50 Essential Spanish Phrases for Traveling in Mexico

If you're heading to Mexico, forget the dusty phrasebook. These are the phrases I actually hear every day in Mexico City, Oaxaca and Mérida — the ones that make locals smile instead of switching to English.

Greetings that don't make you sound like a robot

• ¿Qué onda? — What's up? (works almost anywhere)
• ¿Cómo vas? — How's it going?
• Buen provecho — Enjoy your meal (say it to anyone eating, even strangers)
• Mucho gusto — Nice to meet you
• ¡Qué padre! — How cool!

Ordering food without panicking

• ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? — Could you bring me the bill?
• ¿Pica? — Is it spicy?
• Sin cilantro, por favor — Without cilantro, please
• ¿Qué me recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• Para llevar — To go

Haggling at the market (politely)

• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it?
• ¿Me hace un descuentito? — Could you give me a small discount?
• Está muy caro — It's too expensive
• ¿Acepta tarjeta? — Do you take card?

The single phrase that unlocks everything: «¿Me ayuda, por favor?» — Could you help me, please?

Memorize ten of these before your flight and you'll already pass for someone who's been to Mexico before. Practice the pronunciation with my YouTube shorts — the cadence is half the battle.