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Ultimate Canada Travel Safety Guide COVID-19 Edition (UPDATED 2022)

Last Updated on 7/13/2022

Table of Contents

Is Canada a safe travel destination?

Travel Restrictions for Canada

Canada travel & safety tips

Don’t forget travel insurance for your Canada vacation!

blue outline of arrow pointing right Is Canada a safe travel destination?

Yes! In fact, Canada is thought to be one of the safest countries to visit as a traveler. Canada prides itself on having low crime rates and well-managed police. Like anywhere else, the country has experienced violent crime and drug-related activity in the past. However, it’s likely your trip won’t be interrupted by any foul play or unexpected negative events. It never hurts to get travel insurance though! Get a free quote today.

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Here are some up-to-date websites you can use to plan your trip to Canada.

blue outline of arrow pointing right Travel Restrictions for Canada

Being informed when traveling is one of the best tips expert travelers can give you. Here are some resources to help you understand what you might need to prepare for before your flight leaves.

Moraine Lake in Canada

Should you fly or drive to Canada?

Flying versus driving probably depends on a few factors such as where you are traveling from, costs of airfare versus gasoline, and how much time flying versus driving would amount to. For example, if you live relatively close to the Canadian border and don’t mind spending a few hours in a car for a road trip, driving might be the way to go. However, if you only have a certain amount of PTO and don’t have enough time to enjoy your visit if you have to spend days in the car just to get there, then flying might be the best option.

Do you need a passport to visit Canada?

Yup! If you’re a U.S. citizen your passport or passport card will be your golden ticket gaining access into and out of Canada. Don’t have a passport yet or need to renew yours? Check out our guides on how to get your passport and passport photo without any hiccups.

blue outline of arrow pointing right Canada travel & safety tips

Despite Canada being such a safe vacation destination, you should still be prepared for anything. Keep these tips in mind:

If you see something, say something: Shootings and violent crime are extremely rare, but you should still report suspicious activity when you see it.

Stay warm: The temperature in Canada can often be much colder than you’re used to, especially during winter. Be smart and pack extra layers!

Leave the weapons at home: Handguns and assault weapons are prohibited, so it’s a good idea to leave them at home. Plus, it will make it easier going through airport security!

Stay on the trail: If you decide to experience immersive nature and hike some trails, don’t wander into the wilderness too far. Canadian nature isn’t something you want to mess around with –especially alone!

Is Canada a family-friendly travel destination?

We like to think so! Given that Canada offers a variety of multigenerational travel activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out these family vacation destinations in Canada based on your type of travel:

For the adrenaline-seeking family: Vancouver is full of experiences for the whole family! Try out the Capilano Suspension Bridge for an adrenaline-pumping memory you’ll never forget. The best times to visit Vancouver are in the spring and fall –you’ll get better weather and more savings. If your family is into skiing, you can’t forget about nearby Whistler! Just don’t forget to purchase travel insurance in case something happens and you get hurt.

Ski lift in Whistler, Canada

For the nature-loving family: Niagra Falls is a popular one, but have you been to Prince Edward Island or Jasper National Park? Immerse your family into a nature-based getaway where you can admire the organic beauty of Canada.

Jasper National Park in Canada

For the history buff family: Visit Montreal for a hub of science, art, and history. St. John, New Brunswick, and Halifax are other great places to visit museums and learn about surrounding nature.

Skyline of Montreal, Canada

blue outline of arrow pointing right Don’t forget travel insurance for your Canada vacation!

The last thing you’d want is to lose out on your trip expenses if you had to suddenly cancel your trip! Make sure that should anything go wrong before or during your family vacation, you’ll have travel insurance to cover the bill.

New to travel insurance? Check out our previous blog post where we explain travel insurance in more depth. Given the past year of COVID-19, we’d recommend purchasing Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, since it’s the most flexible cancellation travel insurance on the market. In simple terms, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason at all (even for reasons normally excluded) and receive a portion of your trip costs back. Why is this necessary? Let us explain in our guide to CFAR coverage.

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