Canada

English and French are both official languages nationwide. English dominates in most provinces; French is the main language in Quebec and parts of New Brunswick and Ontario. English is widely spoken almost everywhere, including in Quebec's tourist areas, though a few French words go a long way there.

Mobile data plans in Canada are expensive compared to most other countries. Buying a prepaid SIM or eSIM from a Canadian carrier (Rogers, Bell, Telus, or a low-cost brand like Freedom Mobile or Public Mobile) at the airport or a mall kiosk is usually cheaper than roaming, and no ID registration is required. Coverage is excellent in cities but can disappear entirely in remote areas, including some national parks and northern highways — download offline maps before heading out of range.

Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in cities and towns. Pharmacies (drugstores) are common and well-stocked; most keep regular business hours, with some open late or 24 hours in larger cities. No special vaccinations are required to enter Canada. Canada does not provide free healthcare to visitors — travel insurance covering medical care is strongly recommended, since treatment costs for non-residents can be very high.

Citizens of the United States can enter with just a passport and no visa. Visa-exempt travelers from many other countries, including the UK, EU countries, Australia, and Japan, also don't need a visa for short stays, but must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before flying to Canada. Travelers who need a visa can apply for a temporary resident visa through a Canadian visa office or online.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Canadians value politeness: saying "please," "thank you," and apologizing even when not at fault is the social norm, and queuing in an orderly line is expected everywhere. Holding doors and letting people off transit before boarding are small habits that go a long way.

Canada has a large Indigenous population, and public events often open with a land acknowledgment recognizing the traditional territory. Ask before photographing people, especially in Indigenous communities, and dress and behave respectfully at cultural or religious sites.

Public holidays are a mix of federal and provincial dates, and observance varies by province. Most shops, restaurants, and attractions stay open on holidays, though banks, government offices, and some smaller businesses close.

Standard shopping hours run roughly 9:00-18:00 on weekdays, with many malls and larger stores open late and on Sundays too.

• By air: domestic flights are often the fastest way to cover Canada's huge distances — flying between coasts or to the north can save days compared to driving or the train. Air Canada and WestJet operate the main domestic networks.
• By train: VIA Rail connects major cities in the south, including a scenic route between Toronto and Montreal, but coverage is limited compared to Europe and trains run less frequently.
• By bus: regional coach operators (such as Ontario Northland, Rider Express, and Maritime Bus) fill gaps between cities not well served by rail, especially in the west and Atlantic provinces.

Breakfast is often simple — coffee and a pastry or eggs — while lunch and dinner follow North American patterns, with dinner as the main meal, typically eaten between 6 and 8 in the evening. Regional food varies enormously: Quebec is known for poutine (fries, cheese curds, and gravy) and tourtière, Atlantic Canada for lobster and other seafood, the Prairies for beef, and British Columbia for salmon and Pacific seafood, often with strong Asian influences from its large immigrant communities.

Maple syrup is a genuine national staple, not just a souvenir — look for it poured over pancakes or used in baking. Butter tarts and Nanaimo bars are popular sweet treats, and bannock, a simple fried or baked bread, reflects Indigenous culinary tradition found across the country. Coffee shop culture is strong nationwide, and craft beer and Canadian whisky are widely available alongside wines from Ontario's Niagara region and British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.

Canada's most-visited destinations cluster in a few regions.

Central Canada: Toronto is the country's largest city and a financial and cultural hub, close to Niagara Falls. Ottawa, the national capital, is known for its government buildings and museums.

Quebec: Montreal blends French and North American culture with a lively food and arts scene, while the walled old town of Quebec City is the only fortified city north of Mexico, with stone ramparts and cobblestone streets.

The west: Vancouver pairs mountains and ocean with a compact, walkable downtown, and nearby Victoria has a slower, garden-city pace, while the ski resort town of Whistler is a short trip north. Calgary is the gateway to the mountains and lakes of Banff National Park.