Canada Travel Guide

What You Need To Know: The Bare Bones

Population: 32 Million
Area: 10 million km2
Religion: 42% Roman Catholic, 40% Protestant, 18% Other
Currency: Canadian Dollar

Passports, Visas etc.

EU citizens need only take a passport for stays less than three months. US citizens do not need a passport just a photo ID and proof of US citizenship should be sufficient. Passports can be used as ID but it is advisable to carry a photocopy and leave the real thing safely at your hotel.

Safety Advice

Canada is a safe place to visit with a very low crime rate overall. Follow normal common sense rules, avoid badly lit areas, and try not to travel alone, tell someone what your itinerary is, and don't leave things on display in vehicles.

The main areas of concern in Canada are for those who travel in the wilderness. Make sure that you are properly equipped for such excursions, heed local advice and check out the weather conditions. Be prepared for mosquitoes. Be careful with fire. Canada has some very serious, large wild animals, notably bears so be cautious.

The Roads

Roads are good quality and cover the country comprehensively. Cities can be congested and parking may be a problem. Anyone from the US or UK, over 21 years of age with a current driving licence can drive in Canada. By road is the best way to see this vast country. Buses are cheap, clean and convenient.

Stay Healthy

There are no more worries here than in most other countries of the Western world, no inoculations are required and tap water is clean. The Canadian Health Service is up to date and comprehensive but it can be expensive. US & UK citizens should ensure that they have ample medical insurance. Take sensible precautions against the effects of the sun. Purify or filter water in the wilderness.

Insurance

Take out adequate insurance to cover health, accident, and theft of money and possessions.

Law and Order

Do not traffic or pedal drugs of any kind. The Canadians come down very hard on all drug offences.

Cash and Plastic

Travellers cheques are easily changed, credit cards are readily accepted and ATM machines are widely available. A credit card is vital for such things as hotel reservations and carhire.

Climate and When to Go

A cold place to visit and yet in many places summers can be hot and humid. As a broad rule of thumb the coasts and near the Lakes are milder areas in the winter and cooler in the summer. The interior is more extreme both for summer and winter. The most popular time to go is July and August with the least popular being November to March when the weather is at its coldest. Autumn can be stunning all across the country.

So, What is it Really Like?

Absolutely enormous, that is what it is like. From East to West the distance is greater than that between London and Baghdad. Significantly greater. Europe would fit inside Canada with room to spare. Lots of room to spare.

However, Canada does not have a huge population; this makes for a country with mile upon mile of glorious, wild and unspoilt scenery. Yet the image of Canada as a country full of towering pines is too simplistic. The landscape is more varied than that. There are mountains, lakes, rivers, tundra, prairie, and rugged coastlines.

Whilst the great appeal of Canada is the great outdoors this too is only part of the story. Canadians as a people are a fascinating mix of native peoples, pioneer stock and disparate groups of immigrants from across the globe. Whilst forming part of a Canadian nation all these peoples have retained some cultural identity with their 'roots' this makes a typical Canadian difficult to define. This in turn makes meeting the people even more interesting.

The greater part of the population lives in a handful of towns and cities most of which are within easy driving distance of the USA.

These towns are modern and varied, from the bustling port of Halifax in the east to Winnipeg (Gateway to the Prairie) in the middle and Calgary, the oil boom town, in the west.