The medical facilities are excellent. The quality of health care mostly corresponds to the German standard. Overloading of hospitals and doctors and thus long waiting times for treatment means that neither adequate emergency care nor continuous medical treatment is guaranteed. In an emergency, it is best to go to a so-called “walk-in clinic”. A first aid kit should be taken to the remote northern parts of the country. The emergency service can be reached by dialing »911«. Travel health insurance up to US$50,000 coverage is absolutely necessary as hospital costs are high (from US$1000-2000 per day. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Food and drink
Tap water is drinkable, but usually contains chemical additives (chlorine) that affect the taste. There is a large selection of local and imported mineral waters. Water from lakes and rivers should be filtered, boiled or cleaned with water treatment tablets before drinking because it may be contaminated with Giardia. Be careful when consuming undercooked meat (particularly seal, walrus and polar bear meat). There is a risk of trichinosis (worm disease), which occurs again and again in isolated cases. However, there is no risk of infection with completely cooked or boiled meat.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. In southeastern British Columbia in particular, there is a risk of transmission of borreliosis/Lyme disease from ticks from April to September, particularly in grasses, shrubs and undergrowth. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Hepatitis B occurs nationwide. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis is recommended for children and adolescents. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. There are repeated outbreaks of mumps and measles as a result of insufficient vaccination rates in children and adolescents. Travelers should check their vaccination protection or possible immunity due to an illness that has already occurred. In many parts of the country, there is an increased risk of infection with mosquito-borne West Nile fever from May to October. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents.
Money
Currency
1 Canadian dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: C$, CAD (ISO code). Notes come in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5. Coins in denominations of C$2 and C$1, as well as 50 (rarely), 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent (1 cent coins have not been minted since 2012).
Credit cards
International credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa, but also American Express and Diners Club are accepted almost everywhere in Canada. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Girocard The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are rarely available in Austria. Traveller’s checks in Canadian dollars can be exchanged in some banks and bureaux de change in major cities in Canada.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 09.00-16.00/17.00, sometimes longer on Thursdays and Fridays.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions. Obligation to declare from an amount equivalent to C$10,000.
Currency Exchange
Money can be exchanged at banks, officially recognized financial institutions and exchange offices. Shops, hotels and restaurants also exchange money, but usually at a worse rate than financial institutions.
