Cheapest Canadian conversion rates for top tourist destinations, part 2
Part two has arrived, readers!
In part one of "Cheapest Canadian conversion rates to top tourist destinations", we looked at the top five most popular tourist destinations for Canadians abroad and their relative currency conversion rates. We visited spots in the US, UK, France and Mexico last time, what could be next?
Part two of this list will tackle the middle of the top 15, the top destinations from #6 to #10. Oddly enough, three out of these five use the euro, so it will be interesting to see where you'll be able to save less on euro conversion.
Again, we’re going to look at how many loonies you'll need to spend in the top six to ten foreign travel destinations for roughly the same items and activities, based on Statistics Canada’s data on the top 15 travel destinations for Canadians heading to foreign countries in the last 2016 census.
By looking at the average price for a taxi ride, a decent meal, a local attraction, and a night at a 4-star (or better!) hotel in both international and Canadian currencies, we'll be able to see where you can get the best bang for your buck, or, where you’ll likely need to prepare for an expensive vacation.
As a reminder, prices and conversion rates are subject to change on a daily basis by a few dollars or so. Using XE Currency Converter, we’ll help you budget a bit, but conversion fees, sales taxes and/or tourist taxes may very well apply.
All variables are the same for taxi rides but the prices and times are liable to change based on traffic and local terrain. For the sunny locations, we tried our best to stay away from all-inclusive resorts simply because there are less cash-transactions occuring when you've already paid for your stay in advance.
Keep in mind these are just suggestions and examples, you can plug in your own preferences too! Check out the next five Canadian travel destinations, and the cost of one luxurious, hypothetical day below.
6. Germany; € 1 = $1.55 CAD
We have landed in Berlin, Germany's capital. A city known for its edgy music scene, boundary-pushing fashion and dramatic architecture. What shall we do?
€ 43.90 for a 20 min, 20km taxi ride = $68.39 CAD, no tip
€ 19.50 for a nine bowl tapas tasting menu at Schnitzelei, Charlottenburg = $30.40 CAD, no tip
€ 17.96 for 1 adult's day pass to Museum Island = $28 CAD
€ 63.54 for 1 night at the H4 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz (4.5 stars) = $99 CAD
1 day total for basics in Berlin:
€ 144.90 = $225.71 CAD
7. Dominican Republic; $39.22 DOP = $1 CAD
On Hispanoila island, the Dominican Republic takes up the east side while Haiti shares its west portion. It was pretty hard to dodge hundreds of resorts and tourist traps which make the DR's Punta Cana rank as one of the most popular destinations for Canadians. But we can't blame you for jetting off to this island, the beaches are incredible along the coast.
$1,344 DOP for a 16km taxi ride to the beach, = $34.60 CAD, no tip
$1,359.60 DOP dinner at Noah Restaurant in Plaze Paseo (Caribbean), San Juan = $35 CAD, no tip
$3,417.55 DOP for 1 standard ticket for the Scape Park Cultural Tour and Cenote swim, nature guide = $87.72 CAD
$2,873 DOP for 1 night at the MT Hotel, Punta Cana (4 stars) = $74 CAD
1 day total for basics in Punta Cana:
$8,994.15 DOP = $231.71 CAD
8. China; ¥ 5.05 = $1 CAD
There are nearly 2 million Chinese-Candians in Canada, and this Chinese diaspora makes up 4% of our population. The People's Republic of China is steeped in history, home to iconic buildings and temples, and how could anyone forget about the Great Wall of China? The yuan Renminbi is the official currency here.
¥ 60 for a 20km cab ride = $12 CAD, no tip
¥ 201.05 for dinner at BeiJing Haidilao Hot Pot (Wangfujing) = $40 CAD, no tip
¥ 419.18 for 1 full-day tour of the Great Wall of China, including lunch = $83.42 CAD
¥ 281.40 for 1 night at the Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel (4.5 stars) = $56 CAD
1 day total for basics in Beijing:
¥ 961.63 = $191.50 CAD
9. Italy; € 1 = $1.55 CAD
I can talk for years about Italian food (is it lasagne or lasagna?) ... But, Rome wasn't built in a day and you can tell. Locals enjoy gorgeous avenues with sidewalk cafes and sunkissed exteriors. Fun fact: some buildings have been standing since the first century AD. It's quite unbelievable! The country previously used the Italian lira, which has since been discountinued in favour of the euro as of 2002.
€ 31 for a 20km taxi ride = $48.34 CAD, no tip
€ 25.66 for a light dinner at Il Tamburello di Pulcinella, Rome = $35 CAD, no tip
€ 38.81 for 1 "Skip the Line" Vatican Museum / Sistine Chapel ticket = $60.50 CAD
€ 37.20 for 1 night at the Hotel Emona Aquaeductus (4 stars) = $58 CAD
1 day total for basics in Rome:
€ 132.67 = $206.87 CAD
10. Spain; € 1 = $1.55 CAD
Another gorgeous city ends our survey of the next top 15 tourist destinations for travelling Canadians. Will the euro get you more, or less in Barcelona?
€ 24.50 for a 20km taxi ride = $38.20 CAD, no tip
€ 60 for a seven recipe tasting menu at the Santa Rita Experience, Barcelona = $93.55 CAD, no tip
€ 30.62 for a 1-day Barcelona Museum pass = $47.75 CAD
€ 49.38 for 1 night at the Amrey Sant Pau (4 stars) = $77 CAD
1 day total for basics in Barcelona:
€ 164.50 = $256.67 CAD
Results
China comes in at just under $200 CAD for a nice, leisurely day spent scaling the Great Wall. As for the euro, the best bang for your buck seems to be in Rome.
Remember that buying tickets to activities and hotels before you grab a flight will save you money on the tourist mark-ups. In addition, compairing travel insurance quotes will save you time and energy if anything were to go awry while you're having fun.
Check back soon for the last part in this series, where we'll look to Ireland, Netherlands, Barbados and more!