Canada Country Guide
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Page menu:
Overview – When to visit – Things to do – General costs – Insider tips – Resources
There are so many words to describe Canada that it’s hard to choose just a few for this short paragraph. It’s a huge country with stunning beauty, diverse landscape, incredible seasons, kind people, beautiful wildlife, activities of all kinds and breathtaking scenery. I hope this simple Canada country guide will spark your excitement and get your Canada travel planning started.
![Canada Country Guide](https://thenomadnatural.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220906_112338-1024x473.jpg)
Overview:
Language: English & French
Money: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Conversion rate: 1USD=1.34CAD (As of Jan 2023)
Tipping: Although it’s not required, it is customary to tip 15-20% when paying for meals or drinks.
Outlets: 120V If you are traveling from the US, you don’t need an adapter or converter.
People: Canadians are known for their kindness and they are almost always willnig to help with local advice.
Safety: Canada is generally a very safe country. Like all big cities, use commen sense and stick to well lit, main areas.
Water: Tap water in Canada is safe to drink. In some areas it is some of the freshest water in the world.
Emergency #: 911
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Seasons:
Because of its proximity to the Arcitic Ocean, the Northern parts of Canada follow different weather patterns. Hint: it’s pretty much always cold. Like -13 to 32 degrees F (-25 to zero C.) kind of cold. The rest of the country though, experiences four beautiful seasons similar to those of North America.
Winter= November, December, January, February. This is a gorgeous time to visit mountainous regions & hit the slopes. But pack accordingly & be prepared for icy temps and cold winds.
Spring= March, April, May. Spring weather is similar to Autumn, with sun, rain and wind all appearing in the same day.
Summer= June, July, August. The West side gets the most “summer weather”, but don’t expect too many intensely hot days.
Autumn= September, October, November. A beautiful time for a ‘fall colors’ road trip. But be ready to experience “all four seasons in one day”. It’s not unusual to see rain, sun and bitter wind within a few hours.
My recommended time to visit: Although the shoulder between Autumn & Winter is perfect for snow related activities, many roads are closed. The shoulder between Summer & Autumn brings great weather, open roads and less tourists. This is my favorite time to explore Canada!
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Things to do:
Visit a National Park. Natural beauty is a big part of the draw to Canada. From The Rockies, to plains to huge wooded forests, there is so much to be explored in these National Parks!
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Road trip. This is such a massive country and it all deserves to be seen. Driving is the best way to take it all in, including more remote roads and less touristy towns.
See a big city. There are a few to choose from and all are unique. Even the cultural differeces from Vancouver to Quebec are interesting to discover.
![Vancouver](https://thenomadnatural.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20190928_181352-1024x768.jpg)
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Befriend a local. Canadians have a reputation for being kind, and it holds true. Spark up a convo with a local & I’m sure they would be happy to give you tips. You might even end up with a lifelong friend!
General Costs:
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Budget
Food: Groceries are the most cost effective, and food stands are affordable.
Accommodation: Camping is $10-$20 per night. Hostels & budget hotels run about $25-$100 per night.
Transportation: Subway, local busses & short distance trains cost only a few dollars per ride.
Activities: National park entrance fees start at just a few dollars & hiking/sight seeing is free!
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Mid Range
Food: Road-side restos, smaller restaurants & pubs offer plates starting at $15.
Accommodation: Airbnb & mid range hotels cost around $100-$200
Transportation: Long haul busses start around $60. Renting a car is $30-$70 per day & allows flexibility.
Activities: Skytrams cost about $60 per ticket, and are worth the price. A day ski pass & lift ticket is around $150USD ($200CAD).
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High End
Food: Fine dining costs range from $25CAD a plate to $100+.
Accommodation: High end chain hotels & specialty or remote stays start around $250+
Transportation: Cross country flights start at $150 and trains are similar cost.
Activities: Heli tours, cruises, and adreniline spikers (like skydiving) start in the hundreds-of-dollars range.
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Insider tips:
1 $1 and $2 dollar notes are coins (not bills) and locals, lovingly, refer to them as “loony” ($1) and “toony” ($2).
2 If you see a roadside stop in (what seems to be) the middle of nowhere, stop in. Its a good place to grab some coffee, a hot meal, souvenir or have a good chat with the shopkeeper.
3 Try Poutine. It’s a unique Canadian side dish, it goes well with a beer and well, when in Rome…The Great White North.
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