Basic Spanish Words & Travel Phrases
ENHANCE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Basic Spanish words and travel phrases for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
During our own trips to Mexico I’ve compiled a list of basic Spanish words and travel phrases that I’ve personally found to be the most helpful in a variety of situations. With just a little time and effort these basic Spanish words can be memorized quickly and easily. And if you feel more comfortable having a cheat sheet with you on your trip, just print out the chart below and take it with you to Puerto Vallarta. You’ll find that using some basic Spanish words will greatly enhance your interaction with locals in town, employees at your hotel, and with tour providers. Although Puerto Vallarta is a tourist town where visitors can get by with only English, knowing some basic Spanish travel phrases will be quite helpful when dining at restaurants and when communicating with taxi drivers and bus drivers. These basic Spanish words will also come in very handy when shopping, bargaining with beach vendors, and when you’re out and about walking the safe and beautiful streets of Puerto Vallarta.
Another great language tool for your upcoming trip is a downloadable Spanish translation app (Google Translate) for your cell phone. You can translate using speech, camera (e.g., taking a photo of a menu in Spanish and the words are translated into English), handwriting and while off-line. At various times when my Spanish-speaking husband is not with me and I’ve been in a pinch, I’m happy to report that I’ve used this app with much success!
Most travelers quickly find that mastering and using just a few basic Spanish words and travel phrases on their vacations in Spanish-speaking countries really adds warmth and zest to their cultural experiences. When traveling internationally, bridging the language gap is rewarding, enjoyable and fun. And it’s a great way to make new friends!
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BASIC SPANISH WORDS AND TRAVEL PHRASES |
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GREETINGS |
BASIC PHRASES |
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Hello |
Hola |
Hello, my name is_________ |
Hola, me llamo___________ |
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Good afternoon |
Buenas tardes |
It’s nice to meet you |
Mucho gusto de conocerlo |
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Good evening |
Buenas noches |
What’s your name? |
¿Cómo te llamas? |
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Goodbye |
Adiós |
I’m from Canada |
Soy de Canadá |
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Welcome |
Bienvenido |
I’m from the United States |
Soy Americano |
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Welcome to Puerto Vallarta! |
Bienvenidos a Puerto Vallarta! |
I don’t speak Spanish |
No hablo Español |
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BASIC VOCABULARY FOR DINING |
I only speak a little Spanish |
Hablo poquito (or: Solo hablo poquito Español) |
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Water |
Agua |
I don’t understand |
No entiendo |
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Sparkling (carbonated) water |
Agua con gas |
Let’s go |
Vámonos |
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Water without carbonation |
Agua sin gas |
OUT AND ABOUT |
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Bottled water |
Una botella de agua |
Shopping |
Ir de compras |
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Breakfast |
Desayuno |
Market |
Mercado |
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Lunch |
Almuerzo |
Jewelry |
Joyería |
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Dinner |
Cena |
Silver jewelry |
Joyería de plata |
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Appetizer |
Aperitivo |
Is it real |
¿Es real? |
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Salad |
Ensalada |
Is it genuine 925 sterling silver? |
¿Es plata genuina de 925? |
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Soup |
Sopa |
How much? |
¿Cuánto cuesta? |
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Dessert |
Postre |
What’s the price? |
¿Cuál es el precio? |
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I’m hungry |
Tengo hambre |
That’s expensive |
Eso es caro |
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I want to eat |
Quiero comer |
That costs way too much |
Eso cuesta demasiado |
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Meal |
Comida |
That’s cheap |
Eso es barato |
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The menu |
El menú |
Do you have it in another color? |
¿Lo tienes en otro color? |
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I’m thirsty |
Tengo sed |
I love it! |
¡Me encanta! |
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I want to drink |
Quiero beber |
It’s perfect! |
¡Es perfecto! |
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Drink (beverage) |
La bebida |
Do you take credit cards? |
¿Aceptas tarjetas de crédito? |
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Cool drink |
Refresco |
Where’s the restroom? |
¿Dónde está el baño? |
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Cool or cold |
Frio |
Taxi |
Taxi |
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Ice |
Hielo |
Bus |
Autobús |
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Hot (temperature) |
Caliente |
Car |
Coche |
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Coffee |
Café |
Where’s the bus stop? |
¿Dónde para el autobús? |
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Tea |
Te |
Parking |
Estacionamiento |
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Milk |
Leche |
What time is it? |
¿Qué hora es? |
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Juice |
Jugo |
One minute, please |
Un momento, por favor |
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Fruit |
Fruta |
Where is _____________? |
¿Dónde está ____________? |
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Meat |
Carne |
Is that near here? |
Esta cerca de aquí |
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Chicken |
Pollo |
Is it far? |
¿Está lejos? |
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Fish |
Pescado |
Left |
Izquierda |
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Seafood |
Mariscos |
Turn left |
Vira a la izquierda |
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Shrimp |
Camarón |
Right |
Derecho |
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Lobster |
Langosta |
Turn right |
Vira a la derecha |
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Fried |
Frito |
Straight |
Derecho |
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Grilled |
A la parrilla |
Continue straight |
Sigue derecho |
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Spicy hot |
Picante |
Continue forward |
Sigue adelante |
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Bread |
Pan |
Turn around |
Date vuelta |
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Butter |
Mantequilla |
Look over there |
Mira allá |
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Potato |
Papa |
There it is |
Allá esta |
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Rice |
Arroz |
Here |
Aquí |
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Beans |
Frijoles |
North |
Norte |
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Cheese |
Queso |
South |
Sur |
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Eggs |
Huevos |
East |
Este |
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Veggies |
Verduras |
BASIC COMMUNICATION |
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Vegetarian |
Vegetariano |
Yes |
Sí |
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Waiter |
Camarero |
Yes, thank you |
Sí, gracias |
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Fork |
Tenedor |
No |
No |
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Knife |
Cuchillo |
No, thank you |
No, gracias |
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Spoon |
Cuchara |
Please |
Por favor |
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Napkin |
Servilleta |
Thank you |
Gracias |
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Salt |
Sal |
Thank you very much |
Muchas Gracias |
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Pepper |
Pimienta |
Excuse me |
Disculpa |
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Sugar |
Azúcar |
Pardon me |
Perdón |
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The bill, please |
La cuenta, por favor |
What’s happening |
¿Qué pasa? |
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Tip |
Propina |
How beautiful |
Qué linda |
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR BASIC SPANISH WORDS & TRAVEL PHRASES
Learn Spanish, Feel Good: Basic Spanish Words / Travel Spanish
Spanish Phrasebook: Basic Spanish Words and Useful Phrases
