When we first moved to Tenerife, we thought Carnival was a weekend event. A parade, some costumes, done. We were spectacularly unprepared for what actually happens here every February. This is not a weekend. This is three weeks of organized chaos that shuts down entire cities.
What Carnival Actually Is
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is officially recognized as the second largest in the world after Rio de Janeiro. But that does not capture what that means when you are actually living here with three school-age children.
The Reality Check
If you are planning to be in Tenerife during Carnival season (typically February), here is what you need to know:
- Book accommodation months in advance – prices triple during peak days
- Expect noise. Lots of it. Until 4-5 AM. For weeks.
- Public transportation gets overwhelmed
- Many businesses close or operate on reduced hours
But here is the thing: despite the chaos, the sleep deprivation, and the confetti we are still finding in our car six months later – it is absolutely worth experiencing at least once.
