I am planning on visiting the riviera maya and would like to know a little spanish before I go. I would just like to know the language in general also. Does anyone have any recomendations as to what books or tapes are best for beginners?

Is there a community college near you? I have (several times) taken an 8 week class. I think tapes are better than books at the beginning because it's the pronunciation, or 'accent' or developing 'your ear' as people say of any new language that is so important. I also picked up alot watching any kind of television programs in Spanish.

A fun book on vacation Spanish is "Spanish for Gringos" by Wm. Harvey. It is part of the Barron's Educational Series book. The thin softback edition cost $8.95 in the US ISBN# 0-8120-4434-7<BR><BR>The nice part about this book is that it starts by teaching you how much Spanish you already know and use and might not realize.

I can't recommend the Pimsleur series of audio lessons highly enough for a beginner. Look on Amazon and you'll find the Spanish intro, ten 30 minute lessons, for about $14. The full Spanish I is about $225. Pimsleur is the ONLY one I've tried out of about a dozen that a beginner can understand and work with. Get the intro even if you use something else later. Learn in your Car Spanish is a good series too, but as with all OTHER than Pimsleur, the beginner will find it difficult to follow and learn.

You could try the web site www.studyspanish.com they have words and phrases you can practice for free.

The Learning Company has an excellent interactive CDrom called Learn to speak Spanish. I found it very useful in combination with other books etc.

"stupid American". I too speak only English and wish I knew some other language. When travelling to Mexico catch phrases will help you out. A good web site is www.debbiesdominicantravel.com (she has 4 pages of useful phrases and words which you can print out for yourself (FREE)

Try Fodors home page under resoures then languages (left side of page)