Getting Around: Nuuk is a small city. This makes it convenient for tourists since most of the attractions are within walking distance. When walking is not desirable, there are taxis and public buses. In fact, there was a bus stop across the street from our hotel, Hotel Hans Egede. Vehicle rental is also an option but we were told by a tour guide that many of the rental vehicles are old and not in the best condition. Additionally, driving is only possible within the city since no towns, cities, or settlements in Greenland are connected by roads.
Getting To Nuuk from the U.S.: Although it was not well publicized during the planning stage of our trip, there are seasonal IcelandAir flights between Keflavik, Iceland and Nuuk. This route eliminated the need to fly to Denmark and then to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland before flying to Nuuk.
Passport Stamp: Our arrival in Greenland at the Nuuk airport was the most laid-back foreign arrival we’ve ever experienced. There were no security checkpoints or customs officers. Consequently, there was no one to stamp our passports. We were told we could get our passports stamped at the post office if we desired. We didn’t bother to do it.
Make Dinner Reservations Early: We were hoping to try some local Greenlandic seafood for dinner during our only evening in Nuuk. We were told that the Nipisa Restaurant would be our best opportunity to do this. Unfortunately, we did not have reservations and the restaurant was booked solid. We ended up eating at the Charoen Porn Thai Restaurant instead since they had an open table. The food was good but reservations are recommended at this restaurant as well.
CITES Requirement: Common souvenir items in Greenland are rugs and clothing made from furs such as seal, fox, reindeer, and polar bear. There were also carvings (tupilak) and jewelry made from animal bones and tusk. Some of these items such as those made from walrus, polar bear, and whales are prohibited from being brought into the U.S. unless you show proof that the animal was not poached. Therefore, if you are considering purchasing these items, ask for a CITES certificate at the shops to verify the product will pass U.S. customs. There are some items made from certain species of whale that are flat out banned. The CITES documentation can help you determine which ones.
Language: The official language of Greenland is Greenlandic; however, since Greenland is a territory of Denmark, Danish is also widely spoken. Fortunately for us Anglophones, most of the people I met spoke English well. In addition to Greenlandic and Danish, English is a required language in the Greenlandic school system.
Currency: The local currency is the Danish Kroner (DKK). There are ATMs inside the Pisifik grocery store next to Hotel Hans Egede that dispense this currency. Just be aware that the ATMs are only available during store hours. Although I used the ATM to obtain petty cash, I used my credit card for all my purchases in Nuuk.