Canada is an exotic country with diverse land features and captivating scenic beauty. The Northern Lights, rocky mountains, the world’s largest coastline, etc. make Canada one of the heavenly holiday escapes for most tourists.
If you are planning to visit Canada in your upcoming holidays, continue reading to know the essential things required for a hassle-free vacation.
Also read: Information of Visa for Different Countries
Top 10 Things to Consider While Visiting Canada from India
- Plan a Budget
The first and crucial step while planning for a foreign trip is to plan and allocate the budget. The upper part of Canada is expensive compared to the other regions. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot explore Canada on a tight budget. There are regions with budget-friendly food options, accommodations, etc. So, you need to decide the budget according to your itinerary.
- Set your Itinerary
Canada is a vast country, the second largest one in the world, with 10 provinces, 3 territories, and 6 time zones. So, it is not possible for most travellers to cover this 10 million sq. km. land mass in one visit. You can choose 2 or 3 provinces and decide your itinerary accordingly. For snow lovers, the Nunavut region is an ideal pick, but if you are a beach lover, visit the British Columbia area.
- Know the Visa Requirements
The visa requirements may vary from one country to another. Some involve a lengthy documentation process, while others allow visas on arrival. If you are planning to visit Canada, you need to follow stringent guidelines for the visa application process.
Besides, ETA or electronic travel authorisation is a mandatory entry requirement in Canada for several nationalities. So, you can visit the official website of the Canadian government to check out the guidelines and documentation process for a Canada tourist visa for indians and proceed accordingly to avoid any hassles of rejection.
- Stay Prepared for the Weather Conditions
Before heading to Canada, you should know about its diverse climatic zones. You may plan your trip during the summer, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to carry warm clothes. Some parts of the country may be shivering cold, while others are warm or pleasant. So, you should get the weather updates before planning your trip and stay prepared accordingly. However, if you are looking for the best time to visit Canada, plan your visit for spring or autumn.
- Know about the Official Languages
Though English stands as the first language for most Canadians, 20% of its population speaks French. So, French is considered to be the second official language in Canada. Being a multicultural country, the people of Canada speak in multiple accents and languages. So, you should have a basic understanding of their official languages if you are planning to visit Canada.
- Know the Sales Tax Rules
Sales tax is a crucial factor in Canada, and as a tourist, you must be aware of it to avoid excessive expenses. Generally, the shops or stores do not display the price of an item, adding the sales tax.
So, it becomes confusing for a buyer when they find the bill includes a higher amount than the one tagged with the product. The sales tax includes both federal/national (GST) and provincial tax. The current GST rate in Canada is 5%.
- Get a Travel Insurance
Canada is one of the countries that does not have a mandate for travel insurance for its visitors. However, getting overseas travel insurance to protect yourself financially from unforeseen circumstances is highly recommended. Some of the situations that a well-rounded travel insurance covers include:
- Lost visa or passport
- Flight cancellations or delays
- Lost baggage
- Medical emergencies
- Strikes or riots
- Emergency hospitalisation
- Missing your flight, etc.
- Be Familiar with the Tipping Culture
If you are visiting Canada, you must know their culture and practices. Tipping is a popular practice here. People here tip delivery persons, wait staff, bartenders, etc. So, when you are visiting this country, you need to follow this culture.
Generally, you need to pay a tip of 15% of the amount you have billed. However, for exceptional services, this amount may rise to 20%.
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- Learn Local Phrases
As you already know, Canadian people speak both English and French. As a result, the locals have developed some unique terms to communicate in their everyday lives. Try to learn some of these phrases so that you can mingle with the local people flawlessly:
- Canadian Tuxedo: top and denim bottom
- Clicks: distance covered in kilometres while driving
- Two-four: 24-pack of beer
- Toque: a knitted winter hat
- Freezies: ice pops
- Tobogganing: snow sledging
- Know the Embassy
Last but not least, you should know the address and contact details of the Indian Embassy in Canada. If any emergency arises, your embassy is the only place that can help you out in a foreign land. In such cases, you can speak to your country’s representatives and seek help or advice trendytarzen.
Apart from these, you need always to carry your passport and other essential documents while travelling across the country. It will protect you from legal consequences during unpleasant situations.
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