Food and drink highlights of Canada
- Tipping - A tip of at least 15% of the total price of the meal is expected, but over-tipping is common as well. Failing to tip is considered extremely rude.
- Eating hours -
- Shopping hours - Many large stores stay open betwen 8am - 10pm Monday - Saturday and 10am - 6pm on Sundays, but some stores open 24 hours/day. While this is regulated by each province there are no strict rules regarding shopping hours.
- Discount shops -
- Cuisine type - The type of cuisine varies by region and is quite diverse, but Canadians love steaks, meat in general, roasted vegetables. Their cuisine is also quite similar to US's cuisine.
- Savoir Vivre - Offer to help clean up after the meal with the host when you're invited to someone's home for a dinner.
- Main ingredients - Maple syrup is something you will often see in Canada, expecially served for breakfast.
- Most popular alcohol - The proudest Canadian drinks are homegrown beers, particularly lagers. Molson and Labatt's dominate the market but most major cities have their local breweries as well.
- Important info - If you are done with your meal, place the knife and fork on the plate to signal to the waiter that he can bring you the bill. If you want to take a break but aren't finished eating yet, put a knife and fork on the edge of your plate.
- Warning - Under no circumstances should you snap your fingers when you want the waiter to come to your table. Just raise your hand, or when he’s close enough, say ‘excuse me’.
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Foods to try in Canada
- PoutineThis is one of the most popular Canadian dishes- crispy fries covered with squeaky cheese curds and rich gravy sauce. This French-Canadian fast food can be found on street stalls, in most restaurants and even in McDonald’s. You can get a classic or an extra version with pork, bacon and smoked meat.
- BannockA simple bread either baked (heavy/dense) or fried (crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside). Since a few years bannock is becoming more and more popular. There are several twists and variations which you can find in bakeries and cafes nationwide.
- Butter tartsThese sweet flaky pastry shells are filled with a butter, sugar and egg filling. These traditional Canadian snacks are perfect for everyone with a sweet tooth. They are so simple and so delicious!
- Nova Scotia Lobster RollOne of the Canadians' the most favourite sea food is a lobster. You should definitely try this Novascotian version of a lobster roll!
- Montreal-style BagelsThese amazing bagels, baked in wood-fired ovens, are definitely Canada’s pride. They are covered with poppy or sesame seeds and are perfect for breakfast or lunch! You should try these from St. Viateur or Fairount Bagel –you won’t regret it!
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Unusual facts about food in Canada
- Canada's Thanksgiving Day takes place about a month before the United States, on the second Monday of October.
- Eating and drinking in the street and in public transport is unacceptable. You should also avoid eating in shops, banks, offices or post offices.
- Canada's legal drinking age is 19 (except Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta, where you can drink if you are at least 18).
- 80 percent of the world's maple syrup is produced in Canada. Most of it comes from the Quebec region.
- The British afternoon tea tradition is also celebrated in British Columbia, particularly in Vancouver and Victoria. Many hotels and tea houses offer traditional English afternoon teas.
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Place to stay in Canada
- Best booking sites -
- Seasonality - If you plan to go to Quebec in around late February, better book your stay in advance. Due to the Québec's Winter Carnival, many rooms may be occupied.
- Cost-effective - Staying at a hostel will be a good option when it comes to saving money. Often you will be able to choose between a mixed dorm or a male or female only dorm. If you’re looking for a private room for an extra charge, you can also find one for a good price at a hostel.
- Parking - Your hotel normally should have a parking, but if it it's not there are signs on most streets indicating where parking is allowed. There are also plenty of paid parking lots in the cities.
- Payments - In most places you can pay by card or in pre-pay if you book your stay via the website.
- Unusual accommodation - If you are looking for a unique place to stay, you should check out the early-20th-century railway hotels which were part of the charm of traveling by train across the country.
- Camp - Even though there are many campsites in Canada, you can also camp in nature for free! Of course, be sure to do this wisely and follow local rules.
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Accommodation in Canada
- If you are camping in the wild, make sure to check the campfire regulations. In many parts of Canada it is not allowed to make fires in the summer due to the risk of forest fires.
- If you like to spend time in nature, you should definitely check out farm-based B&Bs . You may have a chance to take a look at the typical life of a local farm in Canada.
- Like in many other places Airbnb is quite popular in Canada, so before booking a hotel make sure to look at the website in order to look for the best accommodation for yourself.
- If you want to learn more about local history, look for a historic hotels that can be found in almost every major city in Canada, rather than booking your stay in famous hotel chains.
- There are many cool places to stay in Canada but you should definitely check out the ice hotel or little houses in the middle of the forest.
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Getting around Canada
- Most popular - The intercity bus system effectively connects cities and towns across the country. Some routes are even connected to cities in the US.
- Cost-effective - If you are looking for something low-cost, you should check ViaRail - Canada's national rail connections that link eastern and western Canada.
- Time-efficient - If you need to quickly travel from distance city, the best option is to take a flight. There are over 200 airports in Canada, many of which offer domestic flights.
- Traffic safety - Canada’s road signs are rather universal. Still, it's better to check the regulations before traveling to Canada. It is worth turning on the navigation, which will inform you about speed limits, which are not always well marked on the road.
- Important - Never cross the street in places that are not intended for this - you can be highly fined. Usually there are traffic lights at pedestrian crossings.
- Warning - On the island of Montréal and at certain intersections with specific and expressive road signs, it is forbidden to turn right when facing a red light.
Car
- Canadians usually obey road signs and drive fairly calmly.
- Speed limits on the main city roads are up to 60 km/h and on the highways up to 100 km/h but speeds around 120 km/h are tolerated on most Canadian highways.
- The maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at 0.08. Driving with BAC of 0.08 and over is highly prohibited.
- In Canada you will drive on the right side of the road.
Taxi
- Most taxis accept credit/debit card payments through a vending machine at the point of sale (POS). Cash is still the better way to pay.
- Taxis have an initial fare of 3.25 CAD, 0.25CAD for each additional 0.143 km, or for every 29 seconds of waiting time. For more than 4 passengers you will have to pay additional 2.00CAD for each person.
- In addition to regular taxis, it's best to check out apps such as: Lyft, Support, Carpool Canada or BlancRide.
Hitchhiking
- It is prohibited to hitchhike on many highways in Canada. Especially in British Columbia and Ontario.
- Hitchhiking may not be the most popular mean of transportation in Canada, but it's still quite common among younger travelers and those looking for an adventure.
- Many Canadians, especially around main cities, don't have time to take hitchhikers with them. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get hold of an opportunity. It will be best if you make yourself a sign telling you where you are going.
Bus
- There are many great intercity bus connections. You should check out Coach Canada, Greyhound, Galland Bus or Maritime Bus.
- If you sit on a vacant double seat on the bus, you should sit by the window and leave the seat available for other people to use.
- Beware of the priority seats that most buses have. They are reserved for seniors, disabled people, pregnant women, or those traveling with very young children in their arms. It is okay to sit in these seats, but you should stand up and offer your seat if any of the above-mentioned people get on.
Train
- ViaRail, Canada's national rail operator, covers most of Canada's railroads. National rail passes are available on the operator's site www.viarail.ca/en.
Plane
- There are many airports in Canada that offers domestic and international flights with Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat or Jazz Aviation being the main airlines in the country.
Bicycle
- There are many beautiful bike paths in Canada. The bike tour is definitely worth considering.
- The most bike-friendly cities are Victoria, Vancouver, and Montreal.
Metro
- Metro is definitely the fastest type of public transportation in Canada. You can find them in these cities: Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo.
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How to travel in Canada
- When visiting the northern part of Canada, it is best to travel by plane due to the poorly developed road and rail network.
- During your stay at the Vancouver Ferry, the recommended mode of transport (next to buses and trains) is the short-distance ferry being the cheapest option.
- Lawful drivers may also be stopped by the police and receive a 'commendation ticket' for driving well.
- Due to the very long distances between the cities, you can see the so-called road trains, i.e., trucks pulling up to a dozen trailers behind them.
- The longest street globally, 1,896 km long, is in Canada and is called Yonge Street.
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Best time to visit Canada
When to go
- The best time to visit Canada is in late summer and early fall (August to September). The peak summer and the highest temperatures are in July.
Temperature
- In summer, temperatures range between 25°C to 30°C in the south, and in winter the temperature often drops to -17°C.
- Winters are very harsh in the Canadian Prairie with the temperatures even below -40°C.
Rainfall
- Rainfall numbers vary across the country, with British Columbia having 2,500 mm per year and the north of the country an average of 400 mm per year.
Fall
- Autumn is colorful and cold. October rainfall is around 50.8 mm, and from November, snowfall begins in most of the country.
Spring
- Spring is quite cold with heavy rainfall and snowfall in many places. Temperatures vary around 10°C in the warmer parts of Canada.
Summer
- June begins a beautiful summer in Canada. Much of the country is snow-free, with the exception of the high slopes of the mountains and the tundra patches. July is the hottest month of the year. Canadian summer lasts until August.
- Summer is the hottest in The Great Plains in the Midwest with the temperatures, occasionally, above 37.8°C.
Winter
- Winter is frosty with heavy snowfall and the sun is absent from the sky for a long time.
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Canada weather Insights
- Much of Canada's upper half has only two seasons - summer and winter.
- All four seasons occur in the regions in the temperate zone.
- In many places, snow remains on the ground for more than 250 days a year.
- The Arctic region of Canada is covered in ice all year round.
- Canada's record high temperature is 45°C, set at Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan in 1937. The record low temperature is -52.8°C, set at Snag, Yukon in 1947.
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Savoir-Vivre in Canada
- Greetings - You should always shake hands when meeting someone for the first time. Short hugs are reserved for close friends, cheek kisses for family and lovers.
- Punctuality -
- Dress code - Canadians wear warm clothes and dress in layers. They tend to avoid wearing cotton due to its long drying time.
- Temple entrance - Respect the rules on the information boards. Try to wear clothes that cover most of your body.
- Home invitation - It is not always necessary to take off your shoes before entering someone's home - better ask your host about it.
- Etiquette - Try to pay attention to the use of Mr. or Mrs. and last name, when addressing someone, and in some cases refer to them by adding their job tytle (e.g. PhD), until the other person suggests a different form.
- Drones - We recommend using this map to easily check the applicable restrictions.
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Things not to do in Canada
- Conversation topis better to be avoided: politics, sex, religion. Expecially if you just met someone.
- Whenever you sneeze, you should follow it by saying 'excuse me' and Canadians will most likely answer 'bless you' as a sign of sympathy.
- Any sort of public nudity is illegal. Many indoor places have default policy of 'no shirt no shoes no service'.
- Waiting in line' is a great part of Canada's culture. Canadians tend to be patient and follow this rule. Cutting in line in considered a big social taboo.
- The law regarding the sale of alcohol varies from province to province. In some, it may only be sold in special government liquor stores, but nearly all provinces forbid selling alcohol in 24/7 stores.
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Interesting facts about Canada
- Canada has one of the least restrictive abortion laws in the world, with the right to abortion at any stage of pregnancy - even in the final weeks.
- Marijuana has been legal for personal use since the laws went into effect in 2018.
- Graduating in Canada is almost always celebrated with a fancy graduation ceremony. Popular high school proms are combined with dinner, dancing, limo rides and loads of photos.
- The most popular sports in Canada are hockey and football.
- Don't get confused when someone asks you for a Loony or a Toony. The first is a one dollar coin and the second is a two dollar coin.
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Best souvenirs from Canada 💝
🍺 Beverages
Crown Royal 💲 💲 💲 💲
Crown Royal is a Canadian blended whiskey produced by Seagram since 1939.
🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets, liquor stores
💰 Price range: 20 - 45 CAD
🎁 For whom: parents, friends, spouse
Icewine 💲 💲 💲 💲
Canadians are experts in ice wine production. Wines are made using a special technique - whole vines are frozen before the fermentation process begins and then quickly pressed. The result is a sweet wine that can be served as dessert.
📌 Region: Niagara
🛒 Where to buy: wineries, liquor shops, wine shops
💰 Price range: 30 - 70 CAD
💡 Pro tip: Look for the icewine in local wineries.
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Molson Canadian beer 💲 💲 💲 💲
The Molson, a Canadian beer, was first launched in 1959 by Molson. Molson Canadian is a lager beer that contains 5% alcohol.
🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets, liquor stores
💰 Price range: 3 - 4.5 CAD
🎁 For whom: parents, friends, spouse
👚 Clothes
Cowichan sweater 💲 💲 💲 💲
The Indian sweater, as this garment is sometimes called, is a practical souvenir from Canada. Made on the Salish coast, it is embroidered with the original Indian patterns.
📌 Region: Vancouver Island, Salish Coast
🛒 Where to buy: clothing stores
💰 Price range: 400 - 550 CAD
💡 Pro tip: It is easy to find inauthentic cowichan sweaters, produced even by famous brands. Sometimes "cowichan" addresses only the style of the sweater. Watch out for them and look for the real ones.
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, spouse
Garments 💲 💲 💲 💲
If you are looking for unique clothes during your stay in Canada, check out brands like Lulumelon, East Coast Lifestyle or Roots, which you won't find anywhere else in the world!
📌 Region: West Coast, East Coast
🛒 Where to buy: clothing stores
💰 Price range: 60 - 500 CAD
🎁 For whom: spouse
Hockey jersey 💲 💲 💲 💲
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in Canada. The jersey of the favorite team will be a great gift and souvenir for a fan of this sport!
🛒 Where to buy: official hockey club stores
💰 Price range: 100 - 250 CAD
🎁 For whom: friends, spouse, kids
🛍 Collections
Anne of Green Gables book 💲 💲 💲 💲
The most popular Canadian book series initiated by Lucy Montgomery in 1908. The main character, Ann Shirley, is an orphan raised in a foster family.
🛒 Where to buy: libraries
💰 Price range: 10 - 15 CAD
🎁 For whom: kids
Coins and banknotes 💲 💲 💲 💲
Canadian coins and bills are unusual in their appearance - they differ in color and decorations on coins. Banknotes are often referred to as "monopoly money," and coins are called "loonies" and "toonies" depending on their value.
💰 Price range: 1 - 100 CAD
🎁 For whom: friends
Inukshuk 💲 💲 💲 💲
Sometimes also written as Inuksuk, they were landmarks built by the Inuits several thousand years ago. They are located in the far north of the country and made of stones placed on top of each other to resemble a man. Nowadays, you can buy smaller figures made of glass as a souvenir.
📌 Region: British Columbia
🛒 Where to buy: gift shops
💰 Price range: 50 - 70 CAD
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends
Pins 💲 💲 💲 💲
The pins are an important part of the tradition, especially during the feast called the Memorial Day. The pins can be purchased in many versions, designed for different occasions. However, the most popular is a pin with the flag of Canada or a maple tree leaf.
🛒 Where to buy: gift shops
💰 Price range: 0.9 - 1.5 CAD
🎁 For whom: friends
Striped products 💲 💲 💲 💲
The striped pattern is characteristic of the Hudson Bay region. The materials are manufactured by the oldest company in North America - Hudson Bay Company. Their offer includes gloves, socks, bags and blankets. Characteristic colors in which you can find stripes are green, red, yellow, white and black.
📌 Region: Hudson Bay
🛒 Where to buy: dedicated shops
💰 Price range: 3 - 150 CAD
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Stuffed toys 💲 💲 💲 💲
Elk and bear are the most common symbols of Canada in the form of plush toys. Sometimes they can be found dressed in the traditional costumes of national park rangers.
🛒 Where to buy: toy shops
💰 Price range: 8 - 30 CAD
🎁 For whom: kids
🥗 Food
Doughnuts 💲 💲 💲 💲
Canadians love doughnuts! Those willing to try them should go to one of Tim Horton's restaurants, which are easily found all over the country. Besides doughnuts, we recommend trying their delicious coffee. Yum!
🛒 Where to buy: Tim Horton's restaurants
💰 Price range: 2 - 10 CAD
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse, kids
Laura Secord's sweets 💲 💲 💲 💲
Laura Secord is an important heroine in Canadian history. In the nineteenth century, she overheard a secret plan of attack on British troops during a lunch which she prepared for American soldiers. Thanks to her devotion and dedication to national affairs, years later a candy store named after her was opened.
🛒 Where to buy: Laura Secord dedicated shop
💰 Price range: 1 - 30 CAD
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse, kids
Maple syrup 💲 💲 💲 💲
It is hard to imagine eating pancakes or wafers without maple syrup. This sweet syrup is obtained by drilling holes in maple trees that overgrow Canada and the northern United States. Many other products contain maple syrup - butter, beer, sweets or even tea! The hallmark of maple syrup is the maple leaf, Canada's national symbol.
🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets, grocery stores
💰 Price range: 10 - 35 CAD
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, kids
Shortbread cookies 💲 💲 💲 💲
The best butter cakes in Toronto are made according to the original recipe of Mary McLeod for 35 years.
📌 Region: Ontario
🛒 Where to buy: Whole Food Markets
💰 Price range: 15 - 70 CAD
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse, kids
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Canada packing list 💡
- Warm clothes - The temperature in Canada may often drop below -17°C in winter. Make sure to have enough warm clothes in your luggage.
- Waterproof jacket - Canada's weather is quite hard to predict. Better safe than sorry -take a waterproof jacket with you!
- Wool socks - Wool socks will prevent your body from loosing too much tempretature. Make sure your socks are breathable and that you packed enough of them. They will ideally match the trekking shoes making the best duo possible.
- Water bottle - Since the tap water is drinkable in Canada you should always carry your bottle water with you. This will not only save you money, but also benefit the environment.
- Travel adapter - If you're traveling from Europe, make sure you have a travel adapter to plug in any devices that don't fit into the regular Canadian sockets. If you're traveling from the US, don't worry!
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Get a personalized packing list before travel to Canada 🧳
Health information
Health risks and required vaccinations
Packing lists
Personalized item list to pack matching your destination
Weather insights
Packing list adjusted to local weather
To-do lists
Everything you need to do before leaving home
Weight limits
Never pay excess baggage fees again
Local prices
Average cost of food, tickets and accommodation
Tourist information about Canada
Country | Canada |
Capital | Ottawa |
Currency | Canadian dollar |
Language | English, French |
Timezone | GMT-4 |
English speaking | Official language |
LGBT tolerance | Very high |
Gender ratio (overall) | 50% | 50% |
Population | 37.6 mln |
Visitors per year | 32.43 mln |
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Useful information about Canada
Card payments | |
ATM Availability | Widely available |
Suggested ATM takeout | 100 CAD |
Drinking in public | |
Tap water | |
Internet speed (avg.) | 26 Mbps |
Socket type | C / F |
Best taxi app | |
Public toilets | Unpopular & Paid |
Top mobile providers | Bell & Telus., Rogers, Freedom Mobile. |
Best internal air carrier | Air Canada |
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Cost of living in Canada
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
10.82 EUR
11.42 USD
8.96 GBP
46.05 PLN
16 CAD
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant |
47.32 EUR
49.95 USD
39.18 GBP
201.49 PLN
70 CAD
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) |
4.06 EUR
4.28 USD
3.36 GBP
17.27 PLN
6 CAD
|
Gasoline (1 liter) |
0.81 EUR
0.86 USD
0.67 GBP
3.45 PLN
1.2 CAD
|
One-way ticket (public transport) |
2.2 EUR
2.32 USD
1.82 GBP
9.35 PLN
3.25 CAD
|
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Quality of life in Canada
Quality of life | High |
Safety Index | Moderate |
Healthcare likability | High |
Climate likability | Moderate |
Costs of living | Moderate |
Level of pollution | Low |
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Important numbers
General emergency number | 911 |
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