Canada Travel Guide

Canada is the second-largest country in the world and is also the largest country in North America by land area.

It is certainly a destination you will want to visit. The landscape here varies tremendously from east to west and from north to south. The entire country cannot be covered in one trip, as it is full of natural beauty that amazes at every turn.

From the beautiful coastal areas in Atlantic provinces to the beautiful Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains in Alberta to the breathtaking natural beauty in the Prairies, Canada has it all!

Canadian wilderness

This beautiful country also has unique flora and fauna in the cold northern provinces. This area practically touches the northern tip of the world. It also crosses the Arctic Circle.

Aurora Borealis in Northern Territories

Things To Do In Canada

Click on any hyperlinked Destinations on this page to read more about that place.

Niagara Falls

Tourism plays a significant part in Canada’s economy. Its unique geographical diversity makes it a strong tourist appeal. Due to its vast size, Canada is divided into 13 provinces, and all regions are unique in their own way.

These are:

However, the majority of tourist attractions are centered in just 9 metropolitan areas. These areas are known for their cultural and historical sites, as well as the national parks.

Top Cities in Canada

Toronto — The largest city in Canada, fourth-largest in North America, Toronto is the media, entertainment, business, economic and cultural capital of Canada. Toronto is well known for famous landmarks like the CN Tower, but also has many great museums, theaters, sports venues, shopping districts, entertainment districts, beaches, and recreational parks.
Montreal — Once Canada’s largest metropolis, Montreal is the core of North America’s Francophone culture (you can still get by with English) and is home to some of the finest galleries, museums, venues, and festivals in the country along with great shopping on streets like Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Denis. Don’t miss Mount Royal, either.
Quebec City — The Province of Quebec’s capital, founded 1608, well known for its quaint old city, its grand winter festival, and gorgeous architecture like the Hotel Frontenac.
Vancouver — One of the most densely populated cities in Canada, Vancouver is a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty. It is unique in that it is a city where one can ski and sit on the beach in the same 24 hours. The city was also the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics and is frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Calgary — A boom-town without a doubt, Calgary is a major Canadian financial city, but for non-business travelers, it offers the world-class Calgary Zoo, the Calgary Tower, the Calgary Stampede, Glenbow Museum, shopping at Chinook Mall and Atlantic Ave, and is only a short distance from the recreation of the Rockies.
Ottawa — Canada’s national capital, this city is home to national government monuments like Parliament Hill, many major museums like the National Gallery, cool urban neighborhoods like the ByWard Market, and great old architecture.
Halifax — Home to the second-largest natural harbor in the world is rich in history with architecture dating back from English colonialism. See fortress Citadel hill, the Canadian Museum of the Atlantic, and the active nightlife where everything is a short walk away.
St. John’s — A beautiful, picture-perfect coastal town.
Winnipeg — This city is near the heart of the continent and has a rich French-Canadian and First Nations culture, along with well-preserved blocks of historic commercial buildings, renowned arts and culture, and the vibrancy of the Forks.

Most Iconic Destinations

Read Also: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada and the List of Canadian National Parks, for a sample of Canada’s natural and cultural attractions.

The most popular destinations in Canada (from west to east) are:

Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island

The rocky Pacific coast of Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and the smaller islands between them, for example on the Southern Gulf Islands, quiet refuges a short ferry ride from urbane Vancouver.

The dry, sunny valleys of British Columbia, notably the Okanagan, a wide valley featuring a deep, clean lake, Canada’s warmest summers, and fresh fruits and wines that go with the weather.

The Rockies & Banff

Banff National Park

The dramatic alpine vistas of the Rocky Mountains, in particular in Banff National Park, the oldest and most famous of all Canadian national parks, and home to world-famous Lake Louise.

The Canadian Rockies

The Prairies

Read: Canadian Prairies: A Photo Gallery

The wide skies and open spaces of the prairies (plains), for example at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, a world heritage site featuring both natural rock formations and indigenous rock art.

Niagara Falls

The rich farmlands and historic towns of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region, where the majority of Canadians actually live, notably the Niagara Peninsula, home of the famous waterfalls, Central Canada’s most famous wine region, and numerous historic sites related to the War of 1812.

Algonquin Park

The cottage country found all along the southern edge of the vast boreal forest that covers the northern halves of most provinces, where there are many camping and boating opportunities as well as lakeside “cottages” and “chalets” (vacation homes) for rent, in particular Algonquin Park, Canada’s oldest and most famous provincial park, which is between Toronto and Ottawa.

The Appalachian Mountains & Atlantic Coast

The rolling Appalachian Mountains and charming fishing villages of the Atlantic coast, for example, Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, the most popular national park east of the Rockies and a beluga whale-watching mecca.

Best Time to Visit Canada

Quebec in Fall

The climate varies from temperate on the west coast of British Columbia to a subarctic climate in the north. Extreme northern regions can experience snow for most of the year with a polar climate. Parts of Western Canada have a semi-arid climate, and parts of Vancouver Island have a cool Mediterranean climate.

Canada hosts natural beauty and is also a major tourist destination. It is a perfect combination of both wilderness and adventure. Let’s explore Canada!

Getting Around in Canada

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Taxis are plentiful in all cities and towns. Also, if you want to hire a car, you can do it in any city or airport. You need to be over 21 (in some cases, over 25) to do that. Roads are in good condition and cars drive on the right side of the road here.

Currency of Canada

The official currency is Canadian dollars. The currency exchange is available at banks and bureaus de change. Some hotels also provide currency exchange, but the rates will not be the best. All major credit cards are widely accepted.

However, many stores charge an additional C$5 to C$20 per debit or credit card purchase. ATMs are plentiful in cities and towns, but they are rare in remote rural regions.

Language

Two official languages of the country are English and French. French is the dominant language in the Quebec province as well as frequently spoken in the northeastern Canada whereas English is the default lingua-franca for almost the entire Canada.

Electricity & Plug Types

In Canada, they use electric sockets and plugs of types A and B. The standard voltage is 120V.

Things To Do In Canada

Top Cities in Canada