If you are a first-time visitor to any country, you will need to do some research to find out what are the best ways to travel safely, as well as smartly. And, if you are planning a trip to Canada, you are no different. It is important to know the cultural practices, as well as emergency procedures. So, if you are planning on visiting Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or anywhere in between those places, here are some things that you will need to know if you are visiting Canada for the first time.
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Travel Documents Information
Same as all other countries, if you are traveling to Canada from a foreign country, you will need to have the proper travel documents. You will most definitely need a valid passport, and for some countries, you might need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before entering the country. The eTA is necessary for all visa-free nationals, except for people from America. If you want to get more information about the visa, eTA, and the cost for a Canadian ETA application, you can check the official website of the Canadian government. If you are from the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, or Australia, you will not need a visa to enter Canada.
Province information
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Canada is a vast country that is made up of 10 provinces and three territories. These provinces are quite similar to the states in the US, and for example, Vancouver is the province of British Columbia, while Montreal is in Quebec. If you are not quite sure about what province you will be traveling to, you can check a detailed map of Canada.
Emergency Information
If there is an emergency, the phone number you should dial for any medical, police, or firefighter service is 911. You will be able to make the call from any phone for free, however, make sure that you only call is there is a real case of emergency.
Canadian Currency Information
The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar. The paper money includes bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars, and there are $1 and $2 coins. Do not be confused if you hear someone calling the $1 coin a “loonie,” and the $2 coin a “toonie.” Also, keep in mind that you should check the exchange rate which changes daily, and sometimes, even by the hour.
Tipping Protocol
Img source: canadianinquirer.net
It is expected of you to give a 10-20 percent of the cost when tipping for the service that was provided for you. Of course, different tipping standards apply for bartenders, hotel staff, and taxi drivers who will assist you during your stay.
Do not forget the travel insurance
One of the best things that you could do is get travel insurance. Since you are not a Canadian citizen, if you get hurt or ill during your stay, it will cost you a lot of money. It will also make sure that you are covered if your luggage is stolen or lost, or if there are problems with your accommodations. Make sure that you read the fine print of the health insurance policy and check if you are covered for any or all activities that you are planning on doing while in Canada.
Conclusion
Canada is a vast country that will give you endless possibilities to have a fun, educational, and interesting holiday.
