Practical Information

An essential resource for planning your stay and finding useful information, activities and places to visit during your trip to Côte-Nord. You can order a printed copy online, pick one up free of charge at a Côte-Nord tourist information centre, or view the guide online or as a PDF.

Updated annually, the guide features detailed information on more than 500 tourism businesses that are members of Tourisme Côte-Nord, along with practical information to help you plan your trip throughout the region.

Before continuing your journey, take the time to stop at one of Côte-Nord’s 21 tourist information centres.

You’ll find centres in communities including Sacré-Cœur, Tadoussac, Les Bergeronnes, Les Escoumins, Longue-Rive, Portneuf-sur-Mer, Forestville, Ragueneau, Baie-Comeau, Godbout, Port-Cartier, Sept-Îles, Fermont, Port-Menier on Anticosti Island, Rivière-au-Tonnerre, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Aguanish, Natashquan and Blanc-Sablon.

These centres provide personalized travel advice, help you review your itinerary, find activities, accommodations and restaurants, and plan your journey based on distances, weather, tides and available services. Several locations also feature interactive tourist information kiosks, making it easy to quickly find nearby attractions, services and travel resources. A stop at a tourist information centre is a simple and useful way to make the most of your trip to Côte-Nord.

Côte-Nord is accessible by road, plane, bus and boat. Route 138 is the main highway along the St. Lawrence River, connecting the region’s towns, coastal communities and wide-open spaces. Route 389 provides access between Baie-Comeau, Fermont and Labrador, while several ferries and marine transportation services connect Côte-Nord with Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Anticosti Island and the Lower North Shore.

Côte-Nord is a vast region. Distances between some communities, gas stations, EV charging stations, stores, accommodations and services can be significant. Before setting out, check your route, road conditions, ferry schedules, weather, tides and available services in the areas you plan to visit.

For current road conditions, construction, closures and traffic information, visit Québec 511 or dial 511. If you are travelling to more remote areas, download your maps in advance and save your booking confirmations for offline access.

Sur la Côte-Nord, la route fait partie du voyage. Pour conduire en sécurité, respectez les limites de vitesse, adaptez votre conduite aux conditions météo et prévoyez des pauses régulières, surtout sur les longues distances. La fatigue au volant, l’alcool, la drogue, les textos et les distractions augmentent fortement les risques d’accident.

Ne conduisez jamais avec les facultés affaiblies par l’alcool, le cannabis, une drogue ou certains médicaments. Le cannabis est légal au Canada, mais sa consommation est encadrée au Québec et la tolérance est stricte en matière de conduite avec les facultés affaiblies. Le téléphone cellulaire est également interdit au volant : arrêtez-vous dans un endroit sécuritaire si vous devez consulter un message, un itinéraire ou faire un appel.

Not entirely. The Lower North Shore is made up of communities that are primarily accessible by boat or plane. Exploring this unique maritime region requires some advance planning, particularly for transportation schedules, accommodations and connections. This preparation is part of the experience and provides access to one of Québec’s most distinctive and remote regions.

Be alert for animals on the road, especially at dawn, dusk and in wooded or poorly lit areas. Moose, deer, bears and other wildlife may suddenly cross the road. Slow down in posted areas, use your headlights when necessary and avoid sudden manoeuvres. If an animal on the road poses a hazard to traffic, dial 511 to contact Québec 511 and report the situation.

If you collide with a moose or other large wild animal, pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights and check for injuries. If anyone is injured or there is an immediate danger, call 911. Never touch the animal, even if it appears dead or motionless. In Québec, a collision involving an animal weighing more than 25 kg, such as a moose or deer, must be reported to the police. Take photos of the damage and location, note your exact position and contact your insurance provider. If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, arrange for towing.

No. You should not assume that cell service is available everywhere on Côte-Nord. Coverage is generally more reliable in towns and larger communities, but it can vary in remote areas, along certain roads, in the forest and on the Lower North Shore. Before setting out, download your maps, confirm your route and plan for an appropriate means of communication in the areas you intend to visit.

On Côte-Nord, the tides transform the coastline several times a day. At low tide, beaches, tidal flats and rocks are exposed, while the rising tide gradually brings the water back toward shore.

For swimming, the rising tide can be a good time to head into the water. As it moves over shallow areas warmed by the sun, the water can feel slightly warmer, particularly in certain bays and sheltered beaches.

Caution is still essential. In some areas, the tide can rise quickly, cut off areas that were accessible on foot at low tide or change local currents. Before exploring the shoreline, check the tide times, pay attention to local conditions and always plan your return.