A1 Spanish

Stories completed

10. Luna, Duna, y mala fortuna

(Luna, Duna, and Bad Luck)

Ana and Luis choose Costa Rica for their vacation. All they want is peace. Beaches, spa and silence. Nothing can go wrong.

Illustration of three people, a man and two women, having a conversation at a table in a minimalist black and white style

Spanish version

Ana y Luis están en una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="travel agency" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">agencia de viajes.

—¿Dónde quieren ir?

—Queremos ir a un <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="place" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">lugar con <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="beaches" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">playas.

—Hmm. Tenemos dos <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="options" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">opciones: México o Costa Rica.

—¿Qué hay en México?

—En México hay playas grandes, hay <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="museums" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">museos y hay comida <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="delicious" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">deliciosa.

—¿Y en Costa Rica?

—En Costa Rica hay playas bonitas, hay <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="jungle" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">selva, hay <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="volcanoes" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">volcanes.

—¿Y hay playas con agua <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="hot" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">caliente en Costa Rica?

—Sí, el agua siempre está caliente.

—Entonces vamos a Costa Rica.

—Vale. Hay dos hoteles muy buenos: Hotel Luna y Hotel Duna.

—¿Qué hay en el Hotel Luna?

—En el Hotel Luna hay una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="swimming pool" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">piscina grande. Hay un restaurante <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="quiet" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tranquilo y hay spa. No hay <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="nightclub" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">discoteca, no hay <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="parties" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">fiestas. Es perfecto para descansar.

—¿Y en el Hotel Duna?

—En el Hotel Duna hay discoteca, hay bar, hay muchas <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="activities" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">actividades. Hay música toda la noche.

Ana mira a Luis.

—No queremos fiestas.

—Sí. No queremos música. Queremos <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="peace" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tranquilidad —dice Luis.

—Entonces el Hotel Luna es perfecto para ustedes.

—Sí. El Hotel Luna, por favor. Y queremos una habitación con <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="views" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">vistas a la playa —dice Ana.

La <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="agent" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">agente escribe en el ordenador.

—Vale. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="done" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Listo. Tienen la habitación 227.

Dos días después, Ana y Luis llegan a Costa Rica. Toman un taxi en el aeropuerto.

—Al Hotel Luna, por favor.

Una hora después, el taxi <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="stops" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">se para.

Ana y Luis entran al hotel.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="welcome" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Bienvenidos. ¿Su nombre? —pregunta el <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="receptionist" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">recepcionista.

—García. Tenemos <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="reservation" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">reserva.

El recepcionista escribe en el ordenador.

—Hmm... no hay reserva para García.

—¿Cómo?

—No hay reserva, señor.

Luis muestra el correo.

—Mire aquí. Habitación 227.

—Un momento.

El recepcionista lee el correo.

—Ah. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I understand" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Entiendo el problema. Ustedes tienen reserva en el Hotel Luna.

—Sí. Estamos aquí.

—No, señor. Este es el Hotel Duna.

—¿Qué? ¿Es una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="joke" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">broma?

—No, señora.

—¿Dónde está el Hotel Luna?

—Está a ochenta kilómetros.

—Bueno, vamos entonces.

—Pero hay un problema. Es muy <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="late" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tarde. No hay <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="transportation" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">transporte <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="until" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">hasta mañana.

—Bueno... ¿hay habitaciones aquí?

—Un momento... Ah, sí. Hay una. La habitación 36.

—Vale. ¿Y tiene vista a la playa?

—No. Lo siento. Pero tengo buenas noticias.

—¿Sí? ¿Cuáles?

—Tengo un <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="gift" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">regalo para ustedes.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="really?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿De verdad? ¿Un regalo?

—Sí. Dos <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="tickets" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">entradas <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="free" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">gratis para la discoteca.

Spanish story with English translation

Ana y Luis están en una agencia de viajes.

Ana and Luis are at a travel agency.

—¿Dónde quieren ir?

"Where do you want to go?"

—Queremos ir a un lugar con playas.

"We want to go to a place with beaches."

—Hmm. Tenemos dos opciones: México o Costa Rica.

"Hmm. We have two options: Mexico or Costa Rica."

—¿Qué hay en México?

"What is there in Mexico?"

—En México hay playas grandes, hay museos y hay comida deliciosa.

"In Mexico there are big beaches, there are museums, and there is delicious food."

—¿Y en Costa Rica?

"And in Costa Rica?"

—En Costa Rica hay playas bonitas, hay selva, hay volcanes.

"In Costa Rica there are beautiful beaches, there is jungle, there are volcanoes."

—¿Y hay playas con agua caliente en Costa Rica?

"And are there beaches with warm water in Costa Rica?"

—Sí, el agua siempre está caliente.

"Yes, the water is always warm."

—Entonces vamos a Costa Rica.

"Then we're going to Costa Rica."

—Vale. Hay dos hoteles muy buenos: Hotel Luna y Hotel Duna.

"Okay. There are two very good hotels: Hotel Luna and Hotel Duna."

—¿Qué hay en el Hotel Luna?

"What is there at Hotel Luna?"

—En el Hotel Luna hay una piscina grande. Hay un restaurante tranquilo y hay spa. No hay discoteca, no hay fiestas. Es perfecto para descansar.

"At Hotel Luna there is a big pool. There is a quiet restaurant and there is a spa. There is no nightclub, there are no parties. It is perfect for resting."

—¿Y en el Hotel Duna?

"And at Hotel Duna?"

—En el Hotel Duna hay discoteca, hay bar, hay muchas actividades. Hay música toda la noche.

"At Hotel Duna there is a nightclub, there is a bar, there are many activities. There is music all night."

Ana mira a Luis.

Ana looks at Luis.

—No queremos fiestas.

"We don't want parties."

—Sí. No queremos música. Queremos tranquilidad —dice Luis.

"Yes. We don't want music. We want peace and quiet," says Luis.

—Entonces el Hotel Luna es perfecto para ustedes.

"Then Hotel Luna is perfect for you."

—Sí. El Hotel Luna, por favor. Y queremos una habitación con vistas a la playa —dice Ana.

"Yes. Hotel Luna, please. And we want a room with views of the beach," says Ana.

La agente escribe en el ordenador.

The agent types on the computer.

—Vale. Listo. Tienen la habitación 227.

"Okay. Done. You have room 227."

Dos días después, Ana y Luis llegan a Costa Rica. Toman un taxi en el aeropuerto.

Two days later, Ana and Luis arrive in Costa Rica. They take a taxi at the airport.

—Al Hotel Luna, por favor.

"To Hotel Luna, please."

Una hora después, el taxi se para.

One hour later, the taxi stops.

Ana y Luis entran al hotel.

Ana and Luis enter the hotel.

—Bienvenidos. ¿Su nombre? —pregunta el recepcionista.

"Welcome. Your name?" asks the receptionist.

—García. Tenemos reserva.

"García. We have a reservation."

El recepcionista escribe en el ordenador.

The receptionist types on the computer.

—Hmm... no hay reserva para García.

"Hmm... there is no reservation for García."

—¿Cómo?

"What?"

—No hay reserva, señor.

"There is no reservation, sir."

Luis muestra el correo.

Luis shows the email.

—Mire aquí. Habitación 227.

"Look here. Room 227."

—Un momento.

"One moment."

El recepcionista lee el correo.

The receptionist reads the email.

—Ah. Entiendo el problema. Ustedes tienen reserva en el Hotel Luna.

"Ah. I understand the problem. You have a reservation at Hotel Luna."

—Sí. Estamos aquí.

"Yes. We are here."

—No, señor. Este es el Hotel Duna.

"No, sir. This is Hotel Duna."

—¿Qué? ¿Es una broma?

"What? Is this a joke?"

—No, señora.

"No, ma'am."

—¿Dónde está el Hotel Luna?

"Where is Hotel Luna?"

—Está a ochenta kilómetros.

"It is eighty kilometers away."

—Bueno, vamos entonces.

"Well, let's go then."

—Pero hay un problema. Es muy tarde. No hay transporte hasta mañana.

"But there is a problem. It is very late. There is no transportation until tomorrow."

—Bueno... ¿hay habitaciones aquí?

"Well... are there rooms here?"

—Un momento... Ah, sí. Hay una. La habitación 36.

"One moment... Ah, yes. There is one. Room 36."

—Vale. ¿Y tiene vista a la playa?

"Okay. And does it have a view of the beach?"

—No. Lo siento. Pero tengo buenas noticias.

"No. I'm sorry. But I have good news."

—¿Sí? ¿Cuáles?

"Yes? What?"

—Tengo un regalo para ustedes.

"I have a gift for you."

—¿De verdad? ¿Un regalo?

"Really? A gift?"

—Sí. Dos entradas gratis para la discoteca.

"Yes. Two free tickets to the nightclub."

Part 2

Vocabulary Flashcards

Part 3

Story Challenge

Part 4

Patterns Challenge

Part 5

Listening Challenge

Part 6

Writing Challenge

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Question 1

Your friend asks about the two hotels. Reply in Spanish: In Hotel Luna there is a pool and a spa. There is no disco. In Hotel Duna there is a disco and a bar.

Example: En el Hotel Luna hay una piscina y un spa. No hay discoteca. En el Hotel Duna hay una discoteca y un bar.

Notes:

HAY never changes. One pool? Hay una piscina. Three pools? Hay tres piscinas. Still just "hay."
"No hay discoteca" drops the article. After "no hay," Spanish often skips "un/una." Compare: "Hay una piscina" (exists) vs "No hay discoteca" (doesn't exist). Both natural.

Question 2

You arrive at a hotel in Costa Rica. Ask the receptionist in Spanish: Is there a pool? Is there a restaurant? Are there rooms with a beach view?

Example: ¿Hay piscina? ¿Hay restaurante? ¿Hay habitaciones con vistas a la playa?

Notes:

Questions with HAY are simple: just add ¿? around it. No word order change, no extra words. "Hay piscina" becomes "¿Hay piscina?"

Question 3

The travel agent asks about your city. Answer in Spanish: In my city there is a park. There are many restaurants. There is no beach.

Example: En mi ciudad hay un parque. Hay muchos restaurantes. No hay playa.

Notes:

"Muchos restaurantes" matches masculine plural. If it were libraries: "muchas bibliotecas." The adjective always follows the noun's gender and number.

Question 4

Translate to Spanish: There are beautiful beaches. There is no transport. The airport is far. There is one room.

Example: Hay playas bonitas. No hay transporte. El aeropuerto está lejos. Hay una habitación.

Notes:

"Hay playas" (something exists) vs "El aeropuerto está lejos" (something is located). HAY introduces new things into the conversation. ESTAR tells you about things already known. That's the key difference.
"Lejos" never changes. No gender, no plural. Lejos is lejos whether you're talking about one airport or ten hotels.

Question 5

Translate to Spanish: There are two options: Mexico or Costa Rica. In Mexico there is delicious food. In Costa Rica there are beautiful beaches. There is jungle.

Example: Hay dos opciones: México o Costa Rica. En México hay comida deliciosa. En Costa Rica hay playas bonitas. Hay selva.

Notes:

"Comida deliciosa" and "playas bonitas" put the adjective after the noun, matching gender. Comida = feminine → deliciosa. Playas = feminine plural → bonitas.
"Hay selva" with no article. When you're describing what a place contains in general, the article is optional: "Hay selva" and "Hay una selva" both work.

Question 6

Translate to Spanish: Ana and Luis are at Hotel Duna. There is no reservation. There is one room. But there is a gift: two tickets for the disco.

Example: Ana y Luis están en el Hotel Duna. No hay reserva. Hay una habitación. Pero hay un regalo: dos entradas para la discoteca.

Notes:

"Pero" flips the situation: everything is going wrong, pero hay un regalo. Works exactly like "but" in English, connecting two contrasting ideas.
"Dos entradas para la discoteca" uses "entradas" for event or venue tickets. Different from "billetes," which is for travel or lottery.

Reply in Spanish and join the discussion!

Ana and Luis chose Hotel Luna: a pool, a spa and no parties. What about you?

Hotel Luna or Hotel Duna? Why?
Where do you go on vacation normally?
What is there in a perfect hotel for you? A pool? A disco? A restaurant? A bar?

Part 7

Speaking Challenge

What's there? What's not? From beach hotels to city neighborhoods to the worst hotel you can imagine, you'll describe, compare, recommend and retell Ana and Luis's unlucky trip.

Beach Hotel

Imagine you arrive at a beach hotel and the receptionist hands you the key to room 15. You drop your bags, open the balcony door and take a deep breath. Then your mom calls: "How is it? Tell me everything!"

Your task - describe your hotel to your mom:

Say where you are (which country, which hotel)
Describe what there is in the hotel and where it is (pool, restaurant, spa, near the beach)
Describe what there is in your room (bed, table, window)
Describe the views from your room (beach? mountains? city?)

Speak for 30-45 seconds

Reveal sample answer

Estoy en [country], en el Hotel [name].
1. I'm in [country], at Hotel [name].
En el hotel hay una piscina grande, hay un restaurante y hay spa. El hotel está cerca de la playa.
1. In the hotel there is a big pool, there is a restaurant and there is a spa. The hotel is near the beach.
En mi habitación hay una cama grande, hay una mesa y hay una ventana.
1. In my room there is a big bed, there is a table and there is a window.
Hay vistas a la playa. La playa está muy cerca. / Tengo vistas a las montañas.
1. There are views of the beach. The beach is very close. / I have views of the mountains.

Two Neighborhoods

You're helping a friend find a new apartment. There are two neighborhoods: one in the city center, one near the beach. Your friend needs to know what each area has before deciding.

Your task - help your friend choose:

Describe what there is in the city center (shops, restaurants, bars, museums)
Describe what there is near the beach (parks, pool, cinema, disco)
Your friend asks: "Is there a gym? And where is the supermarket?" (gym is on the main street; supermarket in the city center, next to the station)
Say which neighborhood is perfect for your friend and why
Say where each neighborhood is (center neighborhood: next to the station; beach neighborhood: next to the park)

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

En el centro de la ciudad hay tiendas, hay restaurantes, hay bares y hay museos.
1. In the city center there are shops, there are restaurants, there are bars and there are museums.
Cerca de la playa hay parques, hay piscina, hay cine y hay discoteca.
1. Near the beach there are parks, there is a pool, there is a cinema and there is a disco.
En el centro hay un gimnasio. Está en la calle principal. No hay gimnasio cerca de la playa. El supermercado está en el centro, al lado de la estación.
1. In the center there is a gym. It's on the main street. There is no gym near the beach. The supermarket is in the center, next to the station.
Para ti, el centro es perfecto porque hay tiendas, restaurantes y un gimnasio.
1. For you, the center is perfect because there are shops, restaurants and a gym.
El barrio del centro está al lado de la estación. El barrio de la playa está al lado del parque.
1. The center neighborhood is next to the station. The beach neighborhood is next to the park.

The Worst Hotel in the World

You're chatting with a friend. "Imagine the worst hotel in the world," they say.

Your task - describe the worst hotel you can imagine:

Give the hotel a name and say where it is (country, city)
Say what terrible things there are (noise all night, music, insects, cold water)
Say what there isn't (pool, restaurant, breakfast, hot water, wifi)
Describe your room (small bed, no window, no bathroom, no wardrobe)
What is this hotel like? Give your verdict (terrible? horrible?)

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

Es el Hotel Desastre. Está en [city], en [country].
1. It's Hotel Disaster. It's in [city], in [country].
En el hotel hay ruido toda la noche, hay música y hay insectos. El agua es fría.
1. In the hotel there is noise all night, there is music and there are insects. The water is cold.
No hay piscina, no hay restaurante, no hay desayuno, no hay agua caliente y no hay wifi.
1. There is no pool, there is no restaurant, there is no breakfast, there is no hot water and there is no wifi.
En mi habitación hay una cama muy pequeña. No hay ventana, no hay baño y no hay armario.
1. In my room there is a very small bed. There is no window, there is no bathroom and there is no wardrobe.
Este hotel es terrible. Es muy malo. No es un hotel, es un desastre.
1. This hotel is terrible. It's very bad. It's not a hotel, it's a disaster.

What's in Your City?

A friend from Spain is visiting you next month. They call you to ask: "What's there to do? I need to plan!" You know your city (or the nearest city) well… it's time to show it off.

Your task - help your friend:

Say which city it is and describe it (big? small? old? modern? beautiful?)
Say what there is for going out (restaurants? bars? cafés? discos?)
Say what there is for culture and free time (museums? parks? plazas? cinemas?)
Say what there is for nature (beaches? mountains? rivers?)
Say what there isn't in your city
Your friend asks: "And where is a good restaurant?" Say if there is one, what it's called and where it is

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

La ciudad es [city]. Es grande y moderna. / La ciudad es pequeña y bonita.
1. The city is [city]. It's big and modern. / The city is small and beautiful.
Hay muchos restaurantes, hay bares, hay cafés y hay discotecas.
1. There are many restaurants, there are bars, there are cafés and there are discos.
Hay museos, hay parques grandes, hay plazas bonitas y hay cines.
1. There are museums, there are big parks, there are beautiful plazas and there are cinemas.
Hay playa cerca. / Hay montañas. / Hay un río grande.
1. There is a beach nearby. / There are mountains. / There is a big river.
No hay metro. / No hay playa. / No hay museos grandes.
1. There is no metro. / There is no beach. / There are no big museums.
Sí, hay un restaurante muy bueno. Se llama [name]. Está en el centro, al lado de la plaza.
1. Yes, there is a very good restaurant. It's called [name]. It's in the center, next to the plaza.

The Dinner Table

You're at a family dinner. Your uncle won't stop complaining about his terrible vacation. You smile and say: "That's bad, tío. But let me tell you about Ana and Luis..."

Your task - tell the story in your own words:

What are the names of the two main characters? Where do they go to choose a vacation?
What two countries does the agent suggest? What is there in each one?
Which country do they choose? Why?
What two hotels are there? Describe what there is in each one.
Which hotel do Ana and Luis choose? Why?
What happens when they arrive at the hotel? (which hotel are they at? the reservation?)
Where is the Hotel Luna? Why can't they go tonight?
What does the receptionist offer them at the end?
Is the receptionist's gift good or bad for them? Why?
What do you think about the story? Why? (Esta historia es...)
You are Ana and Luis at the Hotel Duna. Do you go to the disco or to the room?
Which hotel is perfect for you - Hotel Luna or Hotel Duna? Why?

Speak for 1.5-2 minutes

Reveal sample answer

Son Ana y Luis. Van a una agencia de viajes.
1. They are Ana and Luis. They go to a travel agency.
La agente tiene dos opciones: México y Costa Rica. En México hay playas grandes, hay museos y hay comida deliciosa. En Costa Rica hay playas bonitas, hay selva y hay volcanes.
1. The agent has two options: Mexico and Costa Rica. In Mexico there are big beaches, there are museums and there is delicious food. In Costa Rica there are beautiful beaches, there is jungle and there are volcanoes.
Van a Costa Rica porque hay playas bonitas y el agua siempre está caliente.
1. They go to Costa Rica because there are beautiful beaches and the water is always warm.
Hay dos hoteles: Hotel Luna y Hotel Duna. En el Hotel Luna hay una piscina grande, hay un restaurante tranquilo y hay spa. No hay discoteca y no hay fiestas. En el Hotel Duna hay discoteca, hay bar, hay muchas actividades y hay música toda la noche.
1. There are two hotels: Hotel Luna and Hotel Duna. In Hotel Luna there is a big pool, there is a quiet restaurant and there is a spa. There is no disco and there are no parties. In Hotel Duna there is a disco, there is a bar, there are many activities and there is music all night.
Ana y Luis quieren el Hotel Luna porque no quieren fiestas. Quieren tranquilidad.
1. Ana and Luis want Hotel Luna because they don't want parties. They want peace and quiet.
Ana y Luis llegan al Hotel Duna, no al Hotel Luna. No hay reserva para ellos en el Hotel Duna.
1. Ana and Luis arrive at Hotel Duna, not Hotel Luna. There is no reservation for them at Hotel Duna.
El Hotel Luna está a ochenta kilómetros. No hay transporte hasta mañana.
1. Hotel Luna is eighty kilometers away. There is no transport until tomorrow.
El recepcionista tiene un regalo para Ana y Luis: dos entradas gratis para la discoteca.
1. The receptionist has a gift for Ana and Luis: two free tickets for the disco.
El regalo es malo para Ana y Luis porque no quieren fiestas. Quieren tranquilidad, no quieren música.
1. The gift is bad for Ana and Luis because they don't want parties. They want peace and quiet, they don't want music.
Esta historia es muy divertida. / Esta historia es graciosa porque Ana y Luis tienen muy mala suerte.
1. This story is very funny. / This story is funny because Ana and Luis have very bad luck.
Yo voy a la habitación. / Yo voy a la discoteca.
1. I go to the room. / I go to the disco.
Para mí, el Hotel Luna es perfecto porque es tranquilo y hay piscina. / Para mí, el Hotel Duna es perfecto porque hay música y hay discoteca.
1. For me, Hotel Luna is perfect because it's quiet and there is a pool. / For me, Hotel Duna is perfect because there is music and there is a disco.

Part 8

Culture

1. Ana and Luis Picked Better Than They Know

Ana and Luis wanted beaches with warm water. That's it. That's the whole criteria.

They ended up choosing one of the most extraordinary countries in the Americas.

And they have absolutely no idea.

Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica surrounded by dense green jungle with clouds at the summit.

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica. Ana and Luis wanted tranquilidad. This is pretty tranquil.

The colony Spain forgot about

Costa Rica speaks Spanish because Spain colonized it. But here's where it gets interesting… Spain didn't really want it.

Columbus landed on the Caribbean coast in 1502 during his fourth voyage. He saw locals wearing gold jewelry and got excited.

Named the place Costa Rica ("Rich Coast"). Sent word back to Spain. Gold rushers arrived.

And… there was barely any gold.

For the next 300 years, Costa Rica sat at the bottom of Spain's priority list.

A governor in 1719 described it as the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all of the Americas.

No precious metals. No big workforce to exploit. The settlers had to farm their own land.

And that neglect? It shaped everything.

Because nobody was getting rich, there were no massive plantations and no ruling class lording over everyone.

Costa Rica quietly became one of the most egalitarian societies in Latin America.

When independence came in 1821, they didn't even fight for it. Guatemala declared independence from Spain on September 15 and basically told the rest of Central America "you're free now too."

Costa Rica's response was more or less… OK cool.

But the wildest part of the story came later.

In 1948, after a 44-day civil war over a disputed election, the winning leader José Figueres Ferrer did something nobody expected.

He abolished the army. Took a sledgehammer to the wall of the military headquarters and said the building now belongs to the schools.

That old barracks in San José? It's the National Museum now.

Costa Rica has had no standing army since 1949. The money that would have gone to the military goes to education, healthcare and the environment instead.

In a region full of conflict and instability… Costa Rica chose peace. And it worked.

0.03% of the planet. 5% of all life on Earth

Costa Rica is tiny. About 51,000 square kilometres (smaller than West Virginia or about the size of Slovakia).

And somehow it contains roughly 5 to 6% of all known species on the planet:

500,000+ species of plants and animals
Over 800 bird species (more than the US and Canada combined)
Over 25% of the country's territory is protected as national parks and reserves
Rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, mangroves, coral reefs and two completely different coastlines (Pacific and Caribbean)

Close-up of a keel-billed toucan showing its rainbow-colored beak in green, orange and red.

The keel-billed toucan. Over 25% of Costa Rica is protected land. This guy is one of the reasons why.

So when the travel agent told Ana and Luis there were beaches, jungle and volcanoes… that was the understatement of the century.

How Ticos talk (and why you'll love it)

Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos (men) and Ticas (women). The nickname comes from their habit of making words extra small with the suffix -tico instead of -ito.

So instead of chiquito (small) you'll hear chiquitico. They did it so much that the whole country got named after it.

And then there's the phrase you'll hear before you even leave the airport.

Pura vida.

It literally means "pure life." But in Costa Rica it means… everything. Hello. Goodbye. Thank you. You're welcome. How are you? I'm great. That's cool. No worries.

It's a greeting, a philosophy and a national identity packed into two words.

The phrase actually came from a 1956 Mexican comedy film where the main character kept saying it no matter how badly things went.

Costa Ricans watched the movie, adopted the phrase… and never let it go.

But pura vida isn't just something Costa Ricans say. It's how they live. Slow down. Don't rush. Enjoy the moment. Let things be.

Close-up of a two-toed sloth hanging from a branch surrounded by green leaves.

Costa Rica's two-toed sloth. He's not lazy. He's just more committed to pura vida than you are.

Here are a few more expressions you'd pick up fast:

Mae - "dude" or "bro." You'll hear it constantly between friends
Tuanis - "cool" or "awesome"
Diay - a filler word like "well" or "so" or "um." Used everywhere
Al chile - "seriously" or "for real"
Soda - not a drink. A small family-run restaurant serving local food
Gallo pinto - rice and beans fried together. THE national breakfast

One more thing.

Costa Ricans use usted (the formal "you") way more than most Spanish-speaking countries. Even with friends. Even with family.

So if you ever visit Costa Rica with the Spanish you're learning right now… you'll be understood everywhere. You'll just sound a little more formal than the locals.

Which is fine. They'll love you for trying.

Where Ana and Luis Should Actually Go (Once They Find the Right Hotel)

OK full confession… I've never been to Costa Rica.

It's one of my dream destinations. I've spent more hours than I'd like to admit watching videos, reading blogs, asking friends who've been and zooming into Google Maps like it's a hobby. I haven't set foot there yet but honestly… it feels like I already have.

So what I'm about to share isn't "here's what I did." It's "here's what I'm planning."

The Pacific coast and the Caribbean coast are two completely different worlds.

Pacific side: bigger waves, drier weather, more developed.

Caribbean side: laid-back, tropical, reggae in the background, coconut rice on the table.

Dry season is December to April. Green season (rain) is May to November… but cheaper, less crowded and still beautiful.

Here are the spots on my list:

Manuel Antonio - rainforest meets the beach. A national park where monkeys hang out in the trees right above you while you swim
Tamarindo - surfer town on the Pacific. Good food, beginner-friendly waves, sunsets that apparently ruin all other sunsets for you forever
Playa Conchal - the sand is made of tiny crushed seashells. Everyone I've talked to says the water is unreal

Turquoise water and sandy shore at Playa Conchal beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Playa Conchal, Guanacaste. The travel agent said "playas bonitas." She could have been more specific.

Puerto Viejo (Caribbean side) - totally different energy. Slower, warmer, more Caribbean than Central American
Arenal Volcano - hot springs, hiking and a volcano you can see from your hotel room
Monteverde Cloud Forest - misty, green, full of birds you won't find anywhere else on the planet
Tortuguero - sea turtles nesting on the beach. Only reachable by boat or small plane. They call it Costa Rica's "little Amazon"

Ana and Luis are stressing about the wrong hotel. Meanwhile they're standing in a country with no army, volcanoes you can sleep next to, sea turtles nesting on the beach and a national philosophy that literally translates to "pure life."

I mean... the only people who should be upset here are the rest of us. Because we're not there.

Did You Know?

⚡ Costa Rica generated 98.6% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2025. Rivers, volcanoes, wind and sun. Basically no fossil fuels
🌎 The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is one of only five Blue Zones in the world… regions where people regularly live past 100 years old
🐒 Costa Rica has four species of monkeys: howler, spider, capuchin and squirrel. The howler monkey's call can be heard from nearly 5 kilometres away
🦥 Costa Rica is home to two species of sloth (two-toed and three-toed). They sleep up to 15 hours a day and move so slowly that algae actually grows on their fur… which helps them blend in with the trees
🐦 Costa Rica has six species of toucan (more than any other country). The keel-billed toucan's Spanish name is tucán pico arcoíris… the rainbow-beaked toucan. At night, up to six of them squeeze into a single tree hole to sleep
☕ Costa Rica is one of the only countries in the world that banned the farming of non-native coffee varieties to protect the quality of its beans. Coffee was the country's main export for over a century and helped build its first roads to the coast