Must-Know Spanish phrases (for your next trip to Mexico or Dominican Republic)

Traveling to Mexico or Dominican Republic soon? There are some things we recommend you carry with you for an unforgettable vacation: your camera, city maps, and this list of must-know Spanish phrases.

1. “Disculpe. ¿còmo llego a ___?"

“Excuse me, how do I get to___?"

Cancun is easy to navigate, but in case you get lost and need directions, grab your city map and a pen and let the natives point you in the right direction.


2. “¿Cuánto cuesta esto?”

“How much does this cost?”

Vacations are about splurging, but everyone travels with a budget so before you say yes, use this phrase. Remember most prices will come in Mexican pesos!


3. “¿Qué hora es?”

“¿What time is it?”

Even if you’re on vacation and have decided to forget about time and dates, you don’t want to miss a bus, tour, or a plane!


4. “No hablo español.”

“I don’t speak Spanish.”

Chances are the person you are speaking with speaks English. Give our Spanish guide a try, but for more complicated things, use this helpful phrase.


5. “¿Dònde queda el baño?”

“Where is the bathroom?”

No matter where you are, this will always be a handy phrase to have around.


6. “¿Qué es esto?”

“What is this?”

In your travels, you will run into many new experiences and things. This phrase will never leave you wondering what that unique Mexican souvenir is or what is in your food.


7. “¿Puede tomarme una foto?”

“Can you take my photo?”

Be ready to pose for those perfect vacation photos you will upload to Facebook. You want to be in some of them, right?


8. “Buenos dìas.” “Good morning.”

/ “Buenas noches.” “Good evening.”

It is a major tradition in Mexico to say good morning, afternoon (and all its variations) to friends, strangers, and even foes.


9. “Muchas gracias.”

“Thank you very much.”

It never hurts to say a heartfelt “thank you” when someone has served you, given you directions, or any amiability.


10. “Disculpe, no lo sabia.”

“Excuse me, I didn’t know.”

It is possible you can make mistakes or break some cultural norm. No problem, just apologize. A variation to this is also “lo siento.” This literally means “I feel it,” but it’s taken as a “sorry.”


11. “¿Cómo se dice…?”

“How do you say…?”

This phrase comes in handy when you’re a fluent speaker or just a curious traveler who wants to learn the language during his travels.

4 Moons Travel ~ Travel for Every Phase of Your Life....
 

 
 
Beth Hampton, ACC
Travel Specialist
Accredited Cruise Counsellor
(336) 605-9926
(919) 341-4164
Beth@4MoonsTravel.com

How to get the most from your Sandals Resorts Vacation

I recently booked a couple to Sandals Royal Bahamian, one of the Sandals Resorts, located in Nassau, Bahamas. I recommended to them, as I do to all of my clients going to one of the Sandals Resorts, to try the introduction to Scuba diving lesson. This course is not included in the All Inclusive price, but is available for a nominal fee of $80 per person. Once you take the course, you can dive once a day, for the rest of your vacation. My clients came back and told me that it was the highlight of their trip, and have decided to get PADI certified. PADI certified divers can dive for free, twice a day, at all Sandals & Beaches Resorts on the Caribbean.

For a special occasion, like a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday, I suggest a Candlelight dinner on the beach. Again, this is available at an extra charge of $140 per couple, but the extra romance is well worth the extra expense. I always recommend that clients staying in Concierge and Butler Service rooms take advantage of the complimentary tour given each week. The available tours and days change frequently, so I suggest inquiring with the Concierge Desk at your resort.

As a travel professional, I always recommend that my clients sign up for the Scuba lessons the day that you arrive at your Sandals Resorts, as they give a limited number of lessons per day. Candlelight dinners on the beach, spa treatments and tours can be reserved before you depart for your Sandals Resorts vacation.

Beth Hampton
Travel Specialist
(336) 605-9926
(919) 341-4164
Beth@4MoonsTravel.com

Is it safe to cruise, do I need to worry about getting sick like the passengers on the Radiance of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Radiance of the Seas recently suffered an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, affecting 150 passengers and 3 crew members. The ships next departure was delayed, so that a thorough cleaning could be done. Many travelers will be concerned that this is going to be a trend in 2011. I think that will not be the case, because several years ago the cruise industry increased prevention efforts, and the number of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports dropped again in 2010, continuing a downward trend. I read an article in USA Today, which said that outbreaks of illness on cruise ships dropped to lowest level since 2001. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta recorded just 14 outbreaks of illnesses such as Norovirus on ships operating out of U.S. ports for the year, down from 15 in 2009 and in 2008, 21 in 2007 and 34 in 2006.

Sometimes called the "24-hour flu" even though it is unrelated to influenza, Norovirus is the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness in the United States, accounting for around half of all cases, according to the CDC. It breaks out regularly in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, offices and other places people congregate.

Beth Hampton, ACC
Travel Specialist
Accredited Cruise Counsellor
(336) 605-9926
(919) 341-4164
Beth@4MoonsTravel.com

The Magic of Honeymoons, Destination Weddings and Romantic Getaways

Have you ever watched two people in love? They are truly happy to be with each other and look forward to spending time together. This is true of honeymooners and couples who are looking for a romantic getaway or destination wedding. One of the reasons I specialize in honeymoons, destination weddings and romantic getaways is because I love creating an experience where they could fall in love all over again.

All couples should plan romantic getaways once in a while. Everyone needs a reminder of why they fell in love, especially once their busy lives revolve around children. Honeymooners always want to make their getaway special, take that “once in a lifetime” trip. Whether they choose a tropical island in the Caribbean, a cruise to Alaska, or the streets of Rome, I make sure their getaway is everything they dream it would be. For those couples planning a destination wedding, what could be more romantic a setting than to be married in paradise, surrounded by your family and friends? As a Certified Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist, along with the resort or cruise ships on-site wedding coordinator, I can help make the process of planning the wedding a breeze. The cost to the bridal couple can be significantly lower than planning a traditional wedding at home, some resorts even offer weddings for free!

At 4 Moons Travel, I begin with a consultation. This can be done over the phone, through email or in person, depending on what is most convenient for you. This helps me to get to know you, to find out your likes and dislikes, where you’ve been and where you want to go. To find out what your dream getaway looks like. This helps me to get to know your personality, so that I can help make destination and resort recommendations. It also helps you to see what I do that sets me apart from other travel agents. And it certainly shows how my personalized service sets me apart from booking your special vacation online.

A good idea for couples going on a honeymoon, anniversary trip or destination wedding, is to create a honeymoon registry. If you were interested, you would get a page on our website, where you can tell friends and family a little about where you are going and what you would like to do on your trip. Then they can purchase things for your honeymoon, like a zip-line tour, romantic dinner on the beach or a couple’s massage. If you would like, you can even have a request for a donation towards the cost of your trip. What you put on the registry is only limited by your imagination. This is a nice way for your friends and family to have an alternative to the traditional wedding gift.

4 Moons Travel – Travel for every phase of life!

Beth Hampton, ACC
Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist
Accredited Cruise Counsellor
Beth@4MoonsTravel.com
(336) 605-9926
(919) 641-4164