Currency Norwegian krone (NOK). Norway does not use the euro despite belonging to the European Economic Area. 1 USD ≈ 10.6 NOK (verify before travel).
Cashless country Norway is the world's most cashless society: 99% of transactions are made by card.
Cash The equivalent of USD 100 to 200 in Norwegian krone is more than enough as a backup. Many city buses and small cafés no longer accept cash.
Cards Visa and Mastercard work virtually everywhere. American Express has more limited acceptance (around 70%).
No-fee cards Bring a fintech card with no foreign-transaction fees (Revolut, Wise, N26): the savings in Norway are real.
Tipping Not mandatory. 5 to 10% at restaurants if the service was exceptional; nothing expected at bars or in taxis.
Schengen Norway is part of the Schengen Area although not of the European Union. The rules are the same as for France or Spain.
Latin America Colombians, Mexicans, Argentinians, Chileans and most South Americans do not require a tourist visa.
Length of stay Up to 90 days in any 180-day period for visa-exempt nationalities.
ETIAS Once the ETIAS system is in force, a prior electronic travel authorisation of approximately EUR 7, valid for three years, will be required.
Passport Must be valid for at least six months from the return date. Verify immigration rules before booking.
Vaccinations No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Norway. It is advisable to be up to date with MMR, tetanus and hepatitis A and B.
Insurance International coverage with a minimum of EUR 30,000 (Schengen requirement). USD 100,000 with remote-area evacuation is recommended.
Water Tap water is among the finest in the world. Drink it straight from the tap; buying bottled water is unnecessary and considered wasteful.
Cold The real risk is weather: technical layering in winter, never cotton next to skin. In Tromsø and Svalbard temperatures can fall to -30°C.
Hospitals World-class in Oslo and Bergen. Pharmacies (Apotek) are identified by a green sign.
Train The Vy operator connects Oslo with Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger and Bodø. The Bergensbanen is a world-famous scenic route.
Domestic flights SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe cover what the train cannot reach: they are the country's backbone given its geography.
Ferry Indispensable for Lofoten and the western fjords. The coastal route Hurtigruten connects Bergen with Kirkenes.
Car Excellent for Lofoten, the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen. Winter tyres are mandatory from November to April.
Apps Vy for trains, Ruter in Oslo, Norled for ferries, Yr.no for weather. Uber and Bolt operate in Oslo.
Official languages Norwegian in its two written forms, Bokmål and Nynorsk, and Sami in certain northern municipalities.
English Norway ranks second or third in the world for English proficiency: 90% of the urban population speaks it fluently.
Tourism Hotels, restaurants, guides and signage all function in English without friction. Spanish is a minority language but growing.
Useful phrases Hei (hello) · takk (thank you) · vær så snill (please) · skål (cheers) · unnskyld (excuse me).
Our approach CocoVolare can arrange Spanish-speaking guides in Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø with advance notice.
Silence Norwegian public spaces operate quietly. Speaking loudly on a train or ferry is perceived as intrusive.
Punctuality It is absolute. A tour booked for 09:00 departs at 09:00. Being late is read as a lack of respect.
Janteloven The social code of modesty: one does not boast about wealth, travel or income, especially outside Oslo.
Shoes Removing your shoes when entering a Norwegian home is a universal rule. Bring clean socks.
Nature The allemannsretten gives everyone the right to walk and camp freely on uncultivated land. Recycling is a social obligation.
01 · Capital
2–3 nights
