Best Time to Visit Canada

The best time to visit ‘The Great White North’, Canada is from July to November. The weather during this time is pleasant and the changing fall allows an excellent backdrop ideal for a vacation.

Besides that, you can also enjoy your vacations in Canada all year round as different seasons offer different celebrations. Read the article to have information about the best time to visit in Canada and places you can explore at this time.

Summer Season

• Time Period: July and August
• Temperature range: 18 to 35 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 25 mm

Summer months of July and August are the peak seasons and the best time to visit Canada, as you can comfortably travel around this country. Alongside bright sunny days, you can enjoy being involved in a wide range of activities and festivals.

Since Canada is the second largest country in the world, temperatures here vary according to its size and latitude. For example, you can see Toronto has a temperature of 20 to 35 degrees Celsius, therefore, making it the best time to visit Toronto and enjoy activities there. On the other hand, Vancouver will experience a temperature of around 18 to 27 degrees Celsius.

Due to warm weather, you can explore this country as you wish. In addition, you can engage yourself in visiting some of the best attractions and hiking trails in the country.

The best season to visit Canada, here are the things you can do during the warm season:

1. Celebrate the western heritage at Calgary Stampede.

2. Hear the world’s leading jazz musicians at Festival de Jazz de Montreal in Quebec.

3. Take part in multiple activities on Canada's longest footpath, Georgian Bay.

4. Try a banana boat ride or parasailing on beaches of Grand Bend in Ontario, one of the best places to visit in Canada.

5. Enjoy the Ski Bromont water park, buy a few homemade delicious chocolates and enjoy picturesque villages of Quebec.

6. Enjoy the company of beautiful butterflies, flamingos, and other birds in the Butterfly Garden in Victoria.

7. Go for a lobster tour boat in the dreamy paradise of Prince Edward Island.

8. Summer is the best time to visit Niagara Falls. So, enjoy the exquisite beauty of the Niagara Waterfalls.

9. Go rafting, fishing, and horse-riding in Alta Range.

Spring Season

• Time Period: March to June
• Temperature range: - 7 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 17.78 mm

One of the best times to travel to Canada is during springtime, from March to June. You will experience warm weather during this time and notice greenery enhancing the environment around you. However, to enjoy a different experience and explore the mountains, valleys, and glaciers, you can visit the northern parts of Canada during June.

As the weather is pleasant during spring, you might find temperatures as high as 12 degrees Celsius in places like Vancouver. Whereas places like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal might experience a temperature drop below 0 degrees Celsius. However, as spring is the beginning of the festival, you will enjoy many activities here.

The list of activities you can engage in while visiting Canada during spring is as follows:

1. Be a part of the Canadian Tulip festival in Ottawa.

2. Do not forget to visit the Cherry Blossom Festival in Vancouver and Annapolis Apple Blossom Festival in Nova Scotia.

3. Spot whales in Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Quebec.

4. Visit the Richmond Night Market.

5. Enjoy delicious food and great music, and participate in the shows and events at Vancouver Craft Beer Week.

6. One of the most beautiful places in Canada during springtime, escape from the bustle of city life to visit the beautiful Stanley Park.

7. If you are looking for an adventure, hike to the Bruce Peninsula.

Autumn Season

• Time Period: September to December
• Temperature range: - 3 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 85mm

If you want to avoid crowds and indulge in viewing some spectacular sites, autumn can be ideal for you. The colours of the leaves and the natural foliage during this time will leave you speechless. However, do not miss the red, orange, and yellow hues of the forests around you as they go through a transformation.

Throughout this season, you will enjoy a cool temperature as you can explore nearby tourist spots.

The following are the activities you can engage in during this season:

1. Visit the Tremblant Symphony of Colours in Quebec.

2. Enjoy the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival at St. Catherines.

3. Do not miss out on the Celtic Colours International Festival in Nova Scotia.

4. Do not miss out on the salmon run festival in Vancouver.

5. Enjoy the Festival of Lights near Niagara.

6. Go for polar bear sightseeing.

7. Experience a spectacular view of the Northern Lights.

8. Visit the highest tides in the world at Fundy National Park.

9. Zip down the forests of Mont Tremblant.

Winter Season

Time Period: December to March

Temperature range: - 25 degrees Celsius to 4 degree Celsius

Average Rainfall/Snowfall: 1000 mm

You must avoid visiting Canada from December to March due to the cold winter. Often the temperatures are below sub-zero level. This doesn't allow the snow to melt easily, thus creating hazards on the road. Although you can indulge in skiing during this season, most of the tourist spots remain closed due to heavy snowfall.

Although tourists prefer the month of summer to visit Canada, the autumn season and spring can be suitable for you if you are looking for affordable stays around this time of the year. Since both are off-season, travelling to Canada around this time will leave you mesmerised as you can view the feats of nature.

As you experience the beauty of nature in the eastern areas of Canada, you can experience the dense forests in the western regions. September to December is autumn, and March to June is spring here, and you will get some excellent budget tour packages and lower prices on hotel accommodations during this time. Also, due to fewer crowds and tourists, you can enjoy the tourist spots and explore the areas around you.

So, now that you know about the best season to visit and avoid in Canada, here are some things you must keep in mind:

• Be aware of the weather in Canada, as it varies from place to place. So, carry layers accordingly.
• There are two languages people speak here – English and French.
• You are expected to give a tip to the waiters, hotel employees and cab drivers as you receive services from them.
• Sales tax will be added to all your bills.
• Canadians are well-mannered and extremely polite. You are expected to return the same behaviour to them too.
• Before driving, do not forget to check the speed limits here.
• Before travelling to Canada, ensure you have health insurance and travel insurance.
• Ensure you have all the travel documents with you.
• The legal drinking age here is 18 – 19 years.

Some of the tips you must keep in mind during your Canada trip are:

• Be punctual.
• Do not eat while you are walking in public.
• Do not be too friendly with someone.
• Carry a bouquet or a box of chocolates while visiting someone.
• You cannot import animals or animal products.
• Smoking is strictly banned.

Although Canada is largely an English-speaking nation, French is the co-official language. Hence, check out some important phrases for your trip:

• Good morning – Bonjour
• Good evening – Bonsoir
• Yes – Oui
• No – Non
• Okay – D-accord
• Please – S’il te plaît (familiar) / S’il vous plaît (formal/plural)
• Thank you – Merci
• I am sorry -- Désolé / Je m'excuse
• How are you? – Comment vas-tu / Comment allez-vous? (formal/plural) / Comment ça va? 
• I am fine, thank you. – Bien, merci. 
• You’re welcome – Bienvenue (Cdn) / De rien (familiar)
• Have a good day! – Bonne journée
• Good-bye – Au revoir
• Do you speak English? – Parlez-vous anglais?
• The cheque/bill, please – L'addition, s'il vous plaît / La facture, s'il vous plaît 
• What is your name? – Comment t’appelles-tu?
• My name is –  Je m’appelle
• How much does it cost? – C'est combien?

So, now that you have an idea about the best time to visit Canada during these seasons, start planning your trip. However, before planning your trip, make sure you get  a travel insurance as it will give you financial coverage during any emergency or mishap abroad. This includes theft and loss of baggage, damage to luggage, hotel and flight cancellations, medical emergencies, etc. In addition, travel insurance will ensure you have a comfortable journey ahead.