Without English-Spanish phrasebook to a tourist in Costa Rica can not do without, because it is this language is considered the official language in the country.
More accurately, the official language is considered to be the Costa Rican form of Spanish.
However, even if you come to this country with a Spanish phrasebook, you might not be understood. This is because there are five living languages spoken by indigenous peoples in certain regions, including Bribri, Bocota, Maleku, Cabecar, and Guaymi.
When traveling to the tourist regions of the country, a Spanish phrasebook might not be necessary, as English is mainly spoken in these areas. However, every Costa Rican would be pleased to hear you speak their native language. In this case, useful phrases in Spanish might come in handy:
I don't understand |
No comprendo |
I am lost |
Me he perdido |
I understand |
Comprendo |
Do you understand? |
¿Comprende usted? |
May I ask you? |
¿Le puedo preguntar? |
Could you speak slower? |
¿Podria usted hablar más despacio? |
Please repeat |
Repitan por favor |
Can you write that down? |
¿Me lo puede escribir? |
How much are the tickets? |
Cuanto valen las entradas? |
Where can I buy tickets? |
Donde se puede comprar entradas? |
When does the museum open? |
Cuando se abre el museo? |
Where is it? |
Donde esta? |
Where can I get a taxi? |
Donde puedo tomar un taxi? |
What is the fare to...? |
Cuanto es la tarifa a...? |
Take me to this address |
Lleveme a estas senas |
Take me to the airport |
Lleveme al aeropuerto |
Take me to the train station |
Lleveme a la estacion de ferrocarril |
Take me to the hotel |
Lleveme al hotel |
Give me this, please |
Demelo, por favor |
Show me this |
Ensenemelo |
How much does this cost? |
Cuanto cuesta esto? |
I would like to reserve a table |
Quiero reservar una mesa |
Do you have a table for two (three, four) people? |
Tienen una mesa para dos (tres, cuatro) personas? |
The bill, please |
La cuenta, por favor |
Closed |
Cerrado |
Open |
Abierto |
No smoking |
Prohibido fumar |
Entrance |
Entrada |
Exit |
Salida |
Why? |
Por que? |
Call the fire department! |
Llame a los bomberos! |
Call the police! |
Llame a la policia! |
Call an ambulance! |
Llame a una ambulancia! |
Call a doctor! |
Llame a un medico! |
Help! |
Socorro! |
Stop! (Stand still!) |
Pare! |
