100+ Spanish Travel Vocabulary Words for Latin America

If you plan to visit Latin America on vacation, knowing Spanish travel vocabulary is essential to make your experience safe, smooth, and pleasant. 

Latin American Spanish is rich and diverse. While there’s a lot of regionalismo (regional vocabulary) in Latin America, many words are considered neutral, meaning almost everyone understands them, and they make communication easier.

Read this blog post to discover a ton of Spanish travel vocabulary words to use on your next visit and learn to talk about your vacation in Spanish like a pro!

Important Spanish Travel Vocabulary 

Looking for a trusted source for words to use on your next visit to the beautiful lands of Latin America? This vocabulary lesson is divided into categories to give you easy access to the basic Spanish travel vocabulary words you need to know.

Documentos Para Viajar (Travel Documentation)

In order to travel, you need some important documentation to assure your safety and access to the place you want to go. In some countries, you simply need a passport to enter, while in others require a visa to gain access.  

To learn what these documents, preparations, and requirements are called in Spanish, check out the following vocabulary list: 

Spanish	English
Documentos para viajar	Travel documentation
El pasaporte	Passport
La visa	Visa
Los boletos de avión	Airplane tickets
El itinerario	Itinerary
Los documentos personales de identificación	Personal identification documents
Los registros de salud	Health records
Una prueba negativa de COVID-19	COVID-19 negative test
El seguro de viaje	Travel insurance

Instalaciones de Viaje (Traveling Facilities)

Now that you have all your paperwork in order, it’s time to learn about the places you’ll pass through while traveling to your destination! 

Spanish	English
Las instalaciones de viaje	Travel facilities
La agencia de viajes	Travel agency
El aeropuerto	Airport
La terminal del aeropuerto	Airport terminal
La migración	Immigration
Control del pasaporte	Passport control
La sala de embarque/abordaje	Departure lounge
Las bandas de equipaje	Baggage reclaim
La puerta de abordaje	Boarding gate
La aduana	Customs
La estación del tren	Train station
La ventanilla	Window
El tablero de salidas y llegadas	Departure and arrival board
La sala de espera	Waiting room
El andén	Platform
El vagón del tren	Train wagon
Las vias del tren	Train tracks
El puerto	Port
La zona de embarque	Boarding area

Transporte (Transport)

There are several ways you can reach your destiny while traveling in Latin America. The mode of transportation may be terrestre (terrestrial), marítimo (marine), or aéreo (aerial). 

Spanish	English
El transporte	Transport
El transporte público	Public transport
El avión	Airplane
El avión de hélice	Propeller plane
La avioneta	Plane
El barco/La lancha	Boat
El transbordador/El ferry	Ferry boat
La balsa	Raft
El crusero	Cruise
El tren	Train
El metro/El subterráneo	Subway
El taxi	Taxi
El Uber	Uber
La camioneta	Chicken bus
El tuc-tuc/ tuk-tuk	Auto rickshaw
El bici-taxi	Pedicab/cycle rickshaw
El carro/auto alquilado	Rented car
Pedir jalón/aventón	To hitch a lift
Ir a pie	To go on foot

Example Sentences

Want to know how to use these words to talk about your experience while traveling or asking about them in Spanish? Here are some examples! 

El tuc-tuc es un medio de transporte barato.
The auto rickshaw is a cheap mode of transportation.

Cuando estés en Buenos Aires es buena idea que uses el metro.
When you are in Buenos Aires, it is a good idea to use the subway.

Del aeropuerto nos llevaron en bus al muelle donde abordamos el crucero.
From the airport, they took us by bus to the dock where we boarded the cruise ship.

El Uber nos cobró más barato que un taxi.
The Uber charged us less than a taxi.

¡Paseamos por el Lago de Atitlán en una lancha que iba muy rápido!
We rode around Lake Atitlan in a boat that went very fast! 

¿Cuánto cuesta el pasaje?
How much is the ticket?

Por favor, den lugar a que entre más pasajeros.
Please allow more passengers to enter.

Asegurate de tomar el bus en el horario que funciona.
Be sure to take the bus in the schedule it works.

¿Me daría jalón? 
Can I catch a ride with you?

No se pare en el bote cuando este se esté moviendo.
Don’t stand up in the boat while it is moving around.

Aborde el tren de forma rápida.
Board the train quickly. 

Practice makes perfect, and a great way to review and practice what you’re learning is through worksheets! Download this PDF with a fun travel vocabulary crossword about transport to solidify your newly acquired knowledge!

Alojamiento (Lodging) 

Now that you know what you need in preparation to travel, and how you are getting to your destination, it’s time to think about el alojamiento, or lodging. 

Spanish	English
Alojarse	To stay
El hotel	Hotel
El hostal	Hostel/lodging house
La posada	Inn
Pensión con desayuno	Bed and breakfast
El albergue	Hostel
La casa de huéspedes	Guest house
El Airbnb	Airbnb
El apartamento	Apartment

Lugares turísticos (Tourist Sites)

Once you are settled into a place to stay, check out the lugares turísticos (tourist sites) you want to visit. The following Spanish travel vocabulary list includes some general places that you can find throughout Latin America when you visit.

Spanish	English
Turistear	To tour
El parque	Park
El parque de diversiones	Amusement park
El parque nacional	National park
El parque acuático	Water park
El zoológico	Zoo
El centro comercial	Mall
Los centros recreativos	Recreation centers
Los museos	Museum
Las aguas termales	Hot springs
Los lagos	Lakes
Los rios	Rivers
La playa	Beach
Los sitios para acampar	Camping sites
El supermercado	Supermarket
El mercado	Market
El restaurante	Restaurant

Verbs 

You can’t travel to Latin America without knowing Spanish travel verbs. They’re one of the most important elements of Spanish travel vocabulary when talking about your vacation in Spanish!

Spanish	English
Alquilar	To rent
Cambiar dinero	Change money
Cancelar	To cancel
Comprar	To buy
Confirm	To confirm
Descansar	To rest
Despegar	To take off
Desembarcar	To disembark
Dormir	To sleep
Embarcar	To go onboard
Facturar el equipaje	Check in the luggage
Hospedarse	To lodge/to stay
Viajar	To travel
Regatear	Bargain
Registrarse	Check in
Relajarse	To relax
Reservar	To reserve
Retirarse	Check out
Trasladarse	To move

Me encantó relajarme en el hotel.
I loved relaxing at the hotel.

Al momento de registrarme me dieron mi llave de habitación.
At the check-in they gave me my room key.

Me gustó ir a parrandear con mis amigos.
I liked to go to parties with my friends.

Es recomendable reservar una mesa en el restaurante del hotel.
It is recommended to reserve a table at the hotel restaurant. 

Alquilar un auto siempre es buena idea si te gusta moverte con libertad.
Renting a car is a good idea if you like to move freely. 

Common Phrases to Make Travel Easier 

It never hurts to know some basic Spanish travel phrases to add to your vocabulary.

En el aeropuerto – At the Airport

Su pasaporte y boleto, por favor.
Your passport and boarding pass, please. 

¿A dónde se dirige?
Where are you going?

¿Cuál es el motivo de su visita?
What is the reason for your visit?

¿Dónde está la puerta de abordaje?
Where is the boarding gate?

Por favor, tome su equipaje de la cinta. 
Please take your luggage from the carousel.

En el hotel – At the Hotel

¡Hola! ¿Podría ayudarme a registrarme?
Hi! Can you help me with the check-in?

Servicio a la habitación, por favor. 
Room service, please.

¿Puede darme otra toalla?
Can you give me another towel?

¿Se puede usar la piscina?
Can I use the pool?

¿Podría llamarme a un taxi?
Can you call me a cab? 

En un restaurante – In a Restaurant

¿Podría traerme la carta?
Could you please bring me the menu?

Me gustaría tomar…
I would like to drink…

¿Quieres algo para comer?
Do you want something to eat?

¿Tiene comida vegana?
Do you have vegan food?

Disculpe, soy alérgica/o a  ________. ¿La comida incluye ese ingrediente?
Excuse me, I am allergic to _______. Does the food include this ingredient?

De Vacaciones – On Vacation

Disculpe, ¿qué tan lejos está la playa?
Excuse me, how far is the beach?

¿Cuanto es el tipo de cambio hoy?
How much is the exchange rate today?

¿Puedo cargar mi teléfono aquí?
Can I charge my phone here?

¿Usted habla inglés?
Do you speak English?

Lo siento, no hablo español.
Sorry, I don´t speak Spanish

¿Aceptan dolares?
Do you accept dollars?

¿Cuanto cuesta?
How much is it?

¿Cuanto es lo menos?
What is your best price?  

Spanish Travel Vocabulary Quiz

Let’s practice what we learned today! Choose the correct answer to the following questions:

Practice Your Spanish Travel Vocabulary!

Is never too early or late to learn Spanish vocabulary words to travel around Latin America and communicate freely with the locals. Sign up for a free class to practice your travel phrases with a certified, native Spanish-speaking professional who can help you prepare for the best trip of your life. Visit the breathtaking places throughout Latin America and share memories with your loved ones! What are you waiting for?

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