Canada Travel Guide

Canada is a land of great distances and amazing natural beauty.  Both economically and technologically, it resembles its neighbor to the South and shares with it the longest undefended border in the world.  However, there remain significant differences between the two countries.  In contrast to the United States’ image as a melting pot, Canada often makes a self-referential statement of being a “mosaic of cultures and people.” Canadians in general are used to living and interacting with people of different ethnic backgrounds on a daily basis and will usually be quite friendly and understanding when approached in public.  Spring, summer and autumn are all ideal for touring Canada, though if you want to ski you’ll naturally have to come in winter or early spring, which is also your best time to find discount airfare to Canada.  For campers and those who want to visit the far north, the summer months of July and August are best.  Summer is also when many of the country’s festivals take place.  Note that the peak tourist season is between Victoria Day (late May) and Labour Day (early September).  Although spring and autumn have fewer crowds, lower hotel prices and a more relaxed pace than the summer months, some visitor-oriented facilities and attractions may be closed during these shoulder seasons.

Accommodations in Canada vary substantially in price depending on time and place, but in most major cities and tourist areas, expect to pay upwards of $100US or more for a good hotel room.  In rural areas, motels and hotels are small and simple, where you might pay as little as $40US for a night’s accommodation (particularly in the off season).  Just know that many options are the same as they would be in America, from Motel 6 to Holiday Inn.  In many areas, a bed and breakfast is a nice option, where you stay in people’s homes with suites as guests.  The price ranges from $45 to $140US a night, and hence the namesake, usually includes a breakfast in the morning.  Other options include cottage rentals on the lakes and in the countryside and apartment rentals in the cities.  Prices of these are comparable to hotels and motels, but this type of lodging provides some comforts and conveniences of home.  There are also a huge number of hostels and campgrounds in Canada, the latter of which ranges from privately owned RV parks to the publicly operated campgrounds in national and provincial parks.  As Canada relies heavily on this sector of its economy, they are almost always well-kept and generally very clean.

There is certainly no shortage of things to do in Canada.  It is a country with a rich cultural heritage, where festivals and events are held annually to celebrate its multicultural landscape.  Each festival may represent just a single facet belonging to the diverse population of Canada.   These festivals are easily identified by season, from the music festivals of spring, to the winter carnivals and pioneer festivals of January and February.  You will not find Canada to be lacking in natural beauty either.  The country’s plentiful national parks are spread across every province, and offer an exceptional variety of cold and warm weather activities, from things as obvious as skiing, to lesser-known exploits such as spelunking its vast system of subterranean caves.  You can also partake in Canada’s wild bounty by viewing bald eagles, bears, wolves and thousand-year-old pines.

Land travel is mostly cheaper and—aside from longer travel times—much more interesting than flying. The bus network is the most extensive public transportation system and is overall less expensive than the somewhat limited train service.  The most famous cross-country train is the Canadian, a classic 1950s-style beauty that travels from Toronto to Vancouver, complete with a two-storied windowed ‘dome car’ for sightseeing.  Air travel is by far faster, more convenient and not necessarily much more expensive, especially if you snag a special fare or find a cheap ticket with one of the low-cost, low-frills carriers such as Westjet.  If you’re confining yourself to one region, the best way to experience the country is by car or Recreational Vehicle (RV).  Canadians drive on the right side of the road, and a valid driver’s license from any country is good in Canada for three months.