Nunavut is Canada's newest, largest, and least populated territory - a vast Arctic wilderness of tundra, ice, and stunning natural beauty. Home to the Inuit people for millennia, it offers authentic indigenous culture, world-class wildlife viewing including polar bears and narwhals, spectacular northern lights, and the adventure of reaching one of Earth's most remote inhabited regions.
Quick Facts
Recommended Stay10 days
Budget$300/day
Mid-range$550/day
Luxury$1200/day
Known For
nunavutarcticnorthern_lightsaurora_borealisinuitiqaluitbaffin_islandpolar_bearsnarwhalmidnight_sunarctic_circlenorthwest_passagetundraiglooscanadian_arcticwildlifeindigenous_culture
🇨🇦 Country Information: Canada
CapitalOttawa
CurrencyCanadian dollar ($)
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
True Arctic climate with extreme seasonal variation. Winter temperatures -25°C to -40°C (-13°F to -40°F). Summer briefly reaches 5-15°C (40-60°F) in July-August. 24-hour darkness in winter, 24-hour daylight in summer. Wind chill is significant. Iqaluit is subarctic; northern communities are high Arctic.
Best Time to Visit
- High Season: June
- August (midnight sun, wildlife, accessible travel)
- Aurora Season: September
- April (northern lights)
- Polar Bear Season: October
- November (Hudson Bay)
- Avoid: December
- January (extreme cold and darkness)
Getting There
- All access is by air
- there are no roads connecting Nunavut to southern Canada
- Iqaluit (YFB) is the capital with daily flights from Ottawa
- Other hubs include Rankin Inlet (YRT) and Resolute Bay (YRB)
- Canadian North and First Air operate scheduled services
- Charters serve smaller communities
Getting Around
- No road system connects communities
- travel is by air between towns
- Within communities, walking or taxi
- Winter travel may include snowmobile or dogsled
- All tours include transportation
- Book flights well in advance
- limited seats and frequent weather delays
Health & Vaccinations
- Standard Canadian vaccinations up to date
- Travel medical insurance ESSENTIAL
- evacuation costs can exceed $50,000
- Bring comprehensive first aid kit
- Cold weather gear absolutely critical
- Altitude not an issue but cold stress is real
Staying Connected
- Cell service EXISTS in major communities (Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet)
- NO cell service outside communities
- Satellite phone recommended for wilderness travel
- WiFi available in hotels but speeds are slow
- Consider satellite communicator for safety
Book in Advance
Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:
🔴 Must Book in Advance
Book 2-6 months in advance
Very limited flight capacity to all Nunavut communities. Canadian North and First Air have few flights with small aircraft.
Book 6-12 months in advance
The ultimate Arctic experience with extremely limited operators and small group sizes. These are expedition-level trips.
Book 6-12 months in advance
Limited operators run polar bear viewing trips in the Kivalliq region. Small groups ensure safety and quality viewing.
Book 1-3 months in advance
Very few hotels in Nunavut communities. Iqaluit has the most options but still limited. Other communities may have only 1-2 options.
Fun Facts
- 1. Nunavut covers 20% of Canada's landmass but has only 40,000 people - the lowest population density in the world.
- 2. The territory was created in 1999 as the largest Indigenous land claim settlement in history.
- 3. There are no roads connecting Nunavut communities to the rest of Canada - all travel is by plane or boat.
- 4. The northern lights are visible up to 300 nights per year in some areas.
