Canada tours & holidays
Extraordinary is an understatement when describing Canada
The changing colours of forested valleys and national parks, the flow of glacial lakes and the Rockies' snow-capped mountains – Canada is North America’s natural masterpiece. In summer, catch waves and spot whales off Vancouver Island or see Lake Louise at its finest. In winter, lace up for snowshoeing in Alberta. No matter the season, expect welcoming locals, untouched landscapes and a hearty plate of poutine to top it all off.
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Canada at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Ottawa (population 1 million)
POPULATION
40 million
CURRENCY
Canadian dollar (CAD)
LANGUAGE
English, French
TIME ZONE
(GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
CALLING CODE
+1
ELECTRICITY
Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)
Learn more about Canada
Best time to visit
Canada’s diverse landscape means every season offers something unique. The country is worth visiting at any time of the year. If you're craving snow-dusted magic, December through February bring ideal conditions for winter activities like snowshoeing. For warmer weather, the summer months of June to August are your go-to, with sunny days perfect for rafting, hiking and camping—but expect some crowds.
Spring and fall are Canada’s gems. March-June and September-November boast mild weather and fewer tourists, ideal for hitting one or all of its national parks. Whatever the season, Canada has a reason to visit.
Eating and drinking
Canada has all the hearty, comforting and sweet food you’ll need at any time of the year.
Things to eat in Canada
Poutine
It’s a national treasure – French fries topped with a gloriously messy mix of gravy and cheese curds. There’s a range of combinations with different meats, chips and sauces, all classed as ‘poutine’ (or more generally, ‘loaded fries’).
Seafood
Vancouver is known for having one of the best restaurant scenes in the world and seafood is almost always on the menu. Feast on a fresh seafood banquet, try some inventive fusion cuisine or grab a chowder for a quick bite.
Maple syrup
It comes as no surprise that maple syrup is super popular in Canada. Be sure to dose up your pancakes and include a side of bacon, just like the locals.
Beaver tails
No, they don't come from an actual beaver. Beaver tails are a stretched, fried dough – almost like a doughnut pizza – known as a bannock, topped with all kinds of sweet things, including cinnamon sugar, Nutella, banana, s’mores and more.
Nanaimo bars
Named after its birthplace – the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island – this bar consists of three layers: a wafer, nut and coconut crumb base, flavoured custard in the middle and a chocolate ganache to top it off.
Butter tarts
You may have realized by now that Canada is full of sweet treats, but how about trying an indulgent butter tart? It’s a sweet pastry shell baked with a filling of butter, sugar, syrup and egg – everything in moderation, right?
Boutique beer
The last few years have seen microbreweries pop up all over Canada. Whether you visit a microbrewery that brews chocolate-flavoured beer or dine at a restaurant with a local beer menu, a Canadian boutique beer is definitely worth trying.
Caesar cocktail
If beer isn’t your thing, what about Canada’s version of a Bloody Mary? Combine vodka, clamato juice, hot sauce and lime for a unique briny flavour. Throw in a stalk of celery and you’re set – don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
Geography and environment
Canada is big. And we mean huge. With such a large land mass, it comes as no surprise that the environment varies depending on which area of Canada you are travelling in.
Sitting between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Canada shares a long land border with the United States in the south and Alaska (US) and Greenland in the north. Mountains, forests and woodlands can be found throughout the country, with relatively flat, arable plains dotted around. There’s a lot of ice and tundra in the Arctic North. The country’s unique geography is one of the many reasons that it's so well-travelled and loved by tourists.
Canada’s cities are widespread, well-populated and built-up, though not overly crowded. Expect skyscrapers, malls, the odd traffic jam and all the modern conveniences. Smaller communities exist in more remote areas, with quaint villages on both coasts relying on fishing, tourism and agriculture as main sources of income. Expect a slower pace of life and much less buzz than in the city.
History and culture
It’s widely accepted that humans first settled in the area that is now Canada around 15000 years ago. Centuries later, France and Britain battled for the land, displacing many First Nations communities. In 1763, the Treaty of Paris made Canada officially a British territory and by 1867, Canada became a self-governing state under the British North America Act. But it still wasn’t until 1960 that Indigenous communities gained voting rights and only in 1998 was there an official statement of Reconciliation that accepted responsibility for injustices toward Indigenous peoples.
Today, Indigenous communities reside across the country, with the people of the First Nations and the Inuit promoting a traditional way of life through tribal music, handicrafts, art and clothing. Canada’s cities like Vancouver celebrate diversity and a love for the outdoors, while Quebec holds onto its French roots through language, food and music. National festivals like the Vancouver Light Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival and Quebec Winter Carnival add even more colour and culture.
Top places to visit in Canada
1. Canadian Rockies
It’s picture-perfect moments that encapsulate Banff National Park and beyond. Canoe on Lake Louise, take a dog-sledding adventure through Kananaskis Country, learn ice hockey from the pros in Canmore and take a hike or ice walk through Alberta
2. Jasper National Park
This section of Canada’s wilderness definitely deserves its worldwide acclaim. Discover the seasonal moods of Maligne Lake, hike to the toe of Athabasca glacier, spot a moose or black bear and get a bird’s-eye view from the scenic Skytram.
3. Sun Peaks
For a next-level Canadian experience, travellers in the know head to Sun Peaks. See this neck of the woods as the 18th-century fur traders did with a canoe trip on Lake McGillivray followed by a hearty four-course meal, all in the style of the 'Voyageurs'.
4. Vancouver
With mountain views from downtown and the perfect summers for strolling along the foreshore, Vancouver has the liveable west-coast vibes most cities dream of. Get among the hip bars in Gastown and hike through the parklands, which are rich in First Nations history.
5. Peace River
You can’t just look around to see Canada’s best – you’ve got to look up. After some ice fishing, take your winter adventure up a notch and discover the dazzling natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights in Peace River.
6. Nova Scotia
Canada's maritime region should really be as famed as its interior parks and cities. One look at the charming seaside villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites and jaw-dropping landscapes will have you planning your next trip back.
7. Newfoundland
A geographic wonderland, the Newfoundland region boasts scenery fit for being the most northeasterly point with maritime mammals, sheer cliffs and the odd iceberg floating by.
Money matters
The official currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).
Major credit cards are accepted by most retailers and restaurants in Canada, but as in most countries, be sure to carry adequate cash for smaller purchases in more rural areas. However, it is becoming the norm to buy a coffee or make other small purchases on a credit card, so it shouldn’t be much of an issue to swipe your card.
ATMs are very common in Canada, so finding one won’t be a problem in most cities or towns. They may not be as abundant in smaller towns or rural areas, so it’s wise to have enough cash before travelling anywhere too remote.
Canada travel FAQs
Most nationalities can travel to Canada without a visa but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before arriving. United States passport holders do not require an eTA but citizens of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, France and many others do.
Travellers from South Africa, China, Russia and a few other countries need a visa to travel to Canada. For more information, please visit the Government of Canada’s official website to find out if you need to apply for a visa or check the Essential Trip Information.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it is important that you check for the latest information. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government’s foreign travel advisories and consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Tipping is very much a part of the culture in Canada. It's expected in restaurants, cafes and bars, and usually won’t be included in the bill.
People typically add 15-20% to the bill but feel free to tip a higher amount if you’ve enjoyed your experience. Tipping taxi drivers and valet attendants is also customary. Many bills in Canada do feature a tipping indicator under the subtotal, which is a handy method for choosing how much to leave. It's your choice, just remember that tipping in North America is culturally ingrained and wait staff are usually paid minimum wage, so understanding this and tipping accordingly is appreciated.
This depends on where you’re travelling and when. The diversity of seasons rules out a one-size-fits-all packing list, so our advice is to consider both the season and the activities you’d like to participate in.
You’ll be able to get away with light clothing for most of the summer, like a shirt and shorts or light trousers, plus a jacket to wear in the cooler evenings. During spring and autumn, it’s best to bring layers. Temperatures can drop below freezing, especially at night, so if you’re checking out Vancouver’s nightlife or enjoying a nightcap in Toronto, it’s best to layer up. You’ll need to take the comfort dial up a notch in winter with thermal base layers, warm fleeces and jackets, and at least one wind-breaking outer layer to keep you warm. A beanie, scarf and neck warmer are all highly recommended.
For a more comprehensive list on what to wear and what to pack for Canada, be sure to check the packing list included in each trip’s Essential Trip Information.
Drinking water from taps in Canada is considered safe unless otherwise advised. Canada has some of the best tasting tap water in the world!
For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable bottle or canteen.
Canada’s internet is very good and it's easy to get access in most cities and towns.
Hotels, hostels and cafes are usually the best places to access the internet. It may be included with a booking or available at a small fee. Some fast food chains, cafes and restaurants have open wi-fi networks available, which are often accessible with a code from a purchase receipt. Be sure to keep an eye out for the international wi-fi symbol to connect.
Cell phone coverage is generally very good in Canada, but it may be patchy in remote areas such as national parks. Depending on the service provider, coverage in remote areas can sometimes be non-existent.
Your best bet, if you have an unlocked phone, is to purchase a prepaid SIM card when you arrive in Canada for all your calling, texting, and data needs. Canada has a few network providers and while voice coverage can be patchy, cell data is generally good in tourist areas, so using internet calling apps like Skype and WhatsApp is often preferred.
If you are from the United States (or are also travelling in the US), there is often an option to upgrade or purchase a prepaid roaming plan with a US service provider to use across the border. Otherwise, you could activate global roaming when travelling through Canada. This can incur extremely high fees, so be sure to check with your local service provider before you leave your home country to know the costs.
Western-style, flushable toilets are the standard in Canada. Public toilet facilities are usually available in shopping malls and town centres and often labelled as washrooms. If you wish to use a washroom in a cafe or restaurant, expect to be told to make a purchase beforehand to gain access.
In many regards, Canada is a world leader at recognizing LGBTQIA+ rights. It is consistently named as one of the most queer-friendly countries in the world.
Canada is home to some of the largest Pride parades in all the world. Toronto is also home to the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood, which is known as an LGBTQIA+ hotspot of the city. Similar LGBTQIA+ friendly neighborhoods exist in Vancouver (Davie Village), Montreal, (commercial district), and Ottawa (Bank Street); however, this is not to say that other neighborhoods are not as socially accepting.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Canada directly support our foundation partner, Water First.
Water First
Water First work with Indigenous communities in Canada to address critical water challenges through education and skills training programs. Donations from our trips support three of their programs – preparing young Indigenous adults for careers in their community's water treatment plants, training Indigenous community members to restore places of local significance, and engaging Indigenous school children with fun and unique learning resources.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries where possible.
Canada is making clear progress on aiding those with disabilities, especially travellers with mobility issues. Many public buildings around Canada’s major cities and tourist zones have access to lifts and ramps, while pedestrian crossings often have sloping curbs.
For more logistical information on air, bus, rail and ferry transportation, visit the Canadian federal government’s Travel portal.
If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.