Travel Spanish

¡Bienvenidos a Cuba!
Here you will find basic words to enjoy your Cuban adventure trip to the full.

Discover Cuba: Travel planning for unforgettable experiences

Cuba is a fascinating Caribbean island with a rich history, vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes. From the colorful streets of Havana to the beautiful beaches of Varadero, Cuba offers unforgettable experiences. Experience Cuba in all its diversity and let yourself be enchanted by the unique atmosphere of this Caribbean island!

Linguistic diversity in Cuba

Spanish is the official language in Cuba and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. The Cuban Spanish dialect has some differences to the dialects of other Spanish-speaking countries, but the basics of the language are similar everywhere.

In addition to standard Spanish, there are local dialects and expressions in various regions of Cuba that are characterised by the country's cultural diversity. Afro-Cuban influences, for example, have led to a rich vocabulary of terms and expressions used in Cuban colloquial language.

In tourist areas and large cities, English is widely spoken as a second language, especially in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Nevertheless, it is helpful to have some basic knowledge of Spanish in order to communicate with the locals and better experience Cuban culture.

Many locals speak English and other foreign languages in addition to Spanish, which makes communication comfortable for visitors from all over the world.

Cuban idioms

  • ¡Qué volá! - What's up?
  • Chévere - Cool, great
  • Guagua - Bus
  • Yuma - foreigner, especially from the USA
  • Chico/a - Boy/girl, often used as a form of address
  • Ponte las pilas - Literally: Put the batteries in; means: Hurry up, be attentive
  • ¡Qué bola acere! - Hey friend! (Cuban slang)
  • Plátano - plantain, a popular side dish in Cuban cuisine

Unforgettable group trips to Cuba

Experience Cuba with Sprachcaffe! Discover the island in group tours, learn Spanish, immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy unforgettable adventures. Don't miss out on our offers:

Group Tour
8 days / 7 nights

Highlights of Cuba

  • 8 selected highlights in 8 days
  • Havana, Viñales, Trinidad, Cienfuegos etc.
  • Hiking in the Topes de Collantes National Park
More »
Group Tour
15 days / 14 nights

Treasures of the Caribbean

  • green Viñales Valley with its tobacco plantations
  • Mexico's Mayan sites, e.g. Chichén Itzá
  • Dream beaches Tulum and Playa del Carmen
More »
Active Group Tour
8 days / 7 nights

Cuba's green west

  • Cuba's most beautiful landscapes
  • Dreamlike white sandy beaches on Cayo Levisa
  • Orchid gardens, waterfalls and the tobacco factory in Pinar del Río
More »

Spanish for travelling - phrases for your travel communication in Cuba

categorySpanishSpanish
Greeting¡Hola!Hello!
Polite phrasesBuenos díasGood morning
Buenas tardesGood day (in the afternoon)
Buenas nochesGood evening / Good night
Por favourPlease
GraciasThank you
De nadaPlease (in response to "Thank you")
Perdón / DisculpeExcuse me / Pardon
¿Cómo está?How are you?
Mucho gustoNice to meet you
Navigation and¿Dónde está...?Where is...?
Directions¿Cómo llego a...?How do I get to...?
¿Cuánto queda hasta...?How far is it to...?
¿Puede ayudarme?Can you help me?
A la derechaTo the right
A la izquierdaTo the left
Recto / Todo derechoStraight ahead
Aquí / AllíHere / There
Eat and drinkLa cuenta, por favourThe bill, please
Quisiera reservar una mesaI would like to reserve a table
¿Qué recomienda?What do you recommend?
Tengo alergias alimentariasI have food allergies
Me gustaría probar platos típicosI would like to try local dishes
¿Tienen menú vegetariano?Do you have a vegetarian menu?
Una cerveza / una copa de vino, por favourA beer / a glass of wine, please
Emergencies and¡Ayuda!Help!
HealthNecesito un médicoI need a doctor
¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?Where is the nearest hospital?
Tengo una emergenciaI have an emergency
Me siento malI feel sick
Llame a una ambulancia, por favourCall an ambulance, please
Go shopping¿Cuánto cuesta?How much does it cost?
¿Tienen esto en otra talla/color?Do you have this in another size/colour?
¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito?Do you accept credit cards?
¿Puedo pagar en efectivo?Can I pay in cash?
Estoy solo mirando, graciasI'm just looking around, thank you
Travel planning¿Tiene una habitación disponible?Do you have a room available?
¿A qué hora es el check-in/check-out?What time is check-in/check-out?
¿Dónde está la parada de autobús?Where is the bus stop?
¿Cuánto dura el viaje?How long does the journey take?
¿Tiene WiFi gratuito?Do you have free WiFi?
¿Se incluye el desayuno?Is breakfast included?
¿Tiene un mapa de la ciudad?Do you have a map of the city?
Plan your dream trip
Start planning your trip today - it only takes 2 minutes!

Don't miss the chance to make your dream trip a reality! Contact our experienced travel consultants now and let them inspire and advise you for your trip. Take the first step towards your unforgettable adventure!

Your travel expert

What to expect from a Spanish language course in Cuba

Would you like to learn Spanish with Sprachcaffe?

Then our language holidays in Cuba are just right for you. In small groups, you can enjoy holidays and culture while experiencing exciting sightseeing opportunities.

At the same time, you have the opportunity to learn Spanish in our language schools in Cuba, customised to your personal language level. Immerse yourself in this unique experience and enrich your holiday with Sprachcaffe. Visit our website to find out more!

Discover what awaits you on our language holiday to Cuba in this short video ►

Frequently asked questions for your travel Spanish

Yes, you can learn Spanish online. There are many resources such as websites, apps, online courses and videos that can help you learn Spanish, be it through interactive exercises, videos, podcasts or live lessons with teachers.

Take a language course with Sprachcaffe, for example. Whether you want to meet in person or participate online, Sprachcaffe offers high-quality Spanish courses to help you prepare for your trip and master the language. Learn with experienced teachers and a lively learning community and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Spanish before you start your Spanish adventure!

To our Spanish language courses in Cuba

There are many opportunities to learn Spanish in Spain. You can attend language schools in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or Seville, which are known for their high-quality language courses. There are also many universities and educational institutions that offer language courses for international students.

Discover the fascinating world of language travel with Sprachcaffe! Immerse yourself in the culture of Cuba and improve your Spanish skills with a local Spanish course. Simply visit our website to find out more:

Language travel Cuba with Sprachcaffe

The "best" Spanish to German translator depends on your specific needs. Google Translate is a widely used option, but there are others such as DeepL or Linguee that can also be useful. However, it is important to remember that no automatic translation software is perfect and errors can sometimes occur.

Although it is possible to learn the basics of Spanish relatively quickly, the speed of learning depends on various factors, including your motivation to learn, your commitment, your learning method and your time investment. However, with intensive training and regular practice, you can have basic conversations in Spanish within a few months.

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Currency Cuba

Are you planning a trip to Cuba? Find out everything you need to know about the country's currency to prepare for your trip and make your stay stress-free!

Currency Cuba

Time Cuba

Find out the current time in the country and plan your adventures perfectly synchronised so that you can enjoy every minute to the full!

Time Cuba

All important travel information

Visit our travel information page and discover everything you need to know for your upcoming trip to Cuba. Here you will find details on the best time to travel, information on the time change and recommendations for important health precautions you should take before you leave.

We have compiled all the necessary information for you to ensure that your stay in Cuba is pleasant and smooth. You can also find out more about local customs, safety advice and tips for an authentic and unforgettable stay.

Travel information Cuba