Canada Travel Tips
Canada is a country filled with wonderfully friendly people, classy cities, and a diverse and beautiful landscape. From the ice in the Yukon, to beaches on the east coast, to the mountains of Calgary, and the rainforests of Vancouver, Canada is a country that is often skipped over on many world trips. It doesn’t get as much attention as it should. It’s a tremendously beautiful country with a lot to offer. While not convenient for most RTW tickets, it’s a destination that should be included in any itinerary. Or just take a trip here. Added bonus: It’s easy to get a working holiday visa here.
| Calgary | Montreal | Nova Scotia | Toronto | Vancouver | Vancouver Island |
How to Find a Cheap Flight
Buying a Travel Backpack
Finding Cheap Accommodation
Buying Travel Insurance
Interesting Facts About Canada
Outstanding Ottawa
Typical Costs in Canada
- Accommodation: Depending on what city you’re staying in, rates can vary a lot. On average though, you’ll wind up paying about $22-28 CAD for a room at a hostel while you should expect to pay around $60 CAD for a budget hotel room.
- Food: Food can be inexpensive as long as you stick to cooking for yourself or the pubs. A meal out will cost you around $25 CAD. Cheap sandwich shops and fast food will cost around $8 CAD per meal. If you are going to cook your own food, expect to pay between $50 to 75 CAD per week.
- Transportation: Canada is a big country and it’s hard to get around without a car. Within the city limits, you’ll find great public transportation networks. However, going between provinces will require a car or taking the bus. You can fly but since Canada has only two major airlines (WestJet and Air Canada) prices are often high.
- Activities: Canada has a lot of outdoor activities. No matter what part of the country you are in, there is always something to do. Costs range from $20 CAD to $100 CAD depending what you are doing and if you need a guide.
Money Saving Tips for Canada
- Have a Working Holiday. Running out of money? No sweat. People from other English speaking countries and the EU can get a one year working holiday visa in Canada.
Top Things to See in Canada
- The Calgary Stampede – During July, thousands of people descend into Calgary for this multi-day rodeo, drinking event, and carnival. It’s where everyone pretends to be a cowboy for a few days. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll meet tons and tons of people from around the world here. It’s one of Canada’s premier events.
- Go Skiing – The mountains of Canada offer great skiing and snowboarding during the winter. You can visit popular Banff for a great mountain town and excellent trails. Its quite busy during the winter months with all the snowbirds. Banff is just the most popular place to go but there are tons of other good skiing destinations in the country.
- Vancouver – Vancouver is one of my favorite cities in the world and in my opinion, the best in Canada (sorry everywhere else!). I love how you can be downtown in a thriving metropolitan city and then ten minutes later be hiking in the mountains. Vancouver blends nature and civilization very well. Add in good weather, great Asian food, friendly people, and a great music scene, and Vancouver becomes one of the coolest cities in the world.
- Visit Vancouver Island – Take a few days off from the city to explore one of the most beautiful spots in Northern America. Try their seafood, shop, and visit their beaches. This one of the places to just sit and relax. Since it is so close to Vancouver, it is popular with the locals during the summer.
- Hike the Rainforest – Hike through Pacific Rim National Forest for an awe-inspired glimpse at nature. You’ll find a beautiful rainforest there. If you can’t make it there, all over British Columbia are beautiful forests just waiting to be discovered.
- Visit the Galleries of Toronto – Toronto has some of the best exhibits in the country, so take a day or two just to admire the art of the city. There may be a small entrance fee for some, but nothing to break the bank. Galleries on Wednesday’s will often give a discount.
- Montreal – This beautiful city in Quebec offers people a look at the French side of Canada. With beautiful streets, an underground mall, jazz clubs, and amazing cuisine make this the hippest and most romantic city in all of Canada.
- Take a Road Trip – This huge country is best explored by car. You can see tiny little towns, majestic mountains, amazing countryside, and plenty of off the beaten track places. If you have a lot of time, this is your best and cheapest option to see the country.
- Quebec – There is more to Quebec than Montreal and Quebec City’s Old Town offers cobblestone walkways, well-preserved 17th century architecture, café culture and the only North American fortress that still exists.
- The Atlantic Provinces – Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia are great places to go explore, especially during the summer. If you want to spend your days hiking, kayaking, and relaxing by the ocean, this is the place to do it. This is where you’ll find some of the best seafood and shellfish in Canada as the Great Banks are just off the coast.
- Prince Edward Island – If you are looking for some relaxation or a fun day at the beach, the beautiful green pastures, distinct red-soil cliffs, and picturesque beaches are just what you are looking for.
- Kelowna – Go where the Canadians go to vacation—into the heart of the Rockies. Warm in the summer and mild in the winter, this river valley has some of the best weather in the entire country. There is a marina and many golf courses.
- Churchill, Manitoba – This might be a small town, but it is also the Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Whale Capital of the World, and one of the best places to view the Aurora Borealis. Mother nature is alive and thriving here.
- Niagara Falls – This is one of the most highly visited attractions in Canada. Many people get married here—as it is considered one of the world’s most romantic places. A phenomenal natural wonder, it is definitely a must see.
- The Yukon -The Yukon is the perfect place to fill your nature dose. The chances of seeing a bear, elk, or deer. Hardly anyone ever visits the Yukon as visitors tend to stick to the main cities of Canada. However, the Yukon is your best place to commune with nature, avoid the crowds, and hike in some of the most untouched wilderness in the world.
Once, I waited over an hour for a bus that didn't exist because information in a guidebook was out of date. After that, I never wanted out of date travel information to exist. After traveling the world for over five years, I know exactly what type of information travelers want. I update this guide section every six months so you never have to go through what I did. 
