A country with unparalleled natural beauty, Canada invites exploration, offering everything from the majestic peaks of the Rockies to the vibrant cultural spectrum of its bustling cities.
Fast Facts:
Capital: Ottawa
Largest City: Toronto
Population: 40.1 million (2023)
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD, $)
Official Language: English and French
Drives: On the right-hand side of the road
Adapter Type: Type A and B
Visa Requirements: None for visa-exempt countries, but eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is required if arriving by air only for visa-exempt citizens. I recommend reviewing your country’s specific visa regulations to determine if your country is visa-exempt.
Popular attractions in Canada
Toronto: Canada’s most populous city has famous attractions such as the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Casa Loma. Toronto is known for its diverse culture, thriving technological industry, and lively arts scene, alongside its vast green spaces and waterfront activities.
Banff National Park: Canada’s most visited national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff offers a wide range of activities, including hiking and kayaking alongside Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Visitors can see the park’s stunning turquoise glacial lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, explore the charming town of Banff, and ski and snowboard in winter.
Jasper National Park: Connected to Banff National Park via the Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park is Canada’s largest national park in the Rocky Mountains and a fellow UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s renowned for its untamed wilderness, offering a stark yet equally breathtaking contrast to Banff’s more polished beauty. Jasper is famous for wildlife viewing; visitors can see elk, moose, and grizzly and black bears.
Niagara Falls: Shared along Canada’s border with the United States, Niagara Falls contains three waterfalls: the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls, which has approximately 90% of its water flow on the Canadian side. The Canadian side of Niagara Falls offers the most panoramic and iconic views of all three falls, particularly Horseshoe Falls, making it a prime viewing location for visitors.
Montreal: The most populous city in Quebec and the second most populated in Canada, Montreal is situated on the island of Montreal at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. The city is known as a “city of festivals” and is a global hub for aerospace. It has a unique blend of North American energy and European charm due to its significant French heritage as the largest French-speaking city in North America.
Vancouver: The largest city on Canada’s west coast, Vancouver is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains. It offers an unparalleled array of outdoor activities, from skiing and snowboarding on nearby mountains to kayaking and cycling around its iconic seawall, all within minutes of a thriving arts and culture scene downtown with a diverse culinary landscape.
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Best time to visit Canada
Keep in mind that Canada is vast, and the “best” time can vary significantly by region. For instance, the coastal provinces offer charming experiences best enjoyed in summer, while the Canadian Rockies are more suited to winter sports or summer hiking. The best time to visit Canada depends on what activities you wish to do. I recommend visiting either Banff or Jasper in spring or fall to avoid crowds and higher prices, alongside stunning fall foliage and abundant wildlife.