What You Should Know Before You Visit Spain
Live from Madrid, Spain! Today we’re talking about differences between Spain and America, for visitors traveling in either direction. Here’s just a few things you should know about Spanish culture and customers so that you can have a better time abroad.
Language in Spain
In Spain, you will need to know a bit of Spanish, even if it’s limited to Spanish greetings and please/thank you. Younger people are likely studying English in school and may be able to help you, but older people (30+) will often not speak English. Try to learn a bit of Spanish before you come to Spain, if anything it will give you a better experience. The Spanish people are very friendly, and they will try to communicate with you, even if you don’t speak Spanish.
Tips for Spanish Visitors to the America: In the U.S. you will need to speak English. A small number of people speak Spanish.
Currency in Spain
The currency used in Spain is now the Euro, just like many other parts of Europe like Germany and Austria. The Euro comes in several bills (500, 200, 100, 50, 10, 5) and the coins here are actually valuable. The 2 Euro coin is worth more than $2, so keep track of them.
Tips for Spanish Visitors to the America: Not all places, especially gas stations or convenience stores, will accept $50 or $100 bills.
ATM’s in Spain
ATM machines are everywhere in Spain. Use your debit card in Spain and you’ll get the best exchange rate. You can choose to see how many Euros to take out, or in dollars. ATM’s in Spain sometimes take a percentage. If you need to exchange cash, the private exchanges have the worst rate. Banks will give you a better rate, but not all banks will accept or exchange dollars.
Tips for Spanish Visitors to the U.S.: ATM’s will charge a fee, and you won’t have an option for the currency, it’s always in dollars.
Tipping in Spain
In Spain, tipping isn’t widespread. The higher class of the restaurant, you may tip a little bit. A tip is always appreciated, but it’s not as required as it is in the United States. Sometimes, the tip may not even go directly to the waiter in Spain. Look for a service fee on the bill, also, as that can sometimes be added.
Tips for Spanish Visitors to the U.S.: 15-20% tip is standard and servers rely on this for their income.
Expenses in Spain
In general, Spain can be 15-20% cheaper than the U.S. This will depend largely on your travel lifestyle. There are a lot of travel deals to be had in Spain, and while there are deals in the U.S., it’s not as affordable as a vacation in Spain.
Electrical Outlets in Spain
In Spain, they use the same plug as other EU countries, with two circle plugs. Your electronics already have a converter to handle the voltage difference, so you’ll just need an adapter for the plugs. Don’t even bother bringing small electronics like hair dryers or curling irons. They won’t handle the voltage and it’s easier to just buy a cheap one upon arrival.
Eating Out in Spain
In Spain, meals are generally later than in the U.S. Lunch is usually between 1:00 and 3:00 while dinner is typically starting after 8pm. Even McDonald’s may not open until late afternoon. Make sure you have a big breakfast so you can last until lunch at 1:00. Adjust your schedule accordingly, and plan to eat later.
Tapas is very popular in Spain. These are little plates that accompany your drinks at a bar or pub. These are sometimes complimentary, sometimes you will pay for them. There are tapas, which are small plates that can cost a couple of Euros, or Raciones, which is a larger portion and around 8 euros a plate. Pay attention to which version you are ordering!
Paella in Spain is excellent. Try to avoid it in heavily touristed parts of town as it won’t be as authentic. Look for a smaller town, or get off the beaten path to find paella in Spain.
Service in Spain
Both Spain and the US have very friendly service. In Spain, the service is more playful, while the service in the U.S. is aimed at getting a bigger tip. In major touristy areas, you may have service that is not as great, but most places will have friendly service.
Toilets in Spain
Toilets in Spain are the same as in the U.S. Toilets are usually free at cafes and restaurants, but often for customers only. You may have to pay to use the toilet in a train station, so it’s always good to have some coins on hand in this instance. Spain also has bidets. If you aren’t sure how to use them, don’t!
Hopefully these tips will be helpful as you are planning a trip to Spain. Check out our other videos on Spain: