By McKay Savage, Flickr Creative Commons

In the country of fire and frost, geothermal hot springs are

one of the best ways to warm up, and the Blue Lagoon is the king of them all. Though it is an undeniable attraction, there are a lot of things that could come as a surprise to first-time visitors. If floating in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon is high on your bucket list, read on for the six most important things you should know about Iceland's Blue Lagoon -- that no one tells you.

1. This is Not a Local Hangout

The Blue Lagoon is one of country’s most popular attractions,

and roughly 80 percent of tourists to Iceland make their way here at some point. I knew this going in, but I was still surprised at what a total production it is. This is tourism’s ground zero, my friends. You’ll be outfitted

with a special electronic bracelet upon arrival that allows you to purchase

food and drinks, and you’ll pay it off when you leave. If you lose this

bracelet, you’ll be charged a penalty fee. If you need a towel or robe or

slippers, you’ll have to pay to rent them.

2. It’s Not in Reykjavik

It’s in Keflavik, which is about an hour away from the main

center of Reykjavik, near the airport. If your plane arrives during the

day, you can book a bus from the airport (through Gray Line) that

will take you to the lagoon, and then on to the main city. You can also do this

in reverse, stopping at the Blue Lagoon on your way to the airport.

3. You Shower Naked Before You Enter

By Clry2, Flickr Creative Commons

Most public pools make you shower before you enter the

water, and the Blue Lagoon is no exception. The notable difference? Here, you shower sans bathing suit. It’s a little strange at first, but there are

several closed stalls you can choose to shower in, so you don’t have to bare it

all to the world. On my visit, there was a Blue Lagoon employee in the shower

area to enforce this rule.

4. It Is a Full Blown Spa

Somehow in my head I thought the Blue Lagoon was going to be a small, intimate affair, but the structure itself is absolutely massive. The property houses a hotel, restaurants, and banquet

facilities, and also offers spa treatments that are done in-water, as you float

on a rubber mat. A full hour-long massage in the water costs 95 euros and a silica

salt scrub, which uses Blue Lagoon minerals, is 80 euros for 30 minutes.

5. You Can Have Your Hotel Concierge Book Your Visit

Since a visit to the Blue Lagoon is one of the most iconic

Iceland experiences, it’s important to plan your visit in advance to make sure

you’re able to get in — the Lagoon does fill to capacity from time to time, and

you may be turned away. Reserve your spot when you book a bus to the Blue

Lagoon, which staff at any hotel, like CenterHotel Thingholt, can book for you.

6. It’s Not Cheap

First, there’s the cost of entrance, which is 40 euros if

you book online, and 45 euros if you just walk in. If you want to rent a towel,

that’s another five euros; a bathrobe, another 10, and cocktails are seven euros each.

Without eating anything, you’ve spent at least 55 Euros, which at the moment is roughly 60 U.S. dollars. The Blue Lagoon

sells itself as a luxury experience, and to enjoy it, you’re going to be paying

a luxury price.

Looking for a less expensive alternative? Try the Myvatn

Nature Baths in Northern Iceland, which are also blue ($27 admission), the

Secret Lagoon ($18 admission), or the Fontana Baths (an hour from Reykjavik, with $25 admission),

or Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik’s public pools,

which will only set you back $7 for admission.

‘Patriotic’ Turkish Pestemal Towel by Linum Home Textiles

Although the Blue Lagoon offers the option to rent a towel (and a swimsuit, for that matter), we suggest you just bring your own for your time.

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NOW WATCH: 6 Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

Have you been to the Blue Lagoon? What was your experience like?

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