30 tips for traveling to Canada

Welcome to a new post about Canada, this time a post where I explain the 30 tips for traveling to Canada that I wish I had before going.

This is a post that is inside our super Guide to travel to Canada.

Where you will find everything about what to see in canada, checklist of requirements before going to Canada, Curiosities of Canada, all about driving or even making the trip by Canada by motorhome to best plans in Canada with children.

Now let's take a look at this super article that I've tried to write to help you plan your trip to Canada. Let's look at these 30 tips for traveling to Canada:

TIP: If you want to do this route by Canada by motorhome Like us, we recommend renting a motorhome. Do it in Calgary or Vancouver with Road surfers, a company we would repeat with. Roadsurfer  gave us un discount of 150 $ that you as readers can also benefit from applying the DISCOUNT CODE: KUCAVANAAMERICA

1 Essential requirement: good travel medical insurance. The first good tip for travelling to Canada

AN IMPORTANT TIP: Don't travel to Canada without a good travel insurance, avoid big problems. It is one of the first requirements that they tell you on the Canadian government website along with the processing of the And so.
We recommend you the Iati Star We hired this insurance after a good comparison and study of the different ones on the market. It is the only one that exceeds one million euros of coverage. Without a doubt, it is the best for North America, where breaking a leg costs you €150.000, as happened to a friend of ours in the USA. Another positive thing is that Iati has an app for virtual visits.
I leave you here a link where you have a 5% off for any Iati travel insurance.

2 Check that you have all the bureaucratic requirements to travel to Canada in order before traveling, avoid surprises at the airport

Check that you have done the check list of requirements to travel to Canada done before traveling. Check the post I made and don't wait to do them again.

You wouldn't be the first to arrive at the airport without an up-to-date passport or an eTA application, so check everything carefully!

3 Bring good binoculars to observe wildlife in Canada

You will appreciate having a good pair of binoculars, not too heavy, but with good lenses when you are traveling in Canada.

We before leaving We bought 2 of these binoculars which are quality and price-performance ratio They were very useful for the whole family during our trip. We were able to see animals up close with them. It was a great idea to take them with us in our suitcases.

4 Pack light suitcases and use laundry facilities in Canadian laundries, a good tip for travelling comfortably to Canada

Something we have learned during all these years of traveling as a family is that less is more. The lighter you go, the simpler and easier your route will be. For 21 days in August, we basically had one small cabin suitcase each, 4 small cabin suitcases. We had room for everything and you know what? We even had clothes left over that we didn't wear, hehe, imagine! Bring comfortable clothes and few changes of clothes, use the washing machines and dryers in the laundromats that there are many, and go light.

We carried the following in our suitcases:

Clothes per person (we will wash by hand during the route what is necessary, it is better to travel light based on experience):

• 3 complete changes of long technical summer mountain trousers + short-sleeved T-shirt 
• 2 changes of shorts + short t-shirts 
• 5 changes of underwear and socks
• 2 fleece or long-sleeved sweatshirt-type jackets
• 1 light down jacket, the kind that folds into a Decathlon bag 
• 1 cap
• 1 raincoat
• 1 flip flops
• 1 swimsuit
• 1 microfiber bathrobe
• 1 Gore-tex trekking shoes
• Toiletry bag with solid soap and bamboo toothbrush to be sustainable

Things we carry apart from clothing that are the result of experience and very useful on our trips:

• Canada plug adapter
• Small Italian coffee maker + a packet of ground coffee, if you are a coffee drinker like us and you are going to campsites, bungalows or apartments like us.
• Foldable memory foam travel pillow, if you have trouble sleeping on those thin pillows from Ikea, which is what they will give you in the rental motorhome. Also, it is useful for the plane, which low-cost airlines do not provide.
• A couple of small travel blankets, for the cold-blooded people in the house and for the plane, which low-cost airlines don't provide. 
• 2 extendable skewers for barbecues and making marshmallows 
• 2 binoculars
• 1 multi-purpose knife with a whistle for the mountains and a compass if possible
• 1 lighter to light the barbecues
• Relec Strong Mosquito Repellent, otherwise it won't work there
• Sunscreen

Above all, remember that the following are not allowed on the plane to go to Canada: Fresh foods such as fruit, sausages, meat or fish, and also no dangerous products such as bear spray, which if you buy one you cannot take back with you.

5 Get internet in Canada, but learn to disconnect

TIP FOR HAVING INTERNET IN CANADA: Internet in Canada is essential, although coverage outside the towns leaves something to be desired, I can tell you that in advance! We use a card with unlimited data Holafly and it was great for us. You can buy it with a 5% OFF through this link.

6 The emergency number in Canada is not 112, forget it, it's 911. A very important tip for travelling to Canada.

Something you should burn into your memory in case anything happens is that Europe's 112 is there it's 911. For any emergency, this is the number you should call. This is an important tip for traveling to Canada, save the number in your cell phone now.

7 Discovery Passes to visit Canada's National Parks

If you are going to visit a Canadian National Park for more than 7 days or you are going to visit more than one Park, buy the Discovery Pass which is an annual pass that will be cheaper than buying a single ticket.

8 Travel in June and September and save a lot

If you can, unlike us where it is difficult with children, travel outside of the high season. Only by travelling in the mid-season like June and September can you save a lot.

An example is in a rental motorhome. Our motorhome rented in August cost us 21 euros for 5.000 days, however, we saw the September prices and they were half off!

9 Traveling in mid or low season saves money but everything is closed

The opposite of the previous advice for travelling to Canada on a budget is this one. We went in August and the first days of September. And surprise! first days of september They were the best! everything had changed to winter time and it usually meant that They only opened on weekends. National Park Visitors Centers, museums, adventure and leisure activities…

10 Save on food and gas by leaving the National Parks

Plan your route well, thinking about passing through larger towns or cities outside the National Parks so you can stock up on supplies. Food and gasoline at a much better priceYou will save a lot if you do it this way, the difference is considerable.

If you can, go to the supermarkets Walmart, there you will find the best prices.

11 Always pay by card and without currency exchange fees

A great tip for traveling to Canada and saving a lot is this one about how to pay there.

The best thing about this section is that you have to know that the Canadian dollar is weaker than the Euro and everything will cost you around 30%-40% less currently. 1 Canadian dollar currently costs you around 0,66 Euro cents.

In Canada, you can pay for everything with a card, so we recommend that you take out very little cash on the first day and then always pay with a card and in dollars to get the best deal possible.

We do recommend withdrawing cash, because in In many places you will find that you pay in a cash box., for honesty, as they say there. For example, to rent a canoe on a lake there may not be anyone or an office, just a mailbox and a sign for cash payment.

Regarding cards, it's a whole new world, each one charges you what they want in commissions, exchange rates and cash withdrawals.

We advise you Evo's smart account card, which is the one we have had since it was Nova Caixa Galicia and which has 0 commissions for everything worldwide, but on the contrary you have to have the payroll or a minimum monthly income in that account, or the Revolut card. A card that can be activated in minutes from the Internet in an easy way and that allows unlimited recharges so that you can pay at the currency exchange rate with 0 commissions and the best currency exchange. The only bad thing we see is that you can only withdraw 200 euros per month at ATMs without commission, otherwise it is one of the best commission-free cards for traveling around the world.

12 Buy a plug adapter for Canada

Before leaving, remember to take the Canada plug adapter, is the same type as the one in the United States. flat pins, calls on power outlets Type A and B voltage 120V at frequency of 60 Hz.

We have had this one for years, it has a lot in one and it works great.

In short, if you are going to need to plug something in in Canada (mobile, laptop, travel hairdryer...), this is one of the requirements for travelling to Canada from Spain or Europe, where we have other plugs.

13 Save on food, have picnics and fewer restaurants

In Canada, the food is generally a bit boring. Pizza and burgers are the norm. So for snacks in Canada, restaurants, which are very expensive for what they offer, My advice is to shop at the supermarket and have picnics. You'll save a lot and enjoy the outdoors. 

By There are thousands of picnic areas, anywhere, so Canada is ideal for that.

14 Save on your trip to Canada: cheap flights, trick

When buying flights if you want to save money here are two tips. The first is if you can buy them early,do it as far in advance as possible.

Second, look at all possible options. Normally, to travel to Canada from Spain you will have to make at least one stopover, so look at the options. And here, above all, look at the options. from London. Where do they come from?More and cheaper flights to Canada than anywhere else in Europe.

15 For your safety, register as a traveler to Canada to receive alerts from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Sign up as a traveler so that In case of emergency or alert, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs locate you and inform you of emergency warnings such as hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes or others. It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended that you do so. You must do so here: https://registroviajeros.exteriores.gob.es/

Also, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for any alerts from Canada: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/Detalle-recomendaciones-de-viaje.aspx?trc=Canad%C3%A1

If there is any warning of a hurricane, flood, earthquake or something, it will be here.

16 Never feed wild animals, a tip for traveling to Canada and not making their animals aggressive

Never feed wildlife, only makes them more aggressive towards humans. They learn that humans have food and then you provoke them into aggressive behavior.

17 Book well in advance and save money on accommodation

Book your accommodation well in advance, Apart from saving money, you will avoid running out of space in top locations.

I believe this already happens in all countries and tourist sites, but I would also like to emphasize how essential it is to plan your route and book accommodation as far in advance as possible.

If you are going to travel to National Parks, not only is there a shortage of accommodation within the park, but the less there is left, the more expensive they are. So, a piece of advice, do as we did and book with your accommodation with cancellation well in advance, in case you have to change something later and it doesn't cost you anything to cancel.

18 Camping and wild overnight stays are not allowed in Canada, watch out for $25.000 fines! Also for flying a drone or feeding wild animals!

In Canada, you will see that for anything the fine is 25.000 dollars, for flying the drone, for feeding animals, for camping, for staying overnight, for going off the road in a National Park...So watch out! Flat rate lol

If you are travelling through Canada in a motorhome, camper or tent, check the regulations carefully. Free overnight stays and free camping are not permitted in Canada. only in designated places. 

In our Post from Canada by motorhome, there you have all the information and the designated places to stay overnight for free.

19 Northern Lights in Canada already from the end of August

From the end of August you can see the Northern Lights in Canada, even in the south. Use the My Aurora Forecast app to see if you'll be lucky that night.

20 If you are travelling with children, you should definitely consider: Parks Canada Explorer Program. Advice for travelling to Canada with children

Parks Canada has a educational and entertaining children's program which is a must-do in any National Park or Historical Site you visit in Canada. 

It's easy, just ask at the National Park Visitor Center or at the entrance to museums or historical sites and they will give you a book.

The booklet, which can be in English or French, contains very entertaining and educational activities about this place. Children will like it and you will surely like it too.

Once you have completed it, you have to take it back to where it was given to you. And here is the big surprise: you will receive a very cool little gift: a hanging badge, which you can collect during the trip. The best souvenir of the trip you will have in years.

21 Adapt your visits and plans to the weather, keep an eye on the Alertable app or website. Basic advice for traveling to Canada

In Canada, the nature is as wild as its climate. That's why you should download the Alertable app or check their website daily, where official authorities issue alerts for fires, storms, tornadoes, floods or any other warning that may arise.

22 Book fun and practical accommodations

An important part of traveling is always accommodation. Therefore, whenever you can, consider Practical and also fun accommodationsThis is a tip for traveling to Canada, but it will also be useful in many other places.

For practicality, especially if you travel with your family like us, I always recommend camping apartments or bungalows or motorhome or camper, which have a kitchen and that is a great point in favor of saving and pampering the children with meals.

As for the bungalows of campings, just like when travelling by motorhome, you have to sleep in campsites in Canada, and it has the added bonus of being fun for children. Camping is outdoors, with other children, bonfires with barbecues, where it is a great idea to make marshmallows with them at night, etc. In addition, many private and some public campsites in Canada have services for children such as playgrounds, swimming pools, animals and even activities in the summer such as cinemas or live music.

But don't worry, there are some resorts and lodges which also have very cool activities, swimming pools and parks.

23 Always carry bear spray, water and food on mountain excursions. An essential tip for travelling to Canada

For your safety you should always go well equipped for the mountains and nature in Canada. Canada is wild, that's its appeal, but you have to be prepared.

There are many places that directly indicate that it is forbidden to enter without anti-bear spray, so it's something that especially if you're going to do the west side of the Rocky Mountains or the Trans-Canada to Alaska, It is highly recommended that you buy one and carry it with you. In stores sport or Visitors Centers of the National Parks sell it.

It can be said that it is not normal to find a bear on marked trails frequented by tourists, but just in case it is best to take it with you.

Also, from our experience with bears across the United States and here in Canada, we know that The bear is not normally an aggressive animal towards humans, on the contrary, it flees of him. He eats fish and berries, and he is no fool and knows that we do more harm than good. Therefore, If he hears you, he will run away and not even come close. In all the visitor centers they explain to you that The most effective way is to speak loudly or sing like we did with the children “an elephant was swinging on a spider's web…” hehehe. Neither carrying a bell nor music is more effective than talking. There is one ranger who has even told us that the bell is not good because it can make them curious if it is a goat or another animal. In any case, the spray is only a last resort when the bear is less than 100 meters away.

24 Always keep your car lights on and keep these differences in mind when driving in Europe:

In Canada there are some different rules than in Europe when it comes to driving.

You have a post dedicated to everything you need to know for driving in canada, but here I summarize the major differences to keep in mind:

• Bringing always the lights on, both day and night. It is mandatory.
• Bringing child seats or booster seats up to 9 years or height of 145 cm.
• If the Police stops you, do not get out of the vehicle. Turn off the engine and sit patiently with your hands visible.
• You cannot overtake school buses with their lights on and they are carrying students., even if they are stopped.
• Although the traffic light is red, you can always turn right, making a yield sign.

25 International Driving Permit to drive in Canada

Another thing you should know, if you are Spanish or European like us, is that in Canada if you are going to drive you will need the International Permit, which you must request from the Traffic Department in your country.

For Spaniards, like us, you have to go to the DGT to pick it up once it has been processed online at the DGT Electronic Headquarters website. 

In the online processing you must Enter your details and pay a small fee, selecting the DGT office where you will pick up your international driving license.

Past In 2 days you will be able to go and pick up your international licensel to drive to the office listed on your application taking with you your DNI, proof of application (can be digital) and a passport-sized photograph. 

It's that easy, although you already know that the queues at the DGT are always huge. Based on our experience, go early and be patient. You will be there all morning to pick up your international card to be able to drive in Canada.

This card gives you will only serve for 1 year, something that I also think is partly worth it for them. It could last as long as your license lasts in Spain…

26 Always wear Gore-Tex shoes and a raincoat in the mountains. Advice for travelling to Canada if you are going to do trails

In Canada, the weather is a bit like in Scotland. You can suddenly get the sun shining brightly and then it can start to rain. Never trust the weather and carry your raincoat with you, we carry these that fold easily and They take up little space and are long , the this, and for the children of These raincoats with waterproof pants They also take up very little space in a backpack and are very useful, I guarantee it.

Regarding shoes, the whole family always wears mountain shoes. This type of Salomon gore-text or waterproofWith them, not even the children have ever gotten their feet wet in heavy rain.

27 Bring reusable bottles. A tip for traveling to Canada

In Canada, water is generally Any faucet that does not say otherwise is goodThe quality of Canada's water is excellent and not only will you save on bottled water, but you will also be much more sustainable with the environment and your impact as travelers in Canada.

28 Before coming to Canada, watch some movies or series about Canada

I could not start this recommendation in any other way than with Virgin river Hehehe I laugh because at home this series has always been a cause of controversy and laughter. Virgin River is a series that Jose totally got into, being his number 1 fan. But I... ainss I couldn't... I ended up falling asleep hehehe. Pretty landscapes yes, I admit it, but cheesy as hell for me hehehe. So after going to places like Virgin River in Canada, now maybe I would look at it differently and it wouldn't be so bad hehehe.

The typical Canadian movie for children is the Disney movie Pocahontas which explains the life of Native Americans which has a lot to do with Canada and the United States as well.

Finally, another one for all ages, is the classic Anne of Green GablesAnne of Green Gables is a 1985 adaptation of the famous novel written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, which follows the life of an orphan girl named Anne Shirley. The story begins when 11-year-old Anne is mistakenly sent to live with the Cuthbert brothers, who actually wanted to adopt a boy to help with the chores on their farm in Green Gables, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Despite their initial mistake, the Cuthberts decide to keep Anne.

Ana is a dreamy, creative and talkative girl with an overflowing imagination. However, her temperament gets her into problematic situations, but over time she matures and learns from her mistakes. The film deals with themes such as friendship, personal growth, forgiveness and acceptance. Very beautiful for the values ​​it imparts.

29 Plan well. Tip: variety is the key. Advice for traveling to Canada and the world

It is important to plan the route well, adapting it to everyone's tastes and ages. Normally, A route that has a little variety never failsThat is, plans to visit towns and places of interest, walks in nature, a visit to a museum, a little time in the park, adventure or leisure activities, swimming pool or hot springs, barbecue, time, etc.

30 Spray Parks, a free plan that is a hit with the little ones in the heat

It depends on the area you go to. If you travel in the summer you may encounter some very hot days, as happened to us in the Drumheller area and in the Valley of the Dinosaurs in Alberta Provincial Park.

Those days you will discover the Best plan in Canada in the heat and with children: spray parks.

There are spray parks in almost every town and city, usually right next to the regular playground. It's a super fun water play area for kids. A free activity that they'll love!

Conclusions on these 30 tips for traveling to Canada

I hope this post has been helpful and gives you some useful ideas for your future trip to Canada.  I have tried to put together the best tips for traveling to Canada that I wish I had before traveling. The goal is always to be useful, as you read. This is always the purpose for which I write.

Remember that because of the love I put into writing to you, the best thing you can do is to tell me a few things down here. Those who know me know that I value it a lot and it always gives me strength to continue writing after more than 7 years of blogging.

Have a nice trip, family!