News

Travel Tips: How to Get around in a Spanish Speaking Country

Although some countries in the Latin America train their hospitality staff how to speak and write English, some of them have not embraced this. This is why you will find that Americans avoid a majority of the Latin American countries and go to Belize and Costa Rica where the hospitality practitioners speak some fluent English.

Although some countries in the Latin America train their hospitality staff how to speak and write English, some of them have not embraced this. This is why you will find that Americans avoid a majority of the Latin American countries and go to Belize and Costa Rica where the hospitality practitioners speak some fluent English.

But do you need to limit yourself thus? I do not think so. In a day and age where the world has become a global village, you do not need to avoid a destination just because you do not speak the local language. Below are some tips that may help you get around a Spanish Speaking country.

1. Get a guide who is fluent in both English and Spanish

If you can get a guide who is fluent in both languages, then you can get to almost any destination. Tell the guide to train you the most commonly spoken street words so that when the guide is not around, you are not stuck. To cut your cost on the guide, travel in groups.

2. Download a language translation app

If you have a smartphone, downloading translation apps such as Languages, Google Translate, Universal Translator, iTranslate, SpeakText, SayHi Translate and many more. This will help you translate maps, locations and commonly used phrases.

3. Understand the customs of the country

By understanding the customs of a country, you are well placed to become likeable among the community. If people like you, they are w=always willing to assist you where you need some help.

4. Learn a little Spanish before you travel

Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn in the world. It is also widely spoken and you will therefore never fall short of people to help you master the language. If you reside in the US, I advise that you go to a Latino restaurant and insist on speaking Spanish only. If you can keep at this for one month before travelling, you will not even need a guide.

5. Get friends who are fluent in Spanish and ask them to join you

If you have friends that speak Spanish, you can ask them to help you master your Spanish as well as accompany you to your travel destination. They will help you bridge the language barrier as well as make your trip even more interesting.

Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama, and most of South America (apart from Brazil) speak Spanish and learning the language will help you travel to this spectacular destinations with a lot of ease.