You have arrived at your destination and are ready to explore. Booking a local tour is a fantastic way to see the sights, from ancient ruins to beautiful nature. But how do you ask about your options or understand the details in Spanish? This guide will help you. Knowing a few simple phrases makes booking a tour easy and fun. You can ask important questions about the price, the schedule, and what is included. This shows respect for the local culture and helps you find the best experience for your trip. Sometimes, speaking a little Spanish can even help you find a special tour that is not in the big guidebooks. Imagine you want to visit a coffee farm in Colombia or a hidden beach in Mexico. The big companies go to the famous places, but small, local agencies offer unique adventures. With the phrases in this guide, you can talk to local agents, understand their offers, and book the perfect excursion. Let's learn how to turn your travel plans into reality.
Good morning, I would like information about the tours.
Use this as a polite opening when you approach a tour desk or agency to state your general interest.
What excursions do you have for tomorrow?
A direct way to ask about the available options for a specific day. You can change 'mañana' to any other day, like 'el sábado' (Saturday).
I'm interested in the tour to [place].
Use this to specify which tour you want to know more about, for example, 'el tour a las ruinas'.
How much does it cost per person?
The most important question for your budget. Always clarify if the price is per person or for the group.
What does the price include?
Crucial for avoiding surprises. Use this to ask if things like food, drinks, or entrance fees are part of the package.
Is lunch included?
A specific follow-up question to '¿Qué incluye?'. You can replace 'almuerzo' (lunch) with 'transporte' (transport) or 'entradas' (entrance tickets).
What time does it start and end?
Use this to understand the total duration of the tour and plan the rest of your day.
Where does the tour leave from?
Essential for knowing the meeting point. Synonymous with '¿Cuál es el punto de encuentro?'.
Do you pick us up at the hotel?
Use this to ask about the convenience of a hotel pickup service, which is very common for tourist excursions.
Does the guide speak English?
An important question if your Spanish is still at a basic level and you want to understand the guide's explanations.
I would like to book for two people.
The standard phrase to confirm your booking and specify the number of people in your party.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Ask this before you finalize the booking, as many smaller operators in Latin America prefer or only accept cash.
Is there a discount for paying in cash?
A polite way to inquire about a better price if you pay with cash ('efectivo'). This is common in many places.
Okay, I'll book it.
A simple and direct phrase to confirm that you want to make the reservation.
A traveler stands at a small, colorful tour agency desk in Antigua, Guatemala, inquiring about a volcano hike.
Hola, buenas tardes. Quisiera información sobre el tour al volcán Pacaya.
Hello, good afternoon. I'd like some information on the Pacaya volcano tour.
¡Claro que sí! Con gusto. Tenemos un tour que sale todos los días a las 2 de la tarde.
Of course! With pleasure. We have a tour that leaves every day at 2 in the afternoon.
Perfecto. ¿Y cuánto cuesta por persona?
Perfect. And how much does it cost per person?
Cuesta 15 dólares, o 120 quetzales.
It costs 15 dollars, or 120 quetzales.
¿Qué incluye el precio?
What does the price include?
Incluye el transporte de ida y vuelta y el guía. La entrada al parque nacional es aparte, son 100 quetzales.
It includes round-trip transportation and the guide. The entrance to the national park is separate, that's 100 quetzales.
Ah, okay. Entiendo. ¿Nos recogen en el hotel?
Ah, okay. I understand. Do you pick us up at the hotel?
Sí, el transporte pasa por los hoteles del centro. ¿Dónde se hospeda usted?
Yes, the shuttle passes by the hotels in the center. Where are you staying?
En el Hotel 'La Aurora'. ¿Necesito llevar algo especial?
At Hotel 'La Aurora'. Do I need to bring anything special?
Sí, buenos zapatos para caminar, una chaqueta porque arriba hace frío, y agua. Y si quiere, malvaviscos para asar en la lava.
Yes, good walking shoes, a jacket because it's cold at the top, and water. And if you want, marshmallows to roast on the lava.
¡Qué bien! Quisiera reservar para una persona para mañana.
How cool! I'd like to book for one person for tomorrow.
Excelente. ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta de crédito?
Excellent. Can I pay with a credit card?
Preferimos efectivo, pero sí aceptamos tarjeta con un pequeño cargo.
We prefer cash, but yes, we accept cards with a small fee.
Okay, pago en efectivo. Aquí tiene.
Okay, I'll pay in cash. Here you go.
Gracias. Su nombre, por favor... Listo. Aquí está su recibo. El bus pasa por su hotel mañana a la 1:45 p.m.
Thank you. Your name, please... Done. Here is your receipt. The bus will pass by your hotel tomorrow at 1:45 p.m.
In many smaller agencies or with independent guides across Latin America, prices are not always fixed. If you are paying in cash ('en efectivo') or booking for a group, it is often acceptable to politely ask, '¿Es posible un descuento?' (Is a discount possible?). Don't be aggressive; treat it as a friendly negotiation. This is less common in established, larger agencies or in Spain.
Be very clear about what 'todo incluido' (all-inclusive) actually means. It's a common marketing term, but the specifics vary wildly. It might include transport and a guide but exclude park entrance fees, lunch, drinks, or tips for the guide and driver. Always ask '¿Las entradas y el almuerzo están incluidos?' to avoid unexpected costs.
While official tour companies usually run on a strict schedule, the concept of time ('la hora') can be more fluid with smaller operators. If a guide tells you to meet at 9:00, it's wise to be there on time, but don't be surprised if things get started 10-15 minutes late. However, if a bus or boat is scheduled to depart, assume it will leave exactly on time and arrive early.
In tourist-heavy areas, you may be approached on the street by individuals offering tours. While some are legitimate, many are not. It's generally safer and more reliable to book through your hotel/hostel's recommended agency or a physical agency with a proper office and good online reviews. This ensures you have recourse if something goes wrong.
The word 'paseo' is often used interchangeably with 'tour' or 'excursión'. When booking transport for a tour, you'll likely be in a 'camioneta' or 'van'. It's very common to be offered tours to cenotes (natural sinkholes) and archaeological sites, and prices can be quite negotiable in places like Cancún or Playa del Carmen, especially on the street (though booking at an agency is safer).
The term 'excursión' is standard. Haggling over tour prices is not common practice; prices are fixed. For extremely popular attractions like the Alhambra in Granada or the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, it is essential to book tickets and tours weeks or even months in advance online, as they sell out completely. 'Coger el autobús' is used for 'to take the bus'.
For a day trip, especially one that includes lunch and time at a beach or pool, the word 'pasadía' is very common. For example, 'un pasadía a las Islas del Rosario'. Tours to coffee farms ('fincas cafeteras') are a signature experience, and you can often book them directly at the farm or through agencies in towns like Salento or Jardín.
In conversation, you will hear the 'vos' form, so a guide might ask '¿Vos querés reservar?' (Do you want to book?). For long-distance tour buses, the term 'micro' is frequently used. In regions like Mendoza, tours to wineries ('bodegas') are a major activity, and in Patagonia, 'trekking' is used directly as a loanword for guided hikes.
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Is it necessary to book?
Use this to find out if you need to book in advance or if you can just show up.
Do I need to bring anything special?
A practical question to ask if you need things like a swimsuit, hiking shoes, water, or a jacket.
Can you give me a receipt, please?
Always ask for a receipt ('recibo') or a booking confirmation ticket as proof of your payment and reservation details.