Bolivia situation guide
A good first WhatsApp message
First contact with a landlord or agent in Santa Cruz is almost always by WhatsApp. A good first message is short and polite: greet (“Hola, buenas tardes”), say which apartment you mean (“Le escribo por el departamento anunciado”), ask if it is still available, and invite one clear next step like a visit. You do not need your full life story, start with the greeting, ask the essential question, and close warmly (“Quedo atento/a, gracias”). Avoid blunt openers like “Precio?” or “Quiero ver hoy”; they read as abrupt. Using usted (le, su) with someone you don’t know comes across as respectful.
Essential vocabulary
- buenas tardes: good afternoon The polite neutral opening for a first WhatsApp message, “Hola, buenas tardes.”
- le escribo por: I am writing to you about States your reason politely, “Le escribo por el departamento anunciado.”
- anunciado: advertised / listed Points to the specific listing you saw, “el departamento anunciado”.
- sigue disponible: still available The essential first question in one short phrase, “¿Sigue disponible?”.
- coordinar una visita: to arrange a visit The next step you invite, “¿Podemos coordinar una visita?”.
- alquiler mensual: monthly rent Ask or confirm the price, “¿Cuánto es el alquiler mensual?”.
- quedo atento/a: I look forward to your reply A natural polite closing, “Quedo atento/a, gracias.” (atento for men, atenta for women).
- gracias: thank you Closing with gracias keeps even a short message warm and polite.
- expensas: building fees Ask whether they're included, “¿Las expensas están incluidas?”
- garantía: deposit The rental deposit, usually one month, “¿Cuánto es la garantía?”
- amoblado: furnished Ask whether it's furnished, “¿Está amoblado?”
Bolivian Spanish terms
- depa: apartment (informal) You will see departamento shortened to depa in chats; departamento is safer for a first message.
- le escribo (usted): I write to you (formal) Using usted (le, su) with a landlord you don’t know reads as respectful in Santa Cruz.
- Quedo atento/a: polite WhatsApp sign-off A common, natural way to close a polite request message in Bolivia.
- anuncio: the listing / ad Referring to ‘el anuncio’ you saw signals you are a real, specific inquiry, not spam.
Useful phrases
- Hola, buenas tardes.: Hello, good afternoon. Open the message politely before anything else.
- Le escribo por el departamento anunciado.: I am writing to you about the advertised apartment. Say why you are messaging in one clear line.
- ¿Sigue disponible?: Is it still available? Ask the one essential question first.
- ¿Podemos coordinar una visita?: Can we arrange a visit? Invite a clear next step.
- ¿Cuánto es el alquiler mensual?: How much is the monthly rent? Confirm the price when it isn’t in the listing.
- Quedo atento/a, gracias.: I look forward to your reply, thank you. Close politely and invite a reply.
Learn this in the app
Rent an Apartment in Santa Cruz, Practical Spanish