When you’re learning a language it’s absolutely essential that you have as much contact with it as possible. That’s where Passive Learning comes in.
In a nutshell, Passive Learning means sitting on the sofa (or standing in a subway train) and watching films, listening to music, reading the latest celebrity news etc, etc.
So, while you’ll want to check out our free Spanish online course you should also be spending a lot of your time watching Spanish-language YouTube videos!
To give you a helping hand, here’s our list of Hablarama’s favourite Youtubers (Spanish-language video bloggers).
We’ve tried to select entertaining video bloggers from a number of different Spanish-speaking countries. There’s a travel blogger from Mexico, a manic nutcase from Spain, and a fashion expert from…Peru!
Update May 2024: While we didn’t used to recommend using YouTube’s automatic subtitles, we’ve found that they are getting more accurate. If a video doesn’t have user-generated subtitle tracks available it’s definitely worth activating the automatic ones. Just don’t expect 100% accuracy, particularly when it comes to the names of people and places.
This article on YouTube channels in Spanish was last updated on 24 September 2024.
Españoles en el mundo
Level: Intermediate / Upper-intermediate
Subtitles: No
Channel: Españoles en el mundo
This first channel isn’t actually a Youtuber. Españoles en el mundo is a very successful and popular series from RTVE (The Spanish public broadcaster) which looks at the lives of Spaniards who have chosen to emigrate to other countries. It adopts a fun and informal approach, and is so much more than just another travel guide series. It really gives a proper insight into the lives and motivations of Spanish expats, and their reasons for living where they do.
In this video
There is hardly a continent that the series hasn’t touched, but North and South America are particular favourites. The video below is the first in a very extensive playlist that covers cities and regions in the US, Canada and Latin America. The US episodes in particular are quite revealing! You’ll be amazed at what Spaniards like (and dislike) about the United States.
The Spartan Vlog
Level: Intermediate
Subtitles: No
Channel: The Spartan Vlog
In a post-communist world, Cuba seems like a complete anachronism. After more than 70 years with the same regime, and nearly as long under an economic embargo imposed by the US, Cuba is a country, and a society, like no other. The Spartan Vlog opens a window on a unique society and looks at the issues which Cubans deal with in their everyday lives. The videos feel more like mini-documentaries than vlogs: always well-edited and narrated, offering a level-headed analysis of present day Cuba.
In this video
Why do Cubans feel it’s necessary to abandon their own country? What’s behind the mass emigration of Cubans?
Daniel Tirado – Colombia
Level: Upper-intermediate
Subtitles: No
Channel: Daniel Tirado
Who can resist a well shot travel blog? Daniel Tirado has one of the most professional Spanish-language travel blogs. Check out his comprehensive YouTube channel to see what this manic Colombian gets up to on his journeys around the world.
In this video
Daniel joins up with other Spanish-language travel bloggers to bring us this guide to Medellin, one of the coolest cities in Colombia.
Visual Politik – Spain
Level: Upper-intermediate.
Subtitles: Spanish
Channel: Visual Politik
This is an entire YouTube channel on politics and current affairs. In each snappy video, an excitable presenter takes us through one current political issue or event. So there are videos on Trump and Brexit, amongst a host of other national and international subjects.
In this video
How a family of Argentinian politicians became so wealthy at the expense of their country.
El Rubius – Spain
Level: Upper-intermediate / advanced
Subtitles: Spanish and English (User-supplied)
Channel: El Rubius
The undisputed king of the Spanish Youtubers, El Rubius has over 20 million subscribers. What started off as a game-review channel has turned into a full-on lifestyle offering. The videos can be fairly manic at times and feature an off-beat, self-effacing humour which isn’t likely to offend anyone, although you’ll hear the odd swear word or two. El Rubius comes across as a genuinely likeable guy, though you probably wouldn’t want to introduce him to your parents.
In this video
What not to do with liquid nitrogen.
Fashaddicti – Peru
Level: Upper-intermediate
Subtitles: No (only machine-translated Spanish)
Channel: Fashaddicti
If you’re looking for a lifestyle blog aimed at teenagers, then this is it. The videos are generally quite difficult to understand, but are a great introduction to Peruvian Spanish. At the time of writing our protagonist has just gone up to university, so expect the content to get a bit more mature in the coming years
In this video
Five outfits to wear with white trainers/sneakers…
Hola Soy German – Chile
Level: Upper-intermediate / advanced
Subtitles: Spanish and English
Channel: Hola Soy German
With more than 20 million subscribers, German is one of the biggest Youtube stars in Chile. Like many other video bloggers, he also has a games review channel, if you like that sort of thing. Most of the videos feature German giving us his humorous advice for getting on and being successful in life.
In this video
How to make friends in an age of digital media.
Alan x el mundo – Mexico
Level: Upper-intermediate
Subtitles: Spanish and English
Channel: Alan x el mundo
What does the ‘x’ stand for? ‘x’ is the lazy, non-official, social-media way of writing ‘por’. Correctly written, the channel’s title would be ‘Alan por el mundo’, which translates as ‘Alan around the world’. And that’s more or less what you get: Our man Alan travelling around the world and making videos. A nice life if you can get it.
In this video
Alan checks out a 7-star hotel.
Mariel de Viaje – Mexico
Level: Upper-intermediate
Subtitles: No
Channel: Mariel de Viaje
A post-adolescent (but only just) blogger from Mexico. This very energetic YouTuber makes funky, well-edited travel videos. You kinda want to shoot her after a while, but in small doses she is quite entertaining.
In this video
Mariel takes us on a tour of Cartagena, one of the prettiest historic towns in Colombia.
Guías Viajar – Spain
Level: B1-C1
Subtitles: Yes (automatic)
Channel: Guías Viajar
We know that a lot of you like to travel, and look to YouTube for ideas and advice about destinations. This channel, Guías Viajar, may not have a very original title, but the videos here are well-made travel guides to areas which tend to be a little off the beaten track. The two presenters are from Madrid and you’ll probably be most interested in their guides to Spain or other Spanish-speaking countries. Don’t miss their series of videos on Cuba, which is particularly in-depth.
In this video
The presenters take us around their home city, Madrid.
Hablarama – Spain
Level: A2-C1
Subtitles: Yes (with translations)
Channel: Hablarama Spanish
And finally: Hablarama’s own YouTube channel. We’ve created two main video series: firstly, a set of videos which teach essential Spanish phrases, and secondly, a series of interviews which we’ve been filming around Spain. A growing resource for language students who want to listen to native Spanish speakers. You’ll also find most of these videos in our Real Spanish section.
In this video
A group of young people in Galicia give their opinions about Britain and the British. It’s not all bad!
Looking for more Spanish-speaking video bloggers?
By definition, YouTube channels tend to appeal to very specific audiences. If you’re not too impressed by our selection of Youtubers then take a look at the social media review site Social Blade, which publishes lists of the most popular YouTube channels by country.
Here’s a list of top Youtubers for Chile:
https://socialblade.com/youtube/top/country/cl
And for Mexico:
