Sustainable Bliss: Embracing Finland's Natural Delights in Ruka-Kuusamo and Oulu

🇫🇮 Embrace the Arctic allure and experience the distinct charm of Finland’s four seasons. Immerse yourself in the vibrancy of the midnight sun during the enchanting summer months, where daylight extends into a perpetual glow, offering endless opportunities to explore this enchanting land. Safety is ingrained in Finland’s ethos, with an astonishing 11 out of 12 lost wallets finding their way back to their owners, ensuring peace of mind for travelers.

🍁 Highlights of Autumn

Autumn is a great time to travel to Finland. You will experience the brisk mornings and see beautiful autumn colors when nature is preparing for the winter season. In autumn you will also have a good chance to see migrating birds getting ready for their journey to the South. Autumn is the best season for foraging and you will find true Finnish superfood, wild berries and mushrooms in the forests throughout the country. It is also the beginning of the Northern Light season and if you are lucky you might see these spectacular lights in the northern sky.

🛶 Oulu

Embark on a captivating journey through Oulu, the European Capital of Culture 2026, where the intricate tapestry of Finland's northern allure awaits. From the innovative blend of technology and tradition to the serene retreats amidst nature's bounty, each moment in Oulu unfolds like a cherished chapter in a story of exploration and discovery. Traverse the Gulf of Bothnia to uncover the hidden gems of Hailuoto, indulge in thrilling adventures, and find solace in the Arctic Lighthouse Hotel's embrace. Return to the mainland to immerse yourself in the tranquility of Liminka Nature Center before exploring Oulu's vibrant waterfront, culminating in an evening of sauna boat serenity and Lapland Hotel indulgence. As the journey draws to a close, workshops and festivities bid farewell, leaving behind cherished memories of Finland's northern jewel.

🦌 Ruka-Kuusamo

A journey to discover the unmatched beauty of Ruka-Kuusamo, a year-round outdoor destination nestled in the Nordic wilderness. Begin your adventure by engaging in authentic experiences, from settling into high-quality accommodations and indulging in northern flavors at Pohjolan Pirtti  to diving into reindeer herding culture at Kujala Reindeer Farm and finding peace amidst nature with reindeer yoga. Savor a Lappish hut dinner by the open fire before thrilling group activities like hiking, canoeing, or gravel biking, followed by a wilderness lunch and immersive sauna tour. Experience luxury at Rukan Salonki Chalets and get spoiled with a wild food dinner, setting the stage for exhilarating summer sled track adventure, engagement in sustainability programs, and community involvement through a carpet washing activity with Adventure Apes. 

Throughout, the program fosters connections and cherishes memories, offering a transformative experience that celebrates nature’s wonders and human connections in the wilderness.

💡 Before You Leave

You need a valid national passport or another equivalent that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality. If you aren’t a citizen of Finland or another European Economic Area (EEA) country, you may also need a visa. Please check with your local Finnish Embassy, and they’ll be happy to help you. Source: Visit Finland. You will not need to get any vaccinations prior to arrival. In exceptional circumstances (global pandemics and the like), any new updates will be clearly available on the government’s travel advice pages.

💧 Drinking water

Finland has the cleanest water in the world and drinking tap water is completely safe and highly recommended. For sustainability reasons you will be provided with a reusable water bottle you can fill in during your travels instead of purchasing bottled water.

🕝 Timezone

Finland UTC+3 (Eastern European Summer Time)

🛫 Arrival Airport

Helsinki is the capital city of Finland. You will be arriving at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), which was recently awarded the best airport in Europe in terms of customer experience (15-25 million passenger size category).

🌐 Languages

Finnish is the main language and other official languages include Swedish and Sami but English is widely spoken.

🤗 Local customs and culture

Finnish people are warm, open and sincere, even though they might tell you otherwise. If you’ve ever met a Finn, chances are they’ve mentioned the reserved nature of their countrymen. Finns are talkative and hospitable, but the myth of the withdrawn Finn is still alive and well within Finland. And Finns, with their self-deprecating wit, will be the first to let foreigners in on it. An example of a Finnish joke: “An introverted Finn looks at his shoes when talking to you; an extroverted Finn looks at your shoes.”

Source: Visit Finland

Read more at: What are Finns like?

📲 Communication

Check with your local cell phone service provider about plans and what fee will apply for you to use your phone network in Finland. There is free wifi widely available in all public areas such as hotels, restaurants and attractions. Your Adventure Apes guide will help you with the internet access wherever it’s available.

📶 Mobile phone coverage

Despite sparsely populated areas, Finland’s mobile phone coverage is reliable and covers much of the country. Very remote areas may not have cell phone reception, but your Adventure Apes guide will inform you in advance about these situations.

🏦 Currency and banking

Finland is part of the European Union and the currency in Finland is Euro (€). All major credit cards are accepted at most places. Some smaller shops in rural areas may only accept cash. If this is the case, your guide will inform you about these special considerations beforehand. In general, payments are most often made by credit card and carrying large amounts of Euro is not necessary. Finland is also a full member of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT). Commercial banking is fully compliant with EU banking law.

💲 Spending Guide

Coffee at cafeteria: 3-5 Euros

Soda at cafeteria: 5 Euros

Average lunch: 15-20 Euros

🔌 Electricity

Voltage: 220–240 Volts. Electrical sockets (outlets) in Finland are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: ”Type C” Europlug and ”Type E/F” Schuko.

📞 Dialing code

When you are calling to Finland from abroad, dial +358 as a country code.

🆘 Emergencies

Please call 112, for urgent medical attention, police or firefighters. Installing a free of charge mobile phone application Suomi 112 is highly recommended (available on Google playstore and Apple app store). When calling 112 via the application the authorities will automatically receive the coordinates of your location.

💊 Medicine

Supermarkets do not sell any medicine and the only place where you can buy medications in Finland are at the pharmacies, called “Apteekki” in Finnish. Please make sure to carry a prescription, in case you have one.

📃 Travel insurance

Adventure Apes require you to purchase adequate travel insurance from your home country before arriving in Finland. Having proper travel insurance not only makes things easier in the unlikely event something happens, but can also save you a lot of money. For European travellers, we recommend applying for a European Travel Insurance Card. It costs nothing and saves you a lot of time and money in the event of sudden health issues.

👛 Tipping

Tipping is not expected in Finland and a service charge is added in hotels and restaurants.