Halifax Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Halifax, Nova Scotia - NS, Canada)

Halifax is one of the biggest cities in Canada's Atlantic provinces and is steeped in maritime history. With an enviable coastal setting, breathtaking harbor and miles of shoreline, Halifax is home to many famous landmarks and spectacular views.

Much of life in Halifax is based around the enormous harbor and the city embraces its maritime theme, with countless nearby restaurants, cafés and bars, often featuring waterfront views. A number of tourism bureaus are located in central Halifax and provide a range of pamphlets and travel tips, with free Internet access available at the public library.

Tourism and Tourist Information

Tourism Nova Scotia
Address: 1655 Lower Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada
Tel: +1 902 424 4248
These offices are close to the Maritime Museum, next to the waterfront, and stock a range of travel-related maps and leaflets.
Open hours: June to September, daily - 08:30 to 20:00; October to May, Wednesday to Sunday - 08:30 to 16:30

Tourism Halifax International Visitor Center
Address: Sackville Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada
Tel: +1 902 490 5946
Located in the center of the city and specifically aimed at tourists visiting Halifax, with helpful staff on-hand to offer travel advice.
Open hours: May to September, daily - 08:30 to 19:00; October to April, Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 16:30

Red Store Visitor Information Center
Address: 1869 Upper Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), B3J 2S9, Canada
Tel: +1 902 424 4248
Offering an array of useful information to help you make the most out of your time in Nova Scotia.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 19:00

Halifax Public Library
Address: 5381 Spring Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada
Tel: +1 902 490 5700
A number of computer terminals are available here, with Internet access, although these usually need to be booked in advance.
Open hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 10:00 to 21:00, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00

Language

With in excess of 300 languages spoken around America and Canada, English and French have always been the main languages in Halifax, with most highway signposts and tourist leaflets displaying both. Canadian English is mainly spoken in Halifax and is based on British English, with many interesting expressions. In the provinces of Quebec and Manitoba, Canadian French has always been the main language. Halifax features numerous different nationalities, and many regions in Canada are known for their local dialects and charming colloquialisms, particularly around Newfoundland.

Currency

Currency in Halifax, Nova Scotia and throughout Canada is structured in a similar way to the USA, with Canadian dollars. Noteworthy denominations include:

• 1c - penny
• 2c - quarter
• 5c - nickel
• 10c - dime
• $1 dollar - loonie
• $2 dollars - twoonie / toonie

Paper notes in Halifax consist of $5, $10 and $20 notes, which are daily currency and known locally as 'bills', with higher notes such as $50 and $100 dollar bills used less regularly. Tourists staying in Halifax can use their credit and debit cards at ATMs, offering a popular and useful way to exchange currency. Also, travel agents in the city of Halifax, such as American Express and Thomas Cook, feature competitive rates of exchange, together with local banks. Most banks in Halifax are open Monday to Friday, with their opening hours being slightly shorter than most shops in Halifax. A number of banking branches in central Halifax now open during the evenings and also on Saturday mornings.

Visas and Documents

Visitors to Halifax and other cities throughout the country require photo identification, together with at least two or three types of formal ID. Passports are always mandatory when arriving in Halifax, except for those who travel from the USA and Greenland. A driver's license is no longer enough identification for US citizens arriving in Halifax and should be used together with a valid birth certificate or similar authentication, such as an official certificate of citizenship. Individuals visiting Halifax from Commonwealth and Western countries do not require visas, although visitors from most other countries do, with the exception of Mexico. Visa applications for travel to Halifax and throughout Canada should be made at least one month in advance. The Canadian Immigration Centers can assist with inquiries.

Driving

Motorists wishing to drive in the city of Halifax must secure a 'Canadian Nonresident Interprovince Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card' or 'Visitor to Canada Insurance', which most US insurance companies issue. Nearly all of the car rental hire in Halifax expect you to be at least 21 years of age when renting a car, although for some this is 26 years. In Halifax, Nova Scotia and all over Canada, cars always drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Tipping

Tipping in Halifax is the norm and many restaurants expect around 10% to 15% of the bill as a tip, although a number of restaurants may include service charges on the bill. Taxi drivers, hairdressers and hotel staff in Halifax also expect to be tipped.

Smoking and Alcohol

All through the country you are only able to purchase alcohol at local government-run shops, although in the provinces of Alberta and Quebec, many privately owned outlets are permitted to sell a range of alcohol. The current legal drinking age throughout the country is 19 years old, with the exception of Alberta and Manitoba, where the age is only 18. Smoking is now restricted at many venues in Halifax, including public travel and restaurants.