The Best Apps for Learning Spanish Before a Trip to Latin America

Mompox, Colombia
Mompox, Colombia | © Chris Bell
Jack Guy

If you’re heading off on a long trip to Spanish-speaking countries, it makes sense to learn a bit of the language. Even if it’s basic vocabulary and questions, having some language skills will be a massive boon when you’re on the road. Here are some of the best apps to help you on your way.

FluentU

This great app focuses on videos to help you learn more Spanish. It uses real-world material such as commercials and news to ensure that you learn the language as it’s spoken on the street. Highly recommended for audiovisual learners.

Use apps to help swot up on your Spanish

Duolingo

Rosetta Stone

The classic Rosetta Stone language-learning system now has its own app, which is free for a demo version. You won’t be using English at all, because the Rosetta Stone approach is to do everything in the target language. This means you’re learning like a child in a Spanish-speaking country rather than an English-speaking adult.

Make sure to download the useful apps before your flight

Memrise

The focus of this free app is to memorize new vocabulary, and its makers have come up with an innovative approach to help you do so. For each Spanish word, there is an English phrase that contains similar words. Some of the phrases are really funny, which makes them stick in your head.

Sit down with a coffee and start studying

Cat Spanish

Made by the team behind Memrise, this is another humourous app which uses cats to help you learn. The features and design feature friendly felines, and there are challenges that you’ll have to navigate using common Spanish phrases. Some people might find it gimmicky, but others will love it.

Fluencia

At $14.99, Fluencia doesn’t come cheap. However its makers claim that once you’ve completed the 50 units of lessons, you’ll be able to speak as well as someone who did a one-year college course in Spanish. Worth a go if you’re serious about picking up as much as you can.

Open Language

This professional-looking app has lessons that correspond to the official levels of Spanish language qualifications as set by the Instituto Cervantes. If you are a serious student and want to know how your skills measure up against a globally recognized qualification, download Open Language today. Be aware that a subscription costs $30 per month, so it’s an investment.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article