logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
November 4, 2019 by Rafael Parra Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

How to Navigate Traffic in a Spanish-speaking Country

Going abroad is a wonderful experience. It’s a great opportunity to meet people, explore new settings, and try out exciting food! If you’re reading this blog, I imagine you’re extra adventurous, because driving in a foreign country is a whole new world of freedom. I remember the one and only time I drove a car in a foreign country – I was terrified! We were coming back from doing some gardening with volunteers, and my boss at the time asked if I wanted to drive back. I couldn’t say no to that, so I hopped in the driver’s seat and took that old red car for a spin. 

Luckily I had my boss, a local, to guide me through the traffic signs and give me cues on rules that I might not be aware of. This made my drive a lot less scary and a great experience that I remember to this day. If you’re driving alone it’s very important that you research topics like speed limits, driving requirements, driving age, and so on. Here’s a link to a page with useful information on driving requirements for different countries.

Basic vocabulary for driving and GPS navigation

Road signs in Spanish

Just like with local traffic laws, I always recommend that you study the local road signs before you drive anywhere. Below are some examples of traffic signs that change slightly or are nonexistent in the US.

ALTO

Resultado de imagen de alto"
Source

Hopefully, you can figure out what this sign is asking you to do by just looking at it. If you see a red octagon with the word ALTO written in, it means you should definitely stop and look both ways before you carry on.


No estacionar

Resultado de imagen de no estacionarse"
Source

This is personally one of my least favorite road signs, especially if I’m in a crowded town. If you see an ‘E’ with a red slash across it, that means you can’t park in that area. Some countries will have a ‘P’ instead, so be on the lookout for both, since parquear and estacionar are synonyms for the word parking. 


Viraje Obligado

Resultado de imagen de viraje obligado"
Source

These black arrows on a red circle are there to let you know you absolutely must make a turn in the direction they suggest, or you’ll end up driving against traffic! 


Ceda el paso

Resultado de imagen de ceda el paso"
Source

While the yield sign is the same as in the US, it’s always a nice reminder that these signs mean the same thing, since you might find the Spanish text to be confusing.


Límite de velocidad

Resultado de imagen de límite de velocidad letrero"
Source

Speed limits, or Límites de velocidad, are something to always look out for. Especially since in most if not all of the Spanish speaking countries we use Kilometers instead of miles. It’s important to keep that in mind as you drive!


No hay paso

Resultado de imagen de no hay paso"
Source

If you find yourself on the wrong side of the road, this sign will let you know you need to turn around ASAP! No hay paso means ‘wrong way.’


Obra en construcción

Resultado de imagen de letrero obre en construcción"
Source

Typically, the best way to know there’s a construction site ahead is the annoying traffic it will surely cause. The second best way, and the most reliable, is to look out for obra en construcción signs. These are typically yellow or orange and will tell you how far away the site actually is.

Ready, set, drive!

There are many ways to learn Spanish: traveling, studying, and practicing. Before you set out on the road, maybe you’ll want to learn some Spanish words for traveling to have under your belt, and if you’re unsure of where to go, I suggest you read up on our top 8 destinations for travel. Regardless of where you choose to go, you can still learn Spanish at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Try out a free class today, available anywhere with an internet connection!

learn spanish online
Sign up for your FREE TRIAL CLASS today!

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

  • Your Child Knows Some Spanish Words, Now What? How to Turn Vocabulary Into Real Conversations
  • 29 Cool and Catchy Spanish Phrases To Use With Friends [+Audio]
  • Fun Ways to Practice Spanish with Family (Even If Everyone’s at Different Levels)
  • 10 Simple Spanish Words Your Preschooler Can Learn This Week
  • The 25 Most Useful Spanish Phrases You Need to Learn Today
  • Top 20 Guatemalan Words and Slang Expressions You Should Know
  • Bien vs Bueno: How Good is Your Spanish?
  • How to Talk About Learning a Language in Spanish
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Rafael Parra
Rafael Parra
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
A native Spanish speaker from Guatemala, I'm a psychology student, creative developer, and aspiring polymath who's always learning new things and improving as a person. I'm a nerd when it comes to language, education, and videogames. My goal is to practice all these disciplines in unison and make something great with my time.
Rafael Parra
Latest posts by Rafael Parra (see all)
  • Top 10 Science Fiction Spanish Books for Adults (with PDFs) - August 22, 2024
  • 200+ Beginner Spanish Vocabulary Words PDF: Learn Spanish Fast! - August 15, 2024
  • 60 Best New Year Quotes in Spanish 2024 - January 18, 2024
spanish vocabulary vocabulary
1

Related Posts

mission trip Spanish

45+ Mission Trip Spanish Phrases You Need To Know

December 23, 2021
Read More
Spanish quotes

44 Essential Spanish Quotes and Proverbs to Fuel Your Motivation

October 21, 2021
Read More
Spanish body parts

Spanish Body Parts: Vocabulary, Idioms, and Culture

January 4, 2022
Read More
Spanish greetings

Spanish 101: Greetings and Farewells

May 2, 2022
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Spook your Spanish-speaking Friends with These Popular Costumes!Previous Post
You're Never Too Old to Learn Another LanguageNext Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
    10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
    June 1, 2025
    Have you ever wondered how to use “que” in...
  • Which Family Language Strategy Works for You?
    Which Family Language Strategy Works for You?
    May 31, 2025
    If you want to help your child learn a new...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.