The value of lodge stays in a metropolis on Tenerife soared to hundreds of kilos for a few nights throughout its ongoing carnival season.

Two nights in Santa Cruz in the course of the first weekend of the town's carnival noticed room expenses of greater than £2,297 (€2,700), native media studies.

Local English language news web site, Canarian Weekly, referencing on-line lodging portals, says staying within the centre of Santa Cruz from February Sep 11 commanded such sums.

Tens of hundreds of holiday makers descending on the town for its annual carnival have led to resorts, vacation residences and personal vacation houses being nearly totally booked.

An annual spectacle, Santa Cruz Carnival is the biggest within the Canary Islands and runs this 12 months from February 9 to Sunday (February 18). The theme is "television".

A search of Booking.com by this publication for a two night time keep in Santa Cruz for 2 adults from Friday (February 16) to Sunday confirmed 96 p.c of stays unavailable by way of the location.

Of the locations to stick with lodging obtainable, costs ranged from a single mattress in a combined dormitory in Santa Cruz at £119 as much as £2,356 at a personal rental 250 yards from the town centre.

Places to remain exterior Santa Cruz got here in at comparatively a lot decrease costs, with a double room in La Laguna, greater than 4 miles from the town, beginning at £164.

A twin room with non-public barthroom in a villa in Radazul would set you again £586, together with taxes and expenses.

According to the carnival organisers, crucial occasions happen on the streets of Santa Cruz's metropolis centre, which come to life each day and night time with music and dancing.

The festivities kick off with the election of a carnival queen, adopted by a gap parade, days of avenue events then the principle carnival parade, Coso de Carnaval, and the Burial of the Sardine, amongst different occasions.

Burial of the Sardine marks the tip of the carnival and sees widows fill the streets of Santa Cruz to "mourn" the "death" of Carnival, personified as Don Carnal, who seems within the type of a sardine carried on a particular float.

Carnival organisers report that in 2019 a complete of 400,000 individuals joined the celebrations. They additionally say most of those that attend put on costumes so anybody who needs to affix in might want to bear that in thoughts.