Practical Information » North America » Continental North America » Canada »

Canada

Getting Started & Practical Information

When to Visit

Canada's weather can vary from so miserably cold you won't leave the building to nearly as miserably hot, but for most of the year the temperature can be easily overcome with the right clothing. Despite the weather, Canada is a great place to visit year-round depending on what you're looking for.

Canada is a winter sports paradise and the colder months (December-March), although having few sunlight hours, offer great alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and the nation's favorite pastime (obsession), hockey. However during this period average temperatures vary from 35˚ F (3˚ C) in Vancouver to -18˚ F (-28˚ C) in Yellowknife.

The fall (autumn) in Canada can be unpredictable, however tourist crowds are significantly reduced. It offers breathtaking fall foliage (especially in Quebec), and some of the animals from the north, like the polar bears travel further south and can be seen in a number of locations, like Churchill, Manitoba.

For most people, summer is the best time to visit much of the country, especially if you plan on hiking (or even driving) in the national parks in the Canadian Rockies. The summer also offers great animal sightings in the wilderness, whale watching on the coasts, and the most pleasant temperatures to meander around the cities, but tends to be the country's busiest tourist season (although big cities are busy all the time). During this period average temperatures vary from 72˚ F (22˚ C) in Toronto to 46˚ F (8˚ C) in Iqaluit. Most locals and foreigners travel around Canada during the summer months from about May to August.

Spring, like the fall is a great time to visit from coast to coast and, although the weather can be unpredictable, provides some of the shortest lines and minimal crowds at most of the tourist sites.

A final point to consider before planning your travel is local holidays. Holidays can make travel either more attractive, such as for large festivals, or less attractive, due to tourist site closings and more expensive transportation options. See Canada's Official & Unofficial Holidays.

Weather

Although weather can be generalized based upon years past, for more up to date weather patterns and predicted future weather patterns, visit weather websites like weather.com; many local news sources also have information for international weather forecasts.

Tours & Cruises

If you're looking for a pre-arranged trip, that involves little effort on your part, then you should consider going on an organized tour or cruise. Organized tours and cruises vary from all expenses included to only daily tours and perhaps hotels included in the price, but all the options below will help you arrange all the details so you don't have to worry about finding the best deal or right hotel.

Canada Tours: Offers both daily city tours and all-inclusive multi-day tours.

Caravan Tours: In business since the 1950s, Caravan offers tours too all ages, but there are few young people on many of their tours.

Carnival Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.

Contiki Tours: A tour company that only offers tours to 18-35 year olds; known as offering fun and social tours for young singles and couples.

Disney Cruise Lines: Cruises open to everyone, but filled with families and plenty to keep children occupied.

Gap Adventures: Known best among young adults, Gap Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food, which cuts costs and introduces the local culture, but can also be challenging for those seeking luxury.

Holland America Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.

Intrepid Travel: Boasts more "off the beaten track" destinations; do your research though since some tours are very adventurous and involves camping and local hotels.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Cruises for all ages and families; less formal than many cruise lines.

Princess Cruise Lines: Cruises for all ages and families.

Road Scholar: For older adults, Road Scholar offers tours with an educational emphasis; formerly known as Elder Hostel.

Royal Caribbean: Cruises for all ages and families.

Guidebooks

If you are just traveling on business and have little free time or are already familiar with Canada, you may not need anything more than SafariTheGlobe.com's Free Mini Guide to Canada! However, if you need more detailed and up to date information, there are a number of great country-wide, region-wide, and city-wide guidebooks available for travel in Canada.

Eyewitness Guides: Incredible pictures and detailed maps of popular tourist sites including museums. Those living abroad can't put these books down.

Fodor's: Good maps and information for the major tourist locations, but has little information for anyone heading off the beaten track. Great for those on organized tours.

Frommer's: Incredible number of lists, which divide travel into various categories based upon your interests. Travelers looking to spend most of their time in a single location or on organized tours enjoy these books.

Lonely Planet: Great maps and updated often with comprehensive housing information, restaurants, & transportation options. Backpackers and adventurers love these guidebooks.

National Geographic Traveler: Almost more of an information book about Canada, than a guidebook; offers great pictures, maps, history, and culture. Popular with armchair travelers and history buffs on organized tours.

Visas

Many foreign nationals need a visa to enter Canada, however the requirements for citizens of different nationalities varies. To learn more about who need visas, what type of visa is needed, what requirements are needed to obtain a visa, and visa costs, please visit the Citizenship & Immigration Canada Department.

Health & Insurance

Every part of the world has different health concerns and diseases, including Canada. Before traveling, consult with a physician to learn more about your destination and what steps you can take to prevent illness. At the time of writing, Canada didn't have any health immunizations that are required prior to arrival, although a number of immunizations are strongly recommended.

Many health insurance providers don't cover health care that is provided outside your home country. Before going abroad check with your health insurance to see if they cover international care. If not, consider purchasing an international medical insurance option, preferably from a company that specializes in international medical insurance.

Transportation

Unless you're on an organized tour or working with a travel agent, you will have to arrange some transportation. The below links can greatly help you start your planning, first by finding a flight to Canada, then with domestic airlines and car rental agencies. If you don't know where to begin, try the "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" to learn competitor's prices during your trip.

Largest International Airlines: Air France, American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific; China Southern Airlines; Delta; Emirates; KLM; LAN; Lufthansa; Qantas; Singapore Airlines; United Airlines.

Largest Canadian Airlines: Air Canada & West Jet.

Largest Rental Car Agencies in Canada: Avis; Budget; Dollar; Hertz; Pay Less; Thrifty.

Flight & Rental Car Search Sites: Expedia.com; Farecast.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Housing

Housing options are numerous in most tourist destinations, but every individual seeks out something different when it comes to housing. The below links should help you get started, with low- to high-end hotels, hostels, and camping options.

Popular International Hotel Conglomerates: Accor Group (various price ranges); Choice Hotels (low- to mid-price range); Hilton (various price ranges); Hyatt (high-end to resorts); InterContinental Group (mid- to high-price range); Marriott Family (various price ranges); Starwood Hotels (high-end); Wyndham Hotels (low- to mid-price range).

Hotel Search Sites: Expedia.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Hostels: Although there are many hostel websites, some of the most popular and reputable include hostels.com, hostelworld.com, & hostelbookers.com.

Camping: The best starting point for Camping Options in Canada can be found on the Canadian National Park Website. Although there are dozens of camping locations throughout the country, some of the best are in Canada's National Parks.

Opening Hours, Expenses, & Tipping

Canada is on the same time schedule as much of northern Europe and the United States. Shops and tourist attractions tend to open at about 9:00 am and close at about 5:00 pm. While shops only tend to remain open Monday-Friday, tourist sites often times are open on the weekends (Saturday & Sunday) and typically with extended hours on Saturdays.

Restaurant hours vary depending on what they serve and the time of day. Most Canadians eat breakfast prior to work, have lunch between about 11:30 am and 2:00 pm, and dinner anywhere from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Bars, pubs, and dance clubs tend to open for dinner (or later) and remain open until about 2:00 am.

Canada can be fairly expensive and making it a budget destination is a challenge. Due to its size, most trans-national transportation must be through flights and this often begins at about $150 for a one-way flight between major cities. A meal can cost anywhere from CAN $2-3 at a grocery store or market to CAN $50+ in a nice restaurant. Hotels tend to start at about CAN $80 for low end and there are relatively few hostel options outside the major cities, which can be as inexpensive at CAN $20 a night. In some locations camping is permitted and if you have your own tent, can provide cheap housing among some of the nation's best scenery.

When eating out at a sit-down restaurant a tip of between 12-20% is expected (depending on the quality of the service). Unlike in Europe, waiters and waitresses get low pay and are reliant on tips as a supplement to their income. In bars a tip of CAN $1 per drink is standard, and for bell hops in hotels CAN $1 a bag is appreciated. Other services, like taxis expect a tip, however typically around 10% or rounding up to the nearest CAN $5 increment if that's close to 10% of the fare.

Crime & Safety

Canada is a very safe place to visit, however every major city has it's neighborhoods to avoid and wondering around the wilderness can be dangerous due to the wildlife, uneven terrain, and isolation. Check with locals before getting too far off the beaten track; most Canadians are more than willing to help.

This page was last updated: May, 2011