Newfoundland & Labrador - Travel Tips

Below are some travel tips and answers to many frequently asked questions we’ve accumulated from travellers just like you. Click on a question below to locate its answer. If your question is not on our list, please Contact Us. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

Travel Essentials

Renting a car? Book early.

While this place is certainly off the beaten path, lots of people want to visit Newfoundland and Labrador at the very same time as you, particularly in the busy summer season. That’s why it’s always a good idea to make car rental reservations before you travel to avoid being disappointed. Pre-booking accommodations, airline and ferry crossings is also recommended.

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Highway Conditions & Alerts

Be sure to visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s website to find the latest highway driving conditions so you can keep track of highway construction slowdowns, winter driving conditions, and other important transportation factors.

St. Pierre Entry Requirements

St. Pierre and Miquelon, a part of France, is only 19 kilometres from Fortune, Newfoundland and Labrador. For information on travel and customs regulations, call their tourist office at 1-800-565-5118, or visit www.st-pierre-et-miquelon.com. If you visit St. Pierre and Miquelon, you’ll have to clear Canadian Customs in Fortune upon your return. Canadians visiting for short periods of time do not require a passport, but must show a valid driver’s licence, citizenship card, permanent resident card, student card, or a social insurance card with an embedded photo. Americans must show valid passports.

Things to Know Before You Go

Do I need to book my accommodations in advance?

To avoid disappointment, you should book accommodations, car rentals, flights, and ferries in advance, particularly for travel in the busy summer season.

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Do I need a passport to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador?

At present, American citizens and permanent residents of the United States do not need a passport to visit Canada, but should carry a birth, baptismal or voter's certificate, or other documents establishing their citizenship. Naturalized U.S. citizens should carry evidence of citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate. However, re-entry to the U.S. requires a passport, passport card, or a trusted traveller card, such as a Nexus card. Please consult the U.S. Department of State website for full details. Visitors from other countries must have valid national passports, and visitors from certain countries also require a visa. For a list of visa-exempt countries, go to www.canadainternational.gc.ca.

What can I bring to and from Newfoundland and Labrador? What are your customs regulations?

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province of Canada, so Canadian customs rules apply. There are a couple of non-customs agricultural regulations that are different than other provinces you should be aware of:

You can bring your cat, dog, or horse to Newfoundland and Labrador without a permit, and they can be moved freely between Newfoundland and Labrador. However, the importation of non-indigenous animals is restricted, as is the movement of Labrador Huskies from Labrador to Newfoundland.For more information on Canadian Customs regulations, please see www.canadainternational.gc.ca.

Neither soil nor plants bearing soil may be removed from Newfoundland because of the possibility of accidentally spreading soil-borne diseases from certain areas. Vehicles leaving Newfoundland are inspected at the ferry terminals, and soil and plants are subject to confiscation. Special permits for removing plants under strict conditions may be obtained from Agriculture Canada. For more information about soils and plants, please contact (709) 695-2135 or (summer) (709) 727-2307.

What happens if I become sick or injured?

All visitors to Canada are strongly urged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home country. Canadian hospital and medical services are excellent, but a hospital stay can cost in excess of $500 a day, and the cost of an extended stay can be prohibitive. Be sure you are covered. If you are a resident of Canada, you should carry your MCP card just in case you need medication attention. If you are taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, it is a good idea to make a list of what you are taking in case of emergency, and bring along a copy of your prescription in the event that you need to have it renewed by a doctor in Newfoundland and Labrador.

What kind of currency do you accept?

The Canadian dollar is the currency used in Newfoundland and Labrador. Many operators and retailers will accept American dollars, but not always at the official exchange rate. Businesses do not accept other foreign currencies, and there is no currency exchange house in the province. Banks do not normally exchange foreign currencies, so we recommend that you convert your national currency into Canadian dollars before you leave home.

If you would like to see how your currency converts, please check out a Currency Converter.

What time zone does Newfoundland and Labrador occupy?

The island of Newfoundland occupies its own time zone, know as Newfoundland Time. It is half an hour later than Atlantic Time, and a full hour and a half later than Eastern Standard Time. Most of Labrador occupies the Atlantic Time Zone; however, the area from L’Anse-au-Claire to Black Tickle operates on Newfoundland Time.

What is the Newfoundland and Labrador climate like?

The island of Newfoundland has a temperate marine climate. Winters are usually mild with a normal temperature of 0 degrees Celsius. Summer days range from cool to hot, with a normal temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. Good swimming weather generally begins at the end of June. The normal annual rainfall is 1050 mm, and the normal snowfall is 300 cm. Labrador winters are much colder than those on the island. While summers are shorter and generally cooler, extreme high temperatures are not uncommon in Labrador.

For current weather conditions please click here.

What should I pack?

Depending on when you are planning to visit, there are some essentials that you should take along or buy once you get here.

Apparel
Our weather has been known to be variable, so bring appropriate apparel for your itinerary. Our temperatures are usually mild in comparison to other parts of Canada, but vary a great deal from day to day, and sometimes hour to hour. For this reason, it is best to pack clothing that you can layer, and a light bag to carry it in for your day trips.

In winter, you will be thankful for a warm coat, hat, and mittens. A warm pair of shoes or boots that do not leak will ensure that you won’t be hindered by slush, snow, and ice.

For summer travel, don’t forget your swimsuit, sunscreen, and sandals for your trips to our sandy beaches. In spring, summer, and fall, a raincoat is a good idea.

Comfortable footwear is important if you plan on walking at any time of the year. We’re called “The Rock” and “The Big Land” for good reason! If you plan to explore, make sure your shoes are ready to explore with you.

Adventure Equipment
If you are interested in indulging in our outdoor adventures, our tour operators will be happy to supply you with the gear required at any time of year. Call ahead or ask your travel agent to find out what equipment is available to you.

What should I know about deposits, credit cards, and refunds?

When you make a reservation, it's always a good idea to ask the operator about the cancellation of deposits, what credit cards are accepted, and the establishment's policies on refunds and late arrivals. Some seasonal operators may have a minimum stay policy in effect, while others do not accept credit cards. If you are asked to pay in advance, it's always a good idea to ask to see the room first.

What is HST?

HST stands for Harmonized Sales Tax. This 13% tax is charged on goods and services purchased in Newfoundland and Labrador.

How wheelchair accessible are buildings and establishments in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Establishments in Newfoundland and Labrador listed as "wheelchair accessible" meet the minimum requirements as set out in the provincial Buildings Accessibility Act and Regulations. These establishments have a main entrance, and, where provided, public washrooms that an individual in a wheelchair can access unassisted. Hotels, motels, cottages and bed-and-breakfast establishments with the accessibility designation have a wheelchair accessible room or suite, but there are no guarantees all the establishment's facilities could be accessed by wheelchair users. Some have only a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms, so reservations should be made. Also, many establishments not listed as accessible may provide acceptable facilities, depending on individual needs.

What should I know about driving in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Newfoundland and Labrador uses the same driving system exercised by the rest of Canada and the United States. Vehicles keep to the right side of roads and highways, and drivers are expected to abide by road rules and regulations. The main exception is on highways where a passing lane ends: the driver in the centre lane must yield to the driver in the right-hand lane.

Driving Regulations
Drivers must carry a valid driver’s licence, Vehicle Registration Certificate, and Proof of Liability Insurance Coverage in order to drive in Newfoundland and Labrador. Legislation requires that motorists carry lump-sum public liability and property damage insurance of $200,000. In case of accident involving personal injury, proof of such insurance must be produced within 24 hours, or driving privileges could be suspended. The driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts and cell phone use is prohibited unless a hands free device is used. A child weighing less than nine kilograms (20 pounds) must be secured in either an infant carrier or a convertible car seat adjusted to the rear-facing position. The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers under the age of 16 are properly restrained by seat belts. Radar detectors are illegal. It is also illegal to drive with a blood alcohol limit exceeding .05 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood.

Moose
Drivers using roadways and highways in our province should keep their eyes open for moose. There are about 125,000 moose on the island of Newfoundland, and most highways go through moose habitat. Moose are great to look at – from a distance. If you see one of these large, brown, hoofed animals on or near a roadway, use extreme caution - slow down and prepare to stop. Like all wild animals, moose are unpredictable. Be sure that a moose has gone back into the forest before resuming your drive. Also, if you see a vehicle stopped on or near the highway, the driver may have spotted a moose, so be cautious and slow down. Avoid driving at night if possible as moose/vehicle accidents occur between dusk and dawn. If you must drive at night, slow down. Scan both sides of the highway with your lights on high beam unless you are overtaking traffic, and pay attention to highway signs. A road sign with a picture of a moose or a warning that says “Caution, moose next ‘X’ kilometres” means moose cross there frequently.

Winter Driving
Caution is also required when driving in winter. Slippery road conditions, drifting, and blowing snow can sometimes make driving treacherous. When road conditions are not optimal, it is imperative that you slow down and use caution while driving. Increase the amount of space between yourself and cars you are following, and be aware of other drivers. During the winter months, all primary highways are kept open except for short periods during or immediately after a severe snowstorm. For information on road conditions, feel free to use the Highway Cameras and Weather Forecasts located in our travel tools section.

For more information on road conditions, highway construction and slowdowns, visit www.roads.gov.nl.ca.