Asking for Directions in Mexico
When you travel, you will need to ask for directions and understand the answer. People often give quick instructions, so it helps to know the words in advance. Here are the most useful ones in Mexican Spanish.
Quick answer
- Ask where something is: ¿Dónde queda el banco?
- Ask how to get there: ¿Cómo llego al museo?
- Hear the answer: Siga derecho dos cuadras.
How to ask
In Mexico, ¿Dónde queda...? is the natural way to ask where a place is. Use Disculpe to get attention politely.
Examples
- Disculpe, ¿dónde queda la farmacia?Excuse me, where is the pharmacy?Polite opening.
- ¿Cómo llego al zócalo?How do I get to the zócalo?Asking the route.
- ¿Está lejos de aquí?Is it far from here?Asking about distance.
- ¿Hay un cajero por aquí?Is there an ATM around here?Nearby.
Words you will hear
These words appear in almost every answer.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| derecho / todo derecho | straight ahead |
| a la derecha | to the right |
| a la izquierda | to the left |
| la esquina | the corner |
| la cuadra | the block |
| dar vuelta / doblar | to turn |
| cruzar | to cross |
| enfrente de | in front of |
| al lado de | next to |
Understanding the answer
Directions are often commands. In Mexico they often use usted: siga, dé vuelta, cruce.
Examples
- Siga derecho dos cuadras.Go straight for two blocks.Command.
- Dé vuelta a la derecha en la esquina.Turn right at the corner.Turn.
- Cruce la avenida y ahí está.Cross the avenue and it is there.Cross.
- Está enfrente del parque.It is across from the park.Location.
On the street
A tourist asks a local.
Examples
- Disculpe, ¿cómo llego a la catedral?Excuse me, how do I get to the cathedral?Question.
- Es fácil. Siga derecho tres cuadras.It is easy. Go straight for three blocks.Instructions.
- ¿Y después?And then?Follow-up.
- Dé vuelta a la izquierda y la verá enfrente de la plaza.Turn left and you will see it across from the plaza.Final instruction.
- Muchas gracias. ¿Está lejos?Thank you very much. Is it far?Distance.
- No, son cinco minutos caminando.No, it is five minutes on foot.Answer.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico, dar vuelta is more common than doblar, and cuadra means block. People often answer with ahorita in ways that are vague, so ask for a landmark: ¿Hay algo cerca de ahí? Google Maps is common, but locals love to explain.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: ¿Dónde es el banco?
Correct: ¿Dónde queda el banco?
Use queda or está for location.
Incorrect: Dé vuelta a la derecho.
Correct: Dé vuelta a la derecha.
A la derecha is feminine.
Incorrect: Siga recto una cuadra.
Correct: Siga derecho una cuadra.
In Mexico, derecho is usual (recto is fine in Spain).
Incorrect: Es lejos de aquí? (no question mark)
Correct: ¿Está lejos de aquí?
Use estar for a place, and add ¿?.
Remember the steps
- Ask: Disculpe, ¿dónde queda...?
- Listen for: derecho, a la derecha, a la izquierda, cuadra, esquina.
- Repeat the answer to be sure you understood.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask where something is in Mexico?
Say ¿Dónde queda...? or ¿Dónde está...?.
What does cuadra mean?
A block, the distance between two streets.
What is the difference between derecho and a la derecha?
Derecho means straight ahead. A la derecha means to the right.
How do I confirm I understood?
Repeat it: Entonces, dos cuadras derecho y luego a la izquierda, ¿verdad?
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Words from this lesson
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