• The beaches in Argentina are packed every summer.leisure image by Rui Vale de Sousa from Fotolia.com
  
  Residents of Spanish-speaking countries have a reputation for enjoying leisure time to the fullest. The custom of taking a lunch break or mid-afternoon nap, known as a siesta, is still common throughout Latin America and Spain. Leisure activities are especially plentiful in Argentina, Spain and Mexico, three of the largest countries where Spanish is the primary spoken language.
  
  

Argentina

• Argentineans love their leisure time.Argentina, Patagonia image by Mr.Papeete from Fotolia.com
  
  Mariana Schulze, a member of Argentina's Olympic snowboard team and professional photographer, says that even in difficult economic times, "Argentineans are having a good time. Argentinians love to watch football (soccer) with friends, go tango dancing, play a card game called truco and spend endless hours at the beach," Schulze says. She added that people love to go to movies and theater and eat out as much as possible. Drinking yerba mate with friends is also a common leisure activity. "When friends call to say they're coming over, everyone says, 'I'm putting on the kettle,' to heat water for mate," says Schulze.
  
  

Spain

• Coastal Spainbay in south of spain image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
  
  Spaniards enjoy playing golf in their leisure time. The Costa Blanca, along the southeast coast of Spain, offers more than a dozen championship golf courses, many of which do not require membership to play. Warm coastal weather and abundant sunshine draw crowds of people to the beaches for relaxation, snorkeling, sailing and swimming. Horseback riding along the coast and gardening in the balmy Mediterranean climate are also favorite leisure activities of the Spanish people.
  
  

Mexico

• Mexican beachMexico image by Francesca Walker from Fotolia.com
  
  Drinking tequila and playing or listening to Mariachi music is very popular with locals in Mexico. Gardening and growing fruits and vegetables is a common pastime. Theater and cinema are also very popular in Mexico. Mexicans also spend vacation time at the beach.