Learn Spanish (Spain): La plaza está todo recto.

We use está (from the verb estar) because the sentence is talking about location. A good rule for beginners is to use estar for where a thing is and ser for what a thing is. Even though a city square doesn't move around, Spanish always uses estar for physical locations.

What does todo recto literally mean?

It literally translates to all straight. In Spain, this is the standard fixed phrase used when giving directions to mean straight ahead or straight on.

Since La plaza is feminine, why isn't the phrase toda recta?

In this sentence, todo recto is a fixed phrase giving a direction. It tells you where the square is, rather than describing the physical shape of the square itself. Because it is acting as an adverb (a word that describes a location or action), it does not change its ending to match the feminine noun La plaza.

Can I use the word derecho instead of recto to mean straight ahead?

In many parts of Latin America, you will hear derecho or todo derecho used to mean straight ahead. However, since you are learning the Spanish of Spain, todo recto is the most natural and common way to give this direction.