Canada Travel Guide: Backpacking through the land of enchanting Flora and Fauna

Explore the untouched landscapes, crystalline blue lakes, and unique wildlife of Canada with us!

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Canada Travel Guide

Being the largest country in North America with vast expanses of untouched landscape and versatile history, Canada is an enchanting mystique. With over 18 million tourists visiting Canada every year, the country is a bustling hotspot for tourism. While in Canada, you can explore its pristine nature, ethnic culture, and lively metropolis. Here, in this exclusive Canada travel guide, we will walk you through the best places to visit, things to know and do in Canada. You can also find the best time to visit and other interesting facts associated with Canada.

Canada has numerous woodlands, tundra, and glacial lakes. Canada has 48 official national parks and 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Canada is one of the wealthiest countries and could be expensive to visit. However, you can also travel to Canada in a budget-friendly manner by avoiding travel during the peak seasons. Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver are some Canadian cities worth exploring for a traveler. If you're a lover of the outdoors and wildlife, make sure to add Jasper National Park and Banff to your Canada itinerary. Consider visiting Canada in both the summer and winter seasons! I personally loved visiting Alberta in winter.

Interesting Facts Canada

Flag of Canada

Canada's National Animal

Beaver and Canadian Horse

Canadian National Dish

Poutine

Currency in Canada

Canadian Dollar

Canada Time Zone
Eastern Standard Time or EST (GMT-5 hours)

Wildlife Photography Jasper National Park Canada

Wildlife Photography Jasper NP Canada

Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park

Wildlife Photography Jasper National Park Canada: Moose

Spotting in Moose in Alberta, Canada

Edmonton in Winter

Best time to visit Canada

The best time to visit Canada is either in the autumn or summer. You can also consider visiting Canada during the winter. However, some of the tourist destinations can be closed in winter.

During summer, from late June to August, the prices would be at their peak. There are high chances of crowding in tourist destinations like for example Jasper National Park.
During autumn, the prices are lower, and the weather is pleasant. The autumn season extends between September and October.
Spring is yet another excellent time to travel to Canada. You can explore several festivals while you are visiting Canada during the spring season. You can take part in the Cherry Blossom Festival in Vancouver and the Candon Tulip Festival in Ottawa.
Canada is a cold country with intense winter. However, you can go skiing and snowboarding during the winter. The winter season is between mid-December and March, with the temperature falling as low as -20 degrees Celsius in North Canada. But, you can enjoy several winter festivals during this season. For example, the Winterlude festival in Ottawa or Edmonton's Winter Wonderland including the famous Ice Castles.

Things to know before you travel to Canada

Safety in Canada

Canada is a safe country to visit. However, in some parts of the country, petty crimes like pickpocketing happen, especially along the US borders and Halifax in Klova Scotia. In some regions, car break-ins occur commonly.

Crimes are non-existent in most tourist destinations, and the transportation facilities are also safe. However, you have to be careful about the weather and wildlife while you travel in Canada. It is because the weather can be unpredictable in some parts of Canada. Canada is also safe for solo travelers. However, you have to ensure that you do not leave your essentials unattended.

Do I need a Visa for traveling to Canada?

Visa requirements for Canada

Visa is mandatory for travelers from countries other than the US and 54 countries. They include Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, the UAE, countries of the European Union. However, they need to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), except for US citizens, to visit Canada. US citizens must present proof that validates them as US residents. Travelers from other countries have to apply for a visa with a valid passport to visit Canada. Visit the official website of the Government of Canada to apply for an online visa.

Responsible Travel and Tourism in Canada

Responsible Travel in Canada

Canada is a country that shows commitment to sustainable travel and tourism. Canada has several eco-friendly places. Canada continues to take numerous steps towards sustainable tourism with its Green Tourism Projects. Several tourist destinations in Canada highlights the value of sustainable travel. They include the Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia, the Inside Passage of British Columbia, and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. You can always travel in an eco-friendly manner by choosing public transport facilities and by using resources carefully.

Vaccinations & anti-Malaria tablets for Canada

While traveling to Canada, you have to take some vaccinations. It depends upon the country you belong to and the places you plan to visit. As per the WHO and CDC guidelines, all travelers have to get vaccines for Measles, Chicken Pox, Flu, and Polio. Some travelers would have to take vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Rabies. While you are traveling to the tropical regions, you can take a course on antimalarials. It is not mandatory if you are traveling only in urban parts of Canada.

Spoken languages in Canada

English is the most common language spoken in Canada. Some Canadians speak French as well, mostly in Quebec. 60% of Canadians have English as their first language, and 22% of Canadians have French as their mother tongue. So, you can converse with Canadians in English. However, in Quebec, French is much more popular, and the local people prefer French over English in some parts of Quebec. So, a little knowledge of French can help you a lot.

Things to do in Canada to add to your travel bucket list

Explore Edmonton by Segway

Edmonton is a scenic city in Alberta that you can explore while in Canada. You can embark on a ride along the Edmonton River Valley, Canada's largest urban park. There are thriving street parks and picturesque murals in Edmonton city. These murals represent the city's history.

You can enjoy a ride on Segway, a self-balancing electric scooter. Segways are not cheap. However, they are worth trying and can enhance your experience in Edmonton.

During winter, you can visit the Edmonton Ice Castles that open in late December. The place has enchanting collections of ice tunnels, caves, mazes, and many more attractions. It is one of the finest places to visit while in Edmonton.

Photographing wildlife in Alberta

Alberta is a magical province of Canada, where you can spot and photograph countless wildlife, especially in winter. If you are lucky, you can take a snap of elks, wolves, coyotes, owls, sheep, and other animals. In the Elk National Park of Canada, you can find bison. However, it is better not to go near them as they can be aggressive. Always keep your distance when you come across wild animals. The best time to visit Alberta to observe wildlife is during winter. Don't forget to pack your camera and a zoom lens to capture Canada's stunning wildlife!

Maligne Canyon & Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is one of the best places to visit in the Canadian Rockies. Maligne Canyon is more than 50 meters deep, and you can explore the region by hiking. There are six bridges that you can cross. The second bridge is the highest among them. However, the third one is the best location as it has a waterfall. The best time to visit Maligne Canyon is during winter, as you can go for guided ice walks.

Maligne Lake is the largest glacial lake. There are a plethora of activities you can take part in while visiting Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. You can enjoy sea kayaks, canoe rides, rowboats, and even go on an exciting cruise trip to Spirit Island. Maligne Lake in winter looks magical as well!

Photographing Bizons in Elk National Park Canada

Spot Bison in Elk Island National Park

Located almost an hour away from Edmonton, Elk Island National Park is a place worth visiting. You can spot several bison, deer, and elks grazing. There are around 750 bison in the national park.

You can go for a walk along the walking trails. Hiking through the Elk Island National Park is easy and comfortable. On the north side of the park, you can find plain bison, and on the south side, you can observe wooden bison. In winter, you can also take part in snow-shoe activities in Elk Island National Park. This activity is often combined with stargazing as it is a dark sky area.

Explore the stunning lakes of Banff National Park

Banff National Park is Canada's first national park with crystalline blue lakes. Lake Louise, Lake Minnewanka, and Moraine Lake are some famous lakes in the region. There are numerous activities you can take part in, especially in the winter season. You can go ice skating and cross country skiing. When you are at Lake Louise, you can enjoy the ice festival. The lakes offer mesmerizing views in the mornings and evenings.

Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park Canada

Visit Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls in Jasper National Park

Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls are two enchanting waterfalls in Canada. Located along the Icefield Parkway, you can explore the Falls while driving the Icefield Parkway from Jasper to Banff or vice versa. It is a 230 km long highway that winds through the Canadian Rockies. The drive through this path can enhance your experience while in Canada. Athabasca Falls is 23 meters high, with numerous platforms and walkways. You can go river rafting as well. However, Athabasca Falls attracts lots of people compared to Sunwapta Falls. Sunwapta Falls is less crowded and the best time to visit is either during late spring or early summer. The trail along the Canyon is an excellent spot for photography too. In winter you can admire frozen waterfalls and lots of snow!

You can always browse back to our Canada Travel Guide for any clarifications!