40 Canada Travel Tips And Things To Know Before Visiting Canada For First Timers

We will tell you about Canada travel tips and all the cool facts about Canada and things to know before visiting Canada for first-timers.

This post will be your go-to guide to get to know more of Canada and what awaits you from amazing landscape and National Parks to delicious food to try in Canada from first timers to seasoned travelers. 

Read here best Canada sim card for tourist, Canadian food, vegetarian food in Canada, what to wear in Canada  and instagrammable places in Canada

Canada Travel Tips And Things To Know Before Visiting Canada For First Timers

1. IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL IN CANADA

If you are traveling from a Western country to Canada. You should know that Canada isn’t that dangerous just be careful in big cities and crowded areas with pickpockets. So yes! It is safe to travel in Canada.

2. CASH AND CURRENCY IN CANADA

Canada has its own currency called the Canadian Dollar. A $1 USD=1.25 CAD. There are lots of ATM’s and exchange currency in many part of the country. And you can pay with card almost anywhere but I recommend you always bringing some cash.

Click here to know more about the exchange rate of Canada.

3. ELECTRONIC VISA IN CANADA

Facts about Canada for citizens of the United States, Germany, the UK, Spain, Japan and many others. Canada has Electronic travel visa but no worries is cheap and easy only $7 CAD. There are 54 countries that can enter the country with the electronic visa. How amazing is that?

4. BEST TIME TO VISIT IN CANADA

There are 4 seasons in Canada. The best time to visit Canada is from the months of April to October because it is the months of the best weather. However, lots of tourists prefer to travel from January to March since it’s not peak season but it can be snowing for a few days.

Summer in Canada is when people visit the most. It starts late May or early June and lasts through August. Exploring Canada in the summer is recommended because the weather is milder and the days are longer, meaning more time for you to tour the island. In summer never gets dark and you will have daylight 24 hours.

But due to the high number of tourists and the peak season, expect higher prices of everything. If you want to experience colder Canada and lower prices you can visit in winter where you will be able to see the Northern Lights. But it will be freezing in winter make sure you are ready for this

Click here to know more about the weather in Canada

5. HEALTH TRAVEL INSURANCE

Things to know before visiting Canada we recommend always to bring a travel insurance when traveling abroad just in case you have any problems. You can always have food Poisson, fever or any other kind of disease.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki

FACTS ABOUT CANADA

6. CANADA IS SO EXPENSIVE

Canada is really expensive. If you have been traveling around Europe prices are expensive but Canada is even more expensive for food and accommodation. Alcohol and restaurants are so expensive but there are no entrance fees for most of the places to visit. Also if you do wild camping or you rent a van you will save money in accommodation. Keep reading below!

7. ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN CANADA

A total of $25 USD would be the range of your budget for accommodation in Canada. There are hotels mid- budget for $80-100 USD and you can find luxury accommodation starting from $200 USD.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN CANADA BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING.

8. FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN CANADA

Your daily food budget travel in Canada could be a total of $30 USD if you eat in local places. If you are in a budget you can cook your own food at your Airbnb or hotel the best one for our Canada travel tips talking about budgeting. If you are going for local restaurants starts from $15 USD per person for a meal.

9. TOURS AND ENTRANCE FEES IN CANADA

For entrance fees in Canada we have to say that most of the places in the nature are free of charge or small fees $5-10 USD. Even parking can be free and you can enjoy waterfalls in the middle of nowhere for yourself. Tours are really expensive you can spend around $100-150 USD per person for a half day tour. If you are planning to visit the National Parks some of them will have a camping fee.

10. WI-FI AND INTERNET CONNECTION IN CANADA

Internet in Canada works great in big cities and you will have internet connection in most of the places you will have 4G except in remote areas. You can access free WiFi at hostels and hotels and there are lots of restaurant that are offering free WiFi.

We advise in our Canada travel tips that you get a sim card in Canada, best Canada eSim and Canada eSim Holafly vs Airalo if you need to catch up with some work online. 

You can buy the cheapest Canadian eSim with Nomad Canada prepaid eSim and Airalo eSim Canada prepaid for $7 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%). Airalo Canada eSim prepaid for $17 USD with 3 GB data and $25 USD with 5 GB data valid for 30 days.

For $36 USD with 10 GB data valid for 30 days. Nomad eSim Canada for $16 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. And for $24 USD with 5 GB data valid for 30 days. And for $36 USD with 10 GB data

Make sure you check for $44 USD with 20 GB data buying online your eSim with Holafly (even cheaper if you use our discount code GAMINTRAVELER. You can get your eSim online and activate at the airport in Canada avoiding the hassle!

11. ADAPTER IN CANADA

In our Canada travel tips you should know they use the American adapter. A few places make it possible to fit your European adapter in the plug. If you are coming from European countries, we recommend you to bring an American adapter to be able to charge everywhere.

12. GREAT TRANSPORTATION IN CANADA

Transportation in Canada can be challenging so you make sure you rent a car or a camper van if you don’t want to depend on the tours that they are so expensive. There are public buses to move around the main cities which is the most affordable way. For long distances a flight will be the best option in Canada.

CANADA TRAVEL TIPS FOR BUDGETING

13. RENTING A CAR IN CANADA

Renting a car will be our favorite option for transportation in Canada. The prices for renting a car in Canada can be around $30–40 USD the cheapest one is good enough up to 4 people. Especially if you are planning to explore countryside and National Parks.

14. RENTING A CAMPER VAN

Renting a camper van can be the best option in Canada for budgeting. You can drive around the country and sleep at the same time. If there are a few of you renting the camper van you can split the costs. Prices for renting a camper van in Canada are around $100 USD depending on the season.

15. FREE PARKING IN CANADA

You can find free parking in Canada in most of the places. There are a lot of spots in the nature where you can park your can or van for free in Canada. In the cities isn’t allowed to park for free in city center. You can use Park 4 Night App so useful to find places to park and to stay at night.

16. WILD CAMPING IN CANADA

Wild camping is allowed in Canada is allowed in a few places but it’s banned in many other places like cities and National Parks. You will have to check the area to know isn’t prohibited. Make sure when wild camping you keep the place clean as you found when you got there. There are also campsites where you can pitch your tent and enjoy their services for $15-20 USD.

17. COOK YOUR OWN FOOD IN CANADA

You can cook your own food in Canada for budgeting. There are supermarkets where you can buy food and cook in your van or Airbnb. Since prices are expensive if you eat breakfast and dinner on your own you will be able to save a lot of money.

18. ALCOHOL IS SO EXPENSIVE IN CANADA

Alcohol is so expensive in Canada and it’s not sold in the supermarket just wine and beer. You have to buy alcohol in the Liquor stores. We recommend you to rent the car or van at the airport and buying alcohol in the Duty Free wine, beer or strong liquor for a cheaper price than bars and restaurants.

19. TIPPING IN CANADA

Tipping in Canada in restaurants is around 15-20% added to your bill. That’s why restaurants are so expensive. So remember when you go to a restaurant will be automatically added to your bill.

20. PACK SMART IN CANADA

You have to pack smart in Canada since the weather can be cold/hot and rainy in the same day. What to bring in Canada? Make sure you bring a jacket, raincoat, swimsuit, gloves, warm shocks and sunscreen.

21. ENGLISH AND FRENCH IS SPOKEN IN CANADA

English is spoken almost everywhere in Canada. You will find areas where the official language is French like around Quebec part. So maybe they will not understand you a few locals in remote places.

22. DIFFERENT TIMES ZONES IN CANADA

There are 6 different time zones in Canada: Pacific Time, Mountain Time, Central Time, Eastern Time, Atlantic Time and Newfoundland Time. It means that can be 4 hours and a half difference depending the part you are traveling in Canada. Make sure you watch out about this especially if you need to get local transportation.

23. NORTHERN LIGHTS IN CANADA

See the Northern Lights in Canada, Auroras or Aurora Borealis is an event caused by collisions of electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. This causes bright colors in the air, that has been an attraction in Canada and other northern countries. Northern Lights you shouldn’t miss this when visiting Canada especially during mid-September and mid-March.

24. NATIONAL PARKS IN CANADA

Banff National Park is the most popular National Park in Canada constructed in 1885, it is the country’s oldest national park. It is Canada’s very first third national parks, and it has a long history as being one of the country’s most spectacular mountain locations.

Banff National Park is known for its bizarrely colored lakes, mountain views, and never-ending outdoor adventures. It is mainly found throughout the Rocky Mountains on Alberta’s western border to British Columbia in the Alberta Mountain forests ecoregion. Bears, foxes, wolves, and elk are among the many species of wildlife that may be seen all over the park.

25. CANADA IS A PARADISE FOR A ROAD TRIP

Canada is a paradise for a road trip landscapes are amazing especially exploring small villages around the mountains. Many places to park your van during the day and at night to enjoy lakes and views in the mountains. The problem in Canada the distances for driving are so long so be patient and take your time for visiting the country.

FACTS ABOUT CANADA FOOD AND DRINKS

Canadian cuisine depends to a large extent on the regions of the nation. Indigenous, English, Scottish, and French cuisines are the four earliest cuisines in Canada. English Canada’s traditional cuisine is strongly similar to British cuisine. Today, these Indigenous, French, and English influences can be found in many of Canada’s classic cuisine.

26. POUTINE

Poutine is a Quebec-based dish that has become one of Canada’s most famous. It consists of frenchfries topped with fresh cheese curds that melt in the heat, as well as a brown gravy sauce. Poutine has been one of the country’s greatest delectable fast snacks, and it can be available on street markets including in various restaurants, particularly McDonald’s, in major cities.

27. BANNOCK

Bannock, as we understand it today, recalls a time when Indigenous peoples were driven off their land and forced to eat unfamiliar cuisine. This unleavened griddle-baked flatbread comes from Scotland’s Highlands, where it’s usually made with a single grain, such as wheat, beremeal, oats, barley, rye, or even peasemeal, mixed with water or buttermilk. Mashlum or meslin bannock is a type of bannock made with a variety of flours.

28. MONTREAL SMOKED MEAT

Montreal smoked meat, also known as Quebec smoked meat, is a kosher-style deli meat created by cooking and preserving beef brisket with spices. Over the course of a week, the brisket is allowed to absorb the flavors before being hot smoked to finish cooking. Anybody wants to try this world-famous Montreal smoked meat sandwich, so it’s no surprise that there are long lineups outside Schwartz’s Deli in Montreal.

29. SALMON

Farm-raised salmon is one of the most cost-effective sources of animal protein. Sockeye is the most popular salmon in restaurants and the salmon business. All salmon has nearly the same nutritional value, but sockeye is the best-tasting and most expensive.

30. BUTTER TARTS

Butter tarts are unmistakably Canadian. It is difficult to characterize Canadian cuisine due to its wide expanses and long tradition of immigration and Indigenous peoples. Butter tarts has a filling of sugar, butter, and egg is cooked in a tart shell till the stuffing is semi-solid and the top is crispy.

31. CANDIAN WINE

Canadian wine from Ontario and British Columbia are two main wine-producing provinces, with Ontario accounting for two-thirds of the country’s vineyard land. Without a question, Canadian wines are underappreciated.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING CANADA AND PLACES TO VISIT

32. JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Jasper National Park is the country’s largest park with in Canadian Rockies. Tourists come from across Canada and around the world to enjoy this really unique region, which is recognized for its immense wilderness, magnificent peaks, plentiful animals, and amazing beautiful landscape.

Jasper National Park is located 370 kilometers west of Edmonton, 404 kilometers northwest of Calgary, and 805 kilometers northeast of Vancouver. Its either you travel in the summer months or in winter season, this is the best of the Canadian wilderness.  During summertime, the park is crowded, but there are plenty of paths to explore on, rivers and lakes to explore in.

33. YOHO NATIONAL PARK

Yoho National Park is situated on the western slopes of a Canadian Rocky Mountains. The name Yoho is derived from a Cree word that means awe and wonder. Tourists come from all around the world to see the vertical rock walls, waterfalls, and towering summits.

Yoho National Park creates a different look of Canada’s natural treasures, from the insights of historic sea life to the strength of ice and water, including excellent hiking and attractions. Yoho National Park has been one of seven parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

34. NIAGARA FALLS

Niagara Falls is located on the Niagara River near the Canadian border, are its most famous feature. The landscape in Niagara Falls State Park is breathtaking! In a family-friendly setting, it also offers spectacular activities, engaging exhibitions, miles of walking trails, and scrumptious places to eat.

35. LAKE LOUISE

Lake Louise is extremely popular for its turquoise rivers and streams, the Victoria Glacier, rising mountain landscape, palatial hotel, and extraordinary skiing and hiking around Canadian Rockies. Bounded by a season’s worth of incredible sights and experiences. Lake Louise is a unique destination which must be seen to be appreciated.

36. GARIBALDI LAKE

Garibaldi Lake, in British Columbia, Canada, is a turquoise-colored mountain lake. It is a magnificent glacial lake camping location located in the southern part of Whistler. Garibaldi Lake include hillsides, glaciers, paths, forests, wildflowers, fields, and falls.. The park is designated as a wildlife refuge.

37. TORONTO

Toronto city’s spectacular cityscape, architectural, superb graffiti art, incredible interiors, and some well-designed restrooms make it extremely difficult to avoid bringing out the cameras. Toronto, Ontario’s capital, is a significant Canadian metropolis located on Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore.

38. QUÉBEC

The historic center of Old Quebec has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quebec, the only city north of Mexico City to have kept its walled walls, provides a picture of what life was like in a fortified city many centuries ago. Historic sites and museums abound in Old Quebec.

39. MONTREAL

Old Montréal is like a charming Paris area city in South British Columbia, Canada, seen between port and the financial sector. The area has been extensively renovated in past few decades and is extremely famous with both locals and tourists. The historic section of Montreal, situated in the south part of Montreal Island, is known as Old Montreal.

40. VANCOUVER

Vancouver is undeniably a lively metropolis, but somehow it lacks the global city feel that Toronto possesses. In general, the entertainment, leisure, and places to eat are superior to those in Vancouver. Vancouver is regarded for having a moderate climate, with summers that aren’t too hot and winters that aren’t too frigid.

Hope you liked our Canada Travel Tips blog post and you are ready for visiting Canada an amazing country with many things to offer. Are we missing more things to know before visiting Canada? Let us know in the comments below.

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Happy Travels!