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Travel guide for Canada

Canada is located on the North American continent. It is the second largest country in the world with an area of 9,984,670 km², which makes it fall into 6 different time zones. The country is characterized by its vast uninhabited natural areas, which occupy almost 70% of its surface. The biggest attractions include Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls on the border with the USA.

Canadian culture is deeply influenced by early European immigrants, most of them from Great Britain, France and Ireland. In recent decades, there have also been large influxes of immigrants from Asia, the Caribbean and Africa who brought their traditions with them, traditions that were incorporated into the larger Canadian one. For example, the Chinese New Year is celebrated in Vancouer and the Caribana parade is celebrated in Toronto.

The largest cities in Canada, besides the capital, are Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal and Quebec. There are also eighteen UNESCO World Heritage sites worth seeing.

Geography

Canada is the second largest country on Earth and has an area of 9,984,670 km². The country extends on the North American continent between the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward to the Arctic Ocean. It borders the USA in the south and northwest.

Time zone

Canada has 6 different time zones. Depending on where you are, the time difference can be from 4 ½ up to 9 hours. The time difference to Ottawa, Toronto and Montréal is 6 hours, to Calgary 8 hours and to Vancouver and Victoria even 9 hours.

Climate and travel seasons

Canada has many different climate zones as well, because it stretches across such large masses of land. There are areas with polar climate conditions, maritime climate, continental climate and moderately cold climate, which means that there are varying amounts of precipitation and average temperatures. The best time to travel to Canada is difficult to define because of the different climates. In the Northern parts of Canada temperatures can go all the way down to -40 degrees Celsius in the winter. In summer, on the other hand, temperatures of up to 30 degrees can be expected. The Okanagan Wine Valley is one of the warmest regions in all of Canada, located in the state of British Columbia

Climate chart for Ottawa (in degrees Celsius)

  January February March April May June July August September October November December
Highest temperaturesHighest temperatures -4° -2° 3° 12° 20° 26° 27° 27° 22° 15° 7° -1°
Lowest temperaturesLowest temperatures -14° -13° -8° 1° 7° 13° 15° 14° 9° 3° -3° -10°
Hours of sunlight per dayHours of sunlight per day 2hrs 1hr 3hrs 4hrs 5hrs 5hrs 6hrs 6hrs 5hrs 3hrs 4hrs 1hr
Rainy daysRainy days 20 15 16 16 19 18 18 16 17 18 20 19

Climate chart for Vancouver (in degrees Celsius)

  January February March April May June July August September October November December
Highest temperaturesHighest temperatures 6° 8° 11° 14° 18° 22° 23° 23° 19° 14° 10° 7°
Lowest temperaturesLowest temperatures 1° 0° 3° 5° 8° 11° 12° 11° 10° 7° 4° 2°
Hours of sunlight per dayHours of sunlight per day 2hrs 3hrs 4hrs 6hrs 7hrs 7hrs 10hrs 8hrs 6hrs 4hrs 2hrs 1hr
Water temperatureWater temperature 9° 8° 8° 9°0 11° 13° 14° 15° 13° 12° 11° 8°
Rainy daysRainy days 15 14 14 11 9 7 5 5 8 12 17 17

Requirements for entering Canada

All non-visa applicants must apply for an online-based travel authorization, the "eTA" (Electronic Travel Authorization), prior to departure. We recommend completing the application up to 72 hours prior to departure. In case of later applications, timely processing of the application by the Canadian authorities cannot be guaranteed. The cost is 7 CAD per person. The "eTA" is valid for 5 years.
The application requires a valid passport, an e-mail address and a credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express) to pay the fee. The online form is currently only available in English or French.

Currency

The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar (CAD, symbol: $).
One Canadian dollar is equivalent to 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollar bills and 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cent and 1 and 2 dollar coins. There used to be a 1000 dollar bill, but it has been withdrawn, although it is still recognised as official currency.

Health care

Canada has a very good health care system and offers sufficient medical facilities and trained specialists.
Hospital fees for foreign visitors are either calculated according to daily rates or according to the specific illness and the duration of the hospital stay, but can usually be very high. Before you travel, you should therefore make sure that your health insurance policy also covers non-European countries or take out appropriate travel health insurance.
TIP: Pay by credit card, take the bill with you and submit it to the insurance company later at home. Saves both you and the hospital staff a lot of time and stress!

West Nile fever season begins in June. This flu-like viral illness is transmitted by mosquitoes. Since severe complications can occur with the disease, special protection against mosquitoes is recommended during this time. Otherwise, standard vaccinations are sufficient for a trip to Canada. The meningitis vaccination is one of the standard ones in Canada and is one recommended ones to do before travelling.

Packing checklist

We have compiled a packing checklist so that you can be perfectly prepared for your journey!

Religion

Canada is a country without an official national religion. Three quarters of the population are Christian, the rest are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist. Up to 16% do not belong to any denomination.

Politics

Officially, Canada is a constitutional monarchy part of the Commonwealth of Nations with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. However, Canada is also a representative parliamentary democracy organized as a large federal state. The constitution is composed of written legal sources and unwritten common law.

Local language and communication

There are two official languages: English and French. According to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Official Languages Act and the Official Languages Regulations, bilingualism is officially established. All citizens can use federal services of any kind in English or French. Canadians are known to be very friendly and polite. One should use the words "please" and "thank you" as often as possible. As a greeting, one is often addressed with "Hi, how are you?". You don't have to answer honestly, a casual "I'm fine, thanks. And you?" is quite sufficient.

Public transport

In the east of the country, the main traffic route runs along the Saint Lawrence River through Ontario and Quebec, connecting the major cities of Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa. The entire north is hardly accessible because it is not needed. In the west, the major cities near the American border are connected by transportation systems. The Canadian government wanted to connect the widely separated provinces, and this was done with the help of three transcontinental railroads and several spur railroads. For longer distances, there are domestic flights offered by 75 different airlines.

History

Native Americans were the first inhabitants of Canada around 12000 BC. After them, the Inuit came into the land around 5000 BC. Vikings were the first Europeans to live on this land, also known as Newfoundland, in 1000 BC. The Frenchman Jacques Cartier first claimed ownership over regions of Canada in 1534. These regions then became French land. The city Québec was founded by Samuel de Champlain in the 16th Century. Many French people then began to migrate to Canada and create settlements in the years to come. British settlers also came to the land in 1670.

After a few peaceful centuries, the Seven Years War between the English and the French began. In 1763 France gave their ownership rights to Great Britain with the Treaty of Paris. After the U.S. War of Independence (1775-1783), Canada experienced the first wave of immigration of British Loyalists. From 1812 to 1814 followed the British-American War, which ended inconclusively and was concluded with the Peace of Ghent.

In 1867, Canadian Confederation occurred and Canada was declared a federal state by Great Britain, which now had autonomy from Great Britain. By 1912, all provinces (except Newfoundland in 1949) had joined Confederation. Canada voluntarily became a member of the Commonwealth in 1931.After World War II, Canada experienced a large wave of immigration from Europe, India, the Far East, and the Caribbean, which resulted in a significant economic boom. Land treaties were signed with the aborigines, who got back parts of land in the north. There were also tensions between English-speaking Canada and the French province of Quebec, which demanded more independence. However, this was rejected by a narrow majority.

Festivals in Canada

International Festival of Animated Objects: (January) Every year Calgary hosts the International Festival of Animated Objects, celebrating masks, puppets and animated objects. Artists present their creative and original creations, everything from puppets, figures, scenery and stories. For a week, visitors can also attend theatrical performances and workshops. Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo: (April) If you are a fan of anime, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, animation and horror, then this is exactly the event for you! This fair has been around since 2005 and is held annually for 3 days. Funny Fest Calgary Comedy Festival: (May - June) Calgary's Comedy Fest presents stand-up comedians, musical comedy and a whole range of other entertaining performances. In addition to the performances, visitors can also attend workshops and seminars where they will be introduced to the secrets of the art of comedy. Taste of Calgary: (August) The most appetizing festival in Canada is called "Taste of Calgary": if you want to taste culinary specialties of the region, this is the place to be! For $1 each, you can taste your way through numerous delicacies. In addition to the food and drinks, there is also a diverse program of live music. Calgary International Film Festival: (September - October) Every film enthusiast's paradise! For 12 days, a total of 200 films of various genres from 30 countries are shown. In addition to the films, there are also gala events and the opportunity to look behind the scenes.

Igloofest: (January) Are you a fan of electronic music? Then you cannot miss Igloofest in Montréal! The festival takes place at an igloo village with music from local and international DJ's and a snowsuit competition!

Montréal En Lumière: (February-March) At this festival you can expect not only a winter wonderland with a ferris wheel, but also light shows, performances, a long zipline and great culinary highlights. But the best thing has to be the Nuit Blanche, an incredible art night with over 200 free events.

Fireworks Festival: (June) L'International des Feux Loto-Québec is an international fireworks competition in which major companies showcase the latest techniques and innovations in the field of pyrotechnics. The park itself also offers a lot of entertainment: with a huge range of music, dance and theater shows, sporting events and leisure activities, getting bored is impossible!

Just for Laughs Festival: (July) Looking for a good laugh? The world's largest comedy festival has been held in Montréal every year since 1983. A selection of the best-known comedians and newcomers perform here under the motto "Make People Happy".

International Jazz Festival: (September) The annual jazz festival attracts more than 2 million visitors. Every year about 3000 artists perform and more than 650 concerts are there to entertain you. Many of these concerts can even be attended for free!
Canadian Music Week: (March) One of the largest and most influential music festivals and conferences within Canada takes place in Toronto for 10 days. More than 1000 live bands perform on stages in Downtown Toronto, regardless of whether this stage happens to be in a pub, in a bar, in a cafe or even inside clothing stores. Beside the Music Festival, conferences also take place in which the music industry is discussed. There will also be Award Shows in which the best musicians will be announced and awarded prizes Doors Open Toronto: (May) Each year, 130 architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings open their doors for free. Whether on your own or with a guided tour, you can take a look around these gorgeous buildings. In addition to the guided tours, other events are offered where visitors can learn about the background and stories of the buildings. Beaches International Jazz Festival: (July) The Beaches Jazz Festival presents a multitude of different concerts and events, such as the 'Streetfest' or the 'Sounds of Riverside'. Salsa, Swing, Afro-Cuban, Fusion, Soul and many more music styles are also playing during this festival. You may find it hard to resist the temptation to dance along!

International Film Festival: (September) The Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the largest and most vibrant film festivals in the world. This festival lasts for 10 days and during this time you can expect about 450,000 film fans in Toronto. There you can see stars and movies. The films that are shown there range from documentaries to foreign films and Hollywood hits.

Comedy Festival: (September) You love to laugh? Then the Comedy Festival will make you laugh out loud like never before! Throughout 10 days you'll be able to attend countless live performances. Comedians like John Mulaney or Ali Wong are just some of the big names in the world of comedy to have performed here.

PuSH International Performing Arts Festival: (January - February) For 20 days, audiences from all around the world can attend theater, dance and music performances by international and national artists in and around Vancouver. The PuSH Festival consists of a total of 150 unmissable performances!

Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair: (May) Rodeos are one of the biggest traditions in Western Canada. The world's best cowboys and cowgirls show off their impressive skills for an amazing set of events. The Country Fair offers entertainment especially for families with go-karts, petting zoo, country music and many other activities.

International Jazz Festival: (June - July) Jazz lovers will get their money's worth at this festival. With the motto "For the Love of Jazz", this festival offers high-quality concerts and promotes creative, improvised music. Outside the festival season, concerts are also held regularly at Frankie's Jazz Club.

Food Cart Festival: (August) Want to try typical Vancouver food? The Food Cart Festival is a weekend-long event that gives you the opportunity to experience the culinary culture of Vancouver and beyond. During the festival you will experience all you can eat menus, cocktail and beer gardens, live music as well as long table dinners. The highlight of the festival is definitely the Street Food Showdown in the Olympic Village.

Eastside Culture Crawl: (November) 25000 visitors come to the Cultural Crawl every year, to see designs and crafts made by over 480 artists and crafts people. The goal of this festival is to promote and support the artists, whilst also creating further public awareness of these arts by hosting various workshops and seminars about them. This Festival is also completely free of charge!
Winterlude: (January to February) Winterlude is a free yearly festival that attracts about 600000 visitors every year. Must do winter pleasures such as tube sliding, skating and admiring snow and ice sculptures share the spotlight with a cultural and culinary program. Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival: (June) This is the largest Dragon Boat Festival in North America with over 200 teams, 5000 paddlers and 75000 audience members and viewers. Concerts and cultural performances also occur during this festival. Tulip Festival: (May) The Tulip Festival is one of the most exciting and popular events for flower lovers, with more than 3 million tulips to be admired. During your visit you will experience an incredibly diverse selection of flower exhibitions as well as artistic installations, culinary experiences, interactive family programs, breathtaking fireworks, historical military demonstrations and guided tours of the tulip fields.
Victoria Canada Day: (July) Every year on July 1st Canadians get together to celebrate the foudning of the country. With live music on various stages, family-friendly events and a great fireworks display, Canada's birthday is an event not to be missed!

Rifflandia Festival: (August) Rifflandia is a 4-day music festival that takes place between the last weekend of August and the last weekend of September at the Royal Athletic Park. During the festival zou will be able to see over 300 artists at more than 10 different venues! Due to the eccentric program and the different venues and shows, the festival attracts thousands of people every year.

Dragon Boat Festival: (August) The Dragon Boat Festival has been held every August for the last 20 years. But don't worry if you don't make it to Canada for August, the dragon boats can be seen in the harbor already from February because of their growing popularity. During the festival visitors can also enjoy the Festival of Lights, the beer garden, or the "Eye Dotting Ceremony". Fringe Festival: (August-September) Every summer Victoria hosts the Fringe Festival. Visitors can look forward to live performances from around the world. This event features an electric mix of spoken word, drama, musicals, dance, comedy, magic and theater. International Chalk Art Festival: (September) The largest street art festival in Canada showcases the cultural diversity of Downtown Victoria at the port of Victoria. You can admire chalk artworks (even in 3D!) made by professional artists for free. You will also be able to enjoy live music outdoors whilst viewing the artists' work.

Holidays

  • The Monday before or on May 24 is Victoria Day (Fête de la Rein), celebrating the birthday of the reigning British monarch
  • July 1 is Canada Day (Fête du Canada), commemorating the formation of Canada as a state of the British Commonwealth by the British North America Act on July 1, 1867
  • The first Monday in August is Civic Holiday (Premier lundi d'août)
  • The first Monday in September marks Labor Day (Fête du travail)
  • The second Monday in October marks Thanksgiving (Action de grâce). On this day, Canadians, just like the U.S., celebrate how the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth Rock and were welcomed by the Wampanoag Indians and feasted together.
  • On November 11, the day of the armistice in World War I, Canadians celebrate Remembrance Day (Jour du Souvenir). It is intended to commemorate the war veterans.

Food

A wide range of culinary delights awaits you in Canada! The Atlantic coast is known for its lobster and lobster-like crustaceans, while the west coast used to specialise in wild salmon fishing, now replaced by salmon farming. Cultural differences also deeply influence Canadian cuisine. In Québec, the French influence cannot be overlooked. In the prairie provinces, on the other hand, the influence of the midwestern United States is strongly noticeable, with the British culinary traditions mainly influencing the far west. There are also wine-growing regions in Canada, for example on the Niagara Peninsula and in the Okanagan region, as well as in the southeast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Viticulture has a tradition dating back more than 200 years. In 1974, new viticultural licenses were issued and wine associations focused on higher quality, resulting in an increased popularity. Canadian wines contribute to about half of the country's total consumption.

Tourist mistakes

If you plan to camp in Canada, you should note that wild camping is prohibited in the national parks and is also not so welcome in more densely populated areas. You should also beware of wild bears. All food should be stored in odor-proof bags in the car or hung from a tree at least 4 meters high.

In Canada there is a sales tax of 5%, plus regional taxes of up to 8%. All products are priced without taxes, which are added at the time of sale. This also applies to menus in restaurants!

The purchase and consumption of alcohol is allowed for people over 19 (exception: 18 years in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec). Drinking alcohol in public is strictly prohibited. Alcohol may only be consumed within licensed premises or at home.

Advice & tips

If you are familiar with the tipping rules in the USA, then you will know that tips are not included in payments that you make. You should give a tip of around 15 percent of the original payment price that you had to pay. Common prices for a coffee is about 1.50 to 2 Euros and a beer can be bought for about 3 to 5 Euros. By knowing this you can avoid getting ripped off by places that offer these beverages for more than the prices stated above.

Short dictionary

English French
Hi! Salut!
Good Morning! Bonjour!
Good evening! Bonsoir!
Welcome! Bienvenue!
How are you? Comment vas-tu?
Good, thank you Bien, merci!
How about you? Et toi?
Thank you (so much) Merci (beaucoup)!
You're welcome De rien!
Good night! Bonne nuit!
See you later À plus tard!
Bye! Au revoir!
I am lost Je suis perdu
Can I help you? Puis-vous aider?
Can you help me? Pouvez-vous m’aider?
Where is the toilette/ the pharmacy? Où se trouvent les toilettes? Où se trouve la pharmacie?
Do you speak (English)? Parlez-vous (anglais)?
My name is… Je m’appelle...