What To Avoid When Coming To Iceland | Iceland Local & High-End Sales Expert for Unconventional Photographers and Creative Entrepreneurs.
Are you one of the multiple million people a year coming to Iceland soon?
This is slightly off-topic than my usual on here, but, as an Iceland local I get DM’d daily by either friends coming to Iceland or their friend is coming to Iceland and they want to ask me a few questions. Iceland is a popular spot to travel for the past 15 or so years, which, obviously, because *gestures everywhere*. But, I see very often with my own eyeballs or in the news some no-nos I see tourists doing.
I also host the group Iceland Adventure Business Retreat here for creatives, and, I also offer private VIP Breakthrough days and private Retreats here in Iceland for creative entrepreneurs.
(If you’re coming to Iceland soon and want to make it a business write-off by booking a VIP Breakthrough Day, or, a private Retreat- contact me to get you booked.)
So, because of the DMs and because I host people here, I thought I would write some things down that maybeeeeeeee you didn’t know about. Which, I don’t blame you, most blogs you find about Iceland are not written by a local who actually lives here, and are written by travel bloggers, so, how would you know?
Here are some things maybe you don't know to not damage nature, not break the law, and not harm yourself and others- I see a combo of these literally daily.
Here are some pro tips!
- don't drive on closed roads even if it "seems" like you can drive on it. *
- don't drive off-road, even in the highland. Very illegal and bad. *
- don't pull over on the side of the road unless an emergency, taking a photo isn't an emergency. Pulling over into the area for people turning is also not allowed. *
- learn the road signs for one way, no parking, no stopping, and then... don't do them. *
- don't put yourself in risky situations, even if it’s to get a photo. You falling into a canyon, a glacial crevasse, being swept out to sea, drowning, falling through lava that shouldn't be walked on, dying of the elements isn't fair for the rescue team who has to come and risk their lives to get you, or, rescue your remains over something really dumb that's preventable. *
- don't play in the middle of the road for a photo. Our roads are.... roads. With cars. Route 1 is our highway. I have come close to hitting people so.many.times.*
- don't touch or feed the horses if you don't have permission.
- don't open horse gates.
- turn on your headlights all the time. Auto is not turning on your headlights. It's the law and necessary for our climate. *
- use your turn signals in roundabouts and how they need to be used, don't change lanes in a roundabout, and give way to the inside lane. *
- don't step over ropes. *
- think about the potential future damage of geotagging locations. Is your clout of saying you know "hidden gems" more important than this place being over-visited?
- don't walk in bike lanes.
- don't turn right on red, or, run red lights. I've almost been killed in cross walls idk how many times.
- don't trample moss.
- if there are signs saying the beach has dangerous waves then don’t go up to the water. *
- you can't park your campervan anywhere to camp, you need to be in a designated camping spot.
- don't leave bags of poop in parking areas. (what the fuck).
- people live in Reykjavík, it's not a Disney attraction, so please be mindful of the people around you.
- don't avoid walking on the trail if there is mud or a puddle on the trail. Avoiding this will damage the nature outside of the trail.
- I wouldn't drive through rivers if you don't actually know how to drive through a river. Most rental companies don't allow or cover this and any water damage = you owe a new car. *
- pedestrians at walkways, when there is no light to signal them to walk, has the right of way and you need to stop to let them cross. It's in our traffic law.
I think that should do it.
* = Someone has died or been very injured, or both, from not heading this warning.
There are so many amazing, magical, wonderful, peaceful, literally life-changing experiences here in Iceland and you can experience this while keeping care of the nature, not breaking any laws, and without putting yourself in super risky situations that might not have you ever traveling again.
If you’re an entrepreneur coming to Iceland and are looking to make it a business trip, which means a business write-off, reach out and we can see about getting you into the group retreat, a VIP Breakthrough Day, or your own private retreat that 100% tailed to you (and a very powerful exerpeince).
Please have fun when you are here, stay safe, and respect our nature for the beauty that it is.
