Visiting Ruins or Historical Sites

Exploring ancient places and learning about their history.

You
Disculpe, ¿cuántos años tienen estas ruinas?
dees-KOOL-peh, KWAHN-tohs AH-nyohs tee-EH-nehn EHS-tahs roo-EE-nahs
Excuse me, how old are these ruins?
Spanish uses "tener años" (to have years) instead of "to be old" — so you literally ask how many years the ruins "have."
Guide
Estas ruinas tienen más de quinientos años. Fueron construidas por los mayas.
EHS-tahs roo-EE-nahs tee-EH-nehn mahs deh kee-nee-EHN-tohs AH-nyohs. FWEH-rohn kohns-troo-EE-dahs pohr lohs MAH-yahs
These ruins are more than five hundred years old. They were built by the Maya.
You
¿Se puede subir a la pirámide?
seh PWEH-deh soo-BEER ah lah pee-RAH-mee-deh
Can you climb the pyramid?
"Se puede" is a useful impersonal construction meaning "is it possible to" or "can one." It works for asking about rules politely.
Guide
No, ya no se permite subir. Pero pueden caminar alrededor y tomar fotos.
noh, yah noh seh pehr-MEE-teh soo-BEER. PEH-roh PWEH-dehn kah-mee-NAHR ahl-reh-deh-DOHR ee toh-MAHR FOH-tohs
No, climbing is no longer allowed. But you can walk around and take photos.
Many archaeological sites in Mexico and Central America have restricted climbing to protect the structures.
You
¿Hay una tienda donde vendan artesanías cerca de aquí?
eye OO-nah tee-EHN-dah DOHN-deh VEHN-dahn ahr-teh-sah-NEE-ahs SEHR-kah deh ah-KEE
Is there a shop that sells handicrafts near here?