© iStock

Blue Lagoon - Yes, it's pretty and close to the airport, but it's a tourist trap teeming with people. Also, it's ridiculously expensive. 

Save your money and visit a natural, free hot pot out in the wilderness. There are plenty of them out there to discover if you ask the right people.

© iStock

Drinking water - Don't waste your money on bottled water. Iceland has some of the cleanest water in the world, free, and from the tap. 

Reduce your plastic waste and fill up your reusable bottle from the taps end enjoy some of the tastiest water in the whole wide world.

© iStock

Northern lights - If you are lucky enough to see the northern lights, don't bother trying to take photos of them with your smartphones. Only super fancy cameras can capture the true beauty of them.

Instead, be in the moment, drink in the wonder, and put the phone away!

© iStock

Hike with caution - Never hike in the wilderness without either a guide or with people that have relevant experience. The weather can turn very quickly in Iceland, leaving many a novice hiker stranded and in danger.

© iStock

City gear -

Yes, we understand you want to hike, but when you are in town, you don't need your full regalia of boots and walking sticks.

Going to the pub all dressed up in mountain gear makes you look silly. Take a look around you at the locals and wear normal city clothes!

© Shutterstock

Read the signs - Listen and read the signs. The ocean in Iceland is fierce and waves can come in very unexpectedly and carry you out. If the sign says don't go near the water, don't go near the water. 

There have been too many tourists taken out to sea by a rogue wave due to them not taking signs seriously.

© iStock

Sacred moss -

The beautiful soft fluffy moss takes hundreds of years to grow in Iceland. Do not under any circumstances pick it out of the ground for any reason. 

© Shutterstock

Off road -

Driving off-road is strictly forbidden. It can take decades for the habitat to recover after tires have ripped up fragile surfaces. You will be fined heavily if you drive off-road. 

© Shutterstock

A different currency - Iceland uses Icelandic krona as currency, not US dollars or euros. Please don't ask shops to take these currencies, you will appear very ill-informed and sometimes rather rude.

© Shutterstock

Elves - Don't ask locals if they believe in elves or hidden folk, as they are so over these questions. Also, it's a personal question, peoples' belief systems are their own.

© iStock

Swimming pools -

Swimming pools are deeply ingrained within the day-to-day life of Icelanders, as it's where they go to chat, keep up with gossip, and discuss politics. 

Enjoy the hot spots in the abundant pools throughout the country.

© Shutterstock

Camping areas -

Most villages and cities have designated camping spots. Please use them, as they are cheap and have facilities.  

Pulling up in random fields simply annoys the farmer and leaving waste behind is also a major no-no and bone of contention that is sweeping the nation. 

© Shutterstock

Alcohol - Booze can only be bought at the state-run Vínbúðin shops. They have strict opening times, so make sure you look that up.

© iStock

Beer is not actually beer - The beer you see at the supermarkets contains no alcohol. Be careful you don't fall for this no party trick.

© iStock

Human waste -

There have been a number of news reports about people that for some reason decide not to go to public bathrooms and instead do their business outside in nature (or on the side of houses!), often not cleaning up after themselves or even hiding their ‘leftovers.’ This also goes hand-in-hand with camping in areas that have no bathroom facilities.

Don't be one of those people. 

© Shutterstock

Don't litter - Don't litter! This should be a given, right? Bring a plastic bag or some small container for your cigarette stubs, chewing gum, leftover food, toilet paper, and your human waste as well!

© iStock

Stone cairns - Don't make cairns! You can find old, big, well-made cairns in the countryside, made for people to find their way from hill to hill when hiking in thick fog. These old cairns are easily distinguishable from small, tourist-made cairns.

© iStock

Whales - Meet the whales, don't eat them. Locals really don't eat a lot of whale, but curious tourists are the reason that it's served in many restaurants.

© iStock

Amazing nature - The nature is stunning and unspoiled, but it can be harsh. Stay far from boiling hot geysers, and always stick to the designated paths.

© iStock

Reykjavik - The capital and largest city of Iceland lures visitors in with its vibrant art and music scene, as well as an enviable collection of cultural and historical attractions.

© iStock

Don't freak out - Icelandic babies are left outside to nap in freezing temperatures. It is not uncommon to see a pram with a sleeping baby outside a coffee shop whilst parents are grabbing a hot drink. Or to see one outside of a home as many Icelandic babies nap outside at least once a day, no matter the season.

© iStock

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon -

Iceland's deepest and most spectacular glacial lake is simply beguiling in its beauty and tranquility.

© Shutterstock

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon -

The lagoon is celebrated for its icebergs, many of which drift out to sea. 

Do not jump on an iceberg, it may tip over, sending you straight into ice cold water. 

© iStock

Ice cream - Don't be shocked by the number of ice cream shops in the country. Icelandic people love eating ice cream even though temperatures are well below zero.

© iStock

Icelandic horse -

Small, hardy, and seriously cute, the Icelandic horse is famous for its many coat colors. In fact, there are over 100 names for various colors and color patterns in the Icelandic language.

But don't feed them, as the farmers may get very angry!

© Shutterstock

Bug spray - Leave the bug spray at home. There are no mosquitoes in Iceland. There are in fact very few insects that can do much more to bother a person than simply existing.

© iStock

Don't stop in the middle of the road - Everyone understands that Iceland is very beautiful, and you’re going to want to take many pictures.  However, stopping in the middle of the road to take a picture is never okay. At the very least, it is annoying, and at the worst, it can be very dangerous—most roads are not wide enough for cars to pass, and you risk getting hit by standing in the road.

© iStock

Leave your umbrella at home -

Even though rain is common in Iceland, no one uses an umbrella—it would be destroyed by the wind. Instead, wear thermal layers and a nice rain jacket. The rain is usually just a light drizzle, and doesn’t require special gear.

© Shutterstock

Plastic fantastic -

Iceland is a country that mostly uses credit and debit cards.  While it is always important to keep some cash on you for safety reasons, it is not necessary to take out a week’s worth of cash.  If you have too much, you may find it difficult to convert back at the end of your trip.

© Shutterstock

Common sense -

Follow signs, don’t lean over cliffs, and don’t drive off the roads! In Iceland, they give visitors the benefit of the doubt in terms of common sense and expect you won’t do anything stupid.  While there are signs across the country, there aren’t a ton of fences—be careful with the nature!

See also: The Salton Sea: from paradise to purgatory

© iStock