Canada Travel Guide: Everything about the World's Second-largest Country

Author: Priyanka Saxena on Apr 18,2021

Travel Advice

While we’ve been able to crack the coronavirus vaccines and have got little control over the pandemic, a lot of states & countries are still struggling with the turmoil. So, if you are planning a Canada vacation or booking leisure tour packages to any part of the world, be cautious. Read meticulously about the travel guidelines from the official website. Let us help Governments across the world fight the pandemic.

We have designed this Canada travel guide to make sure when our travelers reach there in real, they do not have to look for some TripAdvisor support or anything.

Canada is an amazing travel experience and it’s like it will never disappoint you— the extremely friendly lot of people, the classy cities, the beautiful beaches, and the amazing landscape. There’s absolutely no dearth of beauty here— with multitudes of mountains, deserts, tundras, and the rainforests.

Canada is a massive country and there’s so much to do and see— all through! Be it the mountains of Calgary or the rainforests of Vancouver or the rocky beaches belonging to the east coast, it will all take your breath away. It’s like you are in Canada for a month and you would feel like — “I wish I would have a longer vacation”, it’s that vast.

You should always contact a popular Canada Travel Guide who will help you plan your trip to this vast land in a succinct and smart way. Canada, the second-largest country in the world — has too much for all types of travelers. There are moments to enjoy nature, you have plenty of cultural events to attend, and the amazingly perfect dining experience, it’s full of excitement.

Also Read: Europe Travel Guide: Know Everything About Your Destination

1. About Canada

2. Quick Facts

3. Top Cities in Canada

4. Best Things to Do & See in Canada

5. Estimated Cost of Canada Vacations

6. Best time to visit Canada

7. Money-Saving Tips in on Canada Vacation

8. Travel Manners & language on Canada Vacation

9. How to Stay Safe on Canada Vacation

10. Interesting Facts About Canada

Canada Travel Guide: About Canada

To start with this Canada travel guide, we would like to help you with a brief introduction to the country. After Russia, Canada is the second-largest country in the world! It occupies almost two-fifths of North America. The country is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Arctic Ocean on the north, and the North Pacific Ocean on the west. In the south, it shares its border with twelve US states and in the west with Alaska (USA). Canada is the largest country in the Western Hemisphere and it occupies an area of about 9,984,670 km². Can you imagine, it’s about 18 times bigger than the size of France. Canada includes three territories, 13 subnational divisions, and ten provinces. Canada has a population of 38 million people and the capital city is Ottawa, which is the biggest city in Toronto.

Commonly spoken languages are French & English. Divide into multiple geographical regions, you get to see plenty of natural scenery into its huge landscape. The geographical region is the Canadian shield that inculcates half of the country and it centers on the Hudson Bay. It features a multitude of rivers, black-blue lakes, the rolling central plains, forested eastern valleys, and the majestic western mountains. Canada sits in the Arctic where ice, glaciers, and snow are pretty common. You could see only a few trees growing and farming is not common. According to Wikipedia, Canada is a “highly developed country”!

Canada Travel Guide: Quick Facts

Official Name: Canada

Capital: Ottawa, Ontario

Population: 35,881,659

Official Languages: English, French

Money: Canadian dollar

Area: 3,849,674 square miles

Top Mountain Ranges: Laurentian, Rockies, Coast

Top Rivers: Mackenzie, St. Lawrence

Top Cities in Canada

For this giant chunk of land, it is obviously not easy to narrow down the list of the best cities! The leisure.com team in this Canada travel guide has done everything to get the best picks for the most perfect vacation from the countless places to visit. Let’s talk about some of these best cities that are included in most Leisure tour packages.

1. Toronto

Best things to see in Toronto: View from the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley's Aquarium, Art Gallery of Ontario, Niagara Falls, Toronto Zoo.

We could not have mentioned the mention of Toronto in our Canada travel guide. For people who love being around in vibrant & exciting places, this city is the perfect place. Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and is the largest in Canada. You’ll be surprised to know that it is the most culturally diverse city on the planet. A number of big events like the Toronto International Film Festival.-- it keeps you entertained.

2. Montreal

Best things to see in Montreal: Mount Royal Park, Cabaret Mado, Botanical Gardens, Olympic Stadium, the Cirque du Soleil, the Phi Centre, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Mount Royal.

You would find most people in Montreal speaking French but that has not stopped Americans from moving to the city. Montreal is a bilingual and multicultural city— and it is also the second-largest in the world. Any Canadian travel guide cannot miss a mention of this amazing part of the country. Montreal is also sometimes referred to as the cultural capital of Canada. There are arguably massive numbers of places to hang around and it offers extensive public transportation serving adequately to the needs of the residents.

3. Victoria, BC

Best things to see in Victoria, BC: Inner Harbour, Royal BC Museum, Butchart Gardens, Fairmont Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings, Beacon Hill Park, Craigdarroch Castle.

The retirement capital of Canada, the city lures in retirees for a reason – its beauty. Located near the mountains surrounding the Juan de Fuca Strait, the majesty of its surroundings is wonderfully paired with the mild climate to make the spot a must-see destination for any tourist who enjoys gardens and parks. Famous sites include the Fairmont Empress hotel and the B.C. Legislature. You can either get in touch with Canada travel guides who will take care of letting you know the place or can stroll around on your own.

4. Quebec City, Quebec

Best things to see in Quebec City, Quebec: Place Royale, Le Château Frontenac, Mount Royal Park, Chutes Montmorency, Old Montréal, Parc Jean Drapeau, Canadian Museum of History.

In Quebec City, you feel like jumping back into the time— with the cobblestone streets all filled with horse-drawn carriages. Quebec is a French-speaking state and is absolutely rich in terms of history and culture. We could not have missed its mention in this Canada travel guide because we know the history buffs will love it. Vieux-Québec is the most popular tourist spot which features some of the top restaurants, cafes, boutiques all lined through the cobblestone streets. For art and history lovers, Quebec has a couple of great attractions. At every turn, there’s beauty— be it the architecture of the museums like Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.

5. Calgary

Best things to see in Calgary: Calgary Stampede, Banff & Lake Louise, Calgary Zoo and Prehistoric Park, Heritage Park Historical Village, Calgary Tower, Canada Olympic Park.

Calgary is located in Alberta and is popularly known for its popular Calgary Stampede, which is considered The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. There are plenty of Rocky Mountains and it's the start of your adventurous vacation through two of the popular parks including Jasper and Banff. And, if you wish to experience life in the past visit the Heritage Park Historical Village, which is the biggest history museum.

6. Ottawa

Best things to see in Ottawa: Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, Canadian War Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Peace Tower, Canadian Museum of Nature, National War Memorial.

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and the city is on every Canada Travel Guide. The multicultural city houses some of the top technology startups! You get to discover some of the top tourist attractions and witness celebrations of the country. There are plenty of things to do and see in Ottawa and the Canada travel guides will help you through everything.

7. St. John’s, Newfoundland

Best things to see inSt. John’s, Newfoundland: Signal Hill National Historic Site, The Rooms, Quidi Vidi, Maritime Music on George Street, East Coast Trail, Johnson GEO Centre.

The dramatic scenery which is beautified with lakes, magical natural harbors, and ponds, St. John’s is located in the far east. St. John’s is also known popularly for featuring the largest number of bars per square foot throughout America. And, there are many popular structures including Newfoundland Museum, Cabot Tower, brightly colored homes, and more.

8. Vancouver, British Columbia

Best things to see in Vancouver, British Columbia: Stanley Park, Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, Museum of Anthropology, Kitsilano Beach, Gastown, Canada Place, Chinatown.

I could not have missed the mention of Vancouver in my Canada travel guide for its beauty. All surrounded by mountains in the north, the massive Stanley Park right downtown, and the Pacific Ocean to the west— the landscape is just wonderful. There are absolutely plenty of ways to sink in the beauty of Vancouver— explore the Kitsilano beaches, walk the Pacific Spirit Park, or cycle around the seawall downtown.

9. Edmonton

Best things to see in Edmonton: Royal Alberta Museum, West Edmonton Mall, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Fort Edmonton Park, Muttart Conservatory, Alberta Legislature Building.

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta and is located in northern Canada. Ostensibly, there are long days of sunshine during summers. It is the first city housing the world’s first UFO landing strip. And, there are historical & cultural sites including a living history museum, Fort Edmonton Park, and more.

10. Niagara Falls

Best things to see in Niagara Falls: Niagara Falls State Park, Maid of the Mist, Goat Island's Cave of Winds, Whirlpool Rapids, Aquarium of Niagara, Old Fort Niagara.

Niagara Falls is most popularly known for featuring some of the most mesmerizing waterfalls in North America. So, while we cannot give you that elaborate description of this place Canada travel guide, of course, because it’s in all a different thing to talk about. Canadian travel guides will tell you, it is one of the most beautiful cities to be in. It has many wineries & casinos— and not only there are a lot of things for kids to enjoy their leisure vacation.

Best Things to Do & See in Canada

1. Banff National Park & the Rocky Mountains— Alberta

Located in the heart of the province of Alberta, showcasing some of the most panoramic views of the country, the Banff National Park is one of the best things to see in Canada. This spectacular park provides easy access to plenty of glaciers, turquoise-colored lakes, and snow-capped peaks. One of leisure.com experts says, “Now that I visited this spot, I know why every Canada travel guide has its mention."

2. Wolf Lake – Yukon

The Wolf Lake, secrets to the untouched wilderness lie over mountains and river valleys. Located in the depth of the Yukon Territories, the Lake’s breathtaking scenery will nothing but charm you. The amazing fishing experiences that are provided for Northern Pike, Arctic Grayling, are just about great. And, there are ample varieties of challenges you can take.

3. Fernie – British Columbia

The magic of Fernie is known to the world for over a hundred years now — people from around the world come to explore and admire this one of the top attractions of Canada. Fernie has ample exploration choices both for all the history buffs out there and the naturalists. Since the 1940s it has been a dream for skiers and is now also one of the most popular spots for snowmobilers— and we wanted you to know about this spot through our Canada travel guide.

4. Algonquin Provincial Park

With the interior that spans rocky ridges, maple designs, and such a vast number of lakes, forests, rivers, and bogs — it’s all that makes the Algonquin Provincial Park one of the most visited destinations in the country. You can explore the interior of this park only on foot or by paddle. At the second Algonquin, you can enjoy camping, hiking, go on educational discovery programs, and visit the Logging Museum and Art Centre.

5. Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls are some of the most beautiful and mesmerizing waterfalls in the world and we could not have missed this in our Canada Travel Guide. And, precisely they are the most easily accessible in the world! Apart from this, we’ll make sure to help you know more about it in our upcoming articles. You can either walk up at the very edge of the falls or to see it with a different perspective, you can just take a boat trip across the base of the falls. You can catch the water pouring over from above from behind the falls. While looking for leisure tour packages make sure your Canada travel guide will be taking you through this mesmerizing part of the country or not.

6. Toronto's CN Tower

The iconic CN Tower is located on the shores of Lake Ontario! It is one of the most popular landmarks in Canada. Dominating the skyline, the CN tower stands at an impressive height of 553 meters. There are 360 revolving dining restaurants on the top where you would enjoy dining in the air. From the Glass Floor & the LookOut, you experience incredibly magical views over the entire area.

7. Drumheller – Alberta

Located in the heart of Canadian Badlands, Drumheller is also known as the dinosaur capital of the world. Drumheller is home to almost all the dinosaurs that existed and are also home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which is the only museum in Canada that’s about paleontology. You can enjoy a number of fun and creative activities here including spotting the dinosaur’s statues all through. Find reliable Canadian travel guides and they will walk you through the best tourist spots in the country.

8. Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens are 22 ha (55 acres), where people come to enjoy all through the year. You can see plenty of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths during the spring and that’s about so much fragrance and beauty all around. From the evening entertainment to the Rose Garden, boat tours, and the Saturday firework show— everything just WOW. During the fall, the Japanese maples would turn to gold, red & russet— and during the late summer, the perennial borders get started with their show.

9. Old Quebec – Quebec

Founded in the 17th century, Québec is the only North American city that has managed to preserve its ramparts, the plenty of bastions, and the plenty of defensive work. The 400 years old edifice is also a UNESCO World heritage center and the birthplace of French North America. The old Quebec architecture is one of the most astounding with plenty of scope of cultural & historical explorations. Canada travel guides can help you with getting deeper insights into the place.

Approximate Cost of Canada Vacations

Canada, where you would find amazingly polite citizens and a whole lot of hockey lovers— is one place you must plan a trip to once in your lifetime. You can either hire Canada travel guides or explore this bucket list destination on your own. But the first consideration when you start planning a Canada vacation is the budget. How it may cost you to plan your Canad trip? You can look through different leisure tour packages and you’ll get an idea of the approximate cost. In this Canada travel guide, we wanted to bring you an overall idea.

If you are planning 7-days solo travel, it might cost you anywhere between $1,079, if you want to enjoy the vacation here as a couple it might cost you $1,633, and for a family vacation to Canada, the spends might be around $2,081 for a family of four. We are giving you just an estimated cost for Canada vacations through this Canada travel Guide, it might vary depending on what places you are visiting, where you are staying & more.

Also Read: 11 Amazing Tips To Enjoy Your Vacation On A Budget

Average Daily Cost

Length of Vacation	For One Person	For Couple
1 Week	CA$1,289	CA$2,577
2 Week	CA$2,577	CA$5,155
1 Month	CA$5,523	CA$11,046

The average cost for a hotel falls between $54 to $245 per night and home rentals will cost between $170 to $490 per night. Flights from all over the world can cost you anything between $1,790 to $2,537 for first-class & $570 and $808 per person for economy flights.

Estimated cost for a Solo Traveler:

	Estimated Spends
Local transportation	$1,000
Food and drink	$300
Airfare	$600
Random spending	$100
Attractions	$560
Accommodations	$1,950

Canada Travel Guide: Best time to visit Canada

Looking for Canada leisure tour packages? Never forget to check out for the best time to visit Canada. It’s like September through November is the best time of the year to travel to Canada when the weather is at its best, there are fewer crowds, and the cost has dropped. It’s when popular fall celebrations like wine festivals, apples, and pumpkins are in full swing. However, Canada occupies this massive stretch of land and the temperature can vary from East through the west. The weather in most parts of Canada is pleasant between late June to August when the highest number of travelers flock to witness the beauty of this mesmerizing land. Another good time to travel to Canada in Spring. But the best time to visit Canada will also depend on where you want to travel — like if you are visiting Vancouver than if you are visiting Toronto. So, you have to take care of the specifics of the location to decide the best time to visit Canada. In this Canada travel guide, we are giving you an idea of the seasons and the temperature that each season has.

Also Read: Top Trip Suggestions For A Wonderful Vacation

Seasons in Canada

Seasons	Months	Temperature
Winter	December 21 to March 19	Can be as low as -20 degrees Celsius in some parts
Summer	July and August	Temperatures vary across Canada
Spring	March 20th to June 20th	Warming weather along with beautiful flowers, leaves, and greenery
Autumn	September to December	Temperatures vary across Canada

Money-Saving Tips in on Canada Vacation

Even before you might have reached this Canada travel guide and looked through many Canada leisure tour packages, you might have looked around a number of websites to find out the estimated cost of traveling through Canada. The first thought when you began planning a Canada vacation would have been how much money you would need to plan this vacation. The truth is, you cannot exactly make out how much money you might need to travel to any foreign land because you never know how much it could get stretched. However, you can always gather an idea on the estimated cost of planning a Canada vacation (you can refer to our “Approximate Cost of Canada Vacations” section in this Canada travel guide.

And, you can also make some adjustments and learn some ways to save money on your Canada vacation. Here are a few:

1. Consider Preparing your own Meal.

2. Plan your Canada Vacation during the Offseason.

3. Get Travel insurance.

4. Don't stay in the middle of the town.

5. Travel between the major cities using the MegaBus.

Travel Manners & Etiquettes on Canada Vacation

Canada is one of the friendliest places on the planet and it's all full of nice people. But that might not always be true. You might find people who would not appreciate it if you are not making efforts to respect the nuances of their culture. So, it’s important to consider brushing up on your Canadian etiquettes before you start off. In this Canada travel guide, we have listed a few handy tips. Let’s see:

1. Don’t think everyone can speak English.

2. You must follow the Tipping culture.

3. Don’t talk about religion & politics.

4. Show respect to the indigenous people.

5. Firm hand-shaking when greeting is appreciated.

6. Discrimination would not be tolerated. Accept.

7. Avoid drinking alcohol in public.

8. Show respect to the environment.

9. Don’t make sweeping generalizations.

10. Learn a little bit of French.

11. Don’t always interrupt people in their personal space.

RELATED: Dining Etiquette Tips For Business Travel: Impress Your Client!

Canada Travel Guide: How to Stay Safe on Canada Vacation

Violent crimes against tourists are rare in Canada. But always ask your Canada tour guide about the checklist that will help you keep safe on your Canada vacation. If you have a little knowledge and a little common sense, you can easily keep yourself in a safe zone while traveling through Canada. Most of the crime spots in Canada are in the west — and the only east coast country in this list is Halifax in Nova Scotia. In popular holiday spots, violent crimes are almost non-existent. However, crime is minimal, yet it has its fair share of sticky fingers. So be careful. This Canada travel guide consists of a couple of essential tips on how to be safe on your Canada vacation. Let’s see:

1. Access the underlying travel risks and then plan your vacation. The best way is to consult your doctor so you can avoid the risk of diseases like malaria & dengue.

2. Send an email of your itinerary to some of your close family & friends. And, let them regularly know that you are all traveling safely.

3. Get yourself a traveler’s experience. Choose an international travel insurance package consisting of evacuation, health & medical coverage.

4. Keep an electronic copy of all your documents so that even if you lose them they would be with you always.

5. Make sure your data is safe. Keep your mobile devices and other electronic devices password protected. Keep a backup of all your mobile data so you can access them remotely.

6. Acquire knowledge about the local money. Know about the monetary conversions and where you can exchange them safely. Make sure the credit & debit cards you are using will work in Canada.

7. Keep the address of your accommodation always handy. Click a picture of your accommodation on your phone.

8. Eat & drink cautiously.

9. Don’t meet someone you met on social media directly, first verify their identity.

Interesting Facts About Canada

Canada is a pretty fascinating country, it is one of the biggest exporters of very unusual food products— one of the territories of the place filled with a snake in May — and the population is pretty scarce as compared to other parts of the world. The wonderful combination of its landscape & history makes it one of the most loved tourist destinations in the world. In this section of our Canada Travel Guide, we’ll tell you some of the interesting facts about the country.

1. The Canadian Government in 2012 declared that Santa Claude indeed was a citizen of Canada.

2. Canada got its own flag only on February 15, 1965, about 100 years after it became a country.

3. With Russia at no. one Canada is the second-largest country across the globe, which is followed by China.

4. Canadians apologize a lot. It is highly likely that you will also develop the habit of apologizing if you have stayed in Canada for an extended period of time.

5. Unlike what people believe, Manitoba has the largest number of snakes and not Australia with red-sided garter being the most popular breed.

6. You won’t believe it! The popular interjection “eh” has been inducted into the Canadian Oxford Dictionary and that’s a valid word.

7. In big cities, the crime rate is very low.

8. The people living in Churchill Manitoba, never lock the doors of their house or car.

9. Churchill located in northern Manitoba is called the polar bear capital of the world.