If you are planning to travel to the Canary Islands you should probably get acquainted with the local language. Spanish is the language most commonly spoken on the Canary Islands, however, they do have a unique whistling language on La Gomera also!
While you might meet many English speakers on your walking holiday (both walkers and service providers), you will also need a few basic phrases in Spanish to help you communicate, particularly in smaller villages and towns.
There are many quaint villages and towns on the Canary Islands, particularly in La Gomera and along our off the beaten track walks in Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
In fact, one of our own team Pedro hiked recently in La Gomera and for him, having some basic Spanish was essential to ask directions and find out information about the area.
Spanish vocabulary for your Canary Islands walking holiday
This walking holiday adventure might be your chance to brush up on your Spanish!
So to help you, here’s a list of basic Spanish vocabulary you might find helpful:
English |
Spanish |
Accommodation/Services |
Alojamiento/Servicios |
| I’m looking for… | Estoy buscando |
| I’d like to… | Quisiera |
| Where is…? | Donde está…? |
| How much is …? | Cuanto cuesta…? |
| I don’t like it | No me gusta |
| It’s fine | Vale |
| Too expensive | Demasiado caro |
| Cheaper | Mas económico |
| Where are the toilets? | Dónde están los servicios? |
Conversation Essentials |
Conversación |
| Does anyone here speak English? | Hay alguien que hable inglés? |
| Hello | Hola |
| Good morning | Buenos días |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes |
| Good evening | Buenas noches |
| Bye/See you | Adiós |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| You’re welcome | De nada |
| Sorry/Excuse me | Perdone |
| What’s your name? | Como te llamas? |
| My name is | Me llamo |
| It’s a pleasure to meet you | Encantado/a |
| Where are you from? | De dónde eres? |
| I am from… | Soy de… |
| Can I have a … beer please? | Una cerveza por favor? |
| Can I have a … glass of wine please? | Un vino por favor? |
| I am a Vegetarian | Soy vegetariano/a |
| Could you help me please? | Puede ayudarme, por favor? |
| I’m allergic to… | Soy alérgico/a a… |
| ATM | Cajero |
Directions: |
Dirección: |
| How do I get to…? | Como puedo llegar a…? |
| Is it far? | Está lejos? |
| Go straight ahead | Vaya derecho |
| Turn left | Tuerza a la izquierda |
| Turn right | Tuerza a la derecha |
| Open | Abierto |
| Close | Cerrado |
| I am lost | Estoy perdido/a |
| Where is the …hospital? post office? bus station? | Dónde está… el hospital? correos? estación de bus? |
If you have any questions about Spanish vocabulary or if you need any more basic Spanish phrases for your trip to the Canary Islands, give us a shout.
For more information about our walking holidays in the Canary Islands or to book your trip, contact our travel experts!
