Know Your Spanish Travel VocabularyWhether your plans involve visiting Spain for a quick vacation or backpacking through Latin America, knowing Spanish travel vocabulary will make the experience far more rewarding. From basic question words and small talk phrases, these essentials will enable you to navigate a foreign environment like a pro.
Language
Before travelling to a Spanish-speaking city or country in Latin America, it is vital that you learn some essential words and phrases before your trip. Doing this will enable you to communicate more freely with locals while making your vacation more enjoyable; additionally, learning some key phrases may prevent any misunderstandings between yourself and locals.
Basic Spanish travel phrases to know include “hello” (“hola”), “goodbye” (“adios”) and numbers (1-100). These useful phrases can be used with nearly anyone you encounter; taxi drivers, store clerks and waiters all need these basic greetings to communicate effectively. Furthermore, it’s also helpful if you know how to pose questions and provide directions in this foreign language.
“Cuanto cuesta?” can also be helpful when speaking Spanish; use this phrase when asking prices at restaurants and hotels. Furthermore, be mindful of gender-based references in Spanish (for instance married women are known as Senoras while unmarried ones referred to as Senoritas). Also start reading local news sources four to six weeks prior to traveling so as to familiarise yourself with its language while honing reading skills at the same time!
Culture
Spain is world-famous for its vibrant culture of painting, music, literature and dance – including works by Diego Velazquez, Francisco Goya and Pablo Picasso who have left their mark on art history. Furthermore, Spain’s Christian Catholic tradition has played an enormous role in its culture and society.
Spaniards are well known for their laidback approach to life. Punctuality may not always be top priority and social events often start later than planned. Furthermore, siestas are common; people will take this time off work or school and relax at home while spending quality time with family or friends.
Spanish culture places great value on relationships. It is customary to give friends and family members nicknames; when greeting someone you know from left to right it is customary to give two kisses on each cheek when greeting. Spaniards traditionally inherit two surnames from each parent – often being changed at marriage – while folk tales about low-class outsiders who outwit corrupt systems have great popularity within Spanish society.
Weather
Spain is an all-year travel destination, making it an excellent place for cultural enthusiasts and foodies alike to discover art, architecture and cuisine from across its vast terrain. While best times to visit depend on your region’s weather conditions and prices, most visitors prefer spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when ideal weather conditions, fair prices and smaller crowds at popular attractions and events await them.
Climate in mountainous regions like northern Aragon & Catalonia and Navarra tends to be cooler with snowfall more common during the winter season, while Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia and Andalusia’s coastal regions enjoy less rainfall with more sunshine throughout spring and autumn months.
Learning Spanish weather language is an invaluable skill, as this topic often arises in conversation and can serve as an easy small-talk starter. The verb hacer is commonly used to describe weather, often combined with adjectives or adverbs into descriptive phrases such as “It feels hot” or “It’s windy”. June through August is considered peak beach season in Spain.
Transportation
Navigating unfamiliar terrain is never an easy feat, but without being fluent in its language it can be especially difficult. Knowing how to inquire about transportation options such as bus routes and train schedules will make the experience smoother.
Most Spanish cities boast excellent bus systems that offer affordable and reliable transportation. But it is essential to remain aware of their fare structures, which vary significantly depending on both city and company. You typically will pay both a base fare (inicio de servicio) and per-kilometer charges (precio por kilometro).
Taxis can also be found in many Spanish cities, although their exact rates depend on both your city and taxi transport company. It’s usually best to hail them down on the street and pay cash.
There are various apps that can assist with navigating Spain’s public transportation system, including Citymapper for multiple cities with network maps and trip planning features; Cercanias allows users to search itineraries and purchase tickets for regional trains in Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz Madrid Murcia San Sebastian Zaragoza