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What surprised us most about El Salvador? We talk about how safe and clean the country has felt, the contrast between its modern cities and rural areas, and why its Independence Day celebrations were so different from what we expected. We also share our experiences at BINAES and El Tunco, our growing obsession with pupusas, and the Salvadoran words and pronunciation differences we’ve noticed compared with Mexican Spanish. If you’re planning to visit El Salvador—or simply want to understand the country beyond what you may have heard in the news—this episode gives you a glimpse into what it feels like to experience El Salvador firsthand, including some of the things that surprised us most.
Key Takeaways:
El Salvador feels different from what we expected.
The food is a highlight of the trip.
Salvadoran Spanish has its own personality.
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
336 – Sobre El Salvador | About El Salvador
333 – Septiembre: el mes de la independencia en América Latina – September: Latin America’s Independence Month
292 – Aprendizajes de Nuestro Primer Viaje con Santi | Learnings From Our First Trip with Santi
152 – Las Nueve Maravillas Que Descubrimos en Costa Rica | The Nine Wonders We Discovered in Costa Rica
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What does 16 years of learning Spanish really look like? In this episode, May and I take you through my personalized Spanish evaluation, from the strengths I’ve developed over the years to the grammar mistakes I still need to work on. We talk about tricky areas like ser vs. estar, articles, prepositions, “se” constructions, and fixed expressions, and why these small details can be difficult to catch in everyday conversations. We also reflect on how living in Mexico, using Spanish every day, and consuming authentic content have helped me become more natural and confident. If you’ve been studying Spanish for years but still make the same mistakes, this episode will show you why identifying those mistakes—and deliberately practicing them—can help you keep moving forward.
Key Takeaways:
Making mistakes doesn’t mean we’re failing at Spanish. Even after 16 years, I still make errors, but recognizing those recurring mistakes gives me a clear path for continued improvement.
Focused practice can help us improve more effectively than simply studying Spanish broadly. My evaluation revealed specific areas I need to work on, including ser vs. estar, articles, prepositions, and “se” constructions.
Becoming fluent is about more than studying grammar. Years of using Spanish in real-life situations, living in Mexico, and consuming content made for native speakers have helped me communicate more naturally and confidently.
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
233 – Aprende de los Errores de Jaime Parte 2 | Learn From Jim’s Mistakes Part 2
230 – Aprende de los Errores de Jaime | Learn From Jim’s Mistakes
095 – El Secreto para Salir del Estancamiento | The Secret for Overcoming the Plateau
041 – 5 Secretos para la Fluidez | 5 Secrets to Fluency
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We take you inside the fascinating tradition of El Trueque de Cholula and explain how bartering has connected people, products, and communities for centuries. We share examples of what people exchanged this year—from fruits, vegetables, and handmade goods to clothing, groceries, and even a live chicken—and discuss the differences between trueque and regateo. Along the way, we talk about childhood Tazos, religious traditions, Quetzalcóatl, and why preserving cultural traditions matters to the people of Cholula. You’ll also learn useful vocabulary and hear us compare bartering customs in Mexico and the United States.
Key Takeaways:
Learn what trueque means, how it differs from regateo, and how bartering has been practiced in Cholula since pre-Hispanic times.
Discover the surprising things people exchange at El Trueque de Cholula—and why being flexible is an important part of successful bartering.
Explore the cultural and religious significance of the tradition, including its connection to the Virgen de los Remedios, Quetzalcóatl, and generations of Cholula families.
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
331 – De Puebla Para México: Los Secretos Del Chile En Nogada | From Puebla To Mexico: The Secrets Of Chile En Nogada
319 – México Vivo: Los Trece Patrimonios Inmateriales De La UNESCO Parte II | Mexico Alive: The Thirteen Intangible Cultural Heritage Sites Of UNESCO, Part II
272 – ¿La Salsa Cholula No Viene De Cholula? | Cholula Hot Sauce Doesn’t Come From Cholula?
062 – Mercados Y Tianguis Mexicanos | Mexican Markets And Tianguis
333 – Septiembre: El Mes De La Independencia En América Latina – September: Latin America’s Independence Month
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We’re taking a closer look at El Salvador, from its Indigenous roots and fascinating history to its economy, currency, changing reputation for safety, and close ties with the United States. We explore the places that make the country worth visiting, including volcanoes, crater lakes, the Ruta de las Flores, historic towns, archaeological sites, and Pacific beaches. And, of course, we dive into Salvadoran food—from pupusas and curtido to yuca, horchata, and the surprisingly different Salvadoran quesadilla. We also introduce some local Spanish expressions and explore voseo, Náhuat, and the meaning behind words like chivo, pisto, cabal, and cipote. Whether you’re planning a visit or simply curious about Central America, this episode will give you a richer picture of El Salvador.
Key Takeaways:
Discover its history, geography, economy, culture, and transformation in safety.
Explore volcanoes, mountain towns, archaeological sites, beaches, and the Salvadoran foods you’ll want to try.
Learn about Salvadoran Spanish, voseo, Náhuat, and useful local expressions.
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
All countries in our “Country Series”
333 – Septiembre: El Mes De La Independencia En América Latina – September: Latin America’s Independence Month
Join La Escala: Your Spanish Fluency Hub
Take your Spanish beyond the podcast with La Escala, our online Spanish learning community — join live conversation clubs, weekly challenges, access transcripts and quizzes, and connect with other Spanish learners.
✈️ Join La Escala, our online Spanish and Go community for Spanish learners who want more practice, structure, and connection. Annual plans include 2 months free.
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How do you know whether to shake hands, hug, or give someone a cheek kiss in Mexico? Why do Mexicans offer food even when they barely have enough for themselves, and why can a party’s start time be more of a suggestion than a rule? In this episode, we continue our conversation about Mexican cultural codes and explore the social meaning behind physical greetings, “¿gustas?”, sobremesa, flexible timing, and softening negative responses and requests. We also share some funny personal experiences, including Jim’s struggles with greetings and May accidentally giving tourists outdated directions in Playa del Carmen. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the subtle social cues that can help you communicate more naturally and respectfully in Mexico.
Key Takeaways:
Learn how greetings can change depending on the relationship, context, and cultural background of the people involved—and why observing the other person’s body language is often the safest approach.
Discover how sharing food, enjoying sobremesa, and spending unhurried time together reflect the importance of hospitality, connection, and generosity in Mexican culture.
Understand why Mexicans may have a more flexible approach to social timing and why direct “no” responses and requests are often softened to maintain friendliness and avoid sounding too harsh.
Relevant Links And Additional Resources:
334 – ¿Por qué los mexicanos dicen “provecho”? 10 códigos culturales Parte 1 – Why Do Mexicans Say “Provecho”? 10 Cultural Codes, Part 1
298 – La Sobremesa | La Sobremesa
294 – Español Útil para un Viaje a México | Useful Spanish for a Trip to Mexico
198 – Mande: Entre Respeto y Tradición | Mande: Between Respect and Tradition
064 – Choques Culturales en las Calles de México – Culture Shocks in the Streets of Mexico
Join La Escala: Your Spanish Fluency Hub
Take your Spanish beyond the podcast with La Escala, our online Spanish learning community — join live conversation clubs, weekly challenges, access transcripts and quizzes, and connect with other Spanish learners.
✈️ Join La Escala, our online Spanish and Go community for Spanish learners who want more practice, structure, and connection. Annual plans include 2 months free.
👉 Learn more: spanishandgo.com/community
Support the show