Carnival in Santa Cruz, Tenerife

The carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the most famous extravagant in the world, beaten only by New Orleans and Rio.The Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is characterised by costumes, cross-dressing and beauty pageants.The main pageant at the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is to decide the carnival queen. This is a big, televised spectacle that takes several hours. The costumes worn can be extremely extravagant.

There are also junior pageants, senior pageants and (in some places in Tenerife) drag quen pageants.

The port area is the most exciting place to be during the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.The general theme is to dress up as 'something you are not', but there is also a specific theme each year. Then, of course, there is the cross dressing.Generally speaking, no. Carnival cross dressing is tongue-in-cheek fun. If you are looking for an explicitly homosexual carnival, you need to check out Sitges, near Barcelona.There are murgas (the satirical, comedic folk singers), Comparsas (the dancers) and Mascarillas (the masked 'unknowns').The entierro de la sardina, or 'burial of the sardine', is the event that marks the end of the festivities. It is one of the most bizarre things you are ever likely to see - a very sombre burial for a fish.

Read more about the Entierro de la Sardina.

For the very cheapest budget accommodation (including backpackers hostels with shared dorms) try Hostelworld (search for Tenerife, not Santa Cruz)

There are frequent flights to Tenerife. Compare Prices on Flights to Spain.

You can also take a Ferry to Tenerife from mainland Spain.