Spanish Phrases for Tourists

Planning a trip to a Spanish speaking country but you don't know Spanish? No problem! Part of the fun of preparing for a trip is procrastinating on one important detail, so make this the one and just print this Hub out to take with you.

Now, as a tourist, you're going to look like one - meaning everyone who encounters you on your vacation who is a native in the place you visit will be able to pick you out in a crowd as a tourist no matter what ethnicity you are. People in tourist towns gain a sort of sixth sense for identifying tourists. This will make things easier, and in some ways harder for you.

The language barrier is pretty hard to overcome for some people, but Spanish is *easy* so don't be afraid.

Now, here are some phrases you'll really want to know, some of them are invaluable, some of them just might come in handy. If you're headed out on a tour somewhere, take visual clues with you so you have something to point to and emphasize your question.

• Please help me? - Ayudeme, por favor?
• Where is a good restaurant? - Donde hay un buen restaurante?
• Where can I find this? - Donde se puede encontrar esto?
• How do I get to here? - Como llego a esta lista?
• Am I near this? - Estoy cerca de esto?

Here are some very common words in Spanish, these will help you out greatly in travels through Spanish-speaking locales.

• Hola/Buenos Dias/Buenas Nochas - Hello/Good Morning/Good Night
• Senor/Senora - Sir/Madam - Ma'am
• Abrir/Abierto - Open
• Occupado - Occupied/Busy
• Cerrado - Closed
• Izquierda / Derecha - Left/Right
• Norte / Sur / Este / Oeste - North/South/East/West
• Cuidado - Caution (be careful)
• La propiedad privada - Private Property

You're on vacation, so remember to have a good time. Many permanent residents of foreign countries have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the English language, and in major cities the prevalence of English is even more widespread.

But - be wary of those who will try and prey off of your tourist status, and always make sure you're crystal clear on what is said to you. Carrying a Spanish to English dictionary isn't a bad idea either.

Safe Travels!!