Before going to any country, it’s always worth doing your research so that you can avoid mistakes. Such mistakes could cost you a lot of money or possibly prevent you from carrying out your itinerary. 

This is certainly the case when it comes to Canada. Although many people think they know this country from TV shows and movies, it can be full of surprises and there are many mistakes that you can make as a first-time traveler. Below are just some of the most common mistakes that foreign tourists make when visiting Canada. 

Thinking Canada is like America

Whether you’re crossing the border from the US or travelling from another country, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is thinking that Canada is just like the US. Sure, there are lots of similarities. However, there are also many cultural differences.

For one, you can’t use US dollars in Canada (unless you’re visiting somewhere on the border) – the Canadian dollar looks very different and is not worth the same as a dollar. Taxes are different in Canada too.

Food and drink is also very different in Canada. Maple syrup, poutine and beaver tails are just some of the things you’ll stumble across more commonly here. And Tim Hortons is preferred over Starbucks. 

Parts of Canadian culture can even feel closer in tone to the culture of Europe. Canada has a similar welfare system to much of Europe including universal healthcare and 2 weeks entitled paid vacation. They also use the metric system (kilometres instead of miles). On top of this there’s a whole province (Quebec) where the population predominantly speaks French.

Underestimating the size of the country

A lot of people know that Canada is big, but many don’t realise just how big it is. Thunder Bay and Toronto may both be in the same province, but it’s about three days travel between them by car. 

If you’re planning to visit multiple cities and locations within your trip, you should spare reasonable enough time for getting from A to B. There are many times when it may be better to take a flight than to take a train or a bus (especially if you’re only in Canada for two weeks or less). 

Not knowing when to hire a car

Want to explore the natural beauty of Canada? It could be worth hiring a car rather than relying on public transport. While there are good public transport links throughout Canada, hiring a car will give you more flexibility so that you’re not having to wait for buses and trains.

Planning to spend your whole trip in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver? In these big cities, you probably don’t want to hire a car. The roads can get quite congested and parking isn’t always easy to find. These cities have good public transport systems which will get you around much more quickly and cheaply. 

Not packing the right clothing in winter

This should come as no surprise: the winters in Canada are cold. Temperatures regularly drop below zero degrees celsius during winter in cities like Ottawa and Toronto. Cities like Vancouver tend to be a little warmer in winter – but it’s still no warmer than London or Paris in winter. 

If you’re coming from a warmer country, you should invest in some decent winter clothing before you visit. Bring a thermal jacket, gloves, scarf and a hat. Don’t assume that a regular jacket will do.

Not packing the right clothing in summer

It isn’t always cold in Canada. In fact, summer temperatures can regularly exceed twenty degrees celsius across southern Canada.

If you’re visiting in summer, consider packing some summer clothing including some shorts, shades and short-sleeved tops. You may even want to pack some swimwear if you’re going somewhere by the coast. 

Failing to arrange the right documentation

Before entering Canada, you may need to apply for a visa known as an eTA. It’s worth looking into eTA application requirements to see if you’re from a country that requires such a visa. It usually takes 72 to get an email response after applying.

A passport is also necessary. Gone are the days when you could drive over the American-Canadian border with nothing but a driving license – these days you have to provide a passport. 

Planning only to see the major attractions

If you’re going to Toronto, you’ll probably want to see some of the major sights like the CN Tower, Casa Loma and Ripley’s Aquarium. You may even have a day trip to Niagara Falls planned. But don’t let this be the extent of all you see.

Going off the beaten track will give you a much more authentic taste of Toronto (and such activities will be a lot cheaper). The same goes for other cities like Montreal and Vancouver. Sites like Atlas Obscura are great for hunting down some of these more offbeat attractions. 

There’s also a lot to see beyond the cities. If you’re planning a road trip between two cities, allow some time to see some of the sights in between – some of which you may happen to stumble upon.

Not researching the difference between areas

Being such a big country, it’s important to remember that not all of Canada is the same. British Columbia is very different to Quebec – everything from the language to the architecture to the landscape is different. There can even be huge differences within provinces – take rural northern Ontario and urban southern Ontario as an example. 

In other words, just because you’ve been to one part of Canada, don’t expect things to be the same in another province. You may find that you want to dress differently in certain parts or that your money goes further in certain areas. This could be important to consider when knowing what to pack and how much money to bring.