Outdoor Paradise
Canada is an outdoors paradise both in the winter and the summer and rivals the like of New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil for spectacular natural beauty. It is a popular skiing and winter sports destination with loads of possibilities and winter festivals. In the summer, there are endless hiking, mountain biking, rafting, canoeing, and camping sites. With a rich history and multi-ethnic population, any traveler will feel right at home when travelling within the country.
Off the beaten track
Canada can be considered liberal, tolerant and very tourist-friendly. Several aspects of Canada will appeal to the independent traveler. From coast to coast, there is an extensive range of hostels and budget accommodations. There are also campsites all around that are popular with Canadians and tourists. It is also affordable and safe. Canada is sparsely populated outside the big cities and getting off the beaten track is not difficult at all.
Fun Canadians, eh!
Nevertheless, don’t get to enthusiastic and think you can tour the entire length of the country in one go (unless you have about 6-8 weeks & a healthy budget). Whether you visit during the summer or winter, it is guaranteed your long flight will be worth it as you meet fun Canadians who will be proud to show what their country has to offer.
Typical tourist trail:
There are a variety of regions in Canada: Western Canada includes the provinces of British Columbia (Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Whistler, Okanagan Valley, Kootenays, etc.), Alberta (Banff, Jasper, Calgary, Edmonton, etc.), Saskatchewan (Regina, Saskatoon, etc.) and Manitoba (Winnipeg, Churchill, etc.). Eastern Canada includes the provinces of Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, the Great Lakes, etc.), Québec (Montréal, Québec City, Gaspésie, etc.), New Brunswick (Moncton, Bay of Fundy, etc.), Nova Scotia (Halifax, Cape Breton, etc.), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown, Cavendish, etc.) and Newfoundland (St. John’s, L’Anse aux Meadows, etc.). The North includes the Dawson Highway, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqualuit
Tourist factor:
7/10, 8/10 in major cities. Many, many backpackers (book hostels, etc. weeks ahead). Expect many Japanese, Australasian, Scandinavian, British tourists.
Communication:
Internet is easily accessible via WIFI at many public places. Affordable mobile phone plans can be obtained for longer visits.
Accommodation:
There is something for everyone. From Hostel Internationals to high-end hotels, cheap campsites and backpacker lodges. Prices from CAD$55+ (dorms) to CAD$140+ for singles.
Highlights:
Vancouver Island, Whistler, the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper), Okanagan Valley, West Edmonton Mall, Churchill (Polar bear capital of the world), Quebec’s Old City, the Rideau Canal, Cape Breton Island (& other coastal areas in the Atlantic), and many places in between.
Whale watching, outdoor activities. Extensive hostelling network, transportation (hop-on/off busses in most provinces). More adventurous travellers should head north to watch the finest Aurora Borealis or to Athabasca for sand dunning (yes there is a desert in Canada). Once the snow clears, patios come alive during the day and Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and many Canadian cities offer some of the best nightlife.
Lowlights:
It gets cold during winters. Unless you are American, getting in is expensive and getting around is time-consuming and strenuous.
Health:
Use common sense when out in the wild. Make sure you have travel insurance! Canadian healthcare system is designed for Canadians only, so if you (a tourist) end up with a broken leg in a skiing accident, you will have to pay to receive any sort of medical attention.
Drugs, cigarettes and alcohol:
The drinking age is 18 or 19, depending on the province or territory. Cigarettes are heavily taxed and smoking is banned in most public spaces, including in nightclubs. Cannabis is legal with restrictions. Please visit “Cannabis Legalization and Regulation” for more information.
Weather & Dangers:
Cold in the winters, but can be tolerable with the right gear. The cold only gets extreme in the far north. Rains frequently in western Canada. Few dangers, just use common sense when in the wild or out in mountains.
Food:
Nothing out of the ordinary, unless you end up going to Yukon or Nunavut and indulge in Arctic cuisine. Vegetarians should have no problems. Plentiful supermarkets, fast food joints and possibilities to cook your own.
Average cost:
Staying at a campsite, cooking own food and getting around on foot/hitchhiking will run you less than $50/day. Stay at a hostel, cook in the kitchen and get around on a backpacker bus for CAD$100+/day. Long term discounts are of course available.
