Canada may not be as famous a tourist destination as other countries but going there is still pretty exciting.
You’ll never know what you might find or what they have to offer in this enigmatic North American country. The only way to truly understand Canada is to take a trip there and experience their hotbed of different cultures and bubbly personalities.
However, Canada is far different from any other country. There are certain things you have to be aware of in order have a peaceful trip there. To help you out here is a helpful list of Canada travel tips.
Related Be More Prepared To Travel To Canada With These Helpful Tips
Bring Cozy Clothing
Canada is known to be one of the coldest places in the world. It’s a powerhouse country that’s one of the closest to the Antarctic, and it’s known to experience harsh winter seasons. Certain provinces in the country have a daily average temperature of -15 degrees Celsius during the winter.
While you can’t do anything about the cold as it’s part of Canadian life, you can still survive it by bringing lots of comfortable clothing. Jackets, parkas, coats, hats, mittens, and more will help you stay warm and toasty amidst Canada’s climate. And if you feel that your wardrobe isn’t enough, you can always buy more in their malls and department stores.
Learn Some French
Apart from English, French is Canada’s second official and most spoken language. About 20.6% of the country’s entire population know how to speak French, and a lot of them are native speakers who may not even see a speck of English. If you’re planning a trip to Canada, learning a little French wouldn’t hurt.
This is especially if your flight is in or includes going to Quebec, where almost the entire population speaks exclusively French. It’s even said that Quebec is like the mini Paris of North America, making it a must-see. You’ll never know, maybe learning even the most basic of French phrases can make all the difference.
Learn The Currency Exchange Rate
Another good tip for traveling to Canada is to learn the currency exchange rate even before you set foot in the country. It’s a common misconception that Canadian dollars are equivalent to US dollars, but that is not the case.
The exchange rate between your country’s currency and Canadian dollars can be substantially different from that of the US dollar, so don’t rely on the latter as the barometer. For example, as of this writing, €1 is equal to $1.14, while in Canadian dollars, it would be $1.50. The .36 difference may not be a lot at face value, but once you’re in the country, it may be a different story.
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Be Careful When Driving
Even in your own home, you have to be extremely careful when driving. But in Canada in particular, there are special external forces that might lead to accidents. In this North American country, animals crossing the road is widespread. They’ve even put up specific programs teaching drivers on how to carefully navigate streets that animals frequent, and what to do to avoid them and to help them when they’ve been hit.
Certain areas have even also put overpasses for animals to walk on to avoid getting hit by cars. No matter how good of a driver you are in your country, you must be extra careful when driving in Canada, and else you might hit a chicken crossing the road.
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Beware Of Bears
Speaking of animals, one in particular that Canada is full of is bears. And these aren’t the sweet Teddy kind neither. The bears in this country are big, wild, and hungry. They also vary in species, from the grizzly variety in the forests to the white-furred polar bears in the colder regions.
A good tip for traveling to Canada is to beware of bears. Before you go to the country, research online the specific areas that have the most bear sightings and find out what you should do if you’re suddenly near one. Any mistake made can lead to drastic consequences for you and the bear.
Watch Out For Snakes
Apart from bears, Canada is known to have a lot of snakes as well. Who knew Canada was such a wild country when it comes to animals? Similarly to bears, a good Canada travel tip is to know what to do when you’re faced with a snake. It’s imperative that you know how to avoid them when they’re near you, what to do if you’ve been bitten, and how to prevent suffocating from them.
Snakes often slither around the country after the hibernation period is over. The province of Manitoba, in particular, is known to have the largest snake concentration in the world. About 70,000 have been found in the area, many of which were wild and free. For those who are afraid of the reptile, it may be best to avoid this province altogether.
Be Friendly
The very best and most useful tip for traveling to Canada is to be friendly. You know that popular stereotype of Canadians being the most beautiful people in the world? That’s more or less true. A lot of the population are friendly and accommodating people, especially to tourists visiting from other nations.
Although being friendly is always a good idea when traveling to other countries, it’s especially wise to do so in Canada. Crack a smile or two, be polite, and have a little chat with anyone who crosses your path. Who knows? A lifelong friend might be there in the country.
Canada is an excellent country to travel, but it’s not always the easiest. They have individual quirks and charms that may need some further understanding and getting used to. If you’re planning to visit this North American country, follow a few, or even all, of the Canada travel tips mentioned above. It’ll make your life a whole lot easier and your trip a whole lot better.
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