• Intro: Canada is an outdoors paradise both in the winter and the summer and rivals the like of New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil for spectacular natural beauty. It is a popular skiing and winter sports destination with loads of possibilities and winter festivals. In the summer, there are endless hiking, mountain biking, rafting, canoeing, and camping sites. With a rich history and multi-ethnic population, any traveler will feel right at home when travelling within the country.

Canada can be considered liberal, tolerant and without doubt, very tourist-friendly. Several aspects of Canada will appeal to the independent traveler. From coast to coast, there is an extensive range of hostels and budget accommodations. There are also campsites all around that are popular among Canadians and tourists. It is also affordable and safe. Canada is sparsely populated outside the big cities and getting off the beaten track is not difficult at all.

Nevertheless, don't get to enthusiastic and think you can tour the entire length of the country at one go (unless you have about 6-8 weeks & healthy budget). Whether you visit during the summer or winter, it is guaranteed your long flight will be worth it as you meet fun Canadians who will be proud to show what the country has to offer.

• Highlights: Vancouver Island, Whistler, Canadian Rockies (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper), Okanagan Valley, West Edmonton Mall, Churchill (Polar bear capital of the world), Quebec’s Old City, Rideau Canal, Cape Breton Island (& other coastal areas in the Atlantic), and many places in between.  Whale watching, outdoor activities. Extensive hostelling network, transportation (hop-on/off busses in most provinces). More adventurous travelers should head north to watch the finest Aurora Borealis or to Athabasca for sand dunning (yes there is a desert in Canada). Once the snow clears, patios come alive during the day and Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and many Canadian cities offer some of the best nightlife.

• Lowlights: It gets cold during winters. Unless you are American, getting in is expensive and getting around is long and strenuous.

• Visa strategy: Commonwealth nationals, US, Mexican, Cubans, EU nationals among others who can enter without visa. None of the current and planned USA visa hassle.

• Health: Use common sense when out in the wild. Make sure you have travel insurance!!! Canadian healthcare system is designed for Canadians only, so if you (a tourist) end up with a broken leg or a skiing accident, you must deposit around $500 to receive any sort of medical attention.

• Typical tourist trail: No specific trail to follow, but there are two distinct regions. East: Newfoundland - Halifax - Cape Breton Island- Quebec City/ Montreal- Kingston, Ottawa- Toronto & West: Vancouver- Vancouver Island, Whistler- Okanagan Valley, Kootenays- Banff/Jasper- Calgary/Edmonton - Regina, Saskatchewan - Winnipeg, Manitoba.

• Getting around: Very similar to New Zealand/Australia with many backpacker buses and cheap train tickets for students. Greyhound offers bus and VIA Rail offers rail travel. Travel times are long so be prepared. Air Canada Jazz and West Jet are best bets for getting around by air. 

Examples of travel costs - 1-way fares (fares subject to change):

Greyhound Bus: $88 fare from Nelson, BC to Calgary, AB which is 422 miles / 679 km (10.5 hrs)

Airplane: $185 fare from Nelson BC to Calgary AB (1 hr)

Greyhound Bus: $238 fare from Ottawa, ON to Saskatoon, SK which is 1898 miles / 3054 km (46 hrs)

Airplane: $300 fare from Ottawa ON to Saskatoon SK (5 hrs)  So instead of the bus, and for an extra $60 dollars you could take this route in 5 hours by plane versus 2 days by bus.

Greyhound Bus - www.greyhound.ca

WestJet Air - www.westjet.com

Air Canada - www.aircanada.com

Via Rail - www.viarail.ca

• Guidebooks: Many, check out hostel lobbies (even if you don’t intend on staying at one). Lonely Planet useful, but don’t expect to find something that isn’t there at your hostel lobby.

• Costs & Money: Hostels range from US$18 for dorm rooms to US$45+ for privates. Entry to campsites around US$5-10. Food is no different from other western countries. Overall, money for value is quite fair. E.g. Montreal is far cheaper than Paris, so is Vancouver to L.A, and Banff in comparison to Aspen or Vail.  Money: ATMs, Credit and Debit cards.

• Weather & Dangers: Cold in the winters, but can be tolerable with the right gear. It only gets extreme in the far north. Rains frequently in western Canada. Few dangers, just use common sense when in the wild or out in mountains.

• Working: Common, many working holidays on offer (like WWOOF!). Commonwealth members can get insurance, work permits, accommodation very easily. Not uncommon to find travelers from Oz or UK who work from winter-spring and spend the earnings during the summer.

• Communication: Pay phones and internet easily accessible.