Tenerife may be bustling with tourists, but its own indigenous population stands out from the others, with an ancestry that they’re proud of and some historically important customs and traditions.
It is said that the aboriginal people of the region, known as the Guanches, originally reached the island from somewhere in Africa, roughly during the first or second century B.C. When they first arrived, they resided in natural caves, which were perfect to keep them cool in summer and warm in winter. It is believed they were impressively tall, with white skin, fair hair and blue eyes.
While the Guanches don’t exist as an ethnic group any more, many Canarians are still proud of their heritage from these ancestors. These are some of the interesting cultural aspects that still exist today.
Canarian Culture: Customs and Traditions
The people in the Canary Islands love a good fiesta. They enjoy parties with colourful decorations, hearty meals and plenty of drinks, which is why it comes as no surprise that the Carnival is the biggest event of the year. Taking place annually between February and March, it’s an entertaining parade in the capital Santa Cruz, with locals and revellers in flamboyant traditional costumes, singing and making merry. Another important custom in Tenerife are the Romerías, which also occur annually. These are special days dedicated to different saints, when people make a pilgrimage to a particular place, dressed in their best traditional outfits. The processions are truly a sight to behold.
Experience the Carnival at Santa Cruz
The best place to witness and experience the region’s carnival is from the capital town of Santa Cruz, which is easily accessible on a convenient Tenerife Airport bus. Besides being a party town, it also boasts of the gorgeous Playa de Las Teresitas beach, which is dotted with the iconic palm trees along the stretch of golden sand. Here, you can simply relax by the sea or even play some volleyball on the beach with some locals.
How to Get There
There are many flights throughout the week going from the UK to Tenerife, so you have several options to choose from. Once you land, it’s best to take a pre-booked Tenerife Airport bus to your accommodation in Santa Cruz. This helps you save your precious holiday time, avoids any unnecessary haggling with taxi drivers and is also an a affordable choice
If you’re craving a unique cultural getaway but can’t afford to visit the Amazonian rainforests or Indian villages, this is still a superb destination to learn about the rich customs and traditions of its original population. Besides your flight tickets, it isn’t very harsh on your pocket either.
Accommodation in Santa Cruz is easily accessible from the airport, so you’re immersed into the region’s traditions from day one. Taking a Tenerife Airport bus to your destination is a great way to enjoy some spacious legroom and avoid the need to hire and drive a car.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers in various countries across the globe. If you’re looking for an affordable Tenerife airport bus, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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