USEFUL TIPS

The following short headings present the information you’ll find most useful when planning your stay in Québec. Don’t hesitate to consult our Official tourist site of the Government of Québec as well for other questions contact us.

ALCOHOL, BARS AND CASINOS
You have to be at least 18 years old to enter bars and casinos and to purchase or consume alcohol (you could be asked to show ID). Wines and spirits are sold at outlets of the Société des alcools du Québec, the province’s liquor board. You can buy beer at grocery and convenience stores, which also stock a limited selection of wines.

CLIMATE
For detailed local forecasts and long-term trends, visit The Weather Network's Web site.

WHAT LICENSE DOES REQUIRE YOU TO DRIVE A SNOWMOBILE?
To go snowmobiling you need a license to drive motor vehicle, regardless of the category. The minimum age is 21 years. For the passenger, the minimum age is 16 years.

ELECTRICITY
The electric current is 110 volts/60 cycles, as it is throughout North America. Because the outlets cannot accommodate European plugs, you’d best bring or buy an adaptor.

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION
To enter Canada, tourists from the United States must carry proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, as well as a piece of photo ID. A passport is still the ideal document, but it isn't mandatory. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., you must bring your Permanent Resident Card (i.e., green card) with you.

Personal effects not subject to particular restrictions are exempt from taxes but must be declared at Customs. Visitors who are at least 18 years old may bring into Québec 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 200 g (7 oz.) of tobacco, as well as 1.14 litres (38.55 fl. oz.) of spirits or 1.5 litres (50.72 fl. oz.) of wine or twenty-four 355-ml (12 fl. oz.) cans or bottles of beer. There are restrictions on imports of food products, plants, pets and firearms, so you are advised to contact the Canada Border Services Agency prior to your departure.

BUSINESS HOURS
Stores, shopping centres and most businesses are generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Some establishments open earlier and close later in the evenings, such as pharmacies and grocery stores. A few shopping centres are open every weeknight until 9:00 p.m. Business hours for banks are much more restricted.

CURRENCY, MONEY AND THE EXCHANGE OFFICE
The legal tender is the Canadian dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Bank notes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 cents and 1 and 2 dollars.

The leading credit cards are accepted everywhere, namely Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Traveler’s cheques are generally accepted in large hotels, some restaurants and major stores. Otherwise, they must be cashed at an exchange office or bank.

There are numerous exchange offices in Québec’s main cities. Airports also offer exchange services. Some businesses accept American money, but they offer a less competitive rate than the exchange offices.

Banking institutions are generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can withdraw cash from most automatic teller machines (linked to the Cirrus, PLUS System or Interac networks) any time, seven days a week. Currency converter

HEALTH
Foreign travelers must cover their own medical expenses. Consequently, it is important that you take out an insurance policy prior to your departure.

Travelers bringing their own medications with them are responsible for inquiring about customs formalities with the Canada Border Services Agency. Pharmacies can fill prescriptions only if they’ve been written by a member of the Collège des médecins du Québec (Québec’s professional corporation of physicians). In the event of a medical emergency, dial 911 from any telephone.

TAXES AND TIPPING
Two taxes, the federal goods and services tax (GST) and the Québec sales tax (QST), are added to the selling price of most goods and services. Several tourist regions charge a specific tax on accommodations. The amount is $2 or $3 a night or 3% of the price of the room per night, before the GST and QST are added.

You must leave a tip on service provided in restaurants and bars and by taxi drivers and hairdressers. The amount, which is not included in the bill, generally represents 10% to 15% of the total bill (before taxes). Here in Québec, for a restaurant bill, we usually add the amounts of the two taxes (GST and QST) together, the sum of which equals approximately 13%. Tipping bellhops or porters is at your discretion (generally, $1 per bag carried).

TELEPHONE AND POSTAL SERVICES
A local call made from a public telephone costs 50¢. You can pay with coins or by using a prepaid card (you’ll pay more if you use your credit card). For long distance calls, using a prepaid card is usually the best bargain.

Foreign cell phones may work in Québec depending on the technology used and the service offered by your provider.