Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada - Travel Guide

Newfoundland and Labrador offers breathtaking coastal landscapes, vibrant cultural experiences, and unparalleled outdoor adventures. Its rugged beauty and friendly communities make it an unforgettable destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay7 days

Budget$80/day

Mid-range$250/day

Luxury$500/day

Known For

LabradorSt. John'sMaritimesAtlantic CanadaEast CoastMaritime Provinces

🇨🇦 Country Information: Canada

CapitalOttawa

CurrencyCanadian dollar ($)

Language English , French

Phone Code+1

Electricity120V (Type A, B)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is customary in restaurants (15
20% of the bill), bars, for taxi drivers, hairdressers, and hotel staff
For delivery services, tipping is also common (10
15%)

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available
Credit cards are widely accepted
It is not necessary to bring large amounts of cash, but some cash is useful for small purchases
There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Punctuality is valued in professional settings
Canadians tend to be polite and appreciate direct, but not aggressive, communication
Personal space is generally respected
It is common to remove shoes when entering someone's home

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Canada has progressive LGBTQ+ laws, including legal same-sex marriage nationwide.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on the province/territory
Drug laws vary by province, but recreational cannabis is legal nationwide for adults, with strict regulations

Special Laws

It is illegal to drive while using a handheld device
Some provinces have laws against jaywalking
Hunting and fishing require licenses

Common Phrases

HelloBonjour (bon-ZHOOR)

Excuse mePardon (par-DON)

Thank youMerci (mair-SEE)

Climate

Mainland Labrador and insular Newfoundland have distinct climates.

Climate Zone: Subarctic

Best Time to Visit

Extreme cold: Dec
Mar
Extreme hot: Jul
Aug
Hurricane season: Aug
Oct

Getting There

Air travel to St
John's International Airport (YYT) or Deer Lake Regional Airport (YDF)
Ferries from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques or Argentia (seasonal) via Marine Atlantic

Getting Around

Car rentals are essential for exploring the province
Limited public transit in major cities
No ride
sharing apps widely available outside St
John's

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations recommended
No specific health concerns for most travelers
Consult with a doctor for personal recommendations

Staying Connected

eSIMs available from major Canadian carriers like Bell, Rogers, and Telus
Providers like Airalo and Nomad offer Canada eSIMs

Local Cuisine

Toutons breakfast

Toutons are a traditional Newfoundland breakfast food, similar to a pancake or donut. The yeasted dough is pan-fried until golden and typically served

Fish and Brewis regional_speciality

This traditional dish consists of salted codfish and hard tack (hard bread) soaked and boiled. It is commonly served with scrunchins, which are small

Figgy Duff dessert

Figgy Duff is a boiled pudding that includes raisins (historically referred to as figs), flour, molasses, brown sugar, and butter. It is often compare

Jiggs' Dinner regional_speciality

A classic Sunday meal in Newfoundland and Labrador, Jiggs' Dinner is a boiled dinner featuring salt beef, vegetables like cabbage, turnip, carrots, an

Bakeapple Jam and Pie seasonal

Bakeapples (cloudberries) are notoriously difficult to pick and are generally ready around mid-August, making them a seasonal delicacy. They are used

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Ferry Reservations (Marine Atlantic or Labrador Marine) Transport

Book 2–6 months in advance

The ferries connecting Newfoundland to the mainland (Marine Atlantic) and services within Labrador (Labrador Marine) have limited capacity, especially for vehicles, and book out far in advance for the summer season.

Accommodation (St. John's and Major Tourist Hubs) Accommodation

Book 2–4 months in advance

High-quality accommodation, particularly in popular areas like St. John's, Bonavista Peninsula, or near Gros Morne, is limited and sells out quickly during the peak whale/iceberg viewing season.

Car Rentals logistics_other

Book 2–3 months in advance

Due to the isolated nature of the province, the vehicle fleet is limited. Car rentals often sell out entirely or become extremely expensive during the peak summer months.

Gros Morne National Park Campground Reservations permit_or_pass

Book 2–3 months in advance

Gros Morne is a major UNESCO site with high demand for its limited camping and backcountry spots, which are released via Parks Canada's reservation system.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Whale Watching / Iceberg Tours tour_or_activity

Book 3–8 weeks in advance

These tours are highly dependent on the whale and iceberg seasons (May-July) and specific boat operators have limited daily capacity, especially for popular departure times.

Fun Facts

1. Newfoundland and Labrador has its own unique time zone, the Newfoundland Time Zone (NT), which is one of the rare 30-minute time zones, set 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Time.
2. The province used to be an independent country, known as the Dominion of Newfoundland, before joining Canada in 1949.
3. The first known European presence in North America belongs to the Vikings, who established a colony at L'Anse aux Meadows around 1,000 years ago.
4. The only known instance of Germans landing in North America during WWII was in Newfoundland, where a U-boat crew set up a remote weather station in Labrador in 1943.

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