When you’re travelling to a Spanish-speaking country, knowing a bit of the language can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable. One of the most important things to understand is how to handle money. This blog will introduce you to some essential Spanish travel vocabulary, focusing on how to say money in Spanish and phrases that will help you with currency exchange during your trip.

Further examples and phrases are in the podcast version of the episode, so remember to listen to it to make the most of your coffee break!

Understanding the basics: el dinero

The word for money in Spanish is el dinero. It’s a piece of Spanish travel vocabulary you’ll likely hear often during your travels, whether you’re at a market, restaurant, or bank. Knowing this basic word is the first step in mastering how to say money in Spanish. For example:

• Tengo suficiente dinero. I have enough money.

Exchanging money: Cambiar dinero

When you need to exchange your currency for the local money, the verb you need is cambiar, which means to change or to exchange. Whether you’re exchanging U.S. dollars, British pounds, or any other currency, this verb will be essential. Key phrases:

• ¿Se puede cambiar dinero aquí? Can I exchange money here?
• ¿Dónde se puede cambiar dinero? Where can I exchange money?

These questions will be handy when you need to find a place to exchange your currency. For example, if you’re travelling to Spain and need to change your dollars into euros, you might say:

• Me gustaría cambiar 100 dólares a euros. I would like to exchange 100 dollars for euros.

In Latin American countries, you might need to exchange your money for pesos (as in Mexico or Argentina) or soles in Peru. The process is the same, and using the above phrases will help you navigate any currency exchange smoothly.

Withdrawing money: Sacar dinero

Sometimes, instead of exchanging money, you might need to withdraw it from an ATM. The verb for this action is sacar, which means to take out or to withdraw. Some key phrases are:

• Quiero sacar dinero. I want to withdraw money.
• Voy a sacar dinero del cajero automático. I’m going to withdraw money from the ATM.

This Spanish travel vocabulary is particularly useful if you plan to rely on ATMs during your travels, as many people do. Remember that ATMs in Spanish-speaking countries may be referred to as cajeros automáticos.

Currency exchange conversations: practical examples

When you’re ready to exchange your money, it’s essential to know how to ask for the amount you want. Here are a few more examples that will be useful:

• ¿Cuánto quiere cambiar? How much do you want to exchange?

This question might be asked by the teller or person helping you with the exchange.

• Me gustaría cambiar 200 libras a pesos mexicanos. I would like to exchange 200 pounds for Mexican pesos.
• Me gustaría cambiar 300 dólares a soles peruanos. I would like to exchange 300 dollars for Peruvian soles.

These phrases are great additions to your Spanish travel vocabulary, ensuring that you can confidently handle money matters during your trip.

Mastering basic Spanish travel vocabulary is crucial for any beginner learning the language, especially when it comes to money. Understanding how to say money in Spanish and using phrases like cambiar dinero and sacar dinero will help you navigate financial transactions with ease. 

Whether you’re exchanging U.S. dollars for euros in Spain or withdrawing pesos from an ATM in Mexico, these phrases will serve you well.

In our next episode, we go to the pharmacy or the doctor’s clinic in Spanish to teach you how to navigate this tricky situation, so don’t forget to check it out and express yourself with confidence on any occasion. 

Nos vemos, and happy Coffee Breaking!