Adrian is not looking forward to the long drive to his grandparents’ house. It takes forever and is so boring. But maybe this trip will be more interesting. Maybe he’ll see dinosaurs, or monster trucks, or aliens. Maybe he’ll even win a race. Probably not, but Adrian can always dream.

This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “viaje” (trip),“mochila” (backpack), “manejar” (to drive), “carretera” (highway), “aplastar” (to smash), “seguir” (to continue/follow), “extraterrestre” (alien),  “OVNI/objeto volante no identificado” (UFO/Unidentified Flying Object)

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/04/26/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-viaje-largo/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

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Every year when I teach my students about Costa Rica we spend time learning about the fascinating animals of Central America. I was reminded of these amazing animals recently when I visited the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC. Costa Rica is home to incredible biodiversity and intriguing animals. Today’s story investigates 8 of these animals and their unique characteristics.  

This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “perezoso” (sloth/lazy), “mapache” (raccoon), “lagarto” (lizard), “cazar” (to hunt) and “depredadores” (predators).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/04/12/simple-stories-in-spanish-los-animales-de-costa-rica/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show

In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. The final stop on my Mexico trip was the one I was most excited about: Tulum. The smaller ruins of Tulum are picturesque, located right on the Caribbean coast. There is also a lot of nature to enjoy, and I got to see it up close with a boat ride and canal float.

This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “siglo” (century), “abejas” (bees), “miel” (honey), “aretes” (earrings), and “despedirse” (to say good-bye).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/03/22/simple-stories-in-spanish-mi-viaje-a-mexico-parte-4/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show

In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. In today’s leg of my trip, we left the ruins and the beach behind for a taste of lake life in Bacalar. As a Minnesota girl, I love lake life, and being in the small town of Bacalar was both soothing and uplifting in so many ways.

This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “apenas” (just, barely), “amanecer” (dawn, sunrise), “remar” (to row), “árbol” (tree), and “tinte” (dye).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/03/16/simple-stories-in-spanish-mi-viaje-a-mexico-parte-3/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

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In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. My trip to Mexico began with the beach and then the impressive ruins of Chichén Itzá. However, the best moments of the trip were yet to come, including a magical cenote and a more intimate experience with beautiful Mayan ruins.

This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “cenote” (spring fed lake), “piedra” (stone), and “edificio” (building).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/03/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-mi-viaje-a-mexico-parte-2/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show

In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. It was an amazing adventure filled with history, food, fun, and friendship. It inspired several story ideas, some of which you have already heard and will probably recognize, and some that are still in the works. Above all, this trip to Mexico reminded me of why I love to travel.

This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “solitario” (lone), “viajar” (travel), “jamaica” (hibiscus), and “molestaba” (bothered).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/03/02/simple-stories-in-spanish-mi-viaje-a-mexico-parte-1/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show

They made it out of Xibalbá! They beat the odds, escaping the gods’ tricks and traps. They climbed the roots of the ceiba tree and found their way back to the land of the living. But this adventure isn’t over yet.

This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “agarra” (grab), “gira” (rotate), “rugido” (growl), and “cenizas” (ash).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/02/16/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-11-conclusion/ 

Find part 1 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/02/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-1/ 

Find part 2 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/22/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-2/ 

Find part 3 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/13/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-3/

Find part 4 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/26/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-4/

Find part 5 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-5/ 

Find part 6 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/24/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-6/

Find part 7 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/12/08/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-7/

Find part 8 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/01/04/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-8/ 

Find part 9 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/01/19/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-9/ 

Find part 10 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/02/01/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-10/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and P

Support the show

Sandra is ready to leave Xibalbá. She is tired of the riddles and rooms full of tricks. She feels that they are close to the exit, but she also knows that leaving Xibalbá will never be as easy as it looks.

This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “cuchillo” (knife), “raíces” (roots), “salida” (exit), and “gruñir” (to growl).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/02/01/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-10/ 

Find part 1 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/02/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-1/ 

Find part 2 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/22/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-2/ 

Find part 3 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/13/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-3/

Find part 4 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/26/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-4/

Find part 5 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-5/ 

Find part 6 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/24/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-6/

Find part 7 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/12/08/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-7/

Find part 8 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/01/04/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-8/ 

Find part 9 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/01/19/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-9/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show

They’ve done it! It appears that Sandra has led Gabriel to the Treasure of the Jaguar King - the whole reason they are on this journey. A room filled with gold and jewels greets them, but Sandra can’t help thinking it is another trap. And now that they have the treasure, how do they get out of Xibalbá? This adventure of a lifetime is not over yet.

This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “truco” (trick), “tesoro” (treasure), “calavera” (skull),“pasillo” (passageway/hallway), “palomitas” (popcorn), and “adivinanza” (riddle).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/01/19/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-9/ 

Find part 1 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/02/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-1/ 

Find part 2 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/22/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-2/ 

Find part 3 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/13/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-3/

Find part 4 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/26/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-4/

Find part 5 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-5/ 

Find part 6 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/24/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-6/

Find part 7 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/12/08/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-7/

Find part 8 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/01/04/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-8/ 

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show

In Xibalbá it is easy to lose your head, both figuratively and literally as Sandra has already discovered. She and her companions have made it through several rooms, but there is no end in sight. The purpose of Xibalbá is to remove home and induce fear. What other tricks and traps have the gods of Xibalbá prepared to torment their guests?

This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “lombrices” (worms), “grieta” (crack), “alacrán” (scorpion),“aguijón” (stinger), “equilibrio” (balance), and “rugir” (to growl).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2026/01/04/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-8/ 

Find part 1 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/02/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-1/ 

Find part 2 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/22/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-2/ 

Find part 3 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/13/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-3/

Find part 4 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/26/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-4/

Find part 5 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-5/ 

Find part 6 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/24/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-6/

Find part 7 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/12/08/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-7/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show

Xibalbá, the mayan underworld also known as “the place of fear”, is divided into rooms. Sandra and Gabriel, joined by the evil men hunting them, have already confronted the rooms of gloom, ice, and knives. Now they must make it through the rooms of bats and games without figuratively - or literally - losing their heads.

This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “murciélago” (bat),“ruido” (noise), “sonido” (sound), “pelota” (ball), “cancha” (court) “chillar” (to cry), “cabeza” (head) and “perder” (to lose).

No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/12/08/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-7/ 

Find part 1 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/02/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-1/ 

Find part 2 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/09/22/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-2/ 

Find part 3 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/13/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-3/

Find part 4 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/10/26/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-4/

Find part 5 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-5/ 

Find part 6 here: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/11/24/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-la-vida-parte-6/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher . You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher

Support the show