Anyone planning a trip to Canada will be looking forward to it. Canada is an excellent destination for tourists, students wishing to study, employees searching for work, and a variety of other reasons.
Canada is regarded as one of the safest countries in the world. The country has a very low crime rate; the police force is professional and responsive; and the people are open to different cultures.
However, there are a few things you should be aware of before making trip plans to Canada.
In this essay, I’ll give you some pointers on what you should know before visiting the North American state.
10 things to know before traveling to Canada
Before traveling to Canada, here are some tips on want you need to Know about. This list has been carefully drafted just for you.
1. Prepare for the Weather:
Before you travel to Canada, you should prepare your jackets for the cold weather at night. Although the weather varies by region, you must be prepared for whatever you may encounter. With the exception of Canada’s western coast, the rest of the country is bitterly cold. If you’re going to Canada, you’ll need gloves, a scarf, and even a cap called a ‘toque’ by the Canadians. The country has achieved its lowest temperature ever of -81.4o.
2. Sales Tax:
In Canada, the federal sales tax is levied on products and services. This could potentially contain additional provincial taxes. So, before you travel to the Northern American state, consider the sales tax. Taxes on products and services purchased could be as high as 15%. You pay taxes on your purchases at stores, restaurant bills, hotel bills, and other services. Although travelers to Canada used to benefit from a tax return program, it was discontinued in 2007. So prepare for it.
3. Health Insurance:
Canada has some of the world’s greatest healthcare facilities and systems. These healthcare insurance, however, are only available to native Canadians. As a visitor, you should obtain health insurance to avoid large medical expenditures if you are harmed in Canada.
4. Legal drinking age:
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21. The official drinking age in Canada is between the ages of 18 and 19. This also applies to purchasing liquor and beer. If you are under the age of 18, you should avoid drinking beer and liquor because it violates the country’s regulations.
5. ETA Documents:
This is one of the most crucial things to remember before visiting Canada. With the exception of Americans, all travelers to Canada will require a visitor’s visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). This is one of the most important prerequisites for visiting Canada. This is accomplished through a simple online process that takes only a few minutes to complete. There are several criteria for persons entering Canada by land from the United States. Follow the border crossing requirements between Canada and the United States.
6. Emergency Call line:
Canada is a safe country with extremely low crime rates. However, in the event of an emergency, you may need to know the security line. The Canadian Police are quite capable and responsive. In Canada, as in the United States, the emergency number is 911. Hopefully, you will not need this number.
7. French Canadians:
What about the French Canadians? Yes, you saw it correctly. Most people are unaware that Canada has two official languages. Both English and French are used. Up to 80% of Canadians speak English as their first language. Another 20% of Canadians speak French, which is more prevalent in the province of Quebec.
8. Giving out Small Tips:
Giving out tips is completely voluntary and not required. It is customary in Canada to leave little tips for people who perform services for you. A 15% tip is sufficient for waitresses, cab drivers, hotel personnel, and other service providers.
9. Outdoor Activities:
Traveling to Canada will be an intriguing experience for individuals who enjoy the unusual. Hiking, camping, skydiving, fishing, and other outdoor sports activities will be at the top of your list of things to do.
10. Six different Time zones:
Canada is a large country with a sparse population spread over its geography. The country is divided into six time zones, each with a variation of four hours and thirty minutes. So you could be at 01:00 PM in one province and 5:30 PM in another.
The preceding are some pointers to keep in mind when visiting a North American country.
Visitors to Canada will never have a dull moment. Canadians are friendly and welcoming; visitors are always greeted with open arms.
You can also explore the natural beauty of the magnificent cities and the cool weather. There are several national parks in Canada with activities that will provide you with a wonderful experience.
