Practical Information for visiting New Brunswick

Cellphone and internet coverage is good in the cities and along the main highways, and patchy in the forested interior and the remote north. The three national networks, Bell, Rogers and Telus, and their sub-brands cover Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and the populated coasts well; expect dead zones on Route 2 through the northern forest, in Mount Carleton Provincial Park and on parts of the Fundy Isles.

Public Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés and libraries. Visitors from abroad should check roaming rates or buy a Canadian prepaid SIM or eSIM in a city, as Canadian mobile plans are among the more expensive in the world. Download maps and tide tables for offline use before heading into the parks or the interior.

New Brunswick is a safe, low-crime destination; the real hazards are natural, not criminal. The UK government advises that most visits to Canada are trouble-free and flags the usual petty-theft precautions in cities. Take normal care with valuables in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton and lock cars at trailheads.

The Bay of Fundy tide is the genuine danger: it rises faster than a person can walk, and visitors at the Hopewell Rocks or on any Fundy beach must follow the posted tide tables and get off the ocean floor well before the turn. Fundy fog and cold water make sea kayaking and boating conditions that demand a guide or real experience. In the forests and parks, be bear-aware, watch for moose on highways at dawn and dusk, and carry water, a map and warm layers into Mount Carleton and the Fundy backcountry, where cell coverage fails.

Canada has a high standard of health care, and no vaccinations beyond the routine are needed for New Brunswick. For emergencies dial 911 for an ambulance. For non-urgent medical advice the province runs Tele-Care 811, a free, confidential, bilingual health line staffed by registered nurses around the clock.

Health care is not free to foreign visitors, and hospital treatment is expensive, so travel insurance with medical cover is essential. The practical seasonal risks are the outdoors: hypothermia and fast-changing conditions on the cold Fundy coast even in summer, sunburn and dehydration on the beaches, and, from spring to autumn, biting blackflies and mosquitoes in the woods and ticks that can carry Lyme disease, so use repellent and check for ticks after hiking. Winter brings cold-exposure and icy-road risks from about December to March.

New Brunswick follows Canadian law. The legal drinking age is 19, and alcohol is sold through the provincial retailer Alcool NB Liquor (ANBL) and licensed outlets; open-container and drink-driving rules are strictly enforced. Cannabis is legal for adults 19 and over and sold through the regulated provincial retailer, Cannabis NB; it cannot be taken across the Canadian border in either direction. Smoking and vaping are banned in indoor public places and many outdoor ones. Driving is on the right, seatbelts are mandatory, and winter tires are strongly advised.

Etiquette is Maritime: friendly, informal and unhurried, with a genuine expectation of politeness. Tipping of about 15–20% is customary in restaurants and for taxis and guides. In Acadian areas a French greeting is appreciated but not expected. On First Nations land and at cultural sites, follow local guidance, and ask before photographing people at community events.

Emergency number: 911 for police, fire and ambulance anywhere in the province. Health advice: Tele-Care 811, the province's free, bilingual, 24-hour nurse line, for non-urgent medical questions.

Consular: foreign consular help for Canada is listed on each country's travel advisory; the embassies are in Ottawa and the nearest consulates in Halifax, Montreal or Toronto. Natural hazards: the Bay of Fundy tide (follow posted tide tables and clear the shore before it turns), winter storms and icy roads from December to March, hurricane and post-tropical storm remnants in late summer and autumn, and coastal fog. Carry travel insurance with medical cover; hospital care is costly for visitors.