Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Canada, our neighbor to the north! We spent a month driving around Canada, and it’s truly a beautiful country with so many places to visit in Canada. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Canada vacation.
Hate #1: Vast Size & Remote Areas
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if you want to see “all” of Canada, there is a lot of ground to cover, and there are some very remote areas in Canada. It’s nine hours just to get from Prince Edward Island to Quebec, and those are both in Eastern Canada! You can spend a lot of time driving between Canada tourist attractions. Cell coverage is also spotty in those remote areas, so you always want to be sure to fill your gas tank before heading into an open stretch of road. Fortunately, the roads are good and snowplows come quickly in the winter.
Traveling from Vancouver to Seattle on the Amtrak Cascades Train
Love #1: Natural Beauty of Canada
Canada is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve ever visited. From the mountains and coastline of British Columbia to the Canadian Rockies with ski towns like Banff and Lake Louise, Niagara Falls and the rugged beauty of Canada’s East Coast, there is really something for everyone in Canada. You can even take a polar bear safari in Churchill. Canadian cities are great but make sure you leave some time to explore the natural beauty of Canada.
Hate #2: Sales Tax & Tipping
If you are visiting Canada from Europe, you will be surprised that the price you see on the menu or price tag isn’t the price you end up paying for goods and services. Just like in the United States, Canada adds a sales tax on top of the price, which is only added at the cash register. There’s a federal sales tax, a provincial sales tax, and often a city tax. This can add anywhere from 5 to 20% on top of the original sales price. When dining out in Canada, plan to tip between 15 and 20% on top of your bill.
Love #2: Canadian People
It’s not just a stereotype! Canadian people are so friendly and helpful, you can’t help but love Canada because of it. Everyone we encountered during our travels has been super friendly and helpful, ready to give us tips on what to see in Canada and what to skip. It’s not just a superficial nice, either, it’s very genuine. Canadians are truly warm and caring, and they love to share their hometown with travelers.
Hate #3: Canadian Pedestrians
Wherever you go in Canada, pedestrians have the right-of-way, so they are a little more empowered than what you may be used to in other countries. They will just step right out into the crosswalk, so if you are driving, you really have to watch out for pedestrians.
Love #3: Canadian Multiculturalism
Where the United States is a melting pot of cultures that end up integrating into one, Canada has several unique cultures that remain individualized. The French culture is the obvious one, as French is the official language of Quebec, and many Canadians speak French and English. Canada really seems to celebrate the diversity of cultures, rather than attempt to consolidate them. Several Canadian cities have vibrant Chinatown districts, and Vancouver really feels like an international city.
The Don’ts of Visiting Vancouver
Hate #4: Prices in Canada
Canada is not cheap. It’s not super expensive, and of course, prices will vary as you travel to different cities and regions, but it’s not really a budget destination. Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto are the most expensive areas of Canada, but in general, prices are comparable or a bit higher than in the United States.
Love #4: Diverse Canada Attractions
There really is something for everyone in Canada! We’ve already mentioned the natural beauty, and with that comes hiking, biking, skiing, boating, kayaking and pretty much any outdoor sport you can think of. If you prefer spectator sports, hockey is the second religion in Canada, so go check out a hockey game. Canadian cities have amazing architecture and the multicultural aspect means you can sample a ton of interesting cuisines in Canada.
Hate #5: Canada Winters
Most people either love or hate winter, and if you visit Canada in the winter, then you probably have some idea of what you are in for. Canada can get crazy cold in the winter, and they get a TON of snow in most areas. Obviously, the further north you go, the colder it will be. If you are just a casual tourist and not interested in winter sports like skiing or ice skating, then the best time to visit Canada is during the spring, summer, or fall.
Love #5: Canadian Poutine
The official food of Canada is poutine. You take an order of French Fries, then add cheese curds and gravy. This is the basic poutine and of course, people get crazy with adding more toppings like meat. You have to try poutine when you visit Canada. You can get poutine at a fancy restaurant, or from a shack on the street; it’s everywhere in Canada. Some other Canadian specialties include Tim Horton’s and maple syrup.
There are so many fun things to do in Canada. While on the surface, it may seem very similar to the United States, it’s actually quite different and well worth your time to take a trip to Canada. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to plan a trip to Canada. Want more tips for planning a Canada vacation? Check out these other blog posts: