Navigating Customs and Getting Around
What airport staff and taxi drivers actually ask. Real conversations from arrivals through getting to your hotel or next destination.
Your First Real Test in Spanish
The moment you land in Canada and walk through arrivals, you’re about to have your first real conversation in Spanish. It’s not scripted. It’s not in a textbook. And honestly, it’s way less scary than you think.
We’re talking about customs officers, taxi drivers, hotel staff — people who aren’t impressed by perfect grammar. They just want to understand you and move on. You’ve got this. We’re going to show you exactly what they ask and what you actually say back.
Getting Through Customs (It’s Straightforward)
The customs officer will ask you maybe three or four questions. That’s it. They’re not trying to trick you. They’ve asked the same questions about 500 times that day.
Here’s what you’ll hear: “Cuál es el propósito de tu visita?” — What’s the purpose of your visit? You say: “Turismo” (tourism) or “Visitar amigos” (visiting friends). Short answers work great.
Then: “Cuánto tiempo vas a estar?” — How long are you staying? You answer with a number and “dÃas” (days) or “semanas” (weeks). “Diez dÃas” is all you need to say.
They might ask about accommodation: “Dónde vas a quedarte?” Just say the hotel name or “Con amigos” if you’re staying with people. Don’t overcomplicate it. Most officers speak English anyway — but showing effort goes a long way.
Pro tip: Have your passport ready, smile, and make eye contact. These aren’t tricks — they’re just procedures.
Getting From Airport to Your Hotel
Whether you’re taking a taxi, Uber, or airport shuttle, someone’s going to ask you where you’re going. Here’s the actual conversation:
Taxi driver: “A dónde vas?” (Where are you going?) You: “Al hotel [name]” or give the address. That’s literally it. If you don’t know the address, show them your phone with the hotel name. Nobody expects you to memorize addresses.
They might chat: “De dónde eres?” (Where are you from?) Answer: “Soy de [your country].” Or “De Estados Unidos” if that applies. Then they usually say something about their city or weather. You can nod and smile or give short answers. “SÃ, muy bonito” (Yes, very nice) gets you through.
About halfway there, they might ask: “Es la primera vez aquÃ?” (First time here?) Say “SÔ and maybe “Me encanta” (I love it). People appreciate enthusiasm even if your grammar isn’t perfect.
Checking In at Your Hotel
You walk up to the desk. The person smiles and says: “Bienvenido! En qué puedo ayudarte?” (Welcome! How can I help?) You say: “Tengo una reservación” (I have a reservation) and give your last name.
They’ll ask for your passport. Just hand it over. While they’re checking your info, they might ask: “Cuántas noches va a estar?” (How many nights are you staying?) If you’ve already booked, just say the number. “Cinco noches” (Five nights).
Then they ask about payment. If you already paid online, you can just say “Ya pagué en lÃnea” (I already paid online). If not, they’ll explain payment options. Most hotels in Canada have English-speaking staff, but if you’re hearing Spanish, just listen for the numbers and nod.
Say your name — “Soy [your name]” or just your last name
Provide your passport — They need it anyway
Confirm nights/dates — Just repeat the number they say
Ask about the room — “Qué piso?” (What floor?) is a good question
The Phrases You’ll Actually Use
Stop memorizing long sentences. Here’s what real people say in real situations:
“Cuál es el propósito de tu visita?”
What’s the purpose of your visit?
Answer: “Turismo” or “Visitar amigos”
“Cuánto tiempo vas a estar?”
How long are you staying?
Answer: “Diez dÃas” or “Dos semanas”
“Dónde vas a quedarte?”
Where are you staying?
Answer: Hotel name or “Con amigos”
“De dónde eres?”
Where are you from?
Answer: “Soy de [country]”
“Tienes reservación?”
Do you have a reservation?
Answer: “SÃ, tengo reservación”
“Pasaporte, por favor?”
Passport, please?
Action: Hand it over and smile
Notice something? They’re short. No fancy grammar. Just useful words that get you through the moment.
You’re Ready for This
Here’s the truth: Nobody’s judging your accent. The customs officer doesn’t care if you mispronounce something. The taxi driver just wants to know the address. The hotel staff sees travelers every single day who speak Spanish as a second language.
What matters is that you show up, try, and keep it simple. “Turismo. Diez dÃas. Gracias.” That’s enough to get through most of your arrival day. You’ve learned enough to handle these conversations. Really.
Once you’re past the airport and in your hotel? You’re on solid ground. You can ask for directions, order food, and actually enjoy the experience because you’re not panicking about what someone’s asking you.
Ready to handle more complex conversations? Check out our guides on ordering food and asking for directions — both are easier than you think.
Learn Ordering Food
Continue Learning
Build your confidence with more real-world conversations
Ordering Food Without Stress
The ten phrases that’ll get you what you actually want to eat. Includes how to ask about ingredients and dietary preferences.
Asking for Help and Getting Directions
How to ask locals for directions without panic. Includes understanding their answers even when they talk fast.
Money, Shopping, and Staying Safe
Everything from exchanging money to bargaining at markets. Plus the phrases that keep you secure and confident.
About This Guide
This article is educational material designed to help you prepare for common travel situations. While we’ve included real phrases and scenarios based on typical traveler experiences, actual conversations may vary depending on location, customs officers, and individual circumstances. Always carry valid travel documents, follow local regulations, and consider consulting official Canadian immigration resources before your trip. This guide is not a substitute for official travel advice or immigration requirements.