Last week, my husband and I were lucky enough to score our first shot of the coronavirus vaccine. While there are a lot of things I’m looking forward to doing once I’m fully vaccinated, I am seriously excited about the prospect of traveling internationally again. One place that has me dreaming up new travel itineraries? Iceland.
As of tomorrow, April 6, Iceland will allow in vaccinated tourists without them having to quarantine or take a COVID test. You are also able to enter if you can provide proof of a previous coronavirus infection. You can read more about this announcement from the Icelandic government here for additional detail to see if you’re eligible.
I have been to Iceland twice, and both times, it really wowed. The first time was for our 10-day road trip around Ring Road, which definitely gave me a taste of all the island has to offer; the second time was for our 3-country girls’ trip with my mom and sister, which allowed me to share the highlights of Reykjavik with them.
I’ve, of course, been to the Blue Lagoon, which I wrote more about here, but there is more to Iceland than just this famous tourist destination. Before planning a trip to Iceland with your vaccination card in tow, here’s what you need to know:
- It’s expensive. Since Iceland is an island, a lot of what they have there has to be imported, and the price reflects that. Be prepared to pay more than usual for food and gas while you travel there, though you can avoid paying a premium by shopping for groceries – Kronan and Bónus are good options – and eating local options, like seafood.
- They don’t use the Euro. Iceland is instead home to the Icelandic Króna, which can make some of your in-head conversion difficult if you’re not used to it. As of writing, 100 ISK is worth about $0.79 USD, so there’s no need to freak out when you see the camper van you rented for nine days costs 276,400 ISK; that comes out to ~$2.2k USD.
- The amount of sunlight changes. For a summer visit, you can experience the “midnight sun” in Iceland, when the sun only sets for about three hours. However, during the winter, there may only be about five hours of daylight – but that gives you the chance to see the northern lights (aurora borealis). Know what’s important to you when you plan your trip!
- It’s cold all year. That may seem obvious with a country whose name has “ice” in it, but as a Floridian, I expected it to be warmer than it was when I visited in June. The average high in June is 54 degrees Fahrenheit, sooo… bring your coat. You can also always warm up in one of the many geothermal spas, including the Blue Lagoon.
- Its wonders are (mostly) natural. If you prefer to “opt outside,” then Iceland is the place for you. Aside from a few things we found on our road trip, like the Solheimasandur plane wreck and Bjórböðin, the Beer Spa, what makes Iceland so special is its natural beauty. I definitely broke in my hiking boots while we uncovered waterfalls and ice caves.
- They have strict drunk driving laws. As of writing, the maximum BAC permitted is 0.02%; for comparison, the US limit is 0.08%. We didn’t know this until we were pulled over while leaving a gastro pub, and it was a very scary experience because, honestly, it doesn’t take a lot to hit 0.02%. Be mindful of how much you’re drinking before you drive.
- You’ll want to come back. I had known a few people who had gone to Iceland when we booked our cheap flights to Reykjavik (thanks SCF), but I didn’t totally get the draw until we were there. It really is like no other place I’ve ever been, with some seriously friendly people and beautiful sights. Even after having gone twice, I can’t wait to go back.
