different ways.

For example, the waiter might ask you as soon as you walk in how many people there will be. There are a few ways they can ask you this question, but the one thing we know for sure is that it will include the word cuántos , which means “how many.” He could ask ¿Cuántos son? which means “How many are you?” or ¿Mesa para cuántos? which means “Table for how many?” among others. If you’re asked this question, you can just say the number, or the magic sentence in the title.

There’s a second way this could happen: the waiter might count how many people he sees before asking that question. For example, if he counts four people, he might directly ask: ¿Mesa para cuatro? , which means, “Table for four?” If he gets the number right, you can just reply Sí . If he gets it wrong, you can correct him with the right number.

Finally, the third way this situation could go. You could be faster than the waiter and say Mesa para dos, por favor , which means “Table for two, please.” We previously said this is a magic sentence; let us explain why. If you’re still nervous whenever you need to speak Spanish and you didn’t understand what the waiter said to you, they’ll completely understand if you just say these words. Just like that, you’re in! Now let’s get you ready for what comes right after that.

2- ¿Cuál es el menú del día?

It’s common for Spanish restaurants to have a special menu for each day . Before deciding what you want to order, you can ask them ¿Cuál es el menú del día? which means “What’s the menu of the day?”

If you don’t like the special menu, don’t worry, because they’ll always have more options on the regular menu.

3- Por favor, ¿me tomas nota?

It’s quite likely that the waiter will approach you after you’ve been deciding what to get for a while. But in case you’re getting hungry and the waiter hasn’t asked what you would like to eat yet, when you see him you can ask him Por favor, ¿me tomas nota? which translates to “Can you write down my order, please?”

4- ¿Qué van a tomar?

Once the waiter has approached your table, you’ll be asked what you would like to order. It’s common for waiters to use the formal usted instead of tú , so the sentence we’ve suggested, ¿Qué van a tomar? , uses that form.

Another similar question the waiter might ask you is: ¿Ya han decidido qué van a tomar? which means “Have you decided what you’re going to have?”

Notice that both examples are in the plural. If you were eating by yourself in the restaurant, the waiter would ask ¿Qué va a tomar? instead.

5- Yo tomaré…

Of course, if you’re eating in a restaurant, you need to know how to tell your waiter what you would like to eat. Here’s an example of how to order your food in Spanish.

Example: Yo tomaré las costillas de cerdo con ensalada. Translation: “I will have the pork ribs with salad.”

6- ¡Camarero/camarera!

If you need to call the waiter for any reason, unless you know his or her name, you’ll have to say “Waiter!” or “Waitress!” This is one of the many reasons why you should know how to say it in Spanish. If your server is a girl, you’ll have to say ¡camarera! , and if it’s a man, you’ll say ¡camarero! If you feel like that’s a bit too rude for you, you can also say Perdona , which means “Excuse me.” Here’s an example that we hope you won’t need:

Example: ¡Camarero! ¡Hay un pelo en mi sopa! Translation: “Waiter! There’s a hair in my soup!”

7- ¿Algo más?

This question means, “Anything else?” and might be asked after you’ve ordered your food and the waiter wants to make sure that you’ve finished.

The answer to this question, if you have in fact finished ordering, could be No, eso es todo , which means “No, that is all.” If you still want to order something else, you can of course say Sí , followed by your next order.

8- Tengo alergia a…

For people with allergies, it’s important to be able to let the waiter know about it. The way to say, “I’m allergic to…” is Tengo alergia a …

Example: Tengo alergia a los cacahuetes. Translation: “I’m allergic to peanuts.”

You might also want to ask if a specific dish contains an ingredient in particular.

Example: Perdona, ¿la crema de calabaza lleva lactosa? Translation: “Excuse me, does the pumpkin soup contain lactose?”

To be even safer, you can check Spanish Materials and Resources from Food Allergy Research & Education for some help.

9- La cuenta, ¿por favor?

The last sentence on this list is what you might need to say last, before you leave. As you might have guessed, this is how to ask for the bill. This sentence means “The bill, please?” and even though you could ask using a full sentence instead, this is all you’ll need.

6. Nine Sentences to Ask for and Give Directions

We’re sure you knew this section would come. After all, learning directions are some of the most essential travel phrases in learning Spanish and we don’t want you to get lost when you visit our beautiful country. But if you do, we want to help you find your way.

Here are some sentences you might need if you’re lost or can’t find your destination. Because these sentences have quite simple meanings, we don’t think you’re going to need anything but their translations.

1- Estoy perdido.

Translation: “I’m lost.”

2- ¿Dónde está la estación?

Translation: “Where is the station?”

3- ¿Cómo se va a la Plaza Mayor?

Translation: “How can I get to the Main Square?”

4- ¿Dónde está el baño?

Translation: “Where is the bathroom?”

5- Está aquí mismo

Translation: “It’s right here.”

6- Está detrás de este edificio

Translation: “It’s behind this building.”

7- Ve/gira hacia la derecha

Translation: “Go/turn to the right.”

8- Ve/gira hacia la izquierda

Translation: “Go/turn to the left.”

9- Ve recto

Translation: “Go straight.”

7. Six Expressions You Might Need in Case of an Emergency

We really hope you never need to use any of these expressions, but they’re important and need to be included in this article. Just in case, here are some emergency expressions.

Translation: “Help!”

2- ¡Necesito ayuda!

Translation: “I need help!”

3- Llama a una ambulancia.

Translation: “Call an ambulance.”

4- ¿Hay algún médico?

Translation: “Is there any doctor?”

5- Llama al 112 (cien doce)

Translation: “Call 112 [the emergency number].”

6- He perdido la cartera/pasaporte.

Translation: “I’ve lost my wallet/passport.”

8. Five Flattery Phrases

Whenever you travel to a different country, locals love hearing that you’re having a good time on your trip and that you’re enjoying the country. If you want to criticize something, be careful and gentle, because as they say, you can criticize your own country as much as you want, but if a foreigner does it, they’re wrong. So if anyone asks you, try to focus on the positive side!

Here’s a few basic phrases you could use to express what you like about your trip, as well as a couple more you might need when you meet a local.

1- Me gustan los españoles.

Translation: “I like Spaniards.”

2- Me gusta la comida española.

Translation: “I like Spanish food.”

3- Me encanta España.

Translation: “I love Spain.”

4- Muy amable, gracias.

Translation: “Very kind, thank you.”

5- ¿Tienes Facebook o Instagram?

Translation: “Do you have Facebook or Instagram?”

9. Ten Useful Phrases to Go through Language Problems

Some of the most important Spanish travel phrases may be those that will help you overcome language barriers. So we want to have you covered in case you have trouble understanding someone or don’t feel too confident speaking Spanish. Just calm down and remember that you’re still learning and that we’re here to help you. The next few expressions are some of the most useful Spanish words for tourists, so pay attention.

1- ¿Hablas inglés?

Translation: “Do you speak English?”

2- No te entiendo.

Translation: “I can’t understand you.”

3- No lo sé.

Translation: “I don’t know.”

4- ¿Me lo puedes repetir?

Translation: “Could you repeat that?”

5- ¿Puedes hablar más despacio?

Translation: “Could you speak slower?”

6- No hablo español.

Translation: “I don’t speak Spanish.”

7- ¿Cómo se dice esto en español?

Translation: “How do you say this in Spanish?”

8- ¿Cómo se pronuncia esta palabra?

Translation: “How do you pronounce this word?”

9- Escríbelo, por favor.

Translation: “Write it down, please.”

10- ¿Lo puedes deletrear?

Translation: “Could you spell it?”

10. How SpanishPod101.com Can Help You Learn Spanish

Now that we’ve reached the end, we realize you’re probably thinking that these are too many expressions for you to learn straight away. We’re afraid you’re going to have to do some studying, but hey, we promise it’s going to be totally worth it! When you start learning a language, there’s nothing like the feeling of starting to understand and being understood. And we’re sure you see now that the travel phrases in Spanish language learning are so useful!

At SpanishPod101.com, there’s so much more you can learn, no matter what your level is. And now, with our guide of Spanish phrases for travelers and our Don’t Travel Without Knowing These Top 10 Verbs list , you can go anywhere in Spain. Be sure to check out all of our resources , so that you can master the language and culture while having fun!

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159 interesting Spanish slang words from all over the world

Marco Monroy

So, you’re well on your way in your Spanish learning journey and started feeling proud of your progress in class. Then, suddenly, you try to have a conversation with someone whose first language is Spanish - and your pride is shattered.  What did they just say?

If this has happened to you before, don’t worry! It probably means that you need to learn some Spanish slang to understand informal Spanish vocabulary. Spanish is spoken natively in over 20 countries and even has more first language speakers than English, making it an incredibly diverse language with many different slang words and phrases.

Let us walk you through some of the most popular Spanish slang words and phrases throughout Latin America and Europe. We’ll cover popular Spanish slang for ‘friend’, Spanish slang for ‘cool’, Spanish slang for texting, and more. We will also break down some of the most popular slang per country so that you know what to say next time you visit.

With this nifty guide, you’ll soon be able to navigate casual conversations like a local!

Why you need to know Spanish slang

There are over 20 Spanish-speaking countries worldwide. Just as English-speaking countries like the USA, the UK, and Australia have unique slang, different countries in Latin America and Europe will have different Spanish slang words.

Learning a wide variety of Spanish slang phrases will allow you to:

• Travel throughout Latin America and Spain with ease.
• Spare yourself some embarrassing situations where you don’t know the local Spanish slang.
• Communicate more effectively and naturally with locals.
• Sound more like a fluent speaker.
• Understand local memes and internet jokes!
• Watch YouTube videos, TV shows, and other slang-heavy digital media from different countries.

Although learning Spanish slang can seem daunting, it’s also a fun experience that will open many doors in your Spanish-learning journey.

Download our free guide to Spanish slang!

Spanish slang

Now that you’re excited to learn Spanish slang, let’s get into it. We'll cover the most popular Spanish slang words and phrases and provide their English translation as well as Spanish pronunciation for English speakers. Essentially, we’ll recreate the sounds with English words, so that you know how to say each word without having to mimic a native speaker!

Keep in mind that Spanish slang is pronounced differently in each country. For example, Spaniards generally pronounce the letter c as a th while Mexicans pronounce it as an s . The Spanish pronunciation column in the tables below will reflect the local pronunciation for the respective country for accuracy.

Spanish slang words

Spanish is a highly regionalized language, so most countries will have their own slang. Some slang words may even mean completely different things in different countries.

Before we get into country-specific slang, here are some Spanish slang words that are pretty universal.

General Spanish slang phrases

Spanish slang phrases are also highly dependent on the country. Many nationals will have slightly (or highly!) different ways of saying things. Here are some common slang phrases that can be pretty well understood in almost any Spanish-speaking country.

Spanish slang for friend

If you’re studying Spanish , you probably know that amigo is the word for ‘friend.’ However, did you know there are dozens of other ways you can refer to your friends? Below are some of the most common Spanish slang for ‘friend,’ including the country where each word is used.

Spanish slang for cool

One of the first things you will notice about Spanish slang words is that most countries have different ways of saying “cool.” Our table below will prepare you with the Spanish slang for cool you will need to survive anywhere.

Free downloadable guide to Spanish slang

We've created a list of popular slang words and phrases so you can start sounding like, and connect with Spanish locals. This guide to slang will take your Spanish learning to the next level.

Other country-specific Spanish slang

Mexican slang, ​​colombian slang, cuban slang, peruvian slang, argentinian slang, chilean slang, venezuelan slang, spanish slang in spain, other spanish slang from places not mentioned above, spanish slang faqs, what is some spanish texting slang.

Just as English speakers use LOL, TTYL, and ILY when texting, Spanish speakers use a lot of slang when messaging each other. Here are some of the most common Spanish texting slang acronyms you should know.

What is some Spanish slang for money?

There are many different Spanish slang words for money, as you can imagine. Here are some of the most common ones so that you’re never caught off guard when it comes to money:

What is Spanish slang for girlfriend?

Calling your girlfriend by a cutesy slang name is very common across Latin America. If you’re trying to impress your Latin American girlfriend, try calling her one of the following Spanish slang words for girlfriend:

• Mi princesa
• La dueña de mis quincenas

When is it appropriate to use Spanish slang?

Spanish slang should be strictly limited to casual and informal conversations. You should never use slang in a formal setting, such as in school, work, or any formal environment. Always try to limit the amount of slang you use when you first meet someone of higher authority than you, like your boss, your spouse’s parents, or officials. 

Check out our post on formal and informal greetings in Spanish here , if you're looking for expert guidance.

Tips for learning Spanish slang

Learning Spanish slang is one of the few things that you most likely won’t be able to accomplish in a classroom. No matter how advanced your Spanish classes are, you probably won’t spend a lot of time learning Spanish slang as you focus on grammar structures and vocabulary instead.

Here are some great tips to improve your knowledge of Spanish slang so that you can become more like a native speaker.

Make Spanish-speaking friends

The best way to learn Spanish slang is through practice. Making Spanish-speaking friends and communicating with them constantly is the best way to improve your understanding of Spanish slang.

Will you struggle to understand slang as it naturally appears in conversation? Sure. Might you feel embarrassed if you misuse slang? It happens! But the best way to learn slang is by trial and error. Just keep talking with your Spanish-speaking friends, and you will soon pick up and master every slang word they use.

Immerse yourself in the language

Full language immersion is an excellent way to improve your language skills all around. If you’re trying to grow your Spanish slang vocabulary, there is no better way than exposing yourself to everyday conversations where slang is most likely to come up naturally.

If total physical immersion isn’t possible due to work or family responsibilities, then you can try your best to turn your life into a Spanish-speaking environment.

You can do this by:

• Listening to Spanish music.
• Watching Spanish TV shows.
• Listening to Spanish podcasts.
• Reading Spanish books, especially novels.
• Watching YouTube videos from Spanish creators.

All of these are excellent ways to increase the amount of Spanish slang you are exposed to regularly.

Read informal online forums

One of the problems with reading books to increase your exposure to Spanish slang is that they tend to be highly edited and written with plain Spanish. An excellent way to circumvent this is to read what native speakers write and publish online without filtering. Online forums are an ideal place for this.

If you have any hobbies or passions, the chances are that there are plenty of Spanish-speaking online forums that you will find interesting. Google some of your interests in Spanish plus the word “ fórum ” and you are sure to find an exciting website with plenty of native content for you to consume!

Some final key takeaways

Learning Spanish slang words can take your language skills to the next level. Just knowing how to put sentences together and use textbook vocabulary will not be enough to navigate daily life in Spain, Latin America or other dominant Spanish-speaking regions.

Luckily, learning Spanish slang is now easier than ever, thanks to the internet and how you can mimic immersion from your own home.

We hope you have found this guide with Spanish slang phrases constructive and enjoyable. If you are traveling to any of the countries listed in our guide, we strongly encourage you to memorize every slang word for the respective country before you visit - and bookmark this page and regularly come back to it!

Expand your knowledge of Spanish

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25 Phrases You'll Only Hear in Spain

With Spanish being one of the most spoken languages in the world, you can imagine how often new words, phrases, and slang pop up in the everyday language of its speakers. While most Spanish speakers come from Central and South America (it’s the official language of more than 20 countries ), each country has its own slang and way of speaking. 

Because the countries of Central and South America are closer together and people frequently travel between them, it’s common for some words and phrases to travel throughout entire regions. Spain is a little different though. 

Because it’s isolated from other Spanish-speaking countries, castellano , or the Spanish spoken in Spain, can sometimes take on a life of its own. With some words having different meanings in Spain than in Latin America and some phrases only existing in Spain, it’s important to know some of the differences. Here are 25 Spanish words and phrases you’ll only hear in Spain. And if you want to learn more words like this, try Drops !

1 Vale - “Okay” in Spanish

Vale is one of the most popular expressions in Spain, and you’ll hear it everywhere you go. It’s the Spanish way of saying “okay,” and you can use it as a response for pretty much anything.

• ¿Me puedes ayudar? - “Can you help me?”
• Vale . - “Okay”

2 Qué chulo - “Cool” in Spanish

If you see something really cool or amazing, you can use this phrase. It’s mostly used to describe items, like a shirt in a store or a new video game. Be careful though - if you use it for a person, it means they’re arrogant!

• Tienes un nuevo coche. ¡Qué chulo! - “You have a new car. How cool!”
• Sería tan chulo ir a Argentina. - “It would be so cool to go to Argentina.”

3 Ser un chaval - “to be gullible” in Spanish

This phrase means “to be a kid” and is used to describe someone who is naive, gullible, or inexperienced. It’s not necessarily a negative description though! More recently, chaval has also become a slang term like “dude” in English.

• Él no entiende porque es un chaval. - “He doesn’t understand because he’s a kid.”
• Chaval, ¿dónde estás? - “Dude, where are you?”

4 Ser mono - “Cute” in Spanish

The word mono actually means “monkey,” but Spanish people also use it as “cute.” 

• Su perro es tan mono. - “Her dog is so cute.”
• Mi sobrina es tan mona. - “My niece is so cute.”

5 Ir a tapear - “To get get tapas” in Spanish

Tapas are one of the most popular things to eat in Spain. They’re small appetizers you can share with friends or family, like cheeses, cured meats, and olives. This phrase simply means you’re going to go out to eat tapas !

• Voy a tapear con mi familia. - “I’m going to eat tapas with my family.”
• ¿Quieres ir a tapear conmigo? - “Do you want to go eat tapas with me?”

6 ¡Qué fuerte! - “Wow!” in Spanish

Fuerte by itself means “strong,” but in Spain, you can use it when you’re surprised or shocked, similar to “Wow!” or “Oh my gosh!” in English.

• ¡Perdí todo mi dinero ayer! - “I lost all my money yesterday!”
• ¡Qué fuerte! - “Oh my gosh!”

7 Ser la leche - “To be the milk” in Spanish

This phrase literally means “to be the milk,” but it’s used to describe something amazing or terrible in Spain. You’ll actually hear a lot of things described as leche in Spain, and it can really mean anything. It’s usually pretty easy to figure out if it’s a positive or negative meaning based on the context though.

• Mi novia me compró un coche. ¡Es la leche! - “My girlfriend bought me a car. She’s the best!”
• El estudiante nunca me contesta. ¡Es la leche! - “The student never answers me. He’s the worst!”

8 Tío/Tía - “Guy/girl” in Spanish

The literal meaning of these words is “uncle/aunt,” but Spaniards also use them as an informal way to say “man/girl.”

• ¿Qué pasó, tío? ¿Estás bien? - “What happened, man? Are you okay?”
• ¡Es la leche, tía! - “It’s the best, girl!”

9 Guay - “Cool” in Spanish

This is a truly Spanish word. It simply means “cool,” and you’ll hear it used in pretty much every conversation in Spain.

• ¡Tu camisa es tan guay! - “Your shirt is so cool!”
• ¡Qué guay la nueva película! - ‘The new movie is so cool!”

10 Pinchos - Northern-style tapas

Pinchos are pretty much the same thing as tapas , but can be found mostly in the north of Spain. They’re usually prepared on a skewer and served on top of bread.

• Este restaurante tiene los mejores pinchos. - “This restaurant has the best pinchos.”
• Vamos a comer pinchos esta noche. - “We’re going to eat pinchos tonight.”

11 Pavos - “Bucks” in Spanish

Pavos are usually turkeys, but in Spain, they’re also money. Using this is the equivalent of saying “bucks” in English.

• Esa camisa cuesta demasiado…¡75 pavos! - “That shirt costs too much…$75!”
• Quiero visitar el nuevo restaurante con mi novia, pero no tengo bastantes pavos. - “I want to go to the new restaurant with my girlfriend, but I don’t have enough money.”

12 Estar como una cabra - “To be crazy” in Spanish

Goats can be a little skittish sometimes, so that’s what Spaniards call people when they’re acting crazy.

• Él está como una cabra. No importa lo que le dije. - “He’s crazy. He doesn’t care what I said to him.”
• Ella está como una cabra después de comer azúcar. - “She’s crazy after she eats sugar.”

13 Flipar - “To flip out”

This word actually sounds similar to its English equivalent. You use flipar when someone is “flipping out.” Used mostly by the younger population, it refers to something that leaves you surprised or that you can’t believe.

• ¡Estoy flipando! ¡Gané la competencia! - “I’m flipping out! I won the competition!”
• Él está flipando. Tiene un nuevo trabajo. - “He’s flipping out. He has a new job.”

14 Molar - “To Like” in Spanish

Spaniards use “molar” just like the verb “gustar.” Both verbs are also reflexive. Meaning “to like”.

• Esta película me mola. - “I like this movie.”
• Me mola esta canción. - “I like this song.”

15 Estar en pelotas - “To be naked” in Spanish

The literal meaning of this phrase is a little crude (“to be in balls”), but it’s common for Spaniards to use it when someone is naked.

• Quiero ir ahora pero estoy en pelotas. - “I want to go now but I’m naked.”
• No puedes estar en pelotas en público. - “You can’t be naked in public.”

16 Guiri - “Tourist” in Spanish

Hopefully, after using some of these phrases in Spain, you won’t hear anyone calling you a guiri . This is how Spaniards refer to tourists.

• Hay muchos guiris aquí en el verano. - “There are a lot of tourists here in the summer.”
• Quiero ir a la playa pero hay demasiado guiris. - “I want to go to the beach but there are too many tourists.”

17 ¡Hostia! - “Oh my gosh!” in Spanish

Similar to vale , you’ll hear this word in every conversation in Spain. It’s an exclamation that’s similar to “Oh my gosh!” in English, but can also be used to emphasize words.

• ¡Hostia, tío! No sabía que trabajaste aquí. - “Oh my gosh, dude! I didn’t know you worked here.”
• Hoy el sol hace un calor de la hostia. - “Today the sun is so damn hot.”

18 Coger - “To get” in Spanish

In Latin America, you may get a few stares if you use this word in a normal conversation because it has a sexual connotation. In Spain though, it simply means “to get” or “to fetch.”

• Necesito coger dinero de mi casa. - “I need to get money from my house.”
• ¿Puedes coger a los niños después de la escuela? - “Can you pick up the kids after school?”

19 Estar de paro  - “Unemployed” in Spanish

Hopefully, you’re never unemployed, but if you are, you’ll need to know this phrase.

• A causa de la pandemia, estoy de paro. - “Because of the pandemic, I’m unemployed.”
• Ahora mi hermana está de paro. - “Now my sister is unemployed.”

20 Estar a dos velas - “To be broke” in Spanish

You don’t necessarily need to be unemployed to be broke, but no matter what your employment status, you can use this phrase to say you don’t have any money. It literally means to “be between two candles (because you don’t have electricity)”.

• Estoy a dos velas porque he comprado tantos regalos para mi madre. - “I’m broke because I bought so many gifts for my mom.”
• Estoy de paro, tío. Estoy a dos velas también. - “I’m unemployed, dude. I’m broke, too.”

21 Dar prisa - “To rush someone” in Spanish

When someone is rushing a Spaniard (which doesn’t happen too often…), you may hear them use this phrase.

• Mis colegas siempre me están dando prisa. Ellos nunca planean nada. - “My coworkers always rush me. They never plan anything.”
• Tengo que darme prisa en comer. Tengo una cita en cinco minutos. - “I have to hurry and eat. I have an appointment in five minutes.”

22 Mogollón - “A ton” in Spanish

In Spanish cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, there are huge groups of people during the summer. Especially in these areas, you’ll hear people use this word to describe the number of people.

• Esta playa tiene un mogollón de gente. - “This beach has a huge amount of people.”
• Hay un mogollón de guiris en Barcelona. - “There’s a huge group of tourists in Barcelona.”

23 Ser la caña - “To be the best” in Spanish

A caña is a small glass of beer in Spain, and you’ll always see Spaniards drinking them in the bars. It’s also a compliment to be called a caña ! It’s similar to saying someone is “the best” in English.

• Has hecho todo bien. ¡Eres la caña! - “You did everything well. You’re the best!”
• Mi equipo ganó anoche. ¡Somos la caña! - “My team won last night. We’re the best!”

24 Ser un crack - “To be the best at something” in Spanish

Similar to being a caña , being a crack is also a compliment. You can use it to describe someone who is the best at something.

• Marilyn Monroe era una crack para su época. - “Marilyn Monroe was the best for her time.”
• Celine Dion es una crack cantando estas canciones. - “Celine Dion is the best at singing these songs.”

25 Se le fue la pinza - “To lose it” in Spanish

This phrase is a little less common than others on the list, but it’s still a good one to know if you’re talking to a Spaniard. You can use se le fue la pinza when someone has lost it, gone crazy, or is being completely unreasonable.

• Mi profesor cree que podemos escribir 10,000 palabras esta noche. ¡Se le fue la pinza! - “My teacher thinks we can write 10,000 words tonight. He has lost it!”
• Mi madre me dijo que soy el mejor futbolista del mundo. ¡Se le fue la pinza! - “My mom told me I’m the best soccer player in the world. She’s crazy!”

Learning Spanish can be difficult, especially when you factor in the cultural aspect. For this reason, it’s important to use an app like Drops that can teach you the right words to use in different Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain. Because the words, phrases, and slang can be really different, you don’t want to get yourself in an awkward conversation! 

About the Author: Chad Emery is an American currently living in Spain. He loves everything to do with languages, and he started Langoly to help people learn and teach them more effectively. He enjoys finding the best apps, platforms, and resources to help people achieve all their language-related goals. 

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How to say “to travel” in Spanish: Formal and Informal Ways

Are you planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country? Learning how to say “to travel” in Spanish is a fundamental step in becoming a confident communicator. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to express the concept of traveling in Spanish. Let’s dive right in!

1. Common Formal Expressions for “to travel”

When speaking formally, it’s essential to use appropriate vocabulary and expressions. Here are some commonly used formal phrases to convey the idea of traveling:

a) Viajar: This is the most general and versatile term for “to travel.” It encompasses all types of travel, whether it’s by car, plane, train, or any other means. For example:

Mi trabajo me permite viajar por todo el mundo. (My job allows me to travel around the world.)

b) Desplazarse: This term emphasizes the act of moving from one place to another. Although less common than “viajar,” it is frequently used when referring to transit or commuting. For example:

Tendrás que desplazarte en metro para llegar al centro de la ciudad. (You’ll have to take the subway to get to the city center.)

c) Ir de viaje: This expression specifically means “to go on a trip” and is often used to refer to planned vacations or holidays. For example:

Este verano vamos a ir de viaje a la playa. (This summer we’re going on a trip to the beach.)

2. Informal Ways to Say “to travel”

When speaking in a more relaxed or informal setting, such as with friends or family, you can use the following colloquial expressions for “to travel”:

a) Irse de viaje: This phrase literally means “to go away on a trip” and implies leisurely travel or a getaway. It’s commonly used among friends and peers. For example:

¿Te gustaría irte de viaje conmigo este fin de semana? (Would you like to go on a trip with me this weekend?)

b) Hacer un viaje: This expression, meaning “to take a trip,” is used informally to talk about planned or spontaneous travels. For example:

El año pasado hicimos un viaje por Europa y recorrimos varios países. (Last year we took a trip around Europe and visited several countries.)

3. Regional Variations

Spanish is spoken across different regions, and although the variations in expressions for “to travel” are minimal, it’s worth mentioning some differences:

a) América Latina: In many Latin American countries, “viajar” is the most common and widely used term for “to travel.”

b) Spain: While “viajar” is still the prevalent term in Spain, you may occasionally hear “coger un avión/tren” (to take a plane/train) or “hacer una escapada” (to take a getaway) as well.

4. Useful Travel-Related Vocabulary

Expanding your travel vocabulary will greatly enhance your communication skills. Here’s a list of essential travel-related words and phrases:

• Vacaciones – Vacation
• Aeropuerto – Airport
• Pasaporte – Passport
• Maleta – Suitcase
• Billete – Ticket
• Turista – Tourist
• Hotel – Hotel
• Visitar – To visit
• Explorar – To explore
• Conocer – To know/meet/discover

5. Examples in Context

Let’s put it all together with some practical examples, showcasing various ways to say “to travel” in different contexts:

Este año quiero viajar a Argentina y disfrutar de su cultura y paisajes. ¡Me encanta ir de viaje! (This year, I want to travel to Argentina and enjoy its culture and landscapes. I love going on trips!) ¿Vamos a hacer un viaje por la costa este en verano? (Shall we take a trip along the East Coast this summer?) Siempre me gusta descubrir nuevos lugares y conocer gente interesante cuando viajo. (I always enjoy discovering new places and meeting interesting people when I travel.)

Congratulations! You’ve learned several ways to say “to travel” in Spanish, both formally and informally. Remember to adapt your language according to the situation, whether it’s a professional context or a casual conversation with friends. By expanding your travel vocabulary and getting familiar with regional variations, you’ll be well-prepared for your next adventure or conversation about travel in Spanish. ¡Buen viaje! (Have a good trip!)

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73 Spanish Slang Words and Phrases Explained in English

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35 Cool Travel Quotes in Spanish

By Author Paulina

Posted on Published: September 6, 2022  - Last updated: January 15, 2024

Here are cool travel quotes in Spanish you will definitely love to share.

If you are thinking about traveling to Spain, you should bear in mind that what Spain known for is the richness of its vocabulary.

That’s why if you want to express yourself as locals do, this article is going to be really helpful!

Although we all know that practice makes perfect, you can impress your travel buddies by learning some  cool travel quotes in Spanish before departing!

So do not hesitate about making the most of the useful sayings you will find here!

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Pssst…!!??  You can’t get enough of Spain Quotes? Have a look at my other posts:

• Happy Quotes in Spanish
• Inspirational Staycation Quotes You’ll Love
• Best Spanish Quotes About Friendship

1. El mejor de los viajes es el próximo

Nowadays, traveling is one of the best ways to spend your free time. 

If you need some travel quotes about Spain to express how much you are looking forward to going on a trip, you may say El mejor de los viajes es el próximo .

Its translation is ‘The best trip is the next one’ and it may be considered one of the best Spanish love quotes about traveling.

2. Viajamos para que la vida no se nos escape

Short travel quotes that may be appropriate when visiting some of the most beautiful places in Spain will remark on the importance of this moment.

When you say Viajamos para que la vida no se nos escape , you mean, ‘We travel so that life does not escape us.’

As you may notice, it highlights how visiting different places may make us feel alive.

It is surely one of the Spanish sayings about travel that will keep you motivated to explore more!

3. El sentido de la vida es cruzar fronteras

Best travel words in Spanish will help you get the courage to travel all around the world.

If you are looking for these kinds of list of 35 cool Instagram captions in Spanish , you may resort to El sentido de la vida es cruzar fronteras .

This beautiful Spanish quote simply means ‘The sense of life is to cross frontiers’

4. Viajamos para cambiar de ideas

Viajamos para cambiar de ideas is an easy travel quote in Spanish that means ‘We travel to change our minds’.

It especially suits far-away trips that will make you understand how other civilizations live.

When you are going on these kinds of long journeys, Spaniards are probably going to tell you Viaja seguro .

This can also be one of the safe travels quotes in Spanish as this expression means ‘travel safe’ to express safe journey in Spanish.

5. Tenemos todo un mundo por ver

Some romantic Spanish love quotes may also be considered catchy travel phrases in Spanish.

It is precisely what happens when you tell your couple Tenemos todo un mundo por ver .

This beautiful expression means ‘We have a whole world to see’ and it is one of the best motivational quotes in Spanish to keep planning adventurous trips together!

6. El mundo es un libro y aquellos que no viajan solo leen una página

As you already should know, ‘safe travel’ in Spanish is Viaja seguro .

This expression is commonly said to your friends, that’s why it may be considered one of the best Spanish quotes about friendship and trips or travel with friends quotes.

Another popular one is El mundo es un libro y aquellos que no viajan solo leen una página , which can be translated as ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel only read a page’.

7. Viajando se fortalece el corazón

‘Good travel’ in Spanish is ¡ Buen viaje! and it may be considered one of the most common travel phrases in Spanish as it can be said when traveling by car, train, boat, or plane.

If you are looking for some deep or funny Spanish quotes , you can say Viajando se fortalece el corazón because it means ‘Traveling strengthens the heart’.

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8. Hay lugares en los que uno se queda y lugares que se quedan en uno

Continuing our list of deep Spanish travel quotes, we can’t miss Hay lugares en los que uno se queda y lugares que se quedan en uno .

These kinds of cool travel quotes in Spanish are suitable if you have visited a place that has changed you.

It can be translated as ‘There are places where one stays and places that stay in one’.

9. Vive la aventura de vivir tu vida como quieras

Cute or romantic Spanish phrases to refer to life and trips may be easily found on the Internet.

One of my favorite ones is Vive la aventura de vivir tu vida como quieras , whose meaning is ‘Live the adventure of living your life as you want’.

It feels like this quote emphasizes happy travels in Spanish.

10. Tengo tantas ganas de viajar que ni viajando se me pasan

Cool travel Christmas quotes in Spanish to emphasize how much you enjoy traveling make people get your desire to keep doing it.

When you say Tengo tantas ganas de viajar que ni viajando se me pasan , some may think that this contradiction is some sort of Funny Spanish insults , nevertheless, nothing further from reality.

The meaning of this Spanish expression is ‘I want to travel so much that even doing so I still want to do it’.

11. Viajar es añadir vida a la vida

Spanish quotes for mum may refer to how much you appreciate her and all the trips she has planned to share some happy memories.

That’s why Spanish quotes about life and trips may show your gratitude to her.

Telling her Viajar es añadir vida a la vida , you mean ‘Traveling is adding life to life’.

And it is probably the best possible quote to say thanks to her for these unforgettable experiences.

12. Viajar es como amar, es un intento de transformar un sueño en realidad

Spanish love quotes that also refer to traveling may be heard in movies set in Spain .

One of the most poetic comparisons between love and trips is Viajar es como amar, es un intento de transformar un sueño en realidad .

The translation of this beautiful quote is ‘Traveling is like love, it is an attempt to transform a dream into reality’.

13. Los viajes cambian a las personas

What is Spain known for is the wide variety of kinds of trips you can make without leaving our country.

Here you can find beautiful beaches, deep forests, crowded cities, and small villages.

No matter which destination you choose, I am sure it will make an impact on you.

If you need some cute Spanish phrases to describe this fact, you may resort to Los viajes cambian a las personas .

It means ‘Trips change people’ which can be one of your next Spanish vacation captions on your Instagram.

14. Hay demasiadas aventuras esperando a ser vividas

Some motivational Spanish quotes may refer to travel.

It is precisely what happens when you say Hay demasiadas aventuras esperando a ser vividas .

The translation of this expression is ‘There are too many adventures waiting to be lived’.

It is the best encouraging saying to keep discovering new countries.

15. Un maravilloso viaje de mil millas empieza con un solo paso

When you visit some of the most beautiful places in Spain, you may want to show how much you appreciate being there.

A deep quote by Lao Tzu to highlight how wonderful is to have started the journey is Un maravilloso viaje de mil millas empieza con un solo paso .

It can be translated as ‘A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step’.

16. No guardes rencores, mejor guarda dinero para viajar

Funny Spanish quotes about traveling are quite common in our language.

If you have angry friends that waste their energy getting mad about everything, you can tell them No guardes rencores, mejor guarda dinero para viajar .

The translation of this expression is ‘Don’t hold grudges, you better save money for travel’.

17. Ojalá viajar pudiese pagarme las facturas

Ojalá viajar pudiese pagarme las facturas means ‘I wish traveling could pay my bills’ and it may be considered one of the most popular cool travel quotes in Spanish among teenagers.

As you may already know, young people usually want to have fun and forget about everything else, that’s why this quote may be the perfect Instagram caption in Spanish for them.

18. Viajar no te hará más guapo pero sí más feliz

Romantic Spanish love quotes may be kind sayings to cheer your friends up.

If you tell somebody Viajar no te hará más guapo pero sí más feliz , you mean ‘Traveling won’t make you more handsome but happier’.

And we all know that happiness makes people more attractive.

19. Viaja porque la vida es corta y el mundo enorme

Cool travel quotes in Spanish allow you to remark how important is to enjoy these kinds of experiences.

When you use the expression Viaja porque la vida es corta y el mundo enorme , you are saying ‘Travel because life is short and the world is huge’.

20. Lo que importa es el viaje, no el destino

Lo que importa es el viaje, no el destino is one of the best Spanish quotes about Friendship because it points out the value of sharing a journey with a friend.

These special words may work as great Instagram captions in Spanish to use when posting pictures of your trips with colleagues.

The translation of this expression is ‘What matters is the journey, not the destination’.

This quote emphasizes the importance of having a good journey in Spanish.

21. Sigue llenando la vida de razones por las que viajar

The expression Sigue llenando la vida de razones por las que viajar is one of the best Spanish travel quotes because it makes you bear in mind the importance of self-motivating you to keep discovering new places.

It can be translated as ‘Keep filling your life with reasons to travel’.

22. Colecciona experiencias, no cosas

Cool travel quotes in Spanish like Colecciona experiencias, no cosas have been are ideal slogans for marketing travel campaigns.

This one, in particular, is a very catchy saying that means ‘Collect experiences, not things’.

23. Viajar es lo único que compras y te hace más rico

On the top of my list of 35 cool travel quotes in Spanish, you will find the expression Viajar es lo único que compras y te hace más rico .

This quote points out the main advantage of visiting new places, that’s why it can be considered the best quote about traveling to tell to those friends who always complain about spending money on it.

It can be translated as ‘Traveling is the only thing you buy and makes you richer’.

24. Quien vive, ve mucho y quien viaja, ve más

There are more cool travel quotes in Spanish that will convince your friends to visit new places.

On of the most popular ones is Quien vive, ve mucho y quien viaja, ve más .

Its literal meaning in English is ‘Who lives, sees a lot and who travels, sees more’.

25. Viajamos para que la vida no se nos escape

When you look for motivational quotes in Spanish, you can realize that some of them refer to traveling experiences.

It is precisely what happens when you use Viajamos para que la vida no se nos escape , which means ‘We travel so that life does not escape us’.

26. El viaje importa, la compañía también

If you need some positive quotes in Spanish about friends travelling together, you may like El viaje importa, la compañia también .

The translation of this cute Spanish quote is ‘The journey matters, the company too’ and it can be the perfect Instagram caption in Spanish for your traveling pictures with friends.

27. Trabajar llena tus bolsillos y viajar tu alma

Sometimes you may feel like sad because you are spending a lot of time working; however, it can cheer you up to think that thanks to your effort you get the money that allows you to travel.

If you want to express this feeling with good Spanish quotes about life and trips, you may say Trabajar llena tus bolsillo y viajar tu alma .

This saying means ‘To work fills your pockets and to travel your soul’.

28. Viajo, luego existo

Descartes was the philosopher that popularized the quote Pienso, luego existo that means ‘I think, therefore I am’.

A version of this worldwide known slogan is Viajo, luego existo , whose translation is ‘I travel, then I exist’.

Do not hesitate about using this deep Spanish quote about traveling to let somebody know that you are a real culture vulture!

29. Viajar es enamorarse a cada paso

Romantic Spanish Phrases about traveling may seem a little bit cheesy to your friends, however, it’s always good to let others know how much you are enjoying these experiences.

Viajar es enamorarse a cada paso means ‘To travel is to fall in love at every step you take’.

It is the perfect Spanish quote to remark your love for traveling.

30. El momento para viajar es ahora

Positive Quotes in Spanish are those that help you to remark the importance of every single moment of your life.

El momento para viajar es ahora simply means ‘The time to travel is now’.

31. Viajar es darle vida a los días, no solo contar los días de la vida

This quote emphasizes that traveling is more than just marking days on a calendar; it’s about breathing life into each day rather than merely counting the days of your life.

Its literal translation is ‘To travel is to give life to the days, not just to count the days of life.’

It encourages the idea that through travel, one can add depth, richness, and experiences to their existence, making each day a vibrant chapter in the story of their life.

It is one of the Spanish phrases for travel that really gives us the true essence of traveling.

32. Descubre el mundo antes de que el mundo descubra quién eres

One of the inspiring Spanish vacation quotes is Descubre el mundo antes de que el mundo descubra quién eres which means ‘Discover the world before the world discovers who you are.’

This quote urges you to explore the world and discover its wonders before the world forms preconceived notions about who you are. 

In essence, it advocates for the transformative power of exploration.

It suggests that by discovering the world, you also uncover aspects of your identity that might be concealed by the expectations of others.

33. La vida es corta, el mundo es ancho. ¡Atrévete a explorar!

A vacation quotes in Spanish that translates to ‘Life is short, the world is wide. Dare to explore!’

The call to “dare to explore” is an invitation to embrace new experiences, broaden horizons, and make the most of the limited time we have.

It is one of those Spain travel quotes that will really motivate us to explore the world.

34. Cada calle tiene su propia historia, y cada viaje es un nuevo capítulo

You know what I like the most about traveling quotes in Spanish?

They are not only inspiring, but also give depth about the journey itself.

Cada calle tiene su propia historia, y cada viaje es un nuevo capítulo means ‘Every street has its own story, and every journey is a new chapter.’

It captures the idea that the paths we traverse are inspired by distinct tales shaped by the people, events, and cultures we encounter along the way. 

This quote makes a great Spanish travel captions for your next travel post!

35. No coleccionamos cosas, coleccionamos momentos y experiencias

If the viajar quotes I mentioned above are still not enough to inspire you, this one might.

No coleccionamos cosas, coleccionamos momentos y experiencias translates to ‘We don’t collect things, we collect moments and experiences.’

It emphasizes the value of memories and the intangible, highlighting that true wealth lies in the unique and irreplaceable moments we gather throughout our journeys. 

By encouraging the prioritization of experiences over things, it promotes a mindset focused on creating a tapestry of meaningful and fulfilling life experiences.

It is our last but maybe the most important of our cool travel quotes in Spanish, don’t forget it!

After providing you with a comprehensive list of cool travel quotes in Spanish, unfortunately, this article is coming to its end.

Hoping you have enjoyed learning some of the best Spanish quotes about traveling, I just wish you will have the opportunity to use them in context when discovering amazing new places!

Buen viaje !

FAQs on Spanish Travel Quotes

1. how to say safe travels in spanish slang.

In Spanish slang, you might say Que te vaya chéver e or Que la pases bomba .

2. How to say safe travels in Spanish?

To say safe travels in Spanish, Buen viaje or Que tengas un buen viaje are commonly used.

3. How to say travel lover in Spanish?

You can say Amante de los viajes .

Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀

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Money in Spanish Slang: Over 20 local terms

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Knowing how to talk about money is essential in every corner of the world and in any language. So of course, if you’re travelling around Spain or Latin America, you’d better be ready to understand the different terms for money in Spanish slang .

Some terms for money  are quite universal, which are useful in banks and exchange offices. When speaking with locals, however, you’ll need to know the right slang for money  in Spanish. In this post, we’ll introduce over 20 regional terms for money  in Spanish!

First, we’ll cover the most neutral and widely-known words for money  in Spanish. From there, we’ll concentrate on the different terms used in different countries. You’ll be amazed by the variety of terms that we’ll see in this section! As a funny wrap-up, we’ll introduce you to some common Spanish money expressions.

Now let’s dive into today’s topic, because time is money!  – ¡El tiempo es oro!

How to say Money in Spanish

Although the focus of today’s post is on how to refer to money  in Spanish slang, let’s start with a few neutral terms for money  that are a good place to start when you’re a beginner.

Dinero  is the most neutral term that you’ll find in the dictionary as a straight translation for money  in Spanish. Whenever you want to talk about money , dinero  is the word that is clearly understood by every Spanish speaker  in any part of the world.

In local contexts, dinero  is often considered as quite a formal way of saying money . When in doubt, however, dinero  is always the safest option.

• I need money  to buy bread every day. – Necesito dinero para comprar el pan todos los días.
• Money  doesn’t buy happiness. – El  dinero  no compra la felicidad.

If you’re planning a trip in the Americas, then plata  is the main word you should know. Plata  is used as a default to refer to money  across most of the Latin American countries. In terms of formality or informality, plata  is rather neutral. On the other hand,  plata  may also convey another meaning since it’s the straight translation for the precious metal silver .

• I need you to give me back the money I lent you. – Necesito que me devuelvas la plata  que te presté.
• We save a lot of money every month. – Ahorramos mucha plata  todos los meses.

Money in Spanish Slang

Talking about money  is an everyday topic, present in everyday conversations. By now, you’ve surely noticed that everyday language is where slang vocabulary is born. Money  is certainly no exception, which is why we’re dedicating a full post to Spanish slang terms for money !

Buckle up, because we’re about to travel all over the Spanish-speaking world  to show how differently people from different regions refer to money in Spanish. Now let’s see some of the differences from Spain to Argentina, and onwards to Cuban and Mexican slang for money!

Mexico, El Salvador, Cuba

In addition to being used in El Salvador and Cuba,  baro  is also the Mexican slang for money.

• Whitout  money , you can go nowhere. – Sin baro  no puedes ir a ningún lado.

All over Latin America

Billete  is the term we use to refer to a banknote  in Spanish. Throughout Latin America, billete can also be used to mean money  in general.

• I sold nothing today! It’s because ordinary people have no money . – ¡No vendí nada hoy! Es que no hay  billete  en la calle.

Biyuya, Biyuyo, Billuyo, Billullo

Argentina, Uruguay, Honduras, Panamá, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Chile

The spelling of this word may differ according to the country where it’s used, but it always means money  in Spanish slang.

• We’re broke, they’ve taken all the money  we had. – Estamos en bancarrota, se llevaron toda la biyuya  que teníamos.

Puerto Rico, Cuba, República Dominicana

• My friends lent me some  money to pay my debts. – Mis amigos me prestaron unos chavos para pagar mis deudas.

El Salvador, Panamá

• In this family we always need money . – En esta familia siempre necesitamos chimbilín .

This word is the Argentinian slang for low-value money or coins.

• Will you lend me some coins , dude? – ¿Me prestás unas chirolas , chabón?

This slang for money in Spanish is used in Ecuador, mainly by young people.

• Guys, if there’s no money , we can’t go to the discothèque. – Chicos, si no hay  cushqui  no podemos ir a la disco.

Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador

This slang term in Spanish means money. In some places, it also refers to small change.

• Shall we go to the movies? / No, bro, I have no money . – ¿Vamos al cine? / No, mano, no tengo feria .
• They gave me 20 pesos in change . – Me dieron 20 pesos de  feria .

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay

The straight translation of gamba  in Spanish is shrimp , but in certain countries it’s a Spanish slang term for money. Specifically, we use gamba  to refer to hundreds when talking about the amount of money, where una gamba  is 100 pesos .

• The train ticket is about 600 pesos . – El boleto de tren sale como seis gambas .

Guita, Guitarra

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, Uruguay

Guitarra  is mainly used in Bolivia, while its abbreviated form, guita , is more widespread. You may be already familiar with the Spanish word guitarra , which usually refers to a guitar .

• Wanna hang out tonight? / I ain’t got no money , dude. – ¿Salimos esta noche? / No tengo guita , che.

Costa Rica, República Dominicana, Nicaragua

This term is most common in Costa Rica, where it’s used by everyone. In Nicaragua, it’s used most among young people. If you’re a fan of cooking , you’ve probably already come across this word, since the straight translation for harina  is flour .

• How much money  do you have left in your wallet? – ¿Cuánta  harina  te queda en la cartera?

Mexico, Panamá, Perú

In Mexico, Panamá, and Perú, lana  is frequenly used as Spanish slang for money. In the rest of the Spanish-speaking world, along with the dictionary, lana  simply refers to wool .

• I don’t go on vacations ’cause I have no money , bro. – No me voy de viaje porque no tengo lana , mano.

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia

In Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, luca  is the slang term for one thousand pesos . In Colombia, it’s also used to just refer to one peso .

• The concert tickets are really expensive, like 25  thousand pesos . – La entrada al recital está carísima, como 25 lucas .

Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay

We know what you’re thinking, and you’re right. The usual meaning of mango  in Spanish is the sweet juicy fruit . In some countries, however, we also use mango  as a term to talk about an amount of money , similarly to how you might use buck  in English.

Watch out, because in other regions, such as Mexico, mango  has a completely different slang meaning: it refers to a hot man .

• Last night we couldn’t go out with the girls because we didn’t have a single  buck . – Anoche no pudimos salir con las chicas porque no teníamos ni un mango .

Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay

You may know this vocab word for the ubiquitous insect  already, since una mosca  is a fly . In Spanish slang, la mosca  is the money .

• Fork over the money , dude! – ¡Larga la mosca , viejo!

Argentina, Colombia, Panamá, Perú

In these countries, palo  is the Spanish slang term for one million pesos . In standard Spanish, uno palo  refers to a club , a pole , or a stick .

• The gringos invested like fifty thousand millions  in that company. – Los gringos invirtieron como cincuenta mil palos  en esa empresa.

Pasta  is Spanish slang for money  that’s mainly used in Spain. Be careful, because In the rest of the Spanish-speaking world, if you mention  pasta  they’ll probably think you’re talking about spaghetti!

• How much money  do you have with you, dude? – ¿Cuánta pasta  traes contigo, tío?

Pavo  is widely used in Spain to refer to one Euro . The literal translation for pavo  is turkey .

• Hey, will you lend me a Euro ? – ¿Oye, me prestas un pavo ?

Pela  is another Spanish slang term for money  that’s used primarily in Spain. Most of the time it’s used in plural form, as pelas .

• Daddy, you’ll have to give me some money to go out. – Papi, me vas a tener que dar algunas pelas  para salir.

Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador

Pisto  in Spanish usually refers to fried vegetables . In these countries of Central America, however, pisto  is Spanish slang for money.

• All my money  has been stolen! – ¡Que me han robado todo el pisto !

Spanish Money Expressions

In this section, we present a few expressions that refer to money  in Spanish. In general, these are everyday phrases used across the Spanish-speaking world.

El tiempo es oro

Time is money

This motivational phrase is used in the same contexts as its English counterpart!

• C’mon guys hurry up! Time is money . – ¡Vamos chicos!, apúrense que el tiempo es oro .

No todo lo que brilla es oro

Not all that glitters is gold

Like its English translation, this phrase is a warning that appearances can be deceiving. In other words, not everything that appears good at first sight necessarily turns out to be good in the end.

• Be careful with that job offer, because not all that glitters is gold . – Ten cuidado con esa oferta de trabajo porque no todo lo que brilla es oro .

Tiene más lana que un borrego

He/She has a lot of money

Remember how we saw the two meanings of  lana , where in standard Spanish it’s wool  while in Spanish slang it means money ? Well this phrase plays on both meanings of the word, translating literally as He/She has more wool than a sheep .

• How come he cannot buy you anything? He has a lot of money ! – ¿Cómo que no puede comprarte nada? ¡Si tiene más lana que un borrego !

No dar ni un peso por algo/alguien

To write something/someone off

If you  no das ni un peso  for something, you are considering it as insignificant and not deserving of your attention.

• The project was so badly introduced that the entrepreneurs wrote it off . – La presentación del proyecto fue tan mala que los empresarios no dieron ni un peso por él .

Estar forrado

To be loaded

In Spanish slang, we use this phrase when we want to say that someone is rich  or has a lot of money .

• Alberto has no money issues. He’ s loaded ! – Alberto no tiene ningún problema de plata, ¡si está forrado !

Conclusion: Money in Spanish

By now, you’re aware that understanding the diverse vocabulary surrounding money is crucial, particularly when traveling in Spanish-speaking countries . While some terms for money in Spanish are universally recognized, it’s fascinating to discover the unique and varied expressions used in different regions.

By exploring this vocabulary, we’ve gained some insight into the cultural nuances and linguistic creativity related to money. Whether it’s learning the neutral and widely known words or delving into the colorful slang terms, expanding our knowledge in this area opens up a world of linguistic richness.

Today’s journey brought us all around the Americas and even to Europe, with all our possible options for money in Spanish slang. We hope you enjoyed your trip, and we can’t wait for you to travel with us again soon!

Further reading: Spanish slang

This post’s focus was on how to talk about money  in Spanish slang, which is just one specific topic among so many. If you’re interested in more lessons that specifically touch on different angles of Spanish slang , we’ll leave you with these links to some of our other dedicated lessons!

Spanish swear words and insults

How to use “qué chulo” in Spanish

How to gossip in Spanish

“It is what it is” in Spanish

Spanish slang terms for different nationalities

Spanish slang terms for foreign tourists

Different ways to refer to “friends” in Spanish

All the words for “beer” in Spanish

Regional terms for “banana” in Spanish

Argentinean slang

Bolivian slang

Chilean slang

Colombian slang

Medellín slang words

Medellín slang expressions

Costa Rican slang

Cuban slang

Dominican and Caribbean slang

Ecuadorian slang

El Salvadorean slang

Guatemalan slang

Honduran slang

Mexican slang

Nicaraguan slang

Panamanian slang

Paraguayan slang

Peruvian slang

Puerto Rican and Caribbean slang

Spaniard slang

Uruguayan slang

Venezuelan expressions

Venezuelan slang

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Asturias Is the Unsung Spanish Vacation Destination You Need to Visit This Year

By Paul Richardson

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Me and Asturias? We go way back. I first pitched up here in the mid-1980s as a backpacking student with an Interrail pass, riding the old-fashioned trains that rattled along the Cantabrian coast from Bilbao to La Coruña. I still remember my wide-eyed delight at seeing for the first time the verdant valleys rolling down to the sea, the huge beaches pummeled by big Atlantic breakers, the fishing villages stuck like limpets to the rocky coastline. Cold climates often imply caution and reserve, but there was a friendliness and warmth about the locals that reminded me—counter-intuitively, perhaps—of the laid-back Mediterranean.

Asturias is one of four regions along Spain's north coast, from Galicia in the west to the Basque Country in the east. The Principality of Asturias, as it’s officially known, brims with distinctiveness and diversity. It has its language, culture, and cuisine; its cool and damp climate harbors lush pastures, deciduous forests, and mighty mountain ranges. As a holiday spot, Asturias has historically been favored mainly by Spaniards, but as summer temperatures rise inexorably in the Med, a trickle of wised-up foreigners are choosing to take their vacations in these temperate northern climes.

The decades that followed that eye-opening Interrail trip saw me returning again and again. There was a memorable long weekend in Oviedo, the charmingly buttoned-up capital with its bustling provincial air; and another in Gijón—the polar opposite of Oviedo—a boisterous coastal town with a surf-tastic beach scene and a salty seaside vibe. In the rough-and-tumble harborside neighborhood of Cimadevilla in Gijón, I had my first swig of Asturian cider, which was poured in a thin stream into a flat-bottomed glass for a deliciously fresh (as well as intoxicating) draught.

More than anything, Asturias's food and drink kept me coming back for more. The wonderfully hearty local cuisine turns around classics like fabada asturiana, a rib-sticking stew of thumb-sized faba beans with cured pork meat and smoked sausage, and the creamy and unctuous rice pudding that is arroz con leche. I soon learned to value such fine asturiano ingredients as grass-fed beef and lamb, fish from the Cantabrian ports, and artisan cheeses—of which the region is said to have more individual varieties per square kilometer even than France . At a series of rustic eating houses run by the stalwart women cooks known as guisanderas (“stew-makers”), I ate my fill of down-home local favorites like onions stuffed with oxtail and maise-flour tortos with minced meat picadillo. But the excitement of new-wave Spanish cuisine had not passed the region by. A prime example was the restaurant Casa Marcial, which I first visited in the late 1990s when its chef-patron Nacho Manzano had not long been in charge of the rustic bar/shop/eatery previously run by his parents in the hamlet of La Salgar—and which now has three Michelin stars.

Over the decades, I must have made a dozen trips around this neck of the woods, making personal discoveries every time. One year, I spent a few days in the post-industrial town of Avilés, where Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer had just designed a new cultural center composed of curvaceous geometric forms in dazzling white. Driving east along the coast to Llanes, under the looming shadow of the Picos de Europa mountains, I was amazed to see how the concrete cubes of the harbor wall had been painted (by sculptor Agustín Ibarrola) in dazzling colors and madcap designs. All through the 2000s, I was obsessed with the unique Asturian heritage of pre-Romanesque churches dating from the sixth to ninth centuries. I plotted elaborate routes among these tiny, primitive, and almost unimaginably ancient buildings.

But if Asturias is big on culture, it’s even bigger on nature. The region has no less than 24 nature reserves, including a Parque Nacional and three of Spain’s largest Parques Naturales. Around a third of its surface area enjoys some sort of conservation status, making Asturias an ecological resource of inestimable value. Big treks in the deep country have long been a feature of my travels here. In the summer of 2009, in the company of mountain expert Guillermo Mañana, I made a four-day hike along the Camin Real de la Mesa, a Roman road winding spectacularly through the wild and lonely landscapes of Somiedo Natural Park. Wolves and bears still roam the silent valleys of the Principality’s unsullied interior, and a new kind of wildlife tourism has sprung up to cater for visitors keen to peer at them through telescopes. My bear-spotting safari with Wild Spain Travel in May 2022 was undoubtedly one of my life's most thrilling travel experiences.

CNT Editors

Blane Bachelor

Kyler Alvord

Meanwhile, Asturias and I have become like some cozy long-term couple, comfortable in each other’s company, but not yet at the point where familiarity breeds contempt. When summer heats frazzle the south of Spain, I still head north annually towards those pristine beaches, those rolling valleys lined with oak and chestnut woods. And the latest chapter of this particular love story is both a happy ending and a promising new start. Reader, I’ve just bought a house here.

Where to stay in Asturias

Solopalacio.

Nothing about SoloPalacio conforms to conventional notions of country-house luxury. First, there’s the location: way down south in a little-populated, little-visited corner of the region among grandiose mountain scenery and hardscrabble villages. Then there’s the back story. The country seat of the aristocratic Miranda-Quirós family, a rambling rural property in the hamlet of Llanuces, was rescued from ruin by Madrid entrepreneur Carlos Díaz. With his partner, designer Sofia Tejerina, Díaz transformed the property into a collection of 11 apartments occupying various outbuildings and a chapel plus the original 16th-century dwelling house, opening as SoloPalacio in June 2023. The USP here is Tejerina’s extraordinary design for the palacio – a radically stripped-down aesthetic employing basic and often humble materials to strikingly beautiful effect. (Think ‘wabi-sabi’ but without the shabby.) The high-ceilinged interiors are devoid of decoration beyond the occasional hand-woven basket or rustic implement; the walls are ruthlessly, unsparingly white. Colour has no place in this warm monastic minimalism: it’s all about the touchy-feely textures of polished- cement floors, bare stone walls and architectural-salvage furniture. Bathroom fixtures might be cheap hardware-store staples, yet the big squishy sofas are acres of cool white linen. Forget five-star fripperies like the big TV, the room service menu, the chocolate on the pillow - though a coffee machine and a bottle of Asturian wine would certainly be nice. On the plus side, there’s a stone-built Wellness Space and an infinity pool with mind-boggling mountain views. It may help to ease the pain of the room rate (whose high-season ceiling of 1059€ has caused quite a stir locally) to know that Diaz intends all profits from the hotel to go towards social projects and conservation schemes in the vicinity. As I said, SoloPalacio is anything but conventional.

Pueblo Astur

This thoroughgoing makeover of an entire country village (Cofiño, near Parres) raised the bar for high-end accommodation in Asturias when it opened in 2016. The sprawling property, which encompasses a church, traditional wooden paneras (granaries), and stables housing rare-breed farm animals, also includes 30 rooms in converted village houses, an excellent spa, river pools for swimming, and two restaurants using produce from the farm. The result is an interesting fusion of rusticism with highly geared luxe.

As Asturias’ brightest and boldest city and a seaside hub of urban culture often compared to Brighton in the UK, Gijón is just the right place for this sleek, chic boutique hotel in a carefully restored 1931 art-deco building.

CoolRooms Palacio de Luces

Asturias has never been prodigal in really fine hotels, but Palacio de Luces is a notable exception. First opened in 2006, it was recently acquired by the small but energetic Spanish group CoolRooms, who have made their mark on what was already a remarkable building, combining as it does a 16th-century mansion in pale yellow stone with a modernist wing surgically grafted on to the original buildings. Natural light floods in from all sides through plate-glass windows affording huge views of meadows and farmland, the coastline stretching away to east and west, and the hulking form of the Sueve mountain range. The 44 bedrooms, distributed equally between old and new wings, have undergone a total refit since the hotel changed hands in 2018, sweeping away the earlier incarnation’s dowdy brown-and-beige interior in favor of an elegant contemporary-classic look in a palette of greens that almost feels like a continuation of the landscape. Service, pitched five-star high, never feels starchy or formal. Nearby Lastres has some great eating places, but it’s worth staying for dinner at the hotel restaurant Tella. The views from the dining room, through floor-to-ceiling windows opened wide on summer nights, are as delectable as Francisco Ruiz’s new-gen Asturian cuisine with its emphasis on locally sourced produce and cunning nods to the region’s Latin American connections.

Casona de Indias

This bijou 7-room hotel in a former casa de indianos (built for a successful emigré on his return from the Americas) is beautifully sited in a quiet rural setting within reach of the Redes natural park. Owner-manager Pedro Armas is a madrileño incomer whose well-judged taste and hospitality make the casona feel like a particularly well-upholstered and civilized B&B.

Parador de Corias

A former monastery in the remote southwest of the region, this imposing granite building (known as “the El Escorial of Asturias”) is a stand-out among recent incorporations to the state-owned Paradores chain. Having arrived at this out-of-the-way location, be sure to visit the nearby nature reserve of Muñiellos, one of Europe’s largest areas of first-growth deciduous forest and a haunt of the Cantabrian brown bear.

Hotel de la Reconquista

The storied Reconquista in Oviedo, all red velvet and antique wood, where dignitaries and celebrities lay their heads during the annual Princess of Asturias awards, is the kind of hotel that Spaniards describe as “de toda la vida”— it’s been there forever .

Casonas Asturianas

Founded 30 years ago in 1994, this association of farmhouse stays, foursquare village houses, and stone-built historic palacios continues to offer exceptional quality and value. It’s worth browsing the website to find jewels like Villa Argentina in Luarca and Casona de la Paca in Cudillero, both examples of the extravagant modernista houses built by wealthy Asturians on their return from the Americas in the early years of the twentieth century.

Where to eat and drink in Asturias

Restaurante guëyu mar.

Top-quality fish and seafood landed at the small-scale fishing harbors along the Cantabrian coast is a major selling point of Asturian eating. This celebrated beachside restaurant at Playa de Vega does a great line in whole fish (try the virrey, a firm-fleshed local species) cooked over coals or a la plancha.

Address: Playa de Vega, 84, 33560 Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain Website: gueyumar.es

Casa Marcial

In the same former farmhouse where his parents once ran a rustic shop and bar, Nacho Manzano now presides over a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, generally agreed to be the region's finest, where the food is both inventive and sophisticated but never loses touch with Manzano's asturiano country roots.

Address: 33549 Arriondas, Parres, Asturias, Spain Website: casamarcial.es

Casa Chuchu

This no-frills locale in the post-industrial town of Mieres looks like a standard-issue Asturian cider house, but it's actually way more interesting. Rafael Rodríguez pours natural wines, cult sherries, and new-wave ciders while his wife Natalia Menéndez serves a market-led menu that, depending on the day and season, might run from shellfish salpicón and stuffed onions to roast beetroot with anchovy and hazelnuts and hake with fresh apple and cucumber sauce.

Address: El Parque, s/n, 33610 Turón, Asturias, Spain Website: instagram.com/casachuchu

Calle Gascona

Cider is a pillar of Asturian life, and cider houses abound in the region. They usually serve plates of fried pixín (monkfish) and platters of cheese along with cider by the bottle. This Oviedo street, teeming with sidrerías, is good for a total immersion in cider culture and its curious customs, like the escanciado: The drink is oxygenated by expert servers pouring it from an arm’s height.

Address: C. Gascona, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain Website: gasconaoviedo.es

Vino de Asturias

Visitors to the deep green landscapes of the southwest corner of Asturias are often surprised to see vineyards among the oak and chestnut woods. In fact, wine has been made here since the ninth century, but is currently undergoing a revival, now with its own quality seal (Denominación de Origen Cangas) and forward-thinking bodegas like Antón Chicote, La Muriella, and Monasterio de Corias.

Address: Centro de Empresas de Obanca, 33800 Cangas del Narcea, Asturias Website: docangas.es

Asturias is one of our Best Places to Go in Europe for 2024 , part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024 —find more travel inspiration here .

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