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!
Download FREE Travel Vocabulary Words Crossword Puzzle!
Type your name and email below to get a free crossword puzzle about travel vocabulary words to practice your new vocabulary!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:
1. Where do you take the airplane?
2. What should you do to have money for the place you visit?
3. You can use them to ask for a favor
4. You need this to enter some countries
5. What is the name of the places you and other tourists visit?
6. You board them when going on vacation at the sea
7. Is recommended you get a copy of these in your luggage in case you miss them
8. You can go to this place in case of an emergency or sickness.
9. You need to do this to assure the host you are going to stay in their hotel.
10. Is a place where you pay to sleep and have breakfast.
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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