How I Started a New Life in Iceland
The Unexpected Journey That Made Iceland My Home
My final destination after almost a year of backpacking around Europe was supposed to be a short stop in Iceland.
I had spent months exploring new cities, cultures, and landscapes with nothing more than a backpack and curiosity guiding me. My next plan was clear: from Iceland I would continue traveling.
But the world had other plans.
As news about COVID-19 spread across the globe, borders began closing one by one. Flights were canceled, and uncertainty filled the air. The journey I had carefully imagined suddenly disappeared overnight.
I wasn’t just changing plans anymore.
I was stranded.
And like millions of people around the world, I was about to face a reality none of us had experienced before.
When the World Suddenly Stopped
I stayed at Hlemmur Hostel in Reykjavik during those first weeks. The hostel quickly became a meeting place for travelers from all over the world who had found themselves stuck in the same situation.
At first, none of us believed the lockdown would last very long. Maybe a few weeks, we thought. Maybe a month.
So instead of worrying too much about the future, I made friends.
In situations like that, connections happen quickly. We shared stories, cooked meals together, and tried to keep the atmosphere positive despite the uncertainty outside.
Eventually four of us had an idea.
If we were stuck in Iceland… why not explore it?
So we rented a campervan and set off on a road trip around the island.
A Storm I’ll Never Forget
The adventure quickly became unforgettable.
Driving through Iceland felt surreal. Massive waterfalls appeared suddenly beside the road. Black sand beaches stretched endlessly along the coast. Snow-covered mountains stood in the distance like silent giants.
Then, one night near the famous glacier lagoon, everything changed.
A snowstorm arrived.
What started as a beautiful snowy landscape quickly turned into a powerful storm that trapped us in the parking lot for a day and a half. The wind shook the campervan and snow kept piling up around us.
It was the first time in my life I had experienced something like that.
At the same time, it was strangely magical. There we were four travellers from different parts of the world, stuck in the middle of Iceland’s wild nature, sharing food, stories, and laughter while waiting for the storm to pass.
And when it finally did, the landscapes we saw afterward were even more breathtaking.
It was one of those moments that reminds you how small you are compared to nature and how lucky you are to experience it.
Life in a World That Didn’t Know What Was Next
When we returned to Reykjavik, weeks had passed and the situation around the world had become much worse.
Airports were closing. Travel had nearly stopped everywhere.
The atmosphere in the hostel slowly changed from adventurous to uncertain. Many of the friends I had made started worrying about what would happen next.
And honestly, I did too.
Fortunately, the Icelandic government stepped in to help travelers like us, allowing many of us to remain in the hostel for several months while tourism had completely stopped.
But eventually the hostel had to close due to the severe impact the pandemic had on tourism.
So I made a decision.
Instead of waiting, I would keep moving forward.
A New Chapter in Selfoss
I found an opportunity to volunteer in Selfoss, a small town in the south of Iceland.
There, life felt calmer than in many other parts of the world. Even though restrictions existed and some places opened and closed depending on the situation, people could still go outside, enjoy nature, and continue some parts of daily life.
During those months I built new friendships, experienced a slower lifestyle, and discovered how deeply connected Icelandic life is to nature.
Living close to the landscapes rivers, mountains, open skies changed my perspective.
Returning Home… But Not for Long
After ten months in Iceland, I finally returned to Mexico to see my family.
After almost two years away from home, that reunion meant everything.
But something had changed inside me.
During those months in Iceland I had discovered a different way of living calmer, closer to nature, and full of possibilities.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
So after spending six months with my family, I made another big decision:
I would return to Iceland.
Not as a traveler this time.
But to build a life.
Building a Life From Scratch
I returned to Iceland determined to make it work.
I started the process of applying for a residence permit, finding work, and searching for a place to live. While waiting for the paperwork, I stayed with 2 friends that I made in Selfoss and tried to stay positive during the long waiting process.
Eventually I decided to volunteer again, this time in Sólheimar, a beautiful eco-community surrounded by nature.
I spent months there working in the greenhouse and forest department outdoors during one of the coldest and darkest winters I had ever experienced.
It was challenging.
But also unforgettable.
After surviving that winter, I joked that I was ready for anything.
The Moment Everything Changed
Then in October 2021, the news finally arrived.
My residence permit had been approved.
I moved back to Reykjavik, found an apartment, and began the next challenge: finding a job.
It wasn’t easy.
I sent countless emails with my CV. I called companies. I walked into offices and asked if I could speak with someone in human resources.
Every time I did it, my hands were shaking from nerves.
And many times the answer was “no.”
But eventually, one day, the answer changed.
I got my first job with Reykjavik Excursions, one of the oldest tourism companies in Iceland.
That moment felt like the beginning of a new chapter.
Finding My Place in Iceland
Slowly, Iceland started to feel like home.
I began taking Icelandic classes, going to the gym and swimming pools like locals do, and exploring the country whenever I had the chance.
Many of my friends were foreigners too people who had come from all over the world to build lives here. Over time, they became something even more important:
A new family.
I changed jobs several times, always learning more about tourism, and the culture of Iceland.
I worked in travel agencies and hotel reception and one thing became clear to me.
I loved helping travelers experience Iceland.
Turning Passion Into Purpose
For years I shared advice with visitors:
Where to go.
What to see.
Where to eat.
How to experience Iceland beyond the typical tourist spots.
I realized that my passion wasn’t just traveling.
It was helping others travel better.
So after nearly five years living in Iceland, learning the culture, exploring the country, and working in tourism, I decided to take the biggest step yet.
I started my own travel company.
And in 2023, something even more special happened.
I met my partner and my best friend, someone who shares the same love for exploring the world and discovering new cultures. Together we began growing the dream even further.
The Journey That Was Never Planned
Looking back, it’s incredible to think how it all started.
A backpacking trip.
A global pandemic.
Ten unexpected months in Iceland.
What once felt like being stranded turned into the adventure that completely changed my life.
Sometimes the most important journeys are the ones we never planned.
Want to Travel Deeper, Not Just Farther?
After years of living in Iceland, exploring its hidden corners, working in tourism, and learning its culture from the inside, I realized something important: the best way to experience a place is not just to visit it, but to truly connect with it.
Iceland became the place where my unexpected journey turned into a new life. But my passion for travel didn’t start here — it grew while backpacking across Europe and discovering cultures around the world, and it continues to grow every time I return home to Mexico, another place full of incredible landscapes, food, traditions, and stories.
Through my travels, I’ve learned that every destination has two sides: the places everyone sees, and the places only locals know.
Today, I help travelers experience both.
I create personalized trips in Iceland and Mexico, sharing the hidden spots, authentic experiences, and local perspectives that transformed the way I travel. Whether it’s chasing waterfalls in Iceland, discovering local food and culture in Mexico, or simply helping you design a meaningful adventure somewhere in the world, my goal is always the same:
To help you travel deeper, not just farther.
✨ If you’re dreaming about your next adventure, I’d love to help you plan it.
Your journey might just become the beginning of something unforgettable. ✨