Water

Tub water is drinkable all over Finland. You just need to have one refillable water bottle with you. Water is not a scarce natural resource in Finland but for warming it up energy is needed, so please keep this is mind when taking showers.

We do not drink lake water but you can swim in it unless there are cyanobacterial blooms (mainly in July-early August). Please check the situation here https://www.ymparisto.fi/en-US

Climate

We have continental climate which means it is very cold in winter and on the other hand it can be hot in summer. “Cold” means temperature under -15 degrees Celsius (down to -40). “Hot” means temperature over +25 degrees Celsius (up to +34). Weather forecast can be found https://foreca.com

Fire

Do not make open fire anywhere else but at official campfire places where also firewood is normally available. Do not cut any trees without a permission by the landowner. In case a forest fire warning has been given, it is not allowed to make any kind of open fire (orange or red warning at https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/warnings).

Garbage

We recycle our garbage in Finland. Most accommodation has separate bins for plastic, cardboard, eco (compostable) and other garbage.

Waste stations can often be found next to shopping malls and supermarkets. All plastic bottles used are PET-bottles meaning they are recycled. In every grocery store there is a bottle refund automate. When making picnics in nature always carry back all garbage you have carried in.

Every man's right

Public access rights, or so-called everyman's rights, refer to the right of everyone in Finland to enjoy outdoor pursuits (=incl. picking berries and mushroom) regardless of who owns or occupies an area. You do not need the landowner's permission, and there is no charge. However, you must not damage the environment or disturb others while exercising public access rights. Read more: https://www.ymparisto.fi/en-us/nature/everymans_rights

Ticks and mosquitos

There are ticks in summer, more widely in coastal areas and archipelago. It is recommended to check yourselves after moving around in nature. You can see where ticks have been observed and also other information https://www.punkkilive.fi/en?gclid=CjwKCAjwy_aUBhACEiwA2IHHQAKxCPTZFR7gt9rAqWPyyap77X2VA2orfZhLbOLxzq68DQy1bH6hpxoC3QgQAvD_BwE

Mosqitos (June-July): There are mosquitos, which bite and can case an itchy rash. Please reserve mosquito spray or cream with you and hydrocortison cream for the bites. The local mosquitos do not spread any dangerous disease.

Elk flies (August): Although their life cycle depends on deer, they may on rare occasions bite humans, producing responses ranging from unnoticeable to highly allergic. Initially, the bite may be barely noticeable and leaves little or no trace. We recommend to wear a hat with a net during berry picking tours.

Snakes: common adder is the only poisonous snake. They tend to avoid people as well as other wild animals. 

Tipping and VAT

There is no tipping culture in Finland. We have minimum salaries and all salary costs as well as value added tax is always included in prices.