Currency Canadian dollar (CAD), trading at around 0.73 USD per CAD (check before travel). Polymer notes from CAD 5 to 100.
Cards 95% of merchants accept Visa, Mastercard and Interac debit. American Express has more limited acceptance.
Mobile payments Apple Pay and Google Pay are widespread. Canada is one of the world's most cashless societies.
Cash Useful only for tips at bars, farmers' markets and remote northern areas such as the Yukon.
ATMs Plentiful in cities, sparse in rural areas. Use major bank ATMs: RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC.
Tips 18–20% in restaurants, 15% in taxis, CAD 2–5 per bag. Calculated on the pre-tax subtotal.
eTA Mexico, Spain and most European nationals need an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): CAD 7, valid up to five years, obtained in minutes at canada.ca/eta.
Visitor Visa Colombian and other passport holders need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): form IMM 5257, biometrics at VFS Global and proof of funds.
Without eTA or visa The airline will not let you board. Always apply before purchasing your flight.
Passport Must be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Immigration rules change — always verify before travel.
Customs Declare all food, cash and goods. Failing to declare fruit, meat or dairy can incur significant fines.
Vaccinations Canada requires no mandatory vaccinations. MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B and flu vaccines are recommended if travelling in winter.
Insurance Essential. Healthcare for non-residents is expensive: an emergency without cover costs CAD 1,500–5,000. Insure for a minimum of USD 100,000.
Water Safe and drinkable throughout the country, including rural areas. Better than most bottled water.
Wildlife Black bears, grizzlies, moose and coyotes in national parks. Maintain required distances and carry bear spray on trails with confirmed activity.
Seasonal Ticks in forests from May to October; mosquitoes in boreal forest in summer. Use DEET repellent for any outdoor activity.
Domestic flights Air Canada, WestJet, Porter and Flair connect the country. Essential given the distances: Toronto to Vancouver is five hours by air.
VIA Rail train Efficient on the Quebec–Montreal–Toronto corridor. The Canadian crosses to Vancouver over four nights with panoramic windows.
Rental car Essential for the Rockies, Cabot Trail and Vancouver Island. Your national licence is valid for six months. An AWD SUV is recommended.
Apps Uber and Lyft operate in all major cities. Transit app for real-time public transport.
National parks Lake Louise and Moraine Lake parking is closed to private vehicles — access is by pre-booked Parks Canada shuttle only.
Official languages English and French, with federal institutional bilingualism across the country since 1763.
By region English is universal. French is the service language in urban Quebec and many Montreal neighbourhoods.
Spanish Available among concierge staff at boutique hotels in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Indigenous languages More than sixty Indigenous languages remain alive; Inuktitut is the official language of Nunavut.
A small detail In Quebec, saying "Bonjour" when entering a shop opens the exchange. Five phrases in French transform the experience.
Sorry The Canadian "sorry" is not weakness — it is social code. Canadians apologise when bumping into someone, when passing or when interrupting.
Personal space Interpersonal distance is greater than in Latin America. Hugging a stranger when greeting them reads as invasive.
Punctuality Arriving late to a social or professional appointment is considered disrespectful.
United States Do not compare Canada with the US as if they were the same country. It is the oldest complaint Canadians have about foreign visitors.
Indigenous peoples Do not photograph Indigenous people without permission. Use Inuk or Inuit — never the term "Eskimo".
01 · Cultural capital
3–4 nights
