Ten Spanish Phrases You Need To Know

In Cuba, you need to know at least the basics of Spanish. Whether you want to travel across the island or order a delicious Caribbean dish, these top phrases will kick-start your conversations.

  1. Me llamo _________. ¿Cómo te llamas?    My name is _________. What’s your name?
  2. ¿Cómo estás?   How are you?
  3. ¿Qué bolá?     What's up?
  4. ¿Dónde está el baño?    Where is the bathroom?
  5. ¿Cuánto cuesta?    How much does it cost?
  6. ¿Qué hora es?    What time is it?
  7. ¿Dónde puedo conseguir un taxi?   Where can I find a taxi?
  8. ¿Dónde está el banco?    Where is the bank?
  9. Agua, por favor.     Water, please.
  10. ¿Puedo ver un menú, por favor?    Can I please see a menu?

Traveling with insightCuba, you will get to see Cuba through the eyes of a local bilingual guide who can help you translate. Still, we encourage travelers to learn some basic Spanish words and phrases in order to make the most of their trip. InsightCuba recommends that you purchase an English-Spanish dictionary  (501 Spanish Verbs, by Christopher Kendris, or Langenscheidt Spanish Pocket Dictionary). Travelers can also download audio language lessons from companies such as iTunes, Rosetta Stone, or the Pimsleur Approach. Livemocha is another great free online language-learning resource. Check out any local language schools or adult-ed classes your neighborhood may offer, or join a language-exchange Meetup group, where you can practice Spanish with a native speaker who might also want to learn English. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

By Melissa B. Skolnick