Manitoba

Travel Advisories

Travel to Manitoba

Health Notes when travelling to Canada

Travellers should be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before traveling to Canada, and should consider taking routine vaccines as a standard precaution. Medical care is excellent but expensive, so medical insurance is advised.

Safety Notes when travelling to Canada

While most visits to Canada are trouble-free, the country does share the common international risk of terrorism. The crime rate is low but travellers are advised to take sensible precautions to safeguard their belongings, as they would anywhere. Parts of Canada are prone to tornadoes between May and September.

Customs in Canada

Rowdiness and loud speech are inappropriate except under special circumstances or in places such as bars, as Canadians tend to be soft spoken, patient and almost apologetic in their public behaviour. They are generally tolerant of the complex network of cultural differences in public behaviour, particularly in cities where such diversity is more common place. Recreational cannabis is legally available throughout Canada, though local laws can vary depending on the province or territory travellers are visiting.

Duty Free in Canada

Travellers to Canada are allowed to enter the country with the following items without incurring custom duties: gifts to the value of C$60 per recipient (excluding advertising material, tobacco and alcoholic beverages); 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos and 200g of tobacco or 200 tobacco sticks; 1.14 litres of liquor or wine or 24 x 355ml bottles or cans of beer or ale. There are strict regulations governing the import of the following: explosives, endangered animal and plant species, items of heritage, fresh foodstuffs and weapons.

Doing Business in Canada

Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal are the main business centres, and English is the language of business except in French-speaking Quebec, where all written material and business cards should be in French. Business cards are not traditionally exchanged during an initial meeting, but at some appropriate time thereafter; it is best to wait for the host to offer theirs first.

A firm handshake is used by way of greeting and punctuality should be taken seriously for meetings. Canadians dress conservatively and smartly for business and suits are the norm. Gifts can be given in conclusion to celebrate a deal, but should be understated; taking someone out for a meal is a popular way to conclude business dealings.

Canadians are reserved and frown on emotional outbursts. Business is based on facts and figures rather than relationships, so it is best to be as prepared as possible for meetings. Hours of business are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Communication in Canada

The international access code for Canada is +1. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code. The outgoing code is not necessary for calls to the US and the Caribbean. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.

Tipping in Canada

A tip of around 15 percent is standard in restaurants, and hairdressers and taxi drivers are usually tipped at the same rate. Bellhops, doormen, porters, and similar service providers at hotels, airports, and stations are generally paid at the customer's discretion.

Passport/Visa Note

All visitors must hold a valid passport, and it's recommended that passports always be valid for six months after the intended period of travel. Visitors are required to hold onward or return tickets, all documents needed for the next destination and sufficient funds to cover the period of intended stay.

Travellers from most visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air need to fill in an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) form online prior to visiting Canada. This requirement is applicable to all but U.S citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:

US travellers should have a valid passport if departing from the USA. Other proof of citizenship is accepted in the form of a birth certificate, a US certificate of citizenship, a US certificate of naturalisation, or a NEXUS card. A visa is not required for a stay of up to six months.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

UK nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for a stay of up to six months, though UK travellers must have Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australians must hold passports valid for period of intended stay. Nationals of Australia with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) are visa exempt for a maximum stay of 6 months.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Irish nationals must hold a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to six months. However, the individual must have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

New Zealanders require a passport valid for the period of the intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 6 months. However, the traveller requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South African nationals must be in possession of a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is required. South African temporary passports are not recognised. Passports, identity or travel documents of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei and Venda are not accepted.

Currency

The currency used is the Canadian dollar (CAD). Banks and bureaux de change will change cash, as will some hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are widespread. US dollars are widely accepted.

Airports in Manitoba

Winnipeg

The historic area known as the Forks draws thousands of tourists every year. It lies at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, while Lake Winnipeg (one of the largest freshwater lakes in Canada), the urban forest and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden are other popular nearby attractions.

The city has an array of art galleries and museums, as well as a strong film industry, which has hosted numerous Hollywood productions over the years. It is also home to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, one of Canada's most celebrated companies, and the Winnipeg Jazz Festival.

With extreme temperatures ranging from -22ºF (-30ºC) in mid-winter, to 86ºF (30ºC) in mid-summer, we strongly recommend travellers visit during the warmer months between May and August.

Getting around in Winnipeg

Winnipeg has a comprehensive public transport system that consists of buses, cycling routes, trains and taxis. Local bus services are run by Winnipeg Transit, which operates over 80 fixed routes throughout the city. Buses generally run from 6am to around midnight and can be halted between stops after 7pm, provided the driver is given advance warning. There is also a Rapid Transit route in the southwest of the city, as well as a free bus service in the city centre called Downtown Spirit.

Winnipeg also has a network of cycling and bus lanes as part of an effort to decrease commute times. Trains are primarily used for travel to surrounding cities and are run by VIA Rail.

Taxis are widely available and can either be hailed in the street or called in advance. Reputable taxi companies will use a meter which should be switched on at the beginning of the journey. Ride-hailing apps such Uber also operate in Winnipeg.

Climate in Winnipeg

Winnipeg's humid continental climate produces warm summers from late May to late September, and around 20 inches (50.8cm) of rainfall throughout the year. With an average of 2,727 hours of clear skies and around 2,372 hours of sunlight throughout the year, Winnipeg claims to be one of Canada's sunniest cities. That said, winter lasts from late November to early March and can have minimum temperatures as low as -9°F (-23°C) in the depths of the cold season. Summer heats up to 79°F (26°C) at the height of the warm season.

Manitoba Attractions

Overview

News about Manitoba

Dan's Diner: A Wild Dinner In A Roving Tundra Buggy

Located on the 58th parallel north, Canada's subarctic town of Churchill, Manitoba, has a population of just 900 permanent residents. But this low population count more than compensates for the 500,000 visitors who travel here throughout the year. They come for the Arctic

A Complete Guide To Polar Bear-Watching Tours In Manitoba

Polar bear-watching tours are not for the faint of heart and in Manitoba, visitors have several options to choose from

Spot Polar Bears and The Northern Lights All In One Trip

Visit Churchill, Manitoba to see the northern lights, plus baby belugas and polar bears in the wild

Up Close and Personal With Churchill's Whimsical Bzeluga Whales

All it takes is a quick paddle from the western shore of Hudson Bay and the smiling, curious face of a beluga whale peeks out of the water to greet kayakers floating by. The northern Manitoba community of Churchill is known as the polar bear capital of the world, but the largest population of beluga whales also calls its Hudson Bay coastline home.