Tips for Travelling to Canada and How to Get the ETA Visa

Whether you’re a lover of nature and wildlife, or traveling in search of cosmopolitan cities with a vibrant avant-garde culture, Canada is your ideal destination.

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Canada Travel Tips: What All To Know Before You Visit

Endless meadows that give way to mountains with glaciers on their ridges, steep coasts and pristine beaches that become immense forests and emerald lakes. And If you dare to reach beyond the Arctic Circle, unusual and rugged landscapes set on the frozen tundra. Places that often become home to cosmopolitan cities, coastal towns and remote indigenous settlements.

If you travel to Canada, there are many things you should keep in mind to ensure the best possible vacation. Here are some tips to always remember your trip to Canada with a smile.

Assuming that you can drive throughout Canada on a few week visit is a serious mistake. Be convinced that you are going to visit a huge country and that going from one city to another implies traveling hundreds of kilometers.

If your time is limited, consider choosing a single section of Canada, such as the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, the West Coast of BC or the Maritime provinces of Canada. By focusing on a region, you can spend more time and enjoy it as it deserves.

1] Get ready for the cold

Temperatures and climates vary greatly in Canada, so it is important to investigate before traveling. For example, a visit to Vancouver in winter will be very different from winter in Winnipeg.

Of course, wherever you go, your luggage to survive the winter weather should include good quality snow boots, wool underwear and a waterproof jacket. Always dress with many layers.

And if you’re going to visit Canada in summer, don’t think you’re going to be very hot. It is true that there are very warm areas, such as Okanagam Valley, where you can sunbathe at the edge of its lakes. But in the mountains, the summer weather is variable and can be as cold as the winter we are used to.

2] Drive in winter

Winter in Canada is one of the toughest in the world. It is possible to reach up to -50 ºC in the northernmost areas. While if your option is to visit the Rocky Mountains, you will easily reach -30 ºC.

This means that you must be prepared to drive under extreme conditions. Make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and prepare for road closures due to avalanches and snowstorms.

3] Get your ETA visa

Before you arrive in Canada, you must complete the procedures to enter the country. Luckily, many nationalities only need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) visa. Getting your ETA Canada visa is a simple process that takes place online in a few minutes.

You will need a credit card, a passport and an email address, in addition to answering some basic questions and entering your personal information.

You must also pay a small fee of $ 7. In most cases, you will be granted your ETA visa within a few minutes of the application.

Once it is approved, your ETA will be valid for five years or when your passport expires. It is important that when traveling to Canada, travel with the same passport you used to apply for the ETA.