Spanish Basics for Travelers in Canada

Learn essential phrases and foundational language skills to navigate Spanish-speaking communities across Canada with confidence.

Whether you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country or connecting with local communities, these fundamentals give you the tools to start conversations, ask for directions, and understand common responses. We’ve focused on what actually matters when you’re traveling — not textbook phrases you’ll never use.

Person sitting at a café table with a notebook and coffee, writing notes during a Spanish lesson outdoors

Essential Articles

Explore practical guides to help you master the basics before your next adventure.

Open phrasebook and pen on a wooden table with map and travel documents

Survival Phrases Every Traveler Needs

Master the 15 essential phrases that’ll get you through ordering food, asking directions, and basic conversations with locals.

6 min Beginner February 2026

Person looking at a street sign in Spanish while holding a travel guide and camera

Understanding Spanish Pronunciation for Beginners

Sound confident when you speak. Learn the sounds that are different from English and how to practice them effectively on your own.

9 min Beginner February 2026

Colorful sticky notes with Spanish vocabulary words on a whiteboard with a marker nearby

Common Travel Vocabulary You Actually Use

Skip the textbook words. We’ve focused on the vocabulary that shows up in real travel situations — hotels, restaurants, transportation, and emergencies.

7 min Beginner February 2026

Two people having a conversation at a café table with coffee cups, one pointing to a Spanish conversation guide

Starting Conversations with Confidence

The nervousness disappears when you know how to start. Learn greeting patterns, polite forms, and how to ask clarifying questions when you don’t understand.

8 min Beginner February 2026

The Four Foundations of Travel Spanish

Every beginner should understand these core concepts before diving deeper.

Greetings Set the Tone

How you say hello matters. Formal greetings work in professional settings and with strangers, but casual greetings are what you’ll hear among friends. Learning both gives you flexibility in any situation.

Questions Are Your Best Tool

You don’t need perfect sentences. Knowing how to ask “Do you speak English?” or “Can you repeat that?” solves half your problems. These simple questions open conversations and buy you time.

Numbers and Directions Are Practical

You’ll use numbers constantly — for prices, addresses, and times. Directions matter too. These aren’t glamorous, but they’re genuinely useful in everyday travel situations.

Politeness Opens Doors

Using “por favor” and “gracias” properly goes further than perfect grammar ever will. Locals appreciate the effort and politeness trumps perfection every time.

Quick Reference: Getting Started

Print this out or bookmark it. These phrases handle most travel situations.

In Restaurants

Una mesa para dos, por favor? (A table for two, please)
Cuál es la especialidad? (What’s the specialty?)
No tengo alergias. (I don’t have allergies)
La cuenta, por favor. (The bill, please)

Getting Around

Dónde está la estación? (Where’s the station?)
Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
Necesito un taxi. (I need a taxi)
Es cerca o lejos? (Is it close or far?)

Hotels & Lodging

Tienes una habitación disponible? (Do you have a room available?)
Cuál es el precio por noche? (What’s the price per night?)
El wifi está incluido? (Is wifi included?)
A qué hora es el desayuno? (What time is breakfast?)

Emergency Phrases

Ayuda! (Help!)
Soy turista. (I’m a tourist)
Hablas inglés? (Do you speak English?)
No entiendo. (I don’t understand)