There are more than 400 million people on the planet who can speak Spanish. The reach of this language goes far and wide. But still, we struggle with the burning question: Is it worth learning Spanish?
Living in an English-speaking country, one would not need to go out on any given day and speak in Spanish. Even going on holiday to the vibrant Costa del Sol on Spain’s eastern coast or the Mexican mecca of Cancun, one might find most catering staff and locals can easily speak English. So, is it worth learning Spanish?
If you love to travel then discovering the vast interiors of countries like Costa Rica, Mexico or Spain will blow your adventurous mind. There are mountain passes, jungles, hiking trails, beautiful valleys, quaint little villages and millions of friendly locals. But here’s the thing: very few will be able to speak English.
If you encounter these friendly locals in their own back yard, just see how much more accommodating they will become when you converse in Spanish to them. You will never get lost again in some remote area of a Spanish-speaking country – simply because you could ask for directions and understand the way back.
Learning Spanish will also give you the ability to live among the locals. Spending time away from the tourist traps and the inflated prices of where the holidaymakers go will give you access to the finest cuisine, cheaper drinks, bargains in stores that are only accessible to the locals and guesthouse stays at prices less than half what you might pay at a hotel.
Eating the Local Cuisine
Most Spanish-speaking nations will produce a separate menu for English speaking tourists at the local restaurants, cafes or tapas bars. However, this can mean you could miss out on a delicious seafood paella, tapas made with stuffed cherry peppers, Spanish omelet, Andalusian chicken or a Peruvian ceviche.
Evade the Tourist Touts
Wherever there are tourists, there will be walking salesmen trying to make some money from the wealthy holidaymakers. Unfortunately, it is a practice we see all over the world. But once you say something along the lines of, “I’m not interested, thank you” in Spanish, this pushy sales pitch will often come to a close.
It does not matter how old you are either. Learning Spanish is no more difficult when you are 61 as it will have been when you were 21. Moreover, the thought of retiring in a warm climate with balmy beaches should propel you into learning Spanish with enthusiasm.