When you are planning to visit a foreign country even if it is just for a short break it is prudent to try and understand some basic phrase in the local language so that you are not left staring blankly at people if they say something to you. On the Costa del Sol you will find that many people do speak a little English due to the high levels of tourism each year but in places like supermarkets it is still common for the staff not to understand English.
With all of this in mind we have put together a few of the more commonly used Spanish phrases and words that you might encounter on a daily basis on the Costa del Sol.
Hola: Most of you will already have heard of this word as it is simply the greeting hello.
Gracias: Again most of you will already know that this means thank you.
Buenas Dias / Buenas Tardes: These are more commonly used that hello as they mean good morning or good afternoon respectively.
Buenas Noche: This is used more to say good night to someone at the end of an evening as opposed to a greeting.
Lo Siento: This phrase means I am sorry so hopefully you will not need to use it that often.
Cuanto Cuesta: If you are in a shop or you want to know how much something is then this is the phrase you will need.
No Atendiendo: You might need to use this one quote a lot if someone starts to speak to you in Spanish as it means I do not understand.
Soy Ingles: If someone asks what country you are from or you need to get across where you are from then this phrase quite simple means I am English.
Donde esta el banco: This phrase means where is the bank and might be useful of you are in a town and need to find somewhere to change travellers cheques or convert some currency.
Hopefully the above tips and common phrases will help you when you visit the Costa del Sol