Canada essential info
O Canada – the opening lyrics to Canada’s national anthem, and a typical reaction to the size and scale of this vast, rugged country
Canada: vital Stats
- Capital: Ottawa
- Population: 33 million
- Languages: Two official languages, English and French
- Time: Ottawa (Eastern Time Zone) GMT -5 (GMT -4)
There are six time zones in Canada – from east to west. Daylight Savings Time (DST) runs from March – November.
- Newfoundland GMT -3.30 (DST GMT -2.30)
- Atlantic GMT -4 (DST GMT -3)
- Eastern GMT -5 (DST GMT -4)
- Central GMT -6 (DST GMT -5 )
- Mountain GMT -7 (DST GMT -6)
- Pacific GMT -8 (DST GMT -7)
- International dialing code: +1
- Voltage guide: 220 AC, 50 Hz
- Visas: Canada visa
- Money: Canadian dollar $CDN. ATMs are readily available. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping (15%) is generally expected in restaurants and for bar service. It never hurts to tip people in the service industry with a loonie ($1 coin) or a toonie ($2 coin) – they'll appreciate it. Hairdressers, taxi drivers and barbers may expect 10% for good service.
- Canada travel advice: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- Canada tourist board: Canada - Keep exploring
When to go to Canada
Canada has four strong seasons and although it may occasionally snow in summer and you may find blooming tulips in January, spring, summer, autumn and winter all have their unique charms.
International airport
International airports are dotted around Canada. Toronto is the major hub for international flights. Toronto (YYZ)
Getting around
Generally, public transportation in Canada is excellent in cities and urban areas.
You drive on the right-hand side of the road in Canada, and whilst roads are excellent, drivers should be prepared to drive in snow if traveling in the winter. In winter, cars are equipped with winter tyres and roads are gritted and salted.
Taxis are readily available in city centres. Via Rail is Canada’s national rail service , which offers journeys between cities and villages, as well as multi-day sleeper journeys, including spectacular, glass-roofed carriage trips through the Rocky Mountains
Long-distance bus companies are prolific and an inexpensive way to travel in Canada. Several consecutive days on a bus remains a rite of passage for travelers and locals alike.
Accommodation
The standard of accommodation in Canada is generally good. Hostels are prolific in cities, B&Bs dot the countryside and roadside motels are something worth try (if only once).
Camping – and all variations of – are national pastimes in Canada. A network of National Parks have created an outdoor playground covering an area bigger than the United Kingdom. Whether you plan to hike-in, portage-to, car, caravan, canoe camp, or just sit on a case of beer beside a tent, Parks Canada will help you get it done.
Food & drink
There isn’t much that can’t be grown, fished, farmed or shot in Canada, so make it part of the journey to eat locally and seasonally. Food in each region is a product of its landscape and history – it's well worth tucking in.
Fast-food giant Tim Hortons specializes in coffee, doughnuts and sandwiches – manage to order ‘an extra-large double-double and a snak-pack of Timbits’ from the drive-thru window and you’re practically a citizen.
Vegetarians are well catered for in Canada.
Beer is popular in Canada and is an essential part of watching hockey (winter) and attending barbeques (summer). Labatt 50 and Molson Export are traditional, old-man beers, while mid-size and microbreweries like Moosehead, Sleemans and Big Rock and Steam Whsitle are producing some truly fine brews.
Canadia is the leading producer of icewine, a sweet dessert wine made from frozen grapes. Vineyards in Ontario’s Niagara region and British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley are producing excellent chardonnay, pinot noir and Riesling wines.
Health & safety
Canada has excellent free national health care services for Canadians – anyone else will have to pay through the nose should they need medical services. Travel health insurance is therefore essential, or you may end up with a shocker of a bill.
Water is generally fine to drink throughout Canada, although drinking directly from lakes or rivers can result in Giardiasis, a parasitic infection from water contaminated with animal feces – known locally as ‘beaver fever’. Giardiasis is easily treated with antibiotics.