The best Spanish podcasts not only improve your listening comprehension but provide content that genuinely enriches your life.
How to Find the Best Spanish Podcasts
To find good Spanish podcasts, I subscribe to a wide array, giving each one a couple of test listens. Usually just a few shows click with me and become part of my regular rotation.
Here are my favorite Spanish-language podcasts, categorized into learner podcasts and those for native speakers. I have tried to include lesser-known Spanish podcasts by indie creators you might not find on other lists.
Podcasts for Spanish Learners
In no particular order, here are some of the best Spanish podcasts designed for learners. Levels range from beginner to advanced. All are free, although most offer helpful extras like transcripts for a fee.
Studies show that reading while listening boosts learning much more than listening only. For this reason, seek out Spanish podcasts with transcripts for when you’re able to sit down and read along with the audio.
Consider upgrading to a paid subscription for access to transcripts if you find a free Spanish podcast you love. Monthly costs are usually very reasonable. Even if you don’t use the transcripts, it’s the best way to show support for your favorite creators.
1. LightSpeed Spanish
Levels: All (beginner to advanced)
Accent: European Spanish
Transcripts: Transcripts and helpsheets available for sale. Free sample pack for every level.
Witty discussions about fascinating aspects of Spanish culture and interviews with native speakers in bite-sized 10-minute episodes.
Hosted by a British/Spanish couple with great conversational chemistry. Gordon, the British half of the duo, speaks inspiringly fluent Spanish.
In the advanced podcasts, the speech is generally slower than native speed. However, frequently hilarious content and challenging vocabulary more than make up for it. I found the discussions on Spanish insults especially fun. Videos available for many episodes.
2. Unlimited Spanish
Levels: Advanced beginner to high intermediate
Accent: European Spanish
Transcripts: Free PDF Spanish transcripts provided on each episode page linked from the website
A fantastic resource for beginner and intermediate students needing to improve listening and speaking. Host Òscar from Spain covers a variety of interesting topics in clear, simple Spanish. Free transcripts are a huge bonus.
The podcast is unique in offering many opportunities for speaking practice. Each episode ends with a mini-story. Òscar then simulates a conversation with the listener about the story using a question-and-answer technique.
If you enjoy the free podcast, Òscar offers full Spanish audio courses using the same conversation simulation method.
A big thanks to Mike, one of my blog readers, for suggesting this podcast.
3. Spanish Obsessed
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Accents: Variety of Latin American and European Spanish
Transcripts: Annual membership allows access to transcripts, exercises, and additional premium podcasts.
This podcast is aptly named because I became a little obsessed with the advanced series and binge-listened to all the episodes!
Hosted by Rob, a Briton with excellent Spanish, and his Colombian partner Liz, who has a lovely accent. Episodes are easily digestible at 10-20 minutes.
Four free podcasts cover all levels, from absolute beginner to advanced. The advanced series features many interviews with Spanish speakers from a variety of countries to expose you to different accents.
Their recent podcast Puntos de Vista offers interesting short discussions of current hot topics. It’s designed for learners pre-intermediate and above.
Additional premium podcasts for paid members explore advanced intermediate skills, vocabulary building, perfecting your pronunciation, and more native speaker interviews for advanced students.
4. Notes in Spanish
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Accents: European Spanish, with some interviews in Latin American Spanish
Transcripts: Support materials like transcripts and worksheets are available in their online store
Madrid-based podcast series hosted by Ben and Marina, a charming husband and wife team. The couple discuss a diverse mix of topics related to Spanish culture.
Four free audio shows are available, from inspired beginner to advanced.
Notes in Spanish started back in 2005 as one of the first podcasts for Spanish learners. I’ve listened for so many years I feel as if I know Ben and Marina!
Notes in Spanish Gold (inspired intermediate to advanced) features conversation and interviews focused on different aspects of Spanish culture. Episodes end with an English analysis of new vocabulary and grammar. The English explanations make this podcast accessible to motivated intermediate learners.
Advanced and inspired intermediate students can build audio comprehension with the authentic conversations in the Notes in Spanish Conversations podcast.
5. Hoy Hablamos
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: European Spanish
Transcripts: Full transcripts and worksheets for both podcasts available to paid subscribers
Fans of Iberian Spanish should try this fun daily podcast focused on vocabulary building. It’s hosted by two young Spanish teachers, Roi from Galicia and Paco from Andalusia. Roi is the main host. Paco joins him once a week.
While both speak clear, easy-to-understand Spanish, the show is still a good way expose yourself to different Iberian accents. There are more than 700 episodes to entertain you.
Also, don’t miss Hoy Hablamos’s excellent weekly grammar podcast. It starts with low intermediate (B1) topics and gradually progresses to advanced (C2).
6. Charlas Hispanas
Level: Intermediate
Accents: Colombian, Peruvian, and Mexican. Excellent for experiencing a diversity of Latin American accents.
Transcripts: Transcripts, explanations, and exercises available to premium members
Fans of Hoy Hablamos will be pleased to hear there is a Latin American sister show. The format is similar, with a new episode every weekday.
The hosts are from Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Mexico. They take turns presenting a variety of episodes on vocab, expressions, grammar, culture, news, and Latin American history.
Episodes run 10-15 minutes.
Mil gracias a mi lector Bill por la recomendación.
7. No Hay Tos
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: Transcripts and more bonuses available to Patreon supporters. One transcript a month free to newsletter subscribers.
This popular podcast‘s name is Mexican slang for “No hay problema.” The hosts are two Mexican Spanish teachers, Beto from Xalapa and Héctor from Veracruz.
Each 10-to-20-minute episode features a lively and frequently hilarious discussion by Héctor and Beto about Mexican slang or culture.
Just two guys disparando la mierda. This is real Mexican Spanish at normal native speaker speed. I love the deadpan humor! A great opportunity to learn how natives speak in casual conversation.
If you struggle with the audio, try watching on YouTube instead. Seeing the body language and facial expressions helps with speech comprehension, plus you get auto-generated subtitles in Spanish.
8. Español con Juan (1001 Reasons To Learn Spanish)
Levels: Low intermediate to advanced
Accent: European Spanish
Transcripts: Free Spanish transcripts available on the website
Popular teacher Juan Fernández hails from Granada, Spain, but now lives in London. This addictive and humorous podcast is completely in Spanish.
Juan teaches grammar and vocabulary naturally in the context of unscripted, entertaining commentaries. His monologues are delightfully quirky and confessional. Juan’s unique and personal content inspires a devoted following.
Juan explains any difficult vocabulary in Spanish as he goes. He frequently repeats phrases to aid listening comprehension.
Each episode comes with a free Spanish transcript. Some offer additional practice exercises.
Juan recommends listening to each show twice: once without the transcript and a second time while reading along. He suggests printing the transcript and underlining any new words or grammatical structures as you listen.
Personally, I like to read along on my laptop or tablet as I listen, copying any interesting new expressions into my Anki flashcards.
Visit Juan’s website 1001 Reasons To Learn Spanish for a wealth of additional resources, including:
- short novels by Juan for learners from beginner to upper intermediate
- his YouTube channel
- paid courses on topics such as colloquial Spanish
Thanks to my reader Alex for the recommendation!
9. How to Spanish
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: Patreon supporters get time-coded transcripts (starting from episode 54) and a useful PDF with vocab lists, grammar explanations, and listening comprehension questions for a nominal monthly fee.
This superb weekly podcast covers Mexican culture and language in a creative and fun way. Episodes run 20-30 minutes.
The hosts are Spanish teachers David and Ana. They’re originally from CDMX but now live in the beautiful colonial city of Querétaro. Ana and David speak clearly but at a nice natural pace.
Also available on YouTube.
A huge thank you to my reader Bill for recommending this gem!
10. Doorway to Mexico
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: Extensive bonus materials such as transcripts, study guides, and extended audio available for purchase.
Follow the Baxters from California on their travels in Mexico as they encounter a wide range of situations.
Each episode opens with a real-life Spanish dialogue. It’s followed by a roundtable discussion that dives into the nuances of the most challenging passages.
The podcast has a lot of English, so it might not suit learners seeking full audio immersion.
However, the detailed explanations of common Mexican and Latin colloquialisms are incredibly useful. Spanish-speaking visitors to Mexico will hear these expressions constantly, yet they are unlikely to be found in any textbook.
Even advanced learners will find this podcast enlightening. The entertaining episode on Mexican groserías (curse words) taught me a thing or two!
11. Intermediate Spanish Podcast – Spanish Language Coach
Level: Intermediate
Accent: European Spanish
Transcripts: Available free on the website with registration
César, the creator of this excellent new podcast, is a Spanish teacher from Valencia living in London. His commentaries explore intriguing topics in an accessible way. Subjects include psychology, philosophy, language learning, and Spanish culture and history.
César speaks calmly and clearly, explaining tricky vocabulary as he goes. Episodes are an easy listen at 10-15 minutes.
He recommends listening to each episode at least twice: once with no transcript and then a second time reading along to clarify unfamiliar words or grammatical structures.
I like how César’s experimenting with improvisation and engaging personal stories. I’m looking forward to seeing this promising new series develop!
César also has a YouTube channel.
12. Complete Spanish – Language Transfer
Levels: Beginner to low intermediate
Accents: Neutral – designed to be used by both European and Latin Spanish learners
Transcripts: None
In linguistics, language transfer is the tendency to apply knowledge of your native language to the acquisition of the second language. This unique audio course accelerates your Spanish learning by using areas of similarity between Spanish and English.
Language Transfer provides an excellent introduction to beginners or a refresher for lower intermediate students.
The personable creator, Mihalis, uses an innovative analytic technique called the Thinking Method that breaks language concepts down into logical building blocks.
There are 90 lessons that run about 10 minutes each. You begin speaking and understanding right away.
The structure is similar to Michel Thomas courses in that it’s interactive and audio-only. Like Michel Thomas, you learn along with a real student in the lessons.
Episodes are available for free from the website, YouTube, or SoundCloud. If you find the course helpful, consider a donation to this non-profit passion project.
Also available for multiple other languages.
Thanks to my reader John Dorgan for the recommendation!
13. Easy Spanish
Level: Intermediate
Accents: Mexican, European Spanish
Transcripts: Available to Patreon supporters
From the team behind the excellent Easy Spanish YouTube channel. Hosts Paulina from Mexico and Iván and José from Spain chat about the Spanish language and the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.
14. El oso latino habla español
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accents: Peruvian and variety of others
Transcripts: None
Enjoyable and quirky program hosted by a peruano from the Amazon Basin living in Quebec, Canada.
Episodes feature a variety of engaging segments:
- interviews in Spanish with guests from other countries
- skits
- Latin American music
- “La crónica del gringo” providing a Spanish learner’s perspective
- short quizzes
- a charming chistes segment presented by the host’s kids
The only drawback is that they release episodes infrequently, so there are only about 25 of them to enjoy!
Podcasts in Spanish for Native Speakers
Take your Spanish to the next level with the full immersion experience of top Spanish podcasts for native speakers.
New podcasts are constantly arriving. Find the hottest releases with Apple’s podcast rankings for Mexico and Spain.
15. El Verdadero Robo Del Siglo
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Argentinian
Transcripts: Available on the website along with extra materials such as news photos from the case. Also available on YouTube with subtitles.
Suspenseful true crime series set in Argentina.
In January 2006, a group of thieves enter a Buenos Aires bank in what appears to be a routine robbery. But it soon becomes clear that this is unlike any crime Argentina has ever seen.
Coproduced by Duolingo, who presumably contributed the learner-friendly transcripts on the website. Duolingo’s Spanish podcast also serialized the story with interspersed English narration, making it more accessible to intermediate learners.
Podcast trailer:
Another big thanks to my blog reader Mike for suggesting this podcast!
16. El Gran Apagón
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accents: European Spanish, some Latin American Spanish
Transcripts: None
On April 11, 2018, the most powerful solar flare ever recorded renders all satellites and most electrical systems unusable. Two days later, the planet plunges into complete darkness, a cataclysmic event known as El Gran Apagón (the Great Blackout).
Follow humanity’s fight to survive with the sci-fi audio thriller that captivated Spain, with more than four million downloads. Short and suspenseful 10-to-15-minute episodes.
Season 1 even includes a helpful companion series, Tras el apagón. This behind-the-scenes look offers critical analysis of each episode as well as making-of and bonus material from the director and screenwriter.
Podcast trailer:
17. La Mesa, con León Krauze
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accents: Mostly Mexican and Central American with some interviewees from South America
Transcripts: None, but there is an associated book
Fascinating and touching interviews with Hispanic immigrants in LA. Interviewees share their experiences growing up and struggles for a better life in the US.
Univisión news anchor León Krauze speaks a nice clear Spanish. He elicits these intense and intimate stories with sensitivity and compassion.
Thanks to our friend NoManches from The Language Learners Forum for this wonderful find.
Each story is about three to four pages and written in easy-to-read Spanish.
18. La Brega: Stories of the Puerto Rican Experience
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Puerto Rican
Transcripts: On the WNYC Studios website
Estar en la brega is a state of being — somewhere between fighting, working, and surviving. And bregar — a hard mix of trabajar and luchar — is a pretty good summary of what Puerto Ricans have been doing over the past 400 years under colonial rule.
If you’re not familiar with Puerto Rican Spanish or history, La Brega is the perfect show for you. Using investigative journalism and narrative storytelling, the audio documentary paints a picture of Puerto Rican life on the island and the US mainland. It’s exceptionally moving, artfully edited, and a must-listen for all US citizens.
If you’re new to the Boricua dialect you’re in luck: All the episodes come with transcriptions, and many episodes focus on Puerto Rican Spanish and its unique status within the US.
The narrators are largely Nuyoricans and speak exceptionally clearly and slowly. (Nuyorican is a portmanteau of “New York” and “Puerto Rican” that refers to the members or culture of the Puerto Rican diaspora located in or around New York City.)
And if you’re an intermediate student not yet ready for full-on-native podcasts? Each of its 7 episodes is released in two versions: an English one and a Spanish one. You can listen to the Spanish one first, see what you understand, and then follow up with the English to fully understand the history.
Review by Marissa of Relearn a Language. If you’re interested in Puerto Rican Spanish, check out her guide to the Puerto Rican dialect.
19. Bienvenido a la Vida Peligrosa
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accents: Mexican, European Spanish
Transcripts: None
This highly engaging show, the world’s first audio narcoserie, was written by Spanish novelist Arturo Pérez-Reverte, author of La Reina del Sur. The director was Mexican writer and producer Guillermo Arriaga, known for movies like Amores Perros.
Another smash hit in Spain by Podium Podcast, the creators of El Gran Apagón (see above).
The series features terrific performances by a cast drawn from other narcoseries including:
- José María Yazpik – Mexican drug trafficker Amado Carrillo Fuentes in Narcos and Narcos: Mexico
- Rafael Amaya – Aurelio Casillas in Telemundo hit El Señor de los Cielos, a character coincidentally *also* based on Amado Carrillo Fuentes
Cristina Rodlo does an equally fantastic job as teibolera Sandra.
Warning: Contains scenes of violence and torture, including the opening scene of the first episode. Some sexual content.
Despite its intense nature, the podcast includes many funny moments. It’s hilarious to hear the main character, a timid philosophy professor from Madrid, struggle to decipher northern Mexican narco slang.
20. El Washington Post
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accents: Hosts speak Colombian and European Spanish; interviewees from various countries
Transcripts: None
This brand-new twice-weekly show features the high-quality reporting you expect from the Post.
El Washington Post, or “el WaPo,” provides news and analysis by a panel of journalists in Washington DC, Bogotá, and Madrid. Each 20-minute episode explores three to four global news stories from a multicultural perspective.
Special reports also cover such thought-provoking topics as los libros del año.
21. Conclusiones – CNN en Español
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accents: Mexican host; interviewees from various Latin American countries and Spain
Transcripts: None
Audio version of CNN’s Miami-based show Conclusiones.
Global headlines plus in-depth analysis focused on the US and Latin America. Hosted by popular Mexican news anchor Fernando del Rincón.
22. Entiende Tu Mente
Level: Advanced
Accents: European Spanish; some Latin American Spanish at the beginning of each episode
Transcripts: None
Build your emotional intelligence while improving your Spanish with this trio of Spain-based podcasters. The hosts are Molo Cebrián, a psychology student who serves as moderator; Luis Muiño, a therapist; and Mónica Gonzalez, a life coach.
Each 20-minute podcast features a short audio clip from a listener requesting advice on a particular problem. Topics range from how to help a loved one with anxiety to dealing with toxic relationships. The hosts then share tips on how to overcome each situation.
Review by Tina Deines, freelance writer and language learner.
23. Así Como Suena
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
Fascinating true stories from the Mexican capital with themes of love and hate, crime, politics, corruption, and everyday survival.
A few recommended episodes:
- Sam Adonis: el Rudo de Trump – about an American lucha libre fighter and Trump supporter in Mexico
- Aventuras en Uber Pool – random encounters in the shared taxi service Uber Pool
A big thank you to my amazing online Spanish teacher from Mexico City for introducing me to this one!
24. La Redada
Level: Advanced
Accent: European Spanish
Transcripts: None
Entertaining pop culture show that rounds up the best of the web. Topics range from hot TV shows to fun historical tidbits.
Interesting insights into Spanish culture. Episodes are nice and short at 5-15 minutes. The hosts often speak quickly, so a second listen may be worthwhile to increase comprehension.
Another quality offering from Spain’s Podium Podcast. I am slowly working my way through their extensive catalog!
Many thanks to NoManches from The Language Learners Forum for the recommendation.
25. Contrapoder con Jorge Ramos
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accents: Mexican host; interviewees from various Latin American countries and Spain
Transcripts: None
Jorge Ramos is a Mexico City-born American journalist considered the best-known Spanish-language news anchor in the US.
This weekly Miami-based show presents interesting short audios of Ramos’s TV interviews with influential Spanish speakers. Interviewees range from Shakira to Diego Luna to Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa.
Most episodes less than 10 minutes.
26. Radio Ambulante
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accents: Wide variety of Latin American Spanish
Transcripts: Transcripts in Spanish and English available for free on the website.
Compelling, offbeat stories from Latin America and the United States. NPR’s first podcast en español and often referred to as “This Latin American Life.”
A popular favorite among Spanish learners due to the high-quality content and availability of free transcripts.
If you enjoy Radio Ambulante, try Lupa (iOS, Android), the excellent companion app for intermediate learners.
This useful self-study tool offers selected audio stories broken into short chapters. I found Lupa well-designed and intuitive to use.
Customizable assistance includes:
- full or partial transcripts
- speed control
- story hints
- vocabulary lookup
- language notes
Lupa employs comprehensible input strategies to build fluency. The intent is to gradually remove your training wheels until you understand real-world speech.
I recommend starting with the free trial of two sample stories to see if the monthly or annual subscription is worth it for you.
Note: I have no business affiliation with Lupa. Just supporting a worthwhile initiative. 🙂
27. Cosas de Internet
Levels: High intermediate to advanced (Low intermediate learners with a techie background can also give it a try)
Accent: Colombian
Transcripts: None
Get your geek on with this Bogotá-based show. Hosts Laura and Santiago discuss all things Internet-related. Recent topics include the sharing economy exemplified by Uber and Airbnb and the history of the QWERTY keyboard.
Co-host Laura formerly worked for NPR’s Radio Ambulante (above).
Thanks to my software engineer friend Björn for the recommendation!
28. Las Raras
Level: Advanced
Accents: Chilean and other South American accents like Colombian, Peruvian, and Argentinian; some European Spanish
Transcripts: None
If you like Radio Ambulante, try this innovative Chilean podcast telling historias de libertad. These thought-provoking stories highlight courageous individuals defying the societal status quo in some way.
Great sound design and original music. Read more about Las Raras in El País.
29. Mejor Vete, Cristina
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: Free Spanish transcripts available linked at the bottom of each episode on this page
The gripping true story of Cristina Martínez, an undocumented Mexican chef who fled her home to save her life. The title (“You better leave, Cristina”) derives from her family’s pleas for her to leave Mexico to escape her abusive ex-husband.
After overcoming huge obstacles, Cristina opened her first restaurant, South Philly Barbacoa. This unassuming eatery became a critical sensation and was named one of the 10 best restaurants in the country.
This award-winning podcast is the result of a six-month investigation by journalist Inger Díaz Barriga of Univisión Noticias.
Cristina was also featured on Season 5 of Netflix’s Chef’s Table. Episode 2 of Netflix’s Ugly Delicious profiled her fight for undocumented workers’ rights.
30. Nómadas
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accent: European Spanish
Transcripts: None
This extraordinary podcast is a production of Radio Nacional de España (RNE). Each weekly episode virtually transports you to a different location in the world.
Nómadas features the high-quality, in-depth reporting you expect from public radio. Before I travel, I always check to see if there are any episodes on my planned destinations.
31. Sangre Celestial
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accents: Wide variety of Latin American Spanish; some European Spanish
Transcripts: None
Fun radionovela with a supernatural twist. Twins Sol and Mundo travel across the US and Latin America uncovering hidden family secrets and meeting long-lost siblings.
Narrated by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, this cross-border mystery spans eight episodes. It features a multicultural cast from across the Spanish-speaking world.
Produced by progressive Los Angeles NPR affiliate KCRW, Sangre Celestial is the first ever bilingual radionovela podcast. It’s downloadable in both English and Spanish.
32. Radio Bilingüe – Edición Semanaria
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Latin American Spanish
Transcripts: None
Radio Bilingüe is the only US distributor of Spanish-language public radio programming. Its mission is to serve as a voice to empower Latinxs and other underserved communities.
This fourteen-minute weekly news roundup features stories relevant to the Latino community. It’s short and sweet with an interesting focus on immigration, politics, and civil rights.
If you enjoy this podcast, also try Democracy Now! en español.
33. Buenos Días América
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accents: Mostly neutral Latin American Spanish
Transcripts: None
Daily half-hour news podcast with a focus on US and Latin American stories.
I used to listen daily, but it became a little boring after a while since the format rarely changes. Still worth trying out, though.
34. Fausto
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
In this addictive true crime podcast, prestigious Mexican actor Damián Alcázar narrates the chilling tale of a decades-old murder.
In December 1991, a family is mysteriously massacred in Ecatepec, Mexico. This municipality in the shadow of Mexico City soon became notorious for high rates of crime and serial killings. The only surviving witness to the crime is a three-year-old child covered in blood.
The eight-episode series is based on a yearlong investigation. Each installment recreates the events for listeners through testimonies from real people involved with the case. The final episode reveals the missing puzzle piece in the unsolved mystery.
Available free on Spotify. Listen to the trailer.
35. El Souvenir
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
Travel lovers should try this engaging Mexican travel podcast. It offers in-depth discussions of destinations in Mexico and around the world as well as practical tips.
36. Cuidad de México
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
For amantes of la CDMX. No, the title’s not a typo. It’s a play on words that derives from the show’s tagline: Sólo se cuida lo que se quiere y sólo se quiere lo que se conoce.
Presented by journalist Jorge Pedro Uribe Llamas, this fascinating podcast explores the past and present of Mexico City. Discover its neighborhoods, history, culture, and people.
37. Historias Perdidas
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
This entertaining series examines historical enigmas. Sample topics include:
- the whereabouts of lost Nazi loot
- the truth behind the legend of the mad monk Rasputin
- the resting place of Noah’s Ark
Mexican journalist León Krauze narrates with a clear and precise diction. Lots of dramatic sound effects. Nicely brief episodes of 10-15 minutes.
This young adult story collection was a bestseller in Mexico. It features short chapters written in easy-to-read Spanish.
38. TED en Español
Levels: Low intermediate to advanced
Accents: The host and many speakers are Argentinian. Other presenters are from a variety of countries including Spain, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, and even Brazil. An excellent podcast for experiencing a diversity of accents.
Transcripts: None
Journey through inspiring ideas with TED Talks en español.
The talks are all less than 20 minutes as is usual for TED presentations. Occasional hour-long special editions feature in-depth conversations with selected speakers.
Host Gerry Garbulsky is the organizer of TEDxRíodelaPlata in Argentina, the largest TEDx event in the world with more than 10,000 live attendees. He curates this collection of talks, drawn from a variety of TED and TEDx events in Spanish-speaking countries.
Notable speakers include politician Ingrid Betancourt from Colombia, Mexican journalist Jorge Ramos, and Uruguayan musician Jorge Drexler.
Recommended by Marissa of Relearn a Language
39. Leyendas Legendarias
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
This weekly comedy-horror show is based in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juárez. It’s garnered a cult following with its lighthearted explorations of the dark unknown.
The hosts examine cases of true crime, paranormal phenomena, and notorious historical events with a big dose of black humor.
Episodes last about a hour and 15 minutes on average. Lots of slang and references to Mexican pop culture.
Similar in style to US crime comedy show The Last Podcast on the Left.
Celebrity guests include Mexican comedians Ricardo O’Farrill and Alex Fernández.
Fans of the macabre should also check out chilling medical malpractice podcast Dr. Muerte. This six-episode miniseries is the Spanish translation of the hit show Dr. Death.
40. Toxicomanía
Level: Advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
After decades of cartel-related violence in Mexico and the positive social impacts of drug legalization in parts of Europe, Mexican citizens and social media users have repeatedly asked: why not legalize drugs in Mexico too?
But few people know that, in the early 1940s, Mexico tried just that.
This 8-episode audio drama features a cast of fictional characters (including one voiced by Rainn Wilson, better known as Dwight from The Office), dramatic dialogue, world-building through soundscaping, and a politically charged plot. Part historic fiction and part macabre fabrication, it transports listeners to another era while revisiting many of the polemics of today.
Be warned that while the Spanish spoken is slowly and clearly articulated, the rush of sound effects can make it harder to process. There are also many specific medical and drug-related terms you may not be familiar with, and unfortunately no transcript.
However, C-level advanced students who want to push their vocabulary into niche terrain can dive deeper using the podcast’s bibliography and really have some nerdy, historical fun.
Podcast trailer:
Review by Marissa of Relearn a Language. If you’re an advanced Spanish student looking to improve your vocabulary, check out her list of Spanish books for learners.
41. El Podcast de Alex Fernández
Levels: High intermediate to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
Hilarious comedy podcast by popular Mexican comedian Alex Fernández. Lots of Mexican slang and some profanity.
Alex often has interesting guests like other Mexican standuperos, YouTubers, actors, or politicians. Episodes run 30-60 minutes on average.
You can also watch the recordings on YouTube. This offers the option of auto-generated Spanish captions to help with comprehension. Plus, visual cues help a lot with speech perception.
Unfortunately, as of 2022 this podcast is no longer being updated, but it’s still worth listening to previous episodes.
For more humor and Mexican slang, try popular YouTuber Luisito Comunica’s En Cortinas con Luisito.
Recommended by NoManches from The Language Learners Forum.
42. Libros para emprendedores
Levels: Intermediate to advanced
Accent: Host Luis Ramos is originally from Spain but lives in Mexico, so his accent is a mix of European Spanish and Mexican.
Transcripts: None
Each episode of this top-ranked business podcast summarizes a bestselling self-improvement or business book.
Entrepreneur and business coach Luis Ramos clearly explains each book’s key points in about an hour. He also provides tips on how to apply its insights to your life.
Book topics run the gamut from marketing, sales, motivation, education, people management, public speaking, relationships, and networking. Recent books summarized in Spanish include:
- TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking
- Atomic Habits
- This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
Additional Spanish-Language Podcasts
These podcasts didn’t quite make the cut of my list. I still enjoyed and recommend them, though, if you’re interested in the subject matter.
Neteando con Kate y Jessica
Level: Advanced
Accents: Mostly Mexican with some guests from other Latin American countries and Spain
Transcripts: None
Neteando translates as “Telling it like it is.” This talk show features outspoken Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and Mexican American celebrity reporter Jessica Maldonado.
I removed this podcast from the list since it’s no longer being updated, but it’s a great show and worth checking out the back catalog.
These ladies and their guests get together to dish about their lives. They also discuss current topics in news, entertainment, society, and culture.
The witty dialogue is peppered with colorful Mexican slang and pochismos (Spanglish).
Occasionally, a guest will speak mostly in English. I tend to skip those episodes since they are not ideal for practice.
Mexicano Slang
Levels: Advanced beginner to advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: No longer available as the teaching website has been taken down. (Podcast audios are still available for download.)
This Mexican Spanish podcast is a quick listen at only 11 episodes of three to four minutes each. Each episode introduces a new Mexican slang expression and uses it in context of a dialogue.
Very fun concept and highly recommended for aficionados of Mexican Spanish. I only wish there were more episodes!
If you’re interested in Mexican slang, also try Doorway to Mexico and No Hay Tos above.
Algarabía Radio
Level: Advanced
Accent: Mexican
Transcripts: None
Algarabía, a word meaning a chaotic din or a joyful noise, is the Mexico City-based publisher of a renowned arts and culture magazine. They also compile the hilarious dictionaries El Chingonario and El Pendejonario.
Algarabía Radio is a weekly discussion of the current magazine’s themes by its editors. Check out older episodes in their previous podcast Algarabía a Cucharadas (Algarabía by the Spoonful).
Recommended for lovers of la CDMX and of Mexican culture. Note that episodes can get a little rambling and long-winded. They are good for passing time while dozing on long bus rides and flights though. 😉
Have feedback on these shows or more suggestions for the best podcasts in Spanish? My best Spanish-language podcast recommendations come from readers!
I especially love promoting lesser-known gems by independent creators.
If you have a podcast in Spanish, feel free to tell us about it in the comments. Please note that I’ve slowed down on reviewing Spanish podcasts in order to focus on French.
You may also like:
Photo credits:
– Pinterest image (Bougainvillea, Yuriria, Guanajuato, Mexico): Cristian Newman on Unsplash
– All podcast cover images are copyright of their respective owners
Yes, this is an awesome way to improve language skills, I think. I’m going to be assigning more podcast listening as homework for my 11th graders when we get back from our winter holiday break. Thanks for the reminder and the encouragement.
Great idea! Would love to hear sometime which podcasts worked best for them.
Thanks so much for your list. I can’t wait to check them out. I love Duo Lingo’s free podcasts which share inspiring true stories. They have transcripts and use English to provide context which I find helpful given that they’re Intermediate.
Thanks for the recommendation, Aimee!
Thank you so much for this list!! I’ve been looking for a good podcast that is engaging and at my level and you offered so many options–I really appreciate it.
So glad you found it helpful, Val! I’m always looking for engaging content too. Native podcasts especially can be difficult to discover, which is why I created this list!
Me gusta “Españolistos“! La maestra es colombiana.
Muchas gracias, Celeste, voy a checarlo!
Me lo gusta mucho también – y ella tiene una escuela también. Se llama Spanishlandschool.com
What a great list I am always looking for quality Latin American Spanish podcasts with transcripts. I listen to Radio Ambulante ( a stretch for me I usually have to refer to the transcript to fully understand it) and I recently discovered No Hay Tos, (very helpful and at my level) but Sangre Celestial was new to me. I just listened to the first episode, what a find it’s a perfect level for me and quite entertaining. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Bill! That totally made my day. 🙂
Wow, I am blown away by Hoy Hablamos — what a great find for listening practice and for learning. Thanks!
The following site might be a good choice for those with a slightly lower level of Spanish. The host (from Spain) speaks very clearly, and transcriptions are provided.
https://www.unlimitedspanish.com/podcasts/
Glad you are enjoying Hoy Hablamos… love discovering lesser-known gems like that.
Thanks for the recommendation… I will check it out for the list!
What a great list of podcasts, all in one place too. One lesser known podcast is español con juan https://www.1001reasonstolearnspanish.com/podcasts/
He has a unique style and manages to be very comprehensible but not slow and boring. I enjoy a lot of the episodes more than English podcasts, definitely worth checking out if you’re an intermediate learner.
Hola Alex, thanks so much for your comment and for the recommendation. For some reason, Español con Juan is not available in Pocket Casts, but I see it is available on other platforms. Sounds like a great resource for intermediate learners focusing on European Spanish.
Update: I’ve added Español con Juan to the list. It’s available in the Pocket Casts directory now too. Thanks for the great find!
Thank you so much for creating this list. It is very comprehensive.I have been a serious Spanish learner for about 6 months and am trying to improve my Mexican Spanish. The Doorway to Mexico and No Hay Tos podcasts have helped me immensely. I am a busy forty something and I have been trying a variety of apps, books, TV shows, and podcasts to help me cram in as much learning as possible. Thanks again for creating this resource.
So happy to hear that, Craig! I put this information out there but I rarely get to know if it truly helps people. Would love to hear your recommendations for other resources sometime if you get a chance – always looking for suggestions for the blog. Mil gracias y suerte.
Hello, I am currently looking for a spanish speaking podcast that centers on self love/ Self care with a hint of positive vibes for my mother. She speaks some english but could really benefit from one in Spanish. I tried doing a few searches but most results seem to be for people looking to learn spanish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Iris, I’m not personally familiar with any podcasts in this genre, but a search on iTunes for autoayuda turned up several in Spanish: https://itunes.apple.com/es/genre/podcasts-salud-autoayuda/id1420. Maybe some of them would be a good fit?
Acabo de encontrar tu blog, me inscribí. Qué padre! Estás viviendo el sueño. Conozco la mitad de estos podcasts. Estaba buscando podcasts de mexico porque vivo en california. Ahora los tengo, gracias!
Qué bien, Imelda, me encanta que hayas encontrado nuevos podcasts para escuchar! Mucha suerte con tu aprendizaje! Saludos, Ingrid
One more recommendation – there’s a podcast about the Venezuelan crisis called Huida con Esperanza that I’ve enjoyed. (Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZWfiknD77UJu7PDbToGD2). I used podcasts to improve my Spanish, and if you like Asi como Suena or Radio Ambulante, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Thanks for the recommendation, Rob!
Hello Ingrid,
You’re right. The Spanish from Podium Podcast is really fast. For sure, it’s a good practice if you want to visit this country. Reminds me of a typical radio program. Maybe a spin off?
Hasta pronto,
Björn
Just checked and you’re right, Björn, Podium Podcast is owned by PRISA Radio, the world’s largest Spanish-language radio group and the market leader in Spain, Colombia, and Chile.
This is a great program that I don’t think enough people know about!
https://www.languagetransfer.org/complete-spanish
This looks great, and I see they have a number of other languages available too like German and French. I’m traveling right now, but will check this out in detail when I return.
Update: I’ve added it. Thanks for the great recommendation. I’m going to try Language Transfer for my next language project, French.
Your lists have been very helpful for me, thank you for providing this service.
A podcast I have recently discovered is How to Spanish. It is on YouTube as well as most of the podcast platforms – it is Mexican Spanish, and geared towards intermediate to advanced learners. I find the dialog interesting and easy to follow. Transcripts and other material are available for a nominal monthly Patreon fee.
Also there is a new Latin American podcast Charlas Hispanas based on the Hoy Hablamos model. There are three presenters from three countries – Mexico, Columbia and Peru. Quite enjoyable and easy to follow. Podcasts are daily and transcripts etc are available for a nominal monthly Patreon fee.
Thank you so much for these excellent recommendations, Bill! They sound right up my alley. I’m traveling in South America right now but will review these when I get back.
Bill, these are great!! I’ve added them. Mil gracias. Do let us know if you find any other gems. 🙂
Another podcast is Hablemos Escritoras Podcast, with interviews with some of the best female writers in Spanish, book reviews with transcripts, publishing houses catalogues, book suggestions, short capsules about culture, society, and literature. It is a great source to practice Spanish and to help writers, editors, teachers, readers, students. Podcast are weekly and its website has an index, tags, and keywords, that make the search easier and faster. Great, great resource for leaning and have fun. https://www.hablemosescritoras.com
Very cool suggestion, thank you!
Hello! I’m a native Spanish teacher and I would like to recommend you my podcast: “Sí comprendo”. It’s an intermediate/advanced podcast about cultural facts, vocabulary, grammar…I also have a Youtube channel, come and join us!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s%C3%AD-comprendo/id1463595812
¡Gracias, Paloma! Nice to see a female-led Spanish podcast. 🙂
Podéis visitar también http://www.spanishpodcast.org donde encontraréis 290 podcasts (y seguimos…) con sus respectivas transcripciones para que podáis escuchar y leer al mismo tiempo. Un abrazo. Mercedes
Hola Ingrid! WOW! Love your list! I have added a bookmark for future reference. I would like to recommend a podcast I created called Decide Balance which means the same in Spanish. It is a 5 minute Bilingual (English/Spanish) Meditation Podcast. It started as a project in my kids’ dual immersion school that I decided to record my sessions and share them with the families and now the world. The translation helps people learn the language plus it helps them focus on what I’m saying and let go of the chatter in their brains so they can take pause in their day or relax to go to sleep.
Can be found at http://decidebalance.com/ Also on all major podcast platforms or @DecideBalance on IG and FB. Hope you enjoy and let me know if you have any feedback to improve. ¡Saludos!
Thank you very much for mention my podcast. I am very glad you like it!
De nada, Juan! Espero que te lleve nuevos oyentes! 🙂
Awesome list! Another podcast that I highly recommend is called Learn Spanish and Go, perfect for intermediate learners.
Jim and May, the couple that does the podcast, post weekly episodes with an emphasis on Mexican Spanish on all kinds of topics: food, culture, travel, history, etc.
Their platform is cool because they focus on travel Spanish and have inspired so many people like myself to gain confidence in order to do so.
Transcripts available for all episodes if you sign up for their membership! They also collaborate with other Spanish platforms to give the audience a diverse language education.
Hi Ingrid,
If you ever update your post, I’d love to know your thoughts about a podcast I started earlier this year. It’s geared towards intermediate+ Spanish learners with a focus on listening comprehension and speaking.
Spanish speakers share their stories and afterwards, we break down the stories line by line in English and Spanish. You and your readers can check it out here: https://icanspeakspanish.com/
Hi Ingrid,
Super post!
Another great new podcast is the StoryLearning Spanish podcast. Well worth a listen 🙂
I opened on last May a podcast about the spanish inmigrants around the world from UK: Planeta Spaniard http://planetaspaniard.com You can find my podcast in Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, iVoox, Spotify, Anchor.
Hola: Thank you for taking the time to prepare this useful list. I hope you will consider checking out a podcast for people who want to start learning Spanish from the beginning: Spanish for Beginners Pedro
Hola, Ingrid, and hello everyone! Thanks for the list. I am leaving here the podcasts from Fluent in Spanish, which are side by side podcasts, translation and transcription.
https://www.fluentinspanish.org/podcasts/
¡Gracias, Carmen! Always happy to see a female-led Spanish podcast.
Hi, Ingrid. Thank you for this amazing list. I’d like to recommend another one I really like. It’s Cocopodcast. I’m living in Spain now (I’m from Russia) and I find it very useful for learning vocabulary from Spain. Very good quality, super clear pronunciation (one of my favorites for this reason) and interesting stories about different topics. Highly recommended. Also with transcription and exercises.
https://aulacocoloco.com
¡Gracias, Olga! Спасибо за рекомендацию! 🙂
Another suggestion: El Verdadero Robo Del Siglo https://robodelsiglopodcast.com/
It has six+ episodes, with transcripts. I wish I knew how to say, “It will keep you on the edge of your seat” in Spanish. It is very well done, and I did not find the Argentine pronunciation to be a problem with the transcripts.
Muchas gracias, Mike… this might motivate me to get back to reviewing soon!
I’ve added El Verdadero Robo Del Siglo (at #15). Thanks again! 🙂
Hi Ingrid – just wanted to say thanks for this compilation, especially the aspect of noting down the region of accent! I have found the list super helpful and have shared it with a friend, too. Many thanks – Dita
Glad it’s helpful, Dita! Agree that accent is an important consideration when choosing learning resources, depending on the geographic location and needs of the student.
Hola, Mercedes:
Enseñas español online?
Hi Ingrid — Just stumbled upon this list and wanted to say thank you so much! Have been looking for podcasts for native speakers for a while and it’s pretty exciting to see this list and descriptions of various programs here. Can’t wait to start listening!
(Also, two others for learners that I’ve listened to are Podcast para aprender español (from Spanish with Vicente) and Se habla español — not sure if they have been recommended yet!)
Muchas gracias, Ellie!