Canada Travel Guide:

       Tourism  Information

Canada: One of the Best Travel Destinations (three of four globes)

Canada is a desirable travel destination offering inviting mountain landscapes, interesting coastal provinces, and several unique cities.

• Canada is a large country whose size limits the scope of most vacations to exploration of one of the Country's provinces or regions, rather than an attempt to canvas the whole country. 
  • The  best travel areas in Canada ( the Maritime East and the Mountainous West, including British Columbia) are on the opposite sides of the country.
• Travel by train or car is equally rewarding.

1. Canada is a country of differences. 
   • Cosmopolitan Toronto, Montreal, Quebec,  and Vancouver are interesting cities, each possessing a unique and interesting personality. 
   • In winter, the majestic snow laden Rocky Mountains offer prime skiing for enthusiasts while in summer the mountains provide enchanting vistas and great outdoor recreation. 
   • The Maritime Provinces are best seen in summer, as winter weather along the Atlantic can be  notoriously difficult. 
   • Most of the interior of the country is agricultural or barren, and miserably cold in winter: as the traveler heads north towards Hudson Bay, prepare for frostbite, the Aurora Borealis, great viewing conditions for astronomy, and Polar Bears.
   
   
   
2. Canada is a safe destination for independent travel. 



3. ThereArePlaces recommended travel destinations for Canada are located at  Canada: Places To Visit.



4. Additional information on travel to Canada can be found at the country's official website  http://www.travelcanada.ca. 



5. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

Overall, Canada is a safe travel destination for tourists. 

1. No official health advisories, travel advisories, or specific terrorism warnings for Canada have been posted by the U.S. Government at this time.  Before you depart, always check with the Department of State  and CDC to insure that these conditions have not changed.  In addition, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office  of the British Government provides excellent travel advisories.
2. The State Department's Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444 .
3. When visiting a foreign country, avoid public demonstrations (whatever the cause) and do not broadcast either your public opinions or your nationality.
4. If you have an emergency in Canada, call 911.
5. The U.S. Embassy is in Ottawa, Ontario, at 490 Sussex Drive, K1N 1G8, telephone (613) 238-5335, fax (613) 688-3082. The Embassy website is http://canada.usembassy.gov/                                          U.S. Consulates General are located at: 
   1. Calgary, Alberta, at Suite 1050, 615 Macleod Trail SE, telephone (403) 266-8962; emergency-after hours (403) 228-8962 then press '0'; fax (403) 264-6630.                     
   2. Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 1969 Upper Water Street, Suite 904, Purdy's Wharf Tower II, telephone (902) 429-2480; emergency-after hours (902) 429-2485; fax (902) 423-6861. 
   3. Montreal, Quebec, at 1155 St. Alexander Street, telephone (514) 398-9695; emergency-after hours (514) 981-5059; fax (514) 398-0702.
   4. Quebec City, Quebec, at 2 Place Terrasse Dufferin, telephone (418) 692-2095; emergency-after hours (418) 692-2096; fax (418) 692-4640.
   5. Toronto, Ontario, at 360 University Avenue, telephone (416) 595-1700; emergency-after hours (416) 201-4100; fax (416) 595-5466. 
   6. Vancouver, British Columbia, at 1095 West Pender Street, telephone (604) 685-4311; fax (604) 685-7175.
6. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

All persons entering Canada may be required to present proof of citizenship and identity.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to show a U.S. passport. If they do not have a passport, they should be prepared to provide a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport.

• U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid U.S. passport. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens to visit Canada of up to 180 days.

If you do you do not have a passport, see our article on the Ins and Outs of Passports.  Other important travel documents, including visas are covered in our Information Guide on Passport, Visas, Customs.

Anyone with a criminal record (including a DWI charge) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest Canadian consulate well in advance of any planned travel for further processing, which may take considerable time.

• A waiver of exclusion may be available but several weeks processing are required and a fee must be paid.

For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of Canada (www.canadianembassy.org/) at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W, Washington, D.C. 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740,  or the Canadian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis,
New York, San Juan or Seattle.

All U.S. citizens are expected to depart and enter the United States on a valid passport or other authorized document establishing identity and U.S. citizenship. The Department of State strongly encourages travelers to obtain passports well in advance of any planned travel.

U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative or WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parents or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Business Travelers and Work Permits

If you are business traveler who provides a service and intend to personally provide that service while in Canada, be prepared for a significant delay upon arrival, as you will need to be interviewed by representatives of  Immigration Canada.  Consultants should expect rigorous and specific questioning about their background and their relationship with the companies they will be visiting while in Canada. Consultants may be told that they need to have a Canadian work permit and pay a fee upon each entry to Canada while on business.  If you get the feeling that this interview process is generally not friendly, you are correct, although it is always professional.

DUAL NATIONALITY:  In addition to being subject to all laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on  Canadian  citizens

In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. For additional information, please see the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at http://travel.state.gov for an explanation of dual nationality issues. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of  any other nation are reminded that U.S. law requires they enter and depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens.

Before you travel, read our articles on Pickpockets, Con Artists, and ATM safety in the ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Personal Safety for travelers. 

Petty theft aimed at tourists is most common in urban areas. Overall petty crime levels are comparable to the United States.

Be alert and avoid the situations described below.

Visitors to large cities should be aware that parked cars are regularly targeted for opportunistic smash-and-grab thefts, and they are cautioned to avoid leaving any possessions unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk. Due to the high incidence of such crimes, motorists in Montreal and some other jurisdictions can be fined for leaving their car doors unlocked or for leaving valuables in view.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport overseas should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members of friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution for the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney

2. ThereArePlaces makes every attempt to ensure that the travel information we present to you is current. Before you depart, be sure to check with official government sources to determine the status of critical information relating to a particular county.

While driving in a Canada, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Canada is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good

Transport Canada is the Canadian federal government agency responsible for road safety, although each province or territory has the authority to establish its own traffic and safety laws. For detailed information on road conditions throughout Canada, as well as links to provincial government web sites, please see the Transport Canada website ( www.tc.gc.ca ) or the Canadian Automobile Association web site ( www.caa.ca).

U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Canada. Proof of auto insurance is required. U.S. auto insurance is accepted as long as an individual is a tourist in Canada.

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense. Penalties are heavy, and any prior conviction (no matter how long ago or how minor the infraction) is grounds for exclusion from Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be obtained from Canadian consulates in the United States, but it requires several weeks to process.

Driving in Canada is similar to driving in parts of the United States. Most distances and speeds, however, are posted in kilometers per hour, and some signs, particularly in Quebec, may only be in French.

• Seat belt use is mandatory for all passengers, and child car seats must be used for children under 40 pounds.
•  Some provinces require drivers to keep their headlights on during the day.
• Motorcycles cannot share a lane, and safety helmets for drivers and passengers are mandatory.
• On the Island of Montreal and in Quebec City, it is prohibited to turn right on red.
• At intersections, directional signs will indicate only which turn is allowed; any other turn is prohibited.
• Many highways do not have merge lanes for entering traffic.
• Rapid lane-changes without signaling, and tailgating are common.
•  Emergency vehicles frequently enter the oncoming traffic lane to avoid congestion.
• It is illegal to take automobile radar detectors into Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, the Yukon or the Northwest Territories, regardless of whether they are used or not.
  •  Police may confiscate radar detectors, operational or not, and may impose substantial fines.

Winter travel can be dangerous due to heavy snowfalls and ice that make road conditions hazardous.

• Some roads and bridges are subject to periodic closings during winter.
• The Canadian Automobile Association ( www.caa.ca )  has tips for winter driving in Canada.

Drivers should be aware that the frequency with which motorists run red lights is a serious concern throughout Canada, and motorists are advised to pause before proceeding when a light turns green.

Travelers should also be cautious of deer, elk, and moose while driving at night in rural areas. Holiday periods can be dangerous because of increased traffic.

Travel along Highway 401 between London and Windsor, Ontario has been the scene of several traffic accidents due to sudden and unpredictable fog, and heavy truck traffic. This was the site of a 70-car collision in 1999 that claimed the lives of several individuals, including three American citizens.

In addition, approaches to border crossings into the United States may experience unexpected traffic backups. Drivers should be alert, as lane restrictions at border approaches exist for drivers in NEXUS and FAST expedited inspection programs.

Tourists driving rented vehicles should pay close attention to the provisions of their rental contracts.  Failure to do so could result in fines during your travels.  Make sure that you are familiar with the terms, restrictions and costs related to your car rental (see our article on Rental Car Costs).

Speed Limits in Canada:

1. Built-up areas - 50 km/h
2. Highways - 100 km/h
3. Rural Highway - 100 km/h (posted limits vary by jurisdiction)

Our information on speed limits is as current as possible. Always confirm the speed limits with your rental car agent: observe the posted speeds limits whenever and wherever you drive.

As in the United States, all emergency assistance in Canada can be reached by dialing 911.

 For specific information concerning Canadian driving permits, mandatory insurance and entry regulations, please contact the Canadian National Tourist Organization at www.travelcanada.ca .

High quality medical care is widely available in Canada.

• The Canadian health care system is run on a provincial basis (e.g. the province of Ontario has its own hospital insurance plan as does each of the other provinces and territories) and is funded by Canadian taxpayer money.
• Tourists and temporary visitors do not qualify for this health care plan and should have their own insurance to cover any medical expenses.
• Some health care professionals in the province of Quebec only speak French

We strongly urge you to consult your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, you should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing medical service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your departure, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.

Your existing medical insurance carrier may cover "customary and reasonable" medical care while you are abroad. Usually, if reimbursement is provided, it is paid at a reduced rate (due to the use of an "out of system" provider). Check with your insurance carrier before you depart to determine the type and amount of coverage that may be provided. If coverage is provided, be sure to ask how claims should be filed and ask them to send some claim forms, in case you require any medical treatment while on vacation.

Read our article on  travel insurance to learn the factors that you should consider before you purchase or decline to purchase a travel related insurance policy.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure                         “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page. 

ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Health contains valuable health related advice for the traveler considering a trip abroad.