CHECKLIST FOR YOUR CAMPING ADVENTURE
Iceland is a different kind of place and if you wanna survive here in the land of fire and ice, there is stuff you need to know and bring for camping. Here’s our checklist:
CASH
The Icelandic króna (ISK) is the monetary unit here in Iceland. Exchange your own currency into ISK is easy as the Keflavík Airport has a bank and ATM available. Since the financial crisis in 2008, the króna fluctuates a lot. Just keep in mind that:
1.00 EUR = 139.04 ISK (May 31, 2016)
You also need to know that here in Iceland every shop, every gas station every campsite, every grandmother knitting a wool sweater has a credit card machine. It’s stressful to travel around with lots of cash and in Iceland you don’t have to. Memorize your pin and keep minimum amounts of cash with you in case of emergencies.
FOOD
Rent a cooler. The cooler will save you money and time if you fill it with essentials. I recommend you buy local food as you travel, it is fresh, it is environmentally friendly and it supports the smaller towns whom you’ll be travelling through. You’ll find typical hot dog/hamburger/pizza gas stations every 50 km. But most of them taste like garbage and cost an arm and a leg.
WATER
If you want to save money and don’t want to be the subject of jokes, don’t buy water at the supermarket. The Icelandic tap water is completely safe and high-quality. Drinking water is available everywhere in Iceland.
ALCOHOL
In Iceland, the government runs the alcohol distribution (no we are not part of N-Korea). This means that you can’t buy beer anywhere. There are state run alcohol stores in all «major» towns but their opening hours are limited, plus they can be hard to find as alcohol advertising is strictly forbidden. Buy more than you think you need and refill always when you can.
CLOTHING
In Iceland, the weather is pretty unpredictable and differs from the different parts of the country and the seasons. Despite everything, raincoat pants, waterproof hooded coats, fleece jackets, gloves, scarfs and beanies will probably become your best-friends during your trip here. I know what you are thinking about.. That’s not the prettiest outfit but to look like the Michelin Man is the price to pay if you don’t want to freeze to death. Don’t panic, if you don’t have any warm pullover, you will have the opportunity to contribute to our local economy buying the authentic Lopapeysa, Icelandic style of woolen sweater. Now, in order to end on a high note your new Icelandic style, forget your heels or loafers and swap them for good hiking shoes or sneakers. Finally, the must have: your most beautiful swimsuit.
DAYLIGHT
If you plan to come between November and February, there are only five hours of sun per day, so don’t forget your flashlights if you don’t want to be plunged into darkness from 4pm. At the contrary, during summer, days last a long time. Sun goes down only three hours per day and there are 24 hours of natural light per day.
Now, you are absolutely ready to come and enjoy your trip here!
Iceland is waiting for you guys!
