Hidden Tourism Costs in Spain

Waking up before everyone else to reserve a sun lounger with a towel is often a contentious subject, with many arguing the early bird catches the worm. But in Spain, the early bird in this case will receive a £25 fine - and unruly tourists could face even more substantial penalties if they are not careful. Holidaymakers braving airport chaos in Britain to head to Spain this summer will need to pay attention if they don't want to fall foul of a range of newly imposed 'offences'. Even showering at the beach could put you at risk of needing an early flight home.If you are caught washing the sea water out of your hair using soap or shampoo at any Spanish beach shower you could be fined up to £620. This is because the chemicals in these products are harmful to marine life and has been made illegal. Though it may be tempting to try and sleep a long night of drinking off on the beach, you may be woken by someone handing you a fine for £1,300. Areas like Valencia sleeping or camping on the beach to be dangerous and have completely forbidden people from oing so. Lawmakers in Vigo, a city in the Galicia region, said anyone found relieving themselves 'in the sea or on the beach' will be forced to shell out £645. The city council has branded public urination a 'minor infraction' and 'an infringement of hygiene and sanitary regulations.' Beachgoers caught playing bat and ball or attempting to reserve a spot on the beach with a towel will also be fined under the by-laws that came into force on July 18th. Walking around the street with only swimwear on to soak up the sun could catch you a £250 fine in some parts of Spain.Men walking around with their shirts off, or women wearing only bikinis risk a huge fine, which reportedly already been dished out in Barcelona and Mallorca.