Plan the perfect trip to Canada | Canada Holiday Guide

Canada is one of the most incredible countries all around the world, and if you like to travel; Canada will be an excellent destination. The country is located in the northern part of North America. It is the second-largest country in the world; and its official languages are English and French.

It has incredible cities in Ontario, and natural parks in provinces like British Columbia or Nova Scotia to enjoy the peace of the wildlife with the mountains, rivers, lakes, and incredible views that you will never forget. Keep reading and learn the wonderful things that Canada has to offer!

How to get there

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Whether you are one of those who travel a lot or if it is your first time traveling, one thing for sure is that you want your arrival in the country to be as comfortable as possible. We all want the start of our trip to be in a pleasant environment, which is why we recommend the three best airports in Canada below.

The first on the list is the Toronto Pearson International Airport, located in Toronto. It is the biggest and most popular airport in the country, with more than 50.5 million passengers visiting it last year. Next, we want to mention the Vancouver International Airport. It is located in the British Columbia, and it is considered one of the best airports due to the quality of the services they provide.

It has been on the list of the best ten airports in the world for three years in a row (from 2012 to 2014). Finally, another Canadian airport is the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, located in Nova Scotia. The good service offered and the beauty of the place are among its best features. It has shops inside, places to eat something and more. Even right next to the airport a hotel was built with soundproof windows. 

Visiting any of these airports will be an unforgettable experience. 

Visa Information

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To enter Canadian territory you do not need a visa if your stay will be less than 180 days or if you are an American citizen. However, you will need to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). To get it, you can apply online, just having your passport, a credit card, and an email address. It costs 7 Canadian dollars and will last 5 years. If you are traveling for work or studies, you will need to get a visa at the Canada Visa Application Centre.

Best time to visit the country

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Visiting Canada at any time of the year is an experience. This vast country has so much to offer and a variety of climates even in the same period. Most of the tourists that go to Canada travel in summer (from June to August), when there are temperatures around 20°C. This season is fantastic for outdoor activities.

However, as we said before, the weather in Canada can vary from city to city at the same time of the year, so it is important to choose well the city and the perfect time for your vacation. For example, during summer, the average temperature in Ottawa is 21°C with regular rains; on the other hand, in Dawson City, the average is 16°C.

Summer is a good time to visit the country, but make sure to book your plans on time, because many people will also be traveling to the country. 

Safety

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Canada is a very safe country compared to other countries in the world; it even has less crime rate than its neighbor country the United States. The exceptions are in some urban areas, where it is important to safeguard your belongings when you are on the streets, and be careful not to leave personal items in the car.

The number of emergencies is 911. However, you should bear in mind that in more remote and less inhabited areas (in the north of the country), emergency services may take a little longer, so it is good to keep precautions.

Budget

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Do you know how much money will you spend during your trip to Canada? On average, a tourist spends CAD $181 ($135) per day. This is including basic services like food, transportation, accommodation, and entertainment. On a week, you can spend around CA $1,268 ($944) and in two weeks CA $2,536 ($1,888). Let’s further detail the price of services per day:

With the average of CAD $181 ($135):

• Hotel or Hostel: CA $98 ($73)
• Food: CA $38 ($28)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): CA $24 ($18)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): CA $21 ($16)

Below are some more specific prices on food and drinks:

1. Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: CA$5.5 ($4.07) – A donair from Donair On The Run
2. Mid-range restaurant: between CA$15 (CA$11.10) and $37 ($27.37) – A three-course meal
3. Soft Drink: CA$2.17 ($1.61) – 2-liter bottle
4. Beer: CA $3.00 ($) – 0.5 liter bottle

It does not matter if your budget is tight or if you have more exclusive tastes, Canada has a lot to offer you on your trip!

Currency

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The official currency of Canada is the Canadian dollar. One Canadian dollar equals 0.74 US dollars. When planning your trip to Canada, it is important to check beforehand with the bank you use at home, if it is possible to use your card (debit or credit) in this country and the charges that may be made when using it.

Remember that also withdrawing money from an ATM will involve an extra deduction from your account, so try to reduce this to a minimum. The most used cards are MasterCard and VISA, so if you have one of these, you will not have problems making purchases in the country.

If you travel from the United States to Canada, and you take US dollars with you, you can use them in most stores; however, they will have their exchange rate, which may not be convenient. The best you can do is go to a Canadian bank to get the best exchange rate.

Interesting facts about the culture

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Canada is a country that is significantly influenced by European countries (especially the UK and France), and one of the things that reflects this, is the fact that they are generally polite; to the point of always apologizing even knowing they are not to blame.

Knowing this, some small details, like always saying please and thank you or bring a small gift (maybe chocolates) if you are invited to a family dinner, will be appreciated.

It is good to mention that Canadians are known to be very good at one sport: hockey. Not only on the ice but also on the streets, this sport is widely played in the country and is also the official national winter sport.   

In Canada, there are two official languages, which are English and French. However, not all people speak French. Only 22% speak this language and most of them are from Quebec.

This is a result of history because the first Europeans who came to this area were French. Another important fact that this event had, lies in the differences in behavior and manners between the inhabitants of Quebec and other provinces.

So if you are in Quebec, try not to talk with your hands in your pockets, sit correctly with your legs crossed, and if you want to sneeze, better leave the room!

What to do in Canada

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Canada has many places to visit and have a good time on your vacations; this country has beautiful views and natural parks that will impress you, and some popular provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. 

One of the modern places of Canada is Ontario, known as the Manufacturing Heartland of Canada, the capital of Canada (Ottawa) and popular cities are there. You can find good places to stay, eat, and have fun with your family and friends.

Places to visit in Ontario

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• The CN Tower, in Toronto – A communication and observation tower that also has a rotating restaurant.
• The Horseshoe Falls, in Niagara Falls – An incredible fall that separates the U.S from Canada on the Niagara River.
• The Royal Ontario Museum, in Toronto – Big galleries of natural history and world culture.

Places to visit in West of Canada

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If you go to the West of Canada, you can find British Columbia, a coastal province surrounded by mountains. This is the province with most ethnic diversity and artistic culture in the music and theater.

• Stanley Park, in Vancouver – Beautiful forest, beaches, aquarium, and more in Vancouver city.
• The Butchart Gardens, in Brentwood Bay – Be in touch with the nature and plants in this fantastic place.
• The Capilano Suspension Bridge, in North Vancouver – Walk on the suspension bridge between big trees.

Places to visit in East of Canada

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Now, one of the perfect places to relax and enjoy nature, the calm, and the fresh air is Nova Scotia. This is a province in the East of Canada with a lot of natural parks, museums, and valleys to do outdoor activities with fresh air on your face:

• Cape Breton Highlands National Park, in North of Cape Breton Island – Wonderful views in the mountains to nature and the ocean.
• Kejimkujik National Park, in the Southwest of Nova Scotia Peninsula – Hiking, camping, and rafting are things you can do in this incredible park.
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, in Halifax – Discover the wonders of the maritime world.

How to get around in Canada

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When you plan a trip, it is essential to decide first which cities you are going to visit in the country. If you are going to stay in one city, you can easily manage with public transport. You can travel by bus, or even by train, which in some cities is cheaper.

This will also allow you to travel the streets more and learn more about culture and people. You can be sure that public transportation in Canada is modern and works well.

On the other hand, if you are planning to visit other provinces that are far away, you should consider renting a car or traveling by airplane. The last one is the most common way, due to Canada’s large size.

How to stay connected in Canada

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Your trip to Canada will not be the same if you forget to plan how you will stay connected in this country. Here we have the solution: the main operators that work in Canada are Rogers, Telus, and Bell.

They all offer plans full of services (data, minutes for calls, and texts). Take into account that the phone plans are very expensive, so it is better to check the prices on their websites before ordering. There is another option available: choose an international SIM card provider. In this case, we want to recommend you our excellent offers for this country. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Should I rent a car?

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If you can afford it, it is a good way to get around the cities and reach longer distances. 

Which airports can I fly to?

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The best airports are the Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Vancouver International Airport, and the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. 

What are the most popular types of hotels?

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There are different types of hotels to choose depending on your budget, from ski hotels to 1 to 5 stars hotels.

How much does a holiday cost?

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You can spend around CAD $181 ($135) on a day, without including luxury entertainment.

What are the best things to do?

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We recommend you to visit Niagara Falls and National Parks for an unforgettable experience.