Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| estación turística | /estaθjon tuɾistika/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /estasjon tuɾistika/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| complejo vacacional | /komˌplexo bakaθjoˈnal/ /komˌplexo bakasjoˈnal/ |
masculine |
| resort | /reˈsoɾt/ | masculine |
| recinto turístico | /reθinto tuɾistiko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /resinto tuɾistiko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| centro turístico | /θentɾo tuɾistiko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sentɾo tuɾistiko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
All these terms refer to a relaxing environment for people on vacation. The term centro turístico is broad and can describe either a specific resort or a general area that acts as a hub for tourism.
Which one should you use?
While all terms describe a resort, they carry different nuances. Complejo vacacional is often used for large-scale, self-contained resorts that offer many amenities like restaurants and pools. Centro turístico can function as a general term for a tourist center or a specific resort.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term centro vacacional is often used to refer to a resort. In Spain, the term complejo turístico is most commonly used to describe a resort.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase estación turística is feminine and requires feminine adjectives, such as estación turística muy famosa.
How do you pronounce it?
/estaθjon tuɾistika/
Did you know?
- Even though complejo is used for a resort, it is also the word for a 'complex' in a psychological sense, such as an 'inferiority complex'.
- The Spanish word resort is a direct loanword from English and is used widely in many Spanish-speaking countries to describe luxury destinations.
- The term recinto used in recinto turístico shares a common ancestor with the English word 'precinct', both stemming from the idea of being 'surrounded'.
Examples in context
- Hawái es un popular centro turístico.Hawaii is a popular tourist resort.This sentence uses centro turístico to describe Hawaii as a popular tourist resort.Tatoeba #1710560 by teskmon, translation #34964 by CN
- Vamos a visitar un hotel de lujo en la costa españolaWe are going to visit a luxury resort on the Spanish coast.
- ¿Conoces algún complejo turístico en esta área?Do you know of any resort in this area?
- ¡Este hotel vacacional tiene una piscina increíble!This vacation hotel has an amazing pool!
Example conversation
María and Daniel are planning their summer trip.
- María¿Quieres ir a una estación turística este año?Do you want to go to a resort this year?
- DanielSí, prefiero descansar en un lugar así.Yes, I prefer to relax in a place like that.
- MaríaConozco una estación turística muy bonita en México.I know a very beautiful resort in Mexico.
- DanielPerfecto, busquemos los precios ahora mismo.Perfect, let's look for the prices right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “resort” translations and entries complejo vacacional, resort, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries complejo, estación, recinto, resort, vacacional, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
