The Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp) is the first place foreign tourists should visit prior to coming to Nova Scotia to determine whether or not they need visas to enter the province or the country. Visas are not necessary for most Australian, British, or American citizens.

Health and Safety

Although Halifax’s crime rate has increased in recent years, Nova Scotia’s provincial capital remains relatively safe compared to several other cities of its size. Halifax’s North End is the city’s sketchiest area, especially the parts close to the Halifax Commons and Gottingen Street after dark. Swarming is the most common crime in Halifax, but visitors who avoid unfamiliar areas after dark and use common sense should remain safe during their stay.

Black ice and sudden weather changes are the biggest challenges motorists will face on Nova Scotia roads, especially through the province’s hilly areas. Visitors should also be prepared for sudden changes in the weather by bringing a change of clothing, especially in coastal regions. Visitors who venture into Nova Scotia’s rural areas should also bring plenty of water and insect repellent to protect themselves against summer swarms of mosquitoes and black flies.