Exchange rates will probably make the biggest difference to foreign visitors, but in general Canada is, by regional and global standards, fairly expensive.

Exchange Rates

Current approximate exchange rates for the Canadian Dollar are: US$1=C$1.32; £1=C$1.61, €=C$1.47, A$1=C$0.93, NZ$1=C$0.83.

Currency

Canada’s dollar ($), is made up of 100 cents (¢) that come as 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), $1 and $2 coins.

The $1 coin’s nicknamed a “loonie”, after the bird on one side; leading to the $2 coin earning the nickname “twoonie”.

There are notes of $5, $10, $20, $50 and the rarely-seen $100.

US dollars are frequently accepted in Canada, but only on a one-for-one basis. And since the US dollar is generally worth more than the Canadian, it makes sense to change US currency if you can.

Costs

The single most significant way of saving money is to avoid travel in the July and August peak season when all accommodation costs are at a premium.