Canada is very backward regarding ATM's - special warning to tourists from Europe

Canadian banks and ATM's of the level of a less developed country - URGENT WARNING for tourists travelling to Canada

With an Europan bankcard and pin, one can withdraw cash from an ATM anywhere in Europe, the US, up to the Middle East.

But not in Canada.

Even if 'maestro' or 'mastercard' is written on the ATM, it won't work usually.

The Canadians in the banks and around ATM's can tell you why: athough there is a sign of 'maestro', there is cooperation with only a very small number of non-Canadian banks, being different per Canadian bank and per ATM.

When not warned by your travel oragnisation, this can lead to huge difficulties.

The problem is denied by as many parties as possible, except Canadians having experience with tourists at ATM's at banks.

Recommended solution: take all your money in CASH with you, in euro's.

Be prepared that most Canadians have never heard about euro and never seen a euro banknote- but currenct exchange offices do recognize them and change.

In terms of financial transactions, Canada is a lowly developed country.

As said, almost over the whole world one can pin with a maestro bank card, but NOT in Canada.

Warn tourists about this.

Another possibility, when you are in need of money in Canada itself, propose to bankwire your money to that person or instution, and that he/they (a bank?) hands you out Canadian dollars as soon as they have received your euro's by bankwiring.