At the Beach

Talking to lifeguards and vendors and asking about conditions at the beach.

You
Buenos días, ¿es seguro nadar aquí?
BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs ehs seh-GOO-roh nah-DAHR ah-KEE
Good morning, is it safe to swim here?
Always ask before swimming. Rip currents are common on Pacific coast beaches in Latin America.
Lifeguard
Sí, pero no pase más allá de las banderas. Hoy las olas están un poco fuertes.
SEE PEH-roh noh PAH-seh mahs ah-YAH deh lahs bahn-DEH-rahs oy lahs OH-lahs ehs-TAHN oon POH-koh FWEHR-tehs
Yes, but don't go past the flags. Today the waves are a bit strong.
You
Gracias. ¿Se puede alquilar una sombrilla y sillas?
GRAH-syahs seh PWEH-deh ahl-kee-LAHR OO-nah sohm-BREE-yah ee SEE-yahs
Thanks. Can you rent an umbrella and chairs?
"Se puede" is an impersonal way to ask "is it possible to" — very useful and polite.
Vendor
¡Claro! Son doscientos pesos por el día. También vendo cocos fríos.
KLAH-roh sohn doh-SYEHN-tohs PEH-sohs pohr ehl DEE-ah tahm-BYEHN VEHN-doh KOH-kohs FREE-ohs
Of course! It's two hundred pesos for the day. I also sell cold coconuts.
You
Sí, una sombrilla, dos sillas y un coco, por favor.
SEE OO-nah sohm-BREE-yah dohs SEE-yahs ee oon KOH-koh pohr fah-VOHR
Yes, one umbrella, two chairs, and one coconut, please.
Fresh coconut water on the beach is a must-try experience across Latin America.