A2 · Hostels, hospedajes and the questions that matter
Where to sleep
One warning before the phrases: in most of South America un hostal is a cheap hotel with private rooms, not a backpacker hostel. The backpacker kind is un hostel, pronounced the English way, or un albergue.
Practise these
Finding a room
¿Tiene habitaciones disponibles?
Do you have any rooms available?
¿Cuánto la noche?
How much per night?
Para dos noches, ¿me hace precio?
For two nights, can you do me a deal?
¿Es matrimonial o dos camas?
Is it a double or two beds?
Matrimonial means one big bed. Asking for doble can get you two singles.
¿Puedo verla primero?
Can I see it first?
Completely normal and expected at a hospedaje. Nobody is offended.
un hospedajeAndes
a small guesthouse
Family-run, cheap, and everywhere in the Andes.
The questions worth asking
¿Hay agua caliente?Andes
Is there hot water?
At altitude this is not a small question. Ask before you pay, not after.
¿Las 24 horas?
All day, or only at certain times?
The usual follow-up to the hot water question. Some places only heat it mornings.
¿El desayuno está incluido?
Is breakfast included?
¿Tienen wifi? ¿Cuál es la clave?
Do you have wifi? What's the password?
La clave, not la contraseña, in most of the region.
¿Hay calefacción?
Is there heating?
In Cusco, La Paz or Patagonia, ask. Many places simply have none.
¿Se puede dejar la mochila después del checkout?
Can I leave my backpack after checkout?
When something is wrong
Disculpe, no sale agua caliente.
Excuse me, no hot water is coming out.
La habitación está al lado de la calle, ¿tiene otra?
The room is right on the street, do you have another?
Se fue la luz.
The power's gone out.
Irse is the verb for utilities cutting out: se fue la luz, se fue el agua.
¿Me puede dar una manta más?
Could I have another blanket?
Una manta, or una frazada across most of the Andes and the Southern Cone.
16 expressions in this pack