Canada is a country which offers you pristine beauty and unexplored places. With the increasing awareness of its pristine beauty, more and more travelers are planning a trip to Canada each year. While Canada is generally warm and friendly with tourists but there are a few things which you need to remember before you plan your Canadian trip. We will today share with you seven things which you should know about Canada before traveling to this beautiful country.
1. Large Geographical area:
- Rocky Mountains
- West Coast
- Maritimes
2. It’s Cold:
The weather in Canada is often harsh. The temperatures can drop to -20 or -30 in the Prairies. The coasts, however, are moderate in temperature. You have to avoid the winter season as far as possible when traveling to Canada. It will ensure that you can avoid harsh temperatures. However, summers can bring problems of its own. There can be thunderstorms and temperature dips at night. That is why it is always better to carry quite a few layers when heading to Canada. It will ensure that you can handle the temperature in a much better way. Generally speaking, you have to stay prepared for freezing temperatures.
3. Do not delay the ETA:
ETA is the acronym for Electronic Travel Authorization. It is the easiest way to explore Canada. It is mandatory for people from all nationalities to get it before heading to Canada. Only Americans are the sole exception. In most cases, you would need this document before you board your flight to Canada. The requirements for eTA Canada are not very elaborate. You will need:
- Passport
- Email address
- Credit card
You will have to answer a small questionnaire and share some personal information to apply for it. The fee is relatively smaller at just $ 7. You need to keep in mind that you have to get this document before heading to Canada. You should not delay procuring this document. Under normal circumstances, you might get it within a few minutes of applying for it. However, it is better to complete this procedure in advance rather than keeping it for the last minute.
4. Want to stay for free? Use Couchsurfing:
The accommodation options are costly in Canada. Whether looking for resorts or hotels or any other type of accommodation, you will have to spend a significant amount of money. The food and beverage options are even more expensive. Hostels and B&Bs might be present in some major cities and tourist centers, but you will not find them in the countryside. That is why it is better to opt for Couch surfing.
Couchsurfing involves staying in an extra bedroom if you’re willing to help the host with a particular task or provide them some company. There are dedicated sites for Couchsurfing which will connect you with the hosts. Couchsurfing is entirely free, which means that you will not have to worry about spending a significant amount of money. Also, since you will be staying with the locals, you can efficiently utilize their knowledge of the surroundings to explore Canada better. That is why; you should never ignore Couchsurfing when heading over to Canada.
5. Do not forget Tim Hortons:
It is always advisable to know about good food chain prominently present in the country to which you’re traveling. In the case of Canada, it is Tim Hortons. You will find it in any city you visit. They are present in smaller towns as well. You can quickly get things like:
- Donuts
- Sandwiches
- Coffee and more
Also, it is affordable, which means that you will not have to shell out a significant amount of money to get a snack.
6. Spend on a travel Insurance policy:
Health care in Canada for tourists is costly. That is why; you must have a travel insurance policy. It will mean that you can access quality health care. Even smaller problems in Canada can cost you hundreds of dollars for consultations. If the procedure is elaborate, it can cost you thousands of dollars.
When you have a travel insurance policy, it is all covered. In case of any unfortunate incident, you can get quality health care. You have to ensure, however, that you read the fine print of your travel insurance policy. Only once you do so, it is easy to understand what is covered and what is not. It is better to choose a policy which covers adventure sports and other such activities so that you get complete coverage. Irrespective of the premiums, you should get travel insurance for yourself when traveling to Canada.
7. Explore the countryside:
While cities in Canada like Toronto, Montréal, Winnipeg, and many more are beautiful in their sense, but if you want to explore Canada, you have to head over to the countryside. You can meet locals and explore their culture. Moreover, you can explore the pristine wilderness of Canada as well. Canada is sparsely populated but has a big landmass, and that is why there are plenty of places to explore. If you are a nature-lover, it is one of the best countries to visit.
Also, it is the ultimate playground, as well. There are plenty of outdoor sports which you can indulge in like:
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Camping
- Paddleboarding
- Bird watching
- And much more
There is no shortage of physical activities which you can take part in. Moreover, during the physical activities and sports, you can interact with the locals as well, which will help you explore Canada in a much better way. So, when visiting Canada, do make sure that you explore the outdoors.
Canada is a magnificent country. With the help of our travel guide above, you can prepare in advance for your Canadian trip. It will ensure that you have a glitch-free trip when you can enjoy to the fullest. It is time to explore the natural beauty of this beautiful country.
