Talking Like a Local in Cusco Peru
Hola Travelers!
In my years as a guide in the city of Cusco, I saw that tourists who learn some phrases in the local language and try to speak with people experience more of the local flavor. People in Cusco and the surrounding areas are more likely to open up when a tourist tries to communicate in their language.
Definitely learning a few words and phrases in Spanish will surprise the people you’re speaking to, be it in a restaurant, cafe, or wherever you find yourself. As a guide, I often saw my tourists try out a few words in Spanish and get a smile, and sometimes even a discount.
While there’s no guarantee that you will get a discount on your purchases, you will have a tool to make your visit to the city of Cusco more enjoyable and meaningful.
First things first. Español or Castellano?
If you haven’t heard the word Castellano before, it’s another way to refer to the language of Spanish. Español is commonly used in Cusco to refer to a person from Spain. So if someone asks you, “Hablas castellano?” they are asking if you speak Spanish.
Formal Greetings:
A polite way to greet any person you meet, whether in Cusco, at Machu Picchu, or hiking along the treks of the Inca Trail / Lares trek / Choquequirao trek
- Buenos dias / Good morning
- Buenas tardes / Good afternoon
- Buenas noches / Good evening..
These formal greetings will be understood by any local, even as you travel deep into the Andes mountains on your treks to Machu Picchu. While the locals in these places mainly speak Quechua, they understand these formal greetings and will feel appreciated when you speak to them in this manner.
You can always say Hola to anyone you meet. It is always nice to be recognized and greeted. However, to greet someone formally shows more acknowledgement and is definitely appreciated when used with adults. Consider using Hola with kids and young people, and formal greetings with adults that you meet on your travels in Peru.
Making Introductions
From experience as a guide in Cusco, these are phrases that I recommend that you use to introduce yourself to a local in or around Cusco.
- Bueno días (tardes, noches) – Good morning (afternoon, evening)
- Me llamo Raúl – My name is Raúl
- Soy de los Estados Unidos (Australia, Canada, etc) – I’m from the United States (Australia, Canada, etc)
- Yo hablo un poco de español (castellano) – I speak a little Spanish
This is will usually make the person you’re speaking to feel a little more open and friendly towards you. Even if you don’t pronounce all the words perfectly, they appreciate that you tried. It also will make them feel more comfortable trying out a little English with you, knowing that they don’t have to pronounce all the words perfectly either.
After your introduction, try out some of these words and phrases:
- Como te llamas? / What is your name?
- Eres del Cusco? / Are you from Cusco?
Useful phrases for shopping:
- Cuanto cuesta esto? / How much does this cost?
- Puede hacer me una rebaja? / Can you give me a discount?
- Tiene otro color? / Do you have another color?
- Que bonito! / How pretty!
Useful phrases for restaurants:
- Quiero probar el cuy! / I want to try the guinea pig! – A local delicacy in Cusco
- Tengo mucha hambre / I’m really hungry
- Estoy de sed / I’m thirsty
- Puedo tener hielo? / Can I have ice? Not common Cusco, since the weather is cold and only bottled water is consumed.
- Puedo tener sal? / Can I have salt?
- Una cerveza/un café, por favor / A beer/coffee, please
- La cuenta por favor / The check, please
- Que rico! / How delicious! Always complement your cook in the city and on the trail.
Useful phrases for hotels/hostels:
- Una frasada más, por favor / Another blanket, please. At over 11,000ft, Cusco can be pretty cold at night. This one might come in handy.
- A que hora es la entrada/salida? / What time is Check-in/Check-out
- Puedo guardar mis maletas aquí? / Can I store my luggage here? Comes in useful to store your extra luggage when you are trekking.
Useful phrases for using around Cusco:
- Donde estan las llamas? / Where are the llamas?
- Que hora es? / What time is it?
- Puedo tomar una foto? / Can I take a picture? It’s always polite to ask before taking pictures. Keep in mind, you may be requested to give a tip, so negotiate a price ahead of time.
- Necesito un taxi / I need a taxi
- Donde está el baño? / Where is the bathroom? Be sure to carry your own toilet paper, since most bathrooms do not provide it.
- Gracias! / Thank you!
- No gracias / No thank you – this one is particularly useful in the Plaza de Armas, if you want to avoid the vendors
Like any place in the world, trying to speak in another person’s language shows respect and interest in their culture. As a local, it makes you feel like a visitor values your home and way of life. This is a great way to make a connection with people and get more out of your travels. We hope you’ll try out some of these phrases and make some unforgettable memories in Peru.
