Newfoundland And Labrador

Overview of Newfoundland And Labrador

The Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador offers visitors a peek into the quiet, unassuming splendour and solitude of one of the world's few unspoilt and unique destinations. Tourists are quickly caught up in the wild natural beauty of the province, from the rugged rocky cliffs and outcrops to streams and rivers that interweave the rolling green hills and countryside. Labrador attracts many visitors to its tundra, which features the historic Avalon Peninsula, and is home to the charming capital city of St. John's.

Travellers enjoy coming here for the world-class fishing, exciting outdoor trails, wildlife viewing, hunting and dozens of breathtakingly beautiful national parks. Newfoundland and Labrador is a haven for outdoor sports enthusiasts, who enjoy activities such as camping, sea kayaking, hiking, canoeing, snowmobiling and birdwatching.

The wildlife here is truly something to behold, with thousands of moose, black bear, caribou, Northern River otters, Newfoundland Lynx and Arctic hares all native to Newfoundland and Labrador. The millions of seabirds and thousands of humpback whales that frequent the freshly carved icebergs off the 18,000 miles (29,000km) of coastline are also spectacular sights.

Other key attractions in Canada's easternmost province include the Western Brook Pond, a land-locked fjord and L'anse aux Meadows, a National Historic Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. L'anse aux Meadows also happens to be the site of the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America.

map of Newfoundland And Labrador


Key Facts

Language:
The official languages are English and French (spoken predominantly in Quebec).
Passport/Visa:

All visitors must hold a valid passport. We recommend that passports always be valid for six months after 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 Authorization (eTA) form online prior to travel to Canada. This is a new requirement implemented on 28 September 2016 and 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.

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.

Electricity:
Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin plugs and a plug with a third round grounding pin are standard.

Travel to Newfoundland And Labrador

Health Notes when travelling to Canada

No vaccinations are necessary for travel to Canada. Medical care is excellent but expensive, so medical insurance is advised.

Safety Notes when travelling to Canada

Most visits to Canada are trouble-free. The country is politically stable but 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. Canada is prone to tornadoes between May and September.

Customs in Canada

Smoking bans have been implemented in Canada in enclosed public places such as restaurants, bars, and shopping malls.

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. The plant Qhat (Khat) is illegal in Canada and prison sentences are heavy.

Doing Business in Canada

Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal are the main business centres. 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 meetings tend to begin on time so punctuality should be taken seriously, as should appearance. Canadians dress conservatively and smartly for business meetings 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

There is no service charge added to restaurant bills in Canada and staff expect a tip of around 15 percent. Hairdressers and taxi drivers are also usually tipped at the same rate, while bellhops, doormen, porters, and similar service providers at hotels, airports, and stations are generally paid at the customer's discretion. It has become more common for places with counter service to display tip jars, but in such cases tipping is not necessary.

Passport/Visa Note

All visitors must hold a valid passport. We recommend that passports always be valid for six months after 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 Authorization (eTA) form online prior to travel to Canada. This is a new requirement implemented on 28 September 2016 and 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, otherwise other proof of citizenship is accepted in the form of a birth certificate, a US certificate of citizenship, or US certificate of naturalisation. More suggestions would include 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. However, the individual must have Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australians must hold passports valid for period of intended stay. Nationals of Australia with an Electronic Travel Authorization (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 Authorization (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 Authorization (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.

Exchange rate for 1 CAD - Canadian Dollar
0.76 BMD
Bermudan Dollar
0.68 EUR
Euro
0.76 USD
U.S. Dollar
0.53 GBP
U.K. Pound Sterling
83.23 JPY
Japanese Yen
0.76 CHF
Swiss Franc
1.06 AUD
Australian Dollar
19.19 UAH
Ukrainian Hryvnia
258.11 KZT
Kazakhstani Tenge
1,150.93 LBP
Lebanese Pound
0.54 LYD
Libyan Dinar
5.24 BOB
Bolivian Boliviano
82.45 NPR
Nepalese Rupee
0.29 OMR
Omani Rial
2.78 QAR
Qatari Rial
1.05 SGD
Singapore Dollar
6.33 SEK
Swedish Krona
5.07 TTD
Trinidad Tobago Dollar
7.63 VEF
Venezuelan Bolivar
35.03 DOP
Dominican Peso
5.14 HRK
Croatian Kuna
14.24 MXN
Mexican Peso
448.12 XOF
West African CFA Franc
2.42 PGK
Papua New Guinean kina
0.77 BSD
Bahamian Dollar
1.61 FJD
Fiji Dollar
17.30 HNL
Honduran Lempira
84.48 DZD
Algerian Dinar
910.53 MMK
Myanma Kyat
8.55 BWP
Botswana Pula
2.58 PEN
Peruvian Nuevo Sol
530.07 CLP
Chilean Peso
365.42 AMD
Armenia Dram
18.48 CZK
Czech Koruna
15.27 MDL
Moldova Lei
94.99 ISK
Icelandic Krona
2,246.12 UZS
Uzbekistan Sum
2.95 ILS
Israeli New Sheqel
0.54 JOD
Jordanian Dinar
0.23 KWD
Kuwaiti Dinar
23.96 UYU
Uruguayan Peso
27.15 MUR
Mauritian Rupee
21.79 NIO
Nicaraguan Córdoba
6.38 NOK
Norwegian Krone
3.00 PLN
Polish Zloty
2.87 SAR
Saudi Riyal
111.60 LKR
Sri Lanka Rupee
27.22 THB
Thai Baht
2.81 AED
U.A.E Dirham
2.75 BRL
Brazilian Real
3.09 RON
Romanian New Leu
5.94 HKD
Hong Kong Dollar
449.13 XAF
Central African CFA Franc
17,177.63 VND
Vietnamese Dong
10.66 ARS
Argentine Peso
2.06 XCD
East Caribbean Dollar
5.99 GTQ
Guatemalan Quetzal
7.47 MAD
Moroccan Dirham
0.29 BHD
Bahrain Dinar
0.77 PAB
Panamanian Balboa
1.14 AZN
Azerbaijan Manat
2,382.97 COP
Colombian Peso
52.20 KGS
Kyrgyzstan Som
213.82 HUF
Hungarian Forint
6.02 TJS
Tajikistan Ruble
10,458.13 IDR
Indonesian Rupiah
6.79 EGP
Egyptian Pound
910.37 KRW
South Korean Won
4,333.19 PYG
Paraguayan Guaraní
3.18 MYR
Malaysian Ringgit
411.77 CRC
Costa Rican Colón
1.12 NZD
New Zealand Dollar
80.05 PKR
Pakistani Rupee
51.05 RUB
Russian Rouble
11.93 ZAR
South African Rand
1.62 TND
Tunisian Dinar
1.53 BBD
Barbadian Dollar
1.34 BGN
Bulgarian Lev
2.25 TRY
Turkish Lira
35.63 PHP
Philippine Peso
24.93 TWD
New Taiwan Dollar
150.19 NGN
Nigerian Naira
81.90 XPF
CFP Franc
2.99 GHS
Ghanaian Cedi
95.48 JMD
Jamaican Dollar
1.38 ANG
Neth. Antillean Guilder
1.05 BND
Brunei Dollar
84.50 RSD
Serbian Dinar
5.03 CNY
Chinese Yuan
15,208.62 BYR
Belarussian Ruble
5.08 DKK
Danish Krone
2.63 TMT
New Turkmenistan Manat
51.41 INR
Indian Rupee
     
Exchange Rate for
U.S. Dollar to Canadian Dollar

1 USD = 1.31 CAD

Exchange Rate for
Euro to Canadian Dollar

1 EUR = 1.46 CAD

Exchange Rate for
U.K. Pound Sterling to Canadian Dollar

1 GBP = 1.89 CAD

Exchange Rate for
Australian Dollar to Canadian Dollar

1 AUD = 0.95 CAD

Exchange Rate for
New Zealand Dollar to Canadian Dollar

1 NZD = 0.89 CAD

Exchange Rate for
South African Rand to Canadian Dollar

1 ZAR = 0.08 CAD

Airports in Newfoundland And Labrador

St Johns Airport (YYT)
St. John's International Airport
stjohnsairport.com

Location: St Johns The airport is situated 6 miles (9km) northwest of downtown St Johns.

map of St Johns Airport

Time: Local time is GMT -2:30 (GMT -3:30 from November to February).

Contacts: Tel: 709-758-8500

Getting to the city: The Metrobus provides public transport from the airport to popular spots in St. John's metro.

Car rental: Car rental is available at the airport. Companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, and Thrifty.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are found outside the Arrivals Area.

Facilities: Airport facilities include free wifi, ATMs, children's play areas, shops, restaurants, and an information centre.

Parking:

St Johns

Although St John's is the capital and largest city of Newfoundland, its population of a little more than 200,000 people means it still retains its small-town charm. The city's position on the steep shore of the Avalon Peninsula means visitors will find themselves meandering around brightly-coloured houses on hilly streets, all sloping down to the historic city harbour.

Originally founded as an English fishing town in 1583, it has been argued that St John's is the oldest city in North America. While the cod fishing industry collapsed in the 1990s, the city is now an Eastern Canadian hub for oil and gas, enjoying a reputation as a growing centre for entrepreneurs.

The city is a major tourist destination in the province, with a vibrant arts and culture community as colourful as its buildings. Water Street and Duckworth Street, both in the downtown area, are bustling thoroughfares with many restaurants and shops, while George Street is the centre of St John's' nightlife.

St John's has a few interesting historical museums and urban parks, but the most popular attraction by far is the beautiful view from Signal Hill which overlooks the city. While nearly all tourists in St John's come to enjoy the views, it gets even busier during summer when it plays host to the military demonstrations of the Signal Hill Tattoo.

Another major event taking place at this time of year is the Royal St John's Regatta, which dates back to 1816, and is North America's oldest sporting event. The coast offers a number of interesting places to explore, including Middle Cove Beach, Bell Island, Petty Harbour and Bay Bulls.

map of St Johns

Airports in St Johns

St Johns Airport (YYT)
St. John's International Airport
stjohnsairport.com

Location: St Johns The airport is situated 6 miles (9km) northwest of downtown St Johns.

map of St Johns Airport

Time: Local time is GMT -2:30 (GMT -3:30 from November to February).

Contacts:

Getting to the city:

Car rental:

Airport Taxis:

Facilities:

Parking:

Newfoundland And Labrador Attractions

Overview

L'Anse aux Meadows

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, L'Anse aux Meadows is a fascinating archaeological site on the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland. The architectural remains found at L'Anse aux Meadows have been identified as belonging to an 11th century Viking settlement. With the exception of Greenland, it is the only Viking settlement in North America and quite possibly the area referred to as Vinland in the Norse sagas. The ruins are now an interactive and educational tour site, where visitors can enter the reconstructed Viking Longhouse, try on helmets and wield swords, and speak with costumed guides eager to share Norse traditions and mythology. With it being 270 miles (about 433km) north of Deerfield along the Viking Trail (Route 403), it's quite an effort to reach. But there's plenty to see and do along the way, including the spectacular Gros Morne National Park.

map of L'Anse aux Meadows

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/spm-whs/sites-canada/sec02a


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