Using US Dollars in Nova Scotia: Not Widely Accepted—Use Canadian Dollars (CAD)

US dollars are not legal tender in Nova Scotia (or anywhere in Canada). Some tourist businesses *may* accept them, but:

• Poor exchange rate set by merchant (often 1:1 or worse)
• Change given in CAD — you lose twice
• Many places refuse — especially outside Halifax, tourist zones

Do This Instead

• Before travel: Order CAD from your bank (best rate)
• On arrival: ATM (debit card) — best wholesale rate + fee (check your bank's partner: Scotiabank, TD, RBC, BMO, CIBC, National Bank)
• Currency exchange: Banks, ICE, Calforex — compare spreads
• Credit card: No-foreign-transaction-fee card (Chase Sapphire, Amex Gold, Capital One, etc.) — pay in CAD, get near-perfect rate

Current Rate Context

1 USD ≈ 1.35–1.38 CAD (2024 range). Always pay in CAD — dynamic currency conversion (DCC) on card terminals is a ripoff.

Coins: Loonie ($1), Toonie ($2) — no pennies (phased out 2013). Cash rounds to nearest 5¢.