ask a stranger
- Disculpe, ¿por dónde queda el metro? Excuse me, where is the metro?
- ¿Está cerca? Is it close?
- ¿Sigo derecho? Do I keep going straight?
- Me perdí un poco. I got a little lost.
Back to situations 
Photo by Kaden Taylor on Unsplash 
Photo by Jimmy Woo on Unsplash
getting around
directions Spanish when Google Maps betrays you
The map says one thing, the street says another, and a stranger can fix your day if you ask cleanly.
Use This First
- Memorize ¿por dónde queda?, ¿sigo derecho?, ¿está cerca?, and me perdí.
- Use disculpe before asking strangers for directions.
- Por aquí está bien also works for taxis and ride-app drop-offs.
Memorize these first
understand the answer
- A la derecha. To the right.
- A la izquierda. To the left.
- Cruza la calle. Cross the street.
- Por aquí está bien. Here is fine.
One-screen cheat sheet
🧭
directions cheat sheet Screenshot this before you go.
| Spanish | English | Use case | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disculpe, ¿por dónde queda el metro? | Excuse me, where is the metro? | asking directions | safe |
| ¿Está cerca? | Is it close? | distance check | safe |
| ¿Sigo derecho? | Do I keep going straight? | route check | safe |
| Me perdí un poco. | I got a little lost. | soft confession | safe |
| A la derecha. | To the right. | direction | safe |
| A la izquierda. | To the left. | direction | safe |
| Cruza la calle. | Cross the street. | direction | safe |
| Por aquí está bien. | Here is fine. | drop-off | safe |
the gringo trap
Do not say this by default
don't say this
Do not ask ¿dónde es? when you mean where is it located.
say this
Use ¿dónde está? or ¿por dónde queda?
Queda is one of the most useful location verbs in Mexican street directions.
safe / local / spicy
Pick your register
safe
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el metro?
local
Disculpe, ¿por dónde queda el metro?
spicy
Ando perdido, ¿sí voy bien para el metro?
The spicy version is friendly and human, but a little more vulnerable.
How it sounds
lost near the metro
Disculpe, ¿por dónde queda el metro? Excuse me, where is the metro?
Siga derecho y a la izquierda. Go straight and to the left.
¿Está cerca? Is it close?
Sí, como a dos cuadras. Yes, about two blocks away.
checking the route
¿Sigo derecho para Reforma? Do I keep going straight for Reforma?
Sí, va bien. Yes, you are going the right way.
Gracias. Thanks.
De nada. No problem.
Practice cards
three fast taps before you try it outside.
You want to ask where the metro is.
You need the safest version for directions. What do you pick first?
Which move avoids the gringo trap?
Words you'll hear
Deep dives
FAQ
What should I memorize first for directions?
Start with Disculpe, ¿por dónde queda el metro?, ¿Está cerca?, ¿Sigo derecho?, Me perdí un poco., A la derecha.. These cover the fastest moments on the page.
Is this directions Spanish safe to use as a foreigner?
Yes. Start with the safe phrases, then use the local phrases with friends or people your age. Treat spicy phrases as context-dependent, not universal.
How should I practice this situation?
Read the cheat sheet out loud, run the mini-dialogues once in Spanish and once in English, then answer the practice card before you go out in CDMX.