For a fortnight in July this small town near Torrevieja hands itself over to its patron saint, and the easiest thing to do is just wander in. The dulzaina and tamboril lead big-headed cabezudos through the streets, and one evening a multicoloured parade of comparsas, charangas and floats rolls past. There are beauty-queen coronations, a flower and fruit offering, a solemn mass for Santiago on 25 July, and a fireworks finale that same night.
The food is the heart of it. A multicultural gastronomic day at the sports centre lets the town's many nationalities cook for each other, and on 26 July it all winds down with the patatada, a communal potato supper. Expect charity bingo, a petanque championship, a parchís contest and an evening concert from Diego Martín y La Número Uno. It's all free, and everyone's welcome.
