Today the Netherlands is the largest exporter of tulips worldwide, and many visitors flock there each year for the explicit purpose of enjoying these colorful blooms. One thing is certain: Those in the country during tulip season (March through mid-May) should not miss seeing them.

The Keukenhof garden, located about 45 minutes outside of Amsterdam, is one of the most popular places for tulip viewing, but if you wish to stay in the city, we have some tips for tulip spotting, buying and exploring in Amsterdam.

Bloemenmarkt: Look but don’t buy

Amsterdam’s famed Bloemenmarkt (located at Muntplein) is the only floating flower market in the world, and the stands are packed wall to wall with flowers and bulbs available for purchase. But hold back temptation and stick to snapping pictures. These prices are the most expensive in the city.

If you want to buy tulips, a good alternative is the Albert Hein supermarket, with locations just across the way on both ends of the market. And keep your eye out for tulip vendors walking around the city streets—they often sell bundles of up to 50 flowers for €5!

Try the Tulip Museum

If you’re interested in how tulips shaped the history of the country, as well as global trade, check out the Tulip Museum. It’s small, it’s cute and it’s conveniently located on the Prinsengracht. It takes about 30 minutes to go through museum, and the admission price is €6. (There is no charge to browse in the upstairs Museum Bulb Shop.)

The best part about the museum is that it’s run buy flower farmers, which means they’re passionate and well-educated about all things tulip. Yes, these are the people whose job is to tend to those beautiful, orderly rows of flora along the Dutch countryside. They know the best tips and tricks for tulip tending, as well as where to find the best deals of the day.

Bulb buying? Look for labels

In North America it’s possible to bring tulips home if they’re bulbs. However, you must absolutely, definitely, 100 percent make sure they are certified to be admitted into your country. How can you tell? Look for a sticker on the bag that specifically says you’re good to go.

To buy bulbs with a lucky label, you may have to dish out a tourist price. The Bloemenmarkt is an option, as is the small flower stand located on Damrak just between Centraal Station and Dam Square. Also visit the Tulip Museum for a heads up on the latest good finds.

Take a tulip-spotting stroll

The Artis Zoo is one of the sweetest spots (especially for familes) to walk around and admire Amsterdam’s tulips. But tulips are everywhere in the city, especially along the Museumplein, Vondelpark area and Canal Belt.

If you’re a real tulip lover, however, get out of the city. There are endless tulip fields, and nothing beats a day trip biking along scenic, peaceful farmland. Keukenhof, one of the most photographed spots in the world, holds more than 6 million flowers. To reach it, catch a bus from Schiphol Airport. A ticket costs €21 and includes admission to the garden. (Keukenhof is open until May 20).

For more information, read our post on taking a day trip to the Keukenhof.

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Regardless of whether this is your first or tenth time in Amsterdam, here are some “irregular” activities to avoid when you’re visiting Amsterdam:

1. Beggars

If you’re new to Europe, especially if you haven’t headed south, you may be surprised to see people on the sides of sidewalks and streets aggressively asking for money. Some are genuinely in need, while others are dressed for the part. An older woman with a large shawl covering her hair and upper body could very well be hiding a normal outfit underneath.

It sounds heartless, but you should be very careful about giving away money. Your generosity could backfire, and you could find yourself ensnared in another scam… or losing your wallet.

2. Tulip stands

Tulips are a symbol of Dutch culture, but the season itself is short. In fact, tulip bulbs can only be planted during the autumn, and chances of successfully growing from bulbs bought out of season are low to impossible.

But that doesn’t stop vendors from selling bulbs year ’round, and the flower market is open every season. Don’t buy flower bulbs on a whim, do your research first and find out which purchases are worth buying, and which will even survive. (Read more about buying tulips here.)

3. Prostitutes

The world’s oldest profession is a legal one in the Netherlands, and the women are rightfully well-experienced with negotiations. If you are going to partake in this business, know exactly what will happen before entering a “red light” room. Will there be physical activity? Where, what, and for how long will determine the price.

Pay careful attention to the details and to what is agreed upon – even the slightest interaction can cost an extra €5 or €10. This isn’t technically a “scam,” but rather a very shrewd business deal. Treat it as such before having any fun.

4. Taxis

Taxis in Amsterdam have a reputation for being over-priced and drivers are known to take long, unnecessary detours. Before hopping in, see that the base price isn’t above €8. Tell the driver where you want to go, and ask him his route. If it doesn’t sound right, go for another cab.

By April 2012, the starting price will be €2.50, the price per kilometer will be €1.83 and the price per minute will be 30 cents. (Read more about taxis and other forms of transportation in Amsterdam.)

5. Junkies

The Red Light District at night has its fair share of sketchy men selling hard drugs and stolen bikes. Despite what they claim to have, you really shouldn’t trust anything they say. To avoid getting in trouble with the law, ignore these sellers. Taking their word will bring nothing but trouble — and their goods are usually fake anyway.

Amsterdam is safe

In the end, Amsterdam is a safe place for tourists, and the buying and selling of goods is well regulated, from the coffeeshops to the boat rides. Use your instincts – if your gut feeling says something is too expensive or too good to be true, back away and find something that feels right.

Have you been scammed in Amsterdam?

Have you encountered any scams while visiting Amsterdam? Tell us about it in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Looking for hotels in Amsterdam that won’t scam you into paying too much? Our editors have pounded down the pavement in Amsterdam looking for affordable hotels, from no-star to three-star, that are central, clean and cheap. Read our recommendations in our guide to Amsterdam.

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Trains are below the terminal

The Dutch are amazing at making the most of a small space. The entire airport train station is located down, way down, below the main passenger area. Escalator ramps tow visitors to the lower deck, while train departure information can be checked from the main floor. (FYI: It’s about a 20-minute trip to Amsterdam Central Station.)

Train tickets? Head to the yellow kiosks

Yellow electronic box kiosks are placed throughout the passenger terminal area and serve as a fast and easy way to buy a train ticket to your destination. All are locked and loaded with a touch screen, credit card payment (and coins) and English language option (see the UK flag on the bottom right of the screen). It takes just a few minutes and beats waiting in line to buy the same yellow ticket from the service desk.

You have nothing to declare, period

When it comes to Dutch airport authority, be polite yet direct. Never have a vague purpose for your trip; always have an answer. The Declarations wing is not for tourists or travelers, and just because you arrive from an international flight does not mean you have to stop each time you see an official.

“Americans might think they need to go through customs, but they just have to walk through Nothing To Declare without looking guilty,” says Lynelle Barrett, an editor at Expatica.com, an info site for expatriates. “That can save you from getting caught in a situation you don’t have to deal with in the first place.”

Leave your Amsterdam “trinkets” in Amsterdam

Departing from Schipol to catch a flight home? Regardless of where you’re going, soft drugs like marijuana are illegal to traffic – and that’s exactly what you’re doing if you don’t toss your party favors before boarding. Not to mention the obvious truth of these substances most likely being illegal where you land. Any trace can be detected, counted, and lead to serious trouble.

Tulips and cheese

Tulips going to the US need an official gold stamp, or seal, to certify it is safe to plant this bulb in American soil. These stamps can be purchased for a few euros from the flower shop, and some bulb bags might already have this seal. Either way, be 100 percent sure you’ve got the gold – it would be a pity to dump Dutch tulips with your liquids.

Dutch farm cheese is tricky – it depends on your customs officer. The rule is any cheese coming in to the US must be pasteurized, and this is not always the case in Europe. To up your chances, wrap your cheese well and go for the hard stuff.

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