Spanish On the Go! - Improve your listening comprehension skills with our authentic podcasts

El Canal de Panamá is one of the greatest works of engineering of the 20th century. Officially opened in 1914, the Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, allowing for safer passage for ships and reduced travel time. Given the strategic and commercial importance of the canal, its history is full of political intrigue and betrayals coupled with the tragic deaths of thousands of workers who labored day and night to make this ambitious plan a reality.

Click play to hear more about the long and fascinating journey to construct el Canal de Panamá.

Don Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid Campeador, is considered a national hero in Spain. El Cid (the name comes from the Arabic meaning 'my lord'), was an essential figure in the long fight against the invasion of the 'Moors' in the Iberian Peninsula. A nobleman, military leader, and popular folk hero, El Cid had a profound impact in Spain's history and literature. His life, during a time when honor, faith and loyalty were very important, served as inspiration for the epic poem El cantar de Mio Cid that solidified his reputation as a national icon. This poem is considered one of the greatest works in Spanish literature and cemented the importance of Spanish as a universal language.

Click play to learn more about this legendary Spanish hero!

El cuy, or guinea pig, is a small rodent from the Andes valued for its docile character, exquisite meat and healing properties. Rich in important nutrients, el cuy was raised by the Incas and played a significant role in Inca rituals and celebrations. These traditions continue to live on to our present day where its meat is regularly consumed and 'cuy cleanses' and healing rituals are commonly practiced in various South American regions.

Click play to hear more about the many properties of el cuy and its status as a cultural symbol in the Andes.

Equeco is the pre-Hispanic god of prosperity and abundance for the people of the Bolivia, Peru, and certain northern regions of Chile and Argentina. Represented as a short, stout, smiling man with a big mustache and carrying packages of food, money and other necessities, the Equeco can be found in many Andean houses where people bring offerings to the idol along with their petitions

Tune in to our podcast to learn how this ancient god of Tiwanaku origins became an important part of the Andean rituals to ensure a prosper New Year!

On New Year's Eve, people all across Spain and Latin America carry out curious traditions to welcome in the New Year.

Burning paper dolls, eating grapes, wearing specific-color clothing or throwing water onto the street are some of the many rituals meant to rid yourself of any bad energies and conjure up good fortune for the New Year.

Click play and learn all about las tradiciones de fin de año!

This Christmas, we want to share with you some reflections from our founder on the true spirit of the holiday season.

'Cholito Jesús' is a Peruvian Christmas carol that perfectly encapsulates the cultural and religious syncretism of the region. This cheerful song reimagines the birth of Jesus in the heart of the Andes featuring staples of Peruvian culture like quinua, ponchos, charangos, and colorful knitwear.

Click play to learn all about this special Christmas carol from Peru, just in time for the holidays!

In our collective imagination, the traditional Mexican woman often wears a white, embroidered blouse, long, colorful skirts with bright embellishments, and an ever-present shawl.

In Mexico, this outfit is commonly known as 'china poblana' and -curiously enough- it can trace back its origins to an Asian woman and alleged princess.

Upon her arrival in Puebla, Mexico, her colorful attires were soon replicated by local women who combined it with their traditional outfits for a new, dazzling Indigenous-Asian look.

Click play to listen to the fascinating legend of how this Asian woman was instrumental in defining the signature Mexican style!

Every New Year's Eve people all over the Spanish-speaking world perform curious rituals, such as eating grapes, running with suitcases or wearing specific-color underwear, to start the new year with the right foot.

While many of these traditions are common to all Latin-American countries, Mexico has its own particular rituals to attract joy, good fortune and prosperity, like gifting toy lambs, visiting witch doctors, breaking dishware or placing coins on their shoes.

Click play to learn all about these powerful rituales de Año Nuevo!

The fiesta del Takari is a special celebration from Tarímbaro, Michoacán, that perfectly exemplifies Mexico's religious syncretism by combining the seasonal agricultural rituals of the Purépecha people with the Catholic Christmas traditions of the Spanish people.

Although preparations begin on December 15 with the procuring of the plant known as 'takari', the real celebration takes place between December 25 and 28 with traditional drinks, people dancing on the streets in colorful outfits, staging of Nativity scenes displaying Catholic and Purépecha symbols, and more.

Click play to hear the full story of la fiesta del Takari, a unique Mexican Christmas festivity!