January 21, 2021 - Meagan Palmer
Last Updated on 4/10/2023
Is Canada a safe travel destination?
Travel Restrictions for Canada
Don’t forget travel insurance for your Canada vacation!
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 Canada 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.
Here are some up-to-date travel safety based websites you can use to plan your trip to Canada. Be sure to check out our other travel safety guides for other popular travel countries.
You’ll find any major health advisories for destinations outside the U.S. and any requirements that might be needed to board your flight.
US State Department Travel Advisory
General travel advisory and safety information can help you take the proper precautions when traveling to Canada can be found using this resource.
US State Department Fact Sheet
Information about the relations between the U.S. and Canada can be found on this fact sheet.
This free program helps travelers get connected with the U.S. Embassy in Canada if an emergency occurs. You also get notified of any travel safety alerts leading up to your departure.
If COVID-19 is a concern for your travels, you can find the current number of cases using the above link.
Learn more about any other types of risks you may face during your travels to Canada.
Travel Restrictions for CanadaBeing 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.
You probably won’t be required to take any tests prior to departure, but this link will bring you up-to-date information.
It’s no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 test to arrive back in the States after your vacation to Canada.
If you plan on driving to Canada instead of flying, check out this resource to help your transition be as smooth as possible.
There aren’t many different restrictions when traveling by air compared to other destinations, but this resource will help prepare you for your journey by air 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 vacation if you have to spend days in the car just to get there, then flying might be the best option.
Yup! If you’re a U.S. citizen your passport or passport card will be your golden ticket to 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.
Canada travel & safety tipsDespite 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 crimes 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!
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 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 go to Vancouver are in the spring and fall –you’ll get better weather and more savings. If your household 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.
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 clan into a nature-based getaway where you can admire the organic beauty of 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 see museums and learn about surrounding nature.
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 vacation! Make sure that if you experience an emergency before or during your 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 travel plans 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.
As a seasoned professional with over five years of experience in the travel insurance industry, Meagan has honed her expertise in marketing and operations working for Yonder Travel Insurance. Throughout her career, she's shown dedication assisting customers at every stage of their travel insurance journey, from the initial quote process to navigating the claims process. Her expert understanding of travel insurance equips her to provide unbiased and valuable insights, which help travelers find the best coverage and maximize its benefits.
Tags: coronavirus, travel safety
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