Learn Spanish and Go

Even if you’ve never been to Mexico before, you’ve probably still heard all about their giant sombreros, Cinco de Mayo, and the afternoon siesta… but how much of this is actually true? In this episode, we take a closer look at eight of the most common myths about Mexico. Links: 056 - Cinco de Mayo 075 - Sobre México | About Mexico 104 - ¡Al Chile! - Chilis: Straight to the Point Level up your Span...

Ecuador really surprised us. It’s a country that seems to have a little bit of everything. Unique flora and fauna, food, culture, and history. It also has something else that most other countries do not… the equator! In this episode, we take a deeper dive into what really stood out to us about this incredible country. Links: 113 - Cómo nos Impactó Nicaragua | How Nicaragua Impacted Us 114 - Sobre...

Travel and migration can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you can enrich yourself with unique experiences, pursue happiness abroad, and help the local economy by spending your limited resources in a new-to-you part of the world. On the other hand, too much tourism or immigration to a specific area can raise prices, pressuring the locals to move out, and dilute cultural elements that made the...

Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, now it’s cheaper than ever... as long as you know how to take advantage of the these travel hacks. With our tips, you’ll learn everything from how to pay as little as $10/mo on cellphone service, how to fly for free, to how to pay little to nothing on accommodations. In this episode, we explore 10 unusual ways of saving money while traveling. Links: 06...

Ecuador is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country. During our time there, we learned a lot about what makes it special. Not only were the people warm and welcoming, but we learned quite a bit about the Ecuadorian way of speaking Spanish, including their sing-song tonality and unique slang. In this episode, we sat down with Kevin Maldonado from Free Walking Tours Cuenca to chat about Ecuadoria...

Perhaps the most important rite of passage for women in Latin American countries is the Quinceañera. The time when a “girl becomes a woman” at the tender age of… 15. In this episode, we talk about where the tradition comes from, and whether they should bump the age back a few years. Links: 121 - Palabras del Español que no Existen en Inglés Parte 2 | Words in Spanish That Don’t Exist in English Pa...

When we tell people we travel around the world full-time, they often assumed we’re loaded. But travel doesn’t need to be expensive. In fact, it can be even cheaper than living in one spot if you do it right. House sitting has been a major resource for us when it comes to visiting new countries. Not only has it allowed us to get to visit exotic countries around Latin America, it has also saved us t...

We love taking a deeper look at differences in language, whether it’s comparing the accents of two different countries, or the words that one language has that another does not. In this episode, we take another look at some words that exist in Spanish that don’t have an exact single-word translation in English.  Links: 117 - Palabras del Español que no Existen en Inglés Parte 1 | Words in Spanish...

Learning a language is more than just studying textbooks and grammar rules. At some point, you have to get out there and practice! Fred is a friend and student of ours who embodies this idea. He’s not afraid to get our of his comfort zone and practice his Spanish all over the world. And he’s done just that with us on our immersion retreats as well as with other Spanish schools in several different...

Before we arrived in Cuenca, Ecuador, we didn’t really know what to expect. We had heard that it was a fairly popular expat destination, but that was about it. We weren’t expecting the beautiful rivers, clean walkways, excellent public transit, and variety of restaurants. It’s safe to say that this city is worth a visit, and for us, maybe even a place to live in the future. In this episode, we dis...

Mexican street food comes in many shapes, sizes, and degrees of spiciness. Sure, a lot of it has a corn base, a guiso , and salsa, but there’s much more to it than that. In this episode, we talk about some of the most popular Mexican street food - some of which may surprise you. Links: 084 - Los Mejores Tacos del Mundo | The Best Tacos in the World 043 - Tamales: Su Origen e Importancia | Tamales:...

One of the most beautiful things about learning a different language is discovering new words that don’t have an easy translation into English. Sometimes, one word in Spanish can translate into three or four words in our mother-tongue. In this episode, we’re sharing part one of some of of our favorite words in Spanish that don’t exist in English. Links: Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membe...

Listening to real Spanish conversations is really one of the best ways to learn the language. That’s why we were thrilled to meet Alba and Joel, hosts of the podcast Conversations in Spanish and Other Languages.  In this episode, we talked to Alba, who is from Spain, about working and teaching online, as well as learning and working through cultural and linguistic challenges.  At the end of the in...

Fathers around the world are known to say some typical “dad” things. But what do dads say to their kids in Mexico? In this episode, we’re celebrating Father’s Day by sharing seven common things Mexican dads say. ¡Feliz día del Padre! Happy Father’s Day! Links: 109 - 15 Frases de las Mamás Mexicanas | 15 Mexican Mom Phrases Get 25% Off Trusted Housesitters Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Mem...

Ecuador is a country that seemingly has it all. Located on the equator on the west cost of South America, the Republic of Ecuador is full of biodiversity. It’s home to beaches, mountains, volcanos, the Amazon, and the Galapagos Islands. It’s also where you’ll find the highest capitol in the world (Quito), a variety of climates, and ciudad “mitad del mundo,” the halfway point between the north and...

Nicaragua is a country that caught us by surprise. After spending a month just outside of the city of Granada, we learned a lot about the people, culture, food, flora, and fauna of this not-so-touristy nation. We saw monkeys, people shaking their cars at the gas station, a lake in the crater of a volcano, and much more. Find out what we really thought about life in this Central American country in...

If you’re trying to get around in Mexico, you have plenty of options. From luxury buses that go from state to state, to colectivo shuttles that’ll take you around town or between cities, there’s option to suite your needs. In this episode, we cover the different types of transit in Mexico and how to use them. Links: 068 - Todo Sobre el Tequila | All About Tequila 7 Best Tips for Renting a Car Abro...

The saying goes that “travel changes you.” Well, living in Latin America has certainly changed me. I never thought I’d be taking a special pill once a year, checking my shoes before I put them on, or a number of other things that have now become habit. In this episode of the podcast, we explore seven ways that living in Latin America has changed the way I live. Links: Level up your Spanish with ou...

What do you imagine when you think of the word “travel?” If you’re like me, thoughts of laying on the beach with a cold drink come to mind, or perhaps a hike in an exotic location. But there are many different types of travel, and our beach example is just one type: the care-free vacation. In this episode we explore other travel options that will not only enrich your life, but the lives of the pla...

Tough love can sound pretty tough… especially if you’re a kid in trouble with your Mexican mom. While a lot of things that moms say to their children are fairly universal in any language, you’ll be shocked to hear what some moms say in Mexico to get their children to behave. In honor of Mother’s Day, In this episode we explore 15 of the most common things Mexican moms say to their kids. Links: 3 F...

Learning Spanish by listening to music can be a powerful tool in your toolbox, but you can't necessarily trust everything you hear. Musicians make mistakes too... sometimes on purpose. In this episode, we explore ten different Spanish songs with grammatical errors. Links: Errors in Spanish Music Spotify Playlist 051 - La Vida y Muerte de Selena | The Life and Death of Selena Level up your Spa...

While Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, it’s often overlooked as a tourist destination. In this episode of the podcast, we dive into tons of interesting facts about Nicaragua, including some of the best things to do in the country. Links: 069 - Sobre Puerto Rico | About Puerto Rico 075 - Sobre México | About Mexico 099 - Sobre Guatemala | About Guatemala Get 25% Off Trusted Hous...

What’s crunchy, spicy, and the perfect cure for a hangover? The answer might surprise you. It’s chilaquiles! And for whatever reason, they’re not nearly as common in the U.S. as they are in Mexico. Learn how to prepare this traditional Mexican dish with May’s mom Oly in this special episode of the podcast. Links: 013 - La Comida Mexicana | Mexican Food 017 - El Origen de la Comida Tex Mex | The Or...

Ever since we got married, we wanted both of us to be able to travel to and live freely in each other’s country. That’s one of the main reasons why we decided to take the first step towards getting my Mexican citizenship, and that’s by getting Mexican residency. In this episode, we tell you more about the process, the cost, our experience, and everything you need to know about becoming a Mexican r...

Chili pepper is so common in Mexican food, that the first question many people ask before taking a bite is “It is spicy?” In this episode, we explore Mexican chili peppers, where they come from, which ones are the hottest, and much more. ¡Al chile! Links: 013 - La Comida Mexicana | Mexican Food 025 - El Chocolate: Un Regalo de México al Mundo | Chocolate: Mexico's Gift to the World 068 - Todo...