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Tips for Travel to Canada |
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Tips for Travel to Canada |
Money Matters As in the United States, Canadian currency is based on dollars and cents. Coins come in denominations of one, five, 10, and 25 cents, and one and two dollars. The one-dollar coin is the 11-sided, gold-colored "loonie," named for the bird featured on it. The unique two-dollar coin is silver with a gold-colored insert. Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations.
All prices quoted on this website
and in these books are in Canadian dollars. American dollars are accepted at
many tourist areas, but the exchange rate is more favorable at banks.
Currency other than U.S. dollars can be exchanged at most banks, airport
money-changing facilities, and foreign exchange brokers in Vancouver,
Victoria, Whistler, Calgary, Banff, Jasper, and Edmonton. Traveler's checks
are the safest way to carry money, but a fee is often charged to cash them
if they're in a currency
other than Canadian dollars. All major credit cards are honored at Canadian
banks, gas stations, and most commercial establishments. Automatic teller
machines (ATMs) can be found in almost every town.
The cost of living in Canada is comparable to the United States. By planning ahead, having a tent or joining Hostelling International, and being prepared to cook your own meals, it is possible to get by on less than $80 per person per day. Gasoline is sold in liters (3.78 liters equals one U.S. gallon) and currently costs between 95 cents and $1.20 per liter for regular unleaded. Tips are not usually added to a bill, and in general 15 percent of the total amount is given. Tips are most often given to restaurant servers, taxi drivers, doormen, bellhops, and bar staff.
Canada imposes a five percent goods
and services tax (GST) on most consumer purchases. |
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Alberta I Atlantic Canada I British Columbia I Canadian Rockies I Nova Scotia I Vancouver I Western Canada |
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