🌴 Caribbean Spanish 🎙️Episodes

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the lyrics of "Nueva York" by Bad Bunny with Puerto Rican linguist Adriana Lopez. In Part 2, we explore the heavy cultural references in the song—from Dominican rap anthems to Puerto Rican boxing legends—and discuss the controversy surrounding Forbes naming Bad Bunny the "King of Pop." You'll also learn key vocabulary distinctions and cultural nuances between island life and city life. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The meaning of 7 Puerto R...

In this episode, we’re breaking down the lyrics to Nuevayol by the Puerto Rican superstar and future Super Bowl 2026 headliner, Bad Bunny. Joined by Puerto Rican linguist Adriana Lopez, we explore how this song pays homage to the legendary salsa group El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. Plus, you'll learn the cultural significance of the lyrics and the unique sounds of the Puerto Rican accent.

In this episode, we're joined by the newest member of the Spanish con Salsa team: José Hernández. José shares why he started learning languages, how music and literature opened the doors to new cultures, and his experience moving from a small town to the city in his native Dominican Republic.

What happens when a trip that was supposed to be a relaxing getaway goes completely off the rails? In this episode, find out how a travel plan gone wrong led to an unexpected solo adventure in the beautiful, historic city of Cartagena, Colombia. This story starts with a desperate, last-minute decision to scrap the original itinerary and fly to a new country, inspired only by a classic salsa song 💃🏽. What followed was an incredible adventure of spontaneity and discovery, from stumbling i...

En este episodio hablamos de la canción Hijos del Cañaveral del artista puertorriqueño Residente. 🎤 Analizaré la letra con Marla Rivera, coach de Spanish con Salsa. Marla es de Puerto Rico y explica cuánto puedes aprender sobre la cultura y la historia de Puerto Rico con esta canción. 🎵 En este episodio aprenderás: La historia puertorriqueña que no te enseñan en la escuela 🇵🇷 📜 El significado de la frase “mancha de plátano” 🍌 Palabras puertorriqueñas como jíbaro y pava 💬 In this episode, we talk...

In this episode we chat with Sherly from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 and Kesia from the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 to uncover the differences and similarities between these two cultures. Learn the fun and unique slang used on each island and pick up tips on understanding and speaking Caribbean Spanish like a local. In this episode you’ll learn: How to say words like gossip, beer and cool in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic 🗣️ Words that have different meanings in each country 🔄😯 Controversies such as the or...

In this episode we meet Sherly from Puerto Rico, a new member of the Spanish con Salsa team, who talks about her challenges and experiences in learning multiple languages. 🌍 Sherly tells us about the Puerto Rican culture such as Christmas traditions, the use of Spanglish in everyday life, and the most popular musical genres: Bomba, Plena, and Reggaeton. 🎵 In this episode you’ll learn: Differences in Puerto Rican Spanish accents and vocabulary , words like “parcha” and more 🗣️ Top places to visit...

En este episodio, aprendemos 14 formas diferentes de despedirte de alguien en Cuba. 🇨🇺 Kelly nos habla de por qué los cubanos se despiden de estas formas y también cómo puedes pedirle a alguien que se vaya. En este episodio aprenderás: Cuándo y con quién usar ciertas expresiones de despedida en Cuba 👋🏾 Una expresión que no deberías repetir fuera de Cuba para decir adiós 🙊🚫 Cómo comprender el español cubano cuando acortan palabras para hablar rápido 🗣 In this episode, we learn 14 different ways ...

En este episodio, Yohenia nos comparte una canción muy popular de Cuba por su gran significado histórico. 🇨🇺 Escuchemos la letra de la canción Guantanamera , un clásico cubano del género musical Son. 🎶 En este episodio aprenderás: La diferencia entre los géneros musicales Son y Salsa 💃🏾 Vocabulario cubano: palabras como Guajira, Guano y Guantanamera 💬 Diferentes formas de usar el verbo “echar” 💡 In this episode, Yohenia shows us a very popular song from Cuba due to its great historical significa...

En este episodio, Maribel nos comparte sus experiencias viajando por Sudamérica y descubriendo los diferentes acentos que existen. 🌎 También nos dice qué hacer cuando no entendemos lo que dice alguien en español. 🤔 En este episodio aprenderás: La manera más fácil de iniciar conversacione s en español 👥💬 La diferencia entre acentos de Colombia y otros países hispanohablantes 💬 Cuál es el acento más difícil de entender 👂🏽 In this episode, Maribel shares her experiences traveling through South Amer...

En este episodio, Kelly nos enseña una canción muy enérgica sobre la identidad cubana. 🇨🇺 Cuba Isla Bella de Orishas tiene diferentes géneros musicales 🎶 y habla de que aunque estés en otro país, tú siempre serás cubano. 🌎 En este episodio aprenderás: Diferencias entre géneros musicales: Salsa y Timba 🎼 Frases cubanas, como “ tírate un paso ” 💬 El Casino : un baile popular de Cuba y cómo funciona 💃🏾 In this episode, Kelly shows us a very energetic song about Cuban identity. 🇨🇺 Cuba Isla Bella by...

In this episode we meet Kelly, a new member of the Spanish con Salsa team, who tells us how she learned English and stories about her country. 🗣🌍 She also tells us about the reality of Cuba and how she managed to move to another English-speaking country, but remains proud of her Cuban nationality. 🇨🇺 In this episode you’ll learn: How to say “swag” in Cuban Spanish and other words from Cuba 💬 It is said that Cuba is a country trapped in time, is it true? 🤔 4 little tips from Kelly to become bili...

In this episode, Kesia from the Spanish con Salsa team shares the history of bachata music in the Dominican Republic. We discuss the different styles of bachata dance and the genre’s most popular artists. En este episodio, Kesia del equipo de Spanish con Salsa comparte la historia de la música bachata en la República Dominicana. Discutimos los estilos de baile y los artistas más populares del género. 📣 The long-awaited season 3 of the Dominican Spanish 101 Podcast will be launching on February 2...

In this episode of the podcast, you'll get to hear an excerpt of my interview with Elle Charisse from the Speaking Tongues podcast. She asked me about my earliest experiences learning language and the cultural influences that shape the Spanish spoken in the Caribbean. We also talk about some of my favorite artists and songs. Send a DM to @learnspanishconsalsa with episode topic suggestion to win free Spanish lesson. > Did you like this episode? We'd love it if you gave us a rating & review on Ap...

En este episodio, regresa Kesia Sosa para compartirnos como se celebra el día de la independencia en la República Dominicana. Ella explica un poquito sobre la historia de República Dominicana y la relación complicada entre el país y su vecino Haiti que comparten la misma isla. Escucha temporada 2 del podcast Dominican Spanish 101 at dominicanspanish101.com Compra el curso de español dominicano durante el lanzamiento de temporada 2 y vas a recibir todas las notas de las dos temporadas del podc...

Jamila Ball is a Spanish linguist specializing in Black-centric language coaching that promotes intercultural connections in the African diaspora. In our conversation, Jamila shares: Why your identity and cultural competency can be assets that make you more marketable How to get started as a linguist, interpreter, or translator -- even if it's a profession you never thought you'd qualify for The biggest mistake untrained interpreters make Whether you can make more money as salaried or freelance ...

>> Subscribe to the Dominican Spanish 101 Podcast We're excited to feature the premiere episode of the Dominican Spanish 101 podcast. Tamara and Kesia will share common greetings you'll hear in the Dominican Republic (*hint* it's not ¿Cómo está usted?) . You'll also learn a few phrases you can use to respond so you'll sound more natural speaking Spanish with your Dominican friends, family, and language partners. Show Notes: https://www.learnspanishconsalsa.com/83 Get the show notes from all ep...

It’s not only the accent that makes Dominican Spanish unique. There are hundreds of words and expressions that you’ll only hear in the DR. In this episode, we’re joined again by Kesia from the Spanish Con Salsa team to review 7 Dominican words and expressions you probably don’t know. So let’s get you prepared for your next trip to Punta Cana or conversation with friends from the Dominican Republic. Show Notes & Full Transcript: http://www.learnspanishconsalsa.com/dominicanwords Links Dominica...

You may have noticed that Dominicans don’t speak the same way you may have been taught in your Spanish classes. You might even feel like they’re speaking an entirely different language in the Dominican Republic! Not to worry – we’re diving into all the specifics in this week’s podcast about Dominican Spanish. We'll talk with Kesia from the Spanish Con Salsa team about what makes Dominican Spanish different, characteristics of the Dominican accent, and hacks to better understand Dominican Span...