Whining that Banff, a national park and nature preserve, doesn’t host its own international airport…so that these poor kids had to fly into Calgary, a mere two hours away, is even funnier.
@@JacobandJennyTravelI’m sure that your viewpoint is representative of many typical tourists. No need to apologize - the video is likely helpful to many. I’m a local and not offended or triggered. lol. Ignore the ignorant who are so - for some bizarre reason - so venomous.
why are people being so rude to this young couple? jeez. they had an experience, had an opinion, if you don't agree, go on with your life, don't get vicious.
I can't even finish watching this video. Complaining about there not being an airport in Banff, really??? Not seeing bears (the national park is not a zoo btw!). That you can't get around as good with public transport than you would with a rental car... Lake Louise is one of the most touristy places in Banff National Park. Did you honestly expect to be there all by yourself? You guys sound so entitled and whiney. You having a bad experience is your own fault for having unrealistic expectations, not preparing properly for the trip and not doing your research beforehand.
Your (her) whining is unbearable. You sound spoiled and entitled. No bears, no wolves, no moose - it’s not a zoo. These creatures are doing their best to survive by not being seen by humans who will kill them for putting a paw out of the national park. Maybe research a bit more before you visit outside your home area.
Complaining about a 2 hour drive from Calgary to Banff? I drove 22 hours all the way from MN and it was well worth it and I will do it again. Then I was also driving 2-5 hours everyday getting around to different places in the National Parks and that was also well worth it for all the amazing scenery to see along the drives. I have been to around 30 different National Parks in the US, and the places that you can drive to in the Canadian Parks are better than the places you can hike to in the US Parks. I don't see how you could go on a trip here and not get a rental car.
@@JacobandJennyTravel I really don't get the hate in the comments you were sharing your experience and offering tips... people suck sometimes honestly. sheep mentality in full force. and you're so polite back to them!
This review made me a little sad. It is such a privilege to visit places like Lake Louise. If you take a little time and do some of the hikes at Lake Louise they take you away from the crowds, even in peak season. My husband and I are well traveled and were absolutely blown away by the beauty at Lake Louise and up past the Tea House. Take this review as just one couples’ experience
Just got back after spending 12 days in Banff on a snowboarding trip. Didn’t have a car. Shuttle from the airport only took maybe an hour and a half? We stayed at the Rocky Mountain resort and used their shuttle when the time worked out otherwise hiked or got a taxi, which was cheap IMO. It was a great time, people that go into it thinking it’s going to be like Instagram will be sorely disappointed though. 🤷🏻♂️
What do you expect from their age group, other than to think that life and Instagram are one in the same? The video should have been titled, “How not to do or prepare for travel vlogs.”
Kids think everything will be like Instagram! 😂. Tip for everyone. Do a TON of research on the cusp of the seasons. Take your trips during these times, if you can. The crowds are less and the bugs are way less if you travel in colder weather. I don't mind layering up early in the morning to start hiking. Lightweight layered garments you stuff in your bag as the day warms and your exercising warms you. ALL TRAILS and a Garmin Montana makes hiking like an EASY button, but only if you have common sense. Chat up Park Rangers. They are SME's (subject matter experts) and love to impress you with their treasure trove of extremely valuable yet FREE knowledge! The takeaway: Read, plan, cusp, weather, All Trails app, Garmin Montana, Park Ranger mind meld! "Live long and prosper"
@JacobandJennyTravel I get your point about Lake Louise. Ive found that same situation in many national parks. The main attraction is often times not the best attraction. It may just be the easiest place, logistically and profitably, to herd mass numbers of tourists. If people listened to your video read in an A.I. voice, the actual info is pretty dang good. Im going to be 💯 here, like you were my kids. The more views subscribers you get, the better. And the more interactions (like mine 😅), the better for algorithms. But the way the young lady in the video presents is....irritating to be nice. To the point that it would disuade people from watching a second video with her in it. Just being honest. Info was great, delivery pretty bad. It would have been fine if your audience was a group of friends / fellow hikers, but I stopped watching because the delivery was to bitchy and whiney. "Things not to do" are super helpful videos IMO, but you can keep the criticism real and helpful even if you dial back the delivery! 😀 I know how you felt though. Its like going to Gatlinburgh Tenn. The downtown area they herd tourists to is God Awful. It's like a flea market with neon signs. But there is endless beauty right around the corner. Hope you don't take this the wrong way, just trying to help, and thanks for taking the time to help people steer away from mistakes.
Yep I had that same experience going to the Galápagos Islands. It had been hyped up so much that experiencing it wasn’t what I expected. I did have a fun time but I was expecting so much more. I find it is best to keep your expectations low and you will enjoy experiences more.
Thank you for sharing your experience! we are taking our kids in early summer and definitely learned some great things from this video! You guys are AWESOME!
Oh my gosh hi guys!! I was just researching Banff and you all popped up and I got so excited. We’re thinking of visit Banff for my mom’s birthday this year. This video was SO helpful 😊
I just came back from a two-day HIKE of the Lake Louise and Moraine basins. If you would have hiked the area, instead of stopping to just take pictures of the Lakes at their trailheads, both of which are tourist traps, you would have had a great and memorable time. The two of you are youngsters, not senior citizens or the standard fair on those bus tours. Why didn’t you just take shuttles in the morning to both lakes, hike the whole day, and then take the shuttles back to your hotel. Banff is a world class destination, if you are willing to adopt the best approach to seeing it. Instead, you opted for a subpar method of experiencing it, only to blame the place for your poor choice…thus becoming the 1% of Banff’s visitors who don’t go away completely enthralled with the place.
Great post. I relate with your travel preferences (public trans, hotels) and still recognize there are times/locations where others choices(car) are more practical. I’m looking to go in end of May/beginning of June. I’m glad you posted that bit about Morraine opening June 1. When did you go? Aside from the lakes, how did fill out the rest of your itinerary? Also, is Calgary worth a day or two visit?
We are so happy our video could help! We would definitely recommend hiking Johnston Canyon, it is so incredible! A little busy but definitely worth it. We unfortunately didn’t get any time in Calgary but I am sure you could find some fun stuff to do there. Thanks for watching :)
As a local, just curious where did you plan on driving to see a bear? How about go for a hike. And if you did see one you may regret it. Most of us, the last thing we want to see in the back country is a bear.
The road to Lake Louise is closed for private vehicles in winter, they say and you can only get there by bus so the car won't help. I'll be there tomorrow so I'll check it out
The road to Lake Louise is open all year round. It does not close in the winter. Moriane Lake is closed all winter to all vehicles. It’s closed to private vehicles in the summer.
Banff is not a large town and thus it makes zero sense for it to have an international airport. Calgary is the closest major population center, and thus has an internarional airport. That's like complaining that there isn't an airport at the grand canyon for international travelers and complaining that you have to drive there from Las Vegas or Phoenix.
If it takes you 2hrs from Calgary to Banff you are driving dangerously slow. Banff Springs is an experience in itself. Stay at a cheap hotel if you are out and about, stay at Banff Springs if you want to stay around the hotel grounds.
You'd think a couple of this age would have used the internet to find out about what they're getting themselves into. I had to laugh when she said what am I missing. Id suggest a BRAIN.
Sounds like a bear of a time to see all the wildlife you wanted to see! Thanks for always keeping it real. Wall of people is no good. You should definitely coordinate the tour so people go to the right lakes!
thx, for all the info, we are driving there in Sept, and will not stay in Banff at the high prices, also the info on the lakes are great, still looking at the info on the lakes. how far is Lake Emerald from the rest?
We are happy to be helpful! Lake Emerald was pretty close, I think only around a 20-30 minute drive. We have some more Canada videos that might be interesting to you as well if you want to check any of them out :) thanks for watching! Here is a video where we went to Lake Louise, Moraine and Emerald all in one day th-cam.com/video/mgTK25ibr04/w-d-xo.html
You should have visited Jasper National Park!!! That’s where you’re going to see wildlife! Just today, we saw 3 black bears on the road in Jasper, when we were going to Maligne Lake!
I'm not sure what time of year you guys went but I went there in mid September and the place was virtually deserted, There was people around the front of the lake closest to the Hotel but we walked down the trail to a few picture spots and for the most part nobody even walked by or nothing. We are thinking about going back for New Years eve because we heard it turns into a ski town times square with a big street party.
@01hondascott, I've read so much about the bad crowds, even in mid September, that we are afraid to plan a trip. We were thinking a week in Banff and a week in Jasper. How long ago did you go? Thoughts? Thanks.
I went in mid-June 2023, and it was fantastic. Flew Toronto to Calgary, 1.5 hr drive to Canmore. Stayed in an air bnb in Canmore, 20 mins from Banff. There were barely any people at Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, and several other spots. The shuttle busses are in place due to the number of people that would begin parking in the middle of the night for a spot. July is not the month to go if you don't want a lot of tourists and to pay twice as much. This video is an example of why researching locations is important.
I live 4 hours away from Banff and Jasper national park (been living here for 26 years). My favorite spot is Moraine Lake. Too bad, I can't just drive there anymore like I used to every year. Because of so many tourists visiting, you have to park and book a shuttle to visit the lake. The amount of people (tourists) visiting in the summer has been insane.
Yep - we cannot even enjoy our own parks in BC or AB anymore. Over crowded, no where to park. Hotels that are dives cost over $500/night, - ridiculous. Thanks a lot Zuckerberg!
Everything is insane in Banff, especially lake Louise and moraine lake. We’ve been here 5 days now and a couple times we could not get a parking spot at lake Louise even though each time we went up there , there’s been completely wide open parking lot there. They only want people going there in buses so they can charge you an arm and a leg to get there. The whole place is a big money grab. And then you get to the lakes and the public washrooms are disgusting to say the least. For a place that generates over 3 billion dollars in tourism revenue every year, you think there would be sensible bathrooms for people to use. But in saying that Banff and Canmore and the lakes are beautiful no doubt about it, and I’ve enjoyed my time here and I will probably visit again in the future.
Omg! You guys have a very negative perspective on travel. All I hear is blah blah complaining. Maybe you guys are made for the city lol. These were not good "takes".
@@JacobandJennyTravel i understand that. i guess it just leaves a bad taste in peoples mouths when the whole video is complaining. coming from a local haha. banff is a magical place when you know the insider spots ;)
Anytime I think I am traveling to a busy/popular place I spend WAY more time than necessary planning and researching. Doing this would have saved you tons of issues for these trypes of trips.
Your information seems to be out of date. If I am not mistaken Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are no longer open to private vehicles during tourist season. You have to take a tour or shuttle. Moraine Lake hotel is closed in off season when we went there. Years ago we could find motorhome parking at Lake Louise by going at the crack of dawn. No more I believe but check it out beforehand as rules have changed lately.
I feel you about Lake Louise... when I went to Bermuda, everybody was raving about Horseshoe Bay but it was a sea of cruise ship tourists; I rented a moped and found the most insane beach coves... the water in Bermuda in summer,,,,, beautiful aqua blue and all you have to do is stand by the road to appreciate
great observations. im a canadian who visits or passes through yearly and all these tips were very accurate points. for those who think "well what were you expecting it's a tourist place" don't understand what it's like in person to see the beauty of the scenery severed by literally what you called a "wall of people" easily you can find other touristy areas in banff/jasper that have tourists around but you're still able to enjoy the scenery rather than being met with a wall of people. thanks for sharing! happy travels to all, and yes, do not avoid these lower end hotels. banff is ridiculously safe and when you're there you should be spending your time around the park NOT trapped inside a thousand dollar 5 star hotel
Banff is still stressful with a car. Being a local I saw so many tourists get denied from parking because every place was packed. Especially in Lake Louise. A lot of times the bus is the only option to the lakes in the summer. Obviously there’s a lot of other tourists at the lakes as well. You have to be mindful of that.
You guys are just expecting way too much. You just need to realize this is a touristic place. You know what to expect 😂 youre expecting no one is there ? Thats crazy You cant appreciate the people and the nature at the same time. Maybe be grateful a little. Everyone want to see it not just you Useless content!!
We saw one bear in the distance and a few elk in the distance from arriving at Calgary to leaving Sunpeaks for Vancouver. I even went out at 9pm when the Bear Alert sign was on in Jasper and never saw a bear despite bear poop all over the pavement. Was slightly disappointed 😔 but the whole tour of Canada was amazing 😻
wanna see a bear? there are zoos. these are really nitpicky things that only some entitled people complain about. even with public transit, there are plenty of things to do and see if you do 10 seconds of research. sorry you had a not so good experience, but some people would kill for that experience
I'm going to Banff in October so thanks for this honest video :) I used to work in a hotel by the lake Strbske Pleso in Slovakia which gets very crowded in summer so after this experience I refuse to travel during summer months lol...That small national park gets over 20k visitors DAILY during summer break but then it's pretty much empty in Autumn. Every single train that runs up the mountains is completely full.. Not sure if Banff is still crowded in Autumn but I'm hoping it's not as busy as those summer months :)
@@sabbyreloaded Banff was definitely worth it in October, but keep in mind that some attractions/tours close in the first half of October. The weather was great. It was snowing in higher areas when I arrived and it got quite warm by the time I left (25 - 27C which is great for that time of the year) and it was very dry. I spend 7 days in Banff and it rained for like 1 hour in total. Banff wasn't crowded at all so that's another plus
Imagine a national park in the Rockies without an airport. Blasphemy. And crowds at one of the most popular places in Banff, whaaat??? Thanks for dropping by, don't come back.
As for the cost of accommodations in Banff versus the Dominican Republic, bear in mind that Canada, like the US, is a wealthy first world country, while the DR is a poor country that relies heavily on tourism. Therefore, it stands to reason that expenses will be substantially higher in Canada compared to the DR. Similar to why things cist a lot more in Australia than in nearby Indonesia.
My suggestion would be try not to go during the peak season. Try May, June or September. Downside is you might get some snow or colder weather, but a lot less crowds. July and August are gonna be the most busy, that's why people are out of school and families travel most often. You can also try Jasper. It's similar Banff, but a little less touristy so you'll have less people. Banff has 4 million visitors per year Jasper's like half that.
Jasper is definitely worth it. Less people. The town is so quaint. The views are stunning. I camped and hiked there. I wish I could remember the hike but there was gorgeous turquoise waters no one talks about. I'd like to go back and do the icefields tour.
A regular hotel room in Calgary, during the summer, will cost $200-$300 a night (and that’s NOT during The Stampede), so of course it’s gonna be $400-$500 in the relatively small town attached to easily one of the most popular national parks on the planet. Canada isn’t a South American country with rampant income inequality that can afford to charge next to nothing for “luxury” resorts because they don’t pay their staff a living wage etc. Keep in mind, with the exchange rate for US dollars, your money goes a lot farther in Canada though. That $400 room actually only costs you $280, and the same goes for everything you spend money on of course. Restaurants, activities, gas, souvenirs etc etc.
I am Canadian and I have lived in Canada my entire life. I honestly believe that the most beautiful place in Canada is Banff. I have been there multiple times and I will be there again as soon as I can be. The people in this video are not wrong about anything they said. Definitely rent a car in Calgary and visit as many locations in this amazing national park as possible. Find accommodations away from the major centres. Use Airbnb. Most of the spectacular locations are not the highly advertised or most known locations. For example, nearly everyone uses Highway #1, but Highway #1A is more secluded. Don't just follow the crowds or the advertisements. Drive the highways, make stops at all the scenic sights along the way and don't visit Banff during the busy seasons. But don't visit when I am going either.
I think for any tourist place it's common sense to go to the most popular sites in the early morning. Which is what my fam and I will be doing. But I think this video is informative and some lessons learned
lol. seriously didnt think roads were going to be good? bwhahahaha wolves are nocturnal and bears arent going to be hanging out on the roads waiting for you to drive by
It is indeed brutal now. It wasn’t like this even 10 years ago, let alone 20 years ago. The crowds and “influencers” crowding the tourist spots have serious locals simply staying away and going to other places. Lake Louise was my mountaineering home… years ago. Now I dread going there… the paid parking is new too. lol.
I highly recommend you utilize a travel agent to book your next trip. Most do not charge for their services so you are not paying more to book with a travel agent and in the case of your Banff trip, it could have saved you a lot of frustration. Yes I am a travel agent but I am not at all promoting my services, just suggesting you book with an agent, any agent. A travel agent would have explained everything you just stated on this video, but BEFORE your trip making for a better and more enjoyable trip for you.
Guys, I am expecting for two young people to be smart. But apparently “ your regrets “ translated to not doing your own homework and research . Next time post something a positives instead of negatives complaints!
The term as it defines "wildlife" is because they are "wild". If you are looking just to see a bear, or a sure thing, then a zoo is where you need to go. If you want an opportunity to see a bear, then research best chances and recent sightings. While it is possible to see bears mid day, especially for habituated bears, early morning, or late afternoon/dusk are the best times. Grizzlies and black bears do overlap, but grizzlies tend to like easy access to open areas, where black bears often try to stay in the thick of it. Time of year is a factor as well, spring is far better than summer to see them and heat will put them down much of the day. And if you get into the backcountry away from the crowds, you have a better chance. Anyway, they are awesome and signify wilderness because they are wild and not easily found. Again, like some grizzlies around Teton National Park that are habituated, you may have a better chance of seeing them, but just because there is a large population does not mean you will see them. In fact most bears will often leave the area as soon as they are aware of you and often before you knew they were there. If a bear sees you and hangs around, it is because they are likely habituated to people, cars, etc. Bighorn sheep will tend to hang around certain areas and can become accustomed to people, meaning they won't necessarily leave. Elk are similar to some extent and you will have a better chance of seeing these two than any of the others you are talking about. Deer are a good possibility as well. Wolves are very tough and consider yourself lucky if you see them, with mountain lions very elusive with very few sightings even though their numbers are high. Like bears, best times for all animals as mentioned are very early morning, or late afternoon/dusk.
tourists travelling to a tourist area not realizing there would be other tourists is sooo funny
Thanks for watching :)
Whining that Banff, a national park and nature preserve, doesn’t host its own international airport…so that these poor kids had to fly into Calgary, a mere two hours away, is even funnier.
For travel bloggers, I am amazed at how little you research your trips!!!!
We actually research a lot :) but thanks for your concern!!!
It was pathetic, and painful to watch
@@JacobandJennyTravelI’m sure that your viewpoint is representative of many typical tourists. No need to apologize - the video is likely helpful to many. I’m a local and not offended or triggered. lol. Ignore the ignorant who are so - for some bizarre reason - so venomous.
So glad you managed to find your way out of Canada. Please keep it that way
We love Canada, just wanted to share some tips for others wanting to visit Banff :)
That was a little mean.
But funny as hell..
Y'all come back now !
why are people being so rude to this young couple? jeez. they had an experience, had an opinion, if you don't agree, go on with your life, don't get vicious.
You should not expect to have an airport in a national park.
You are right! Thanks for watching :)
I can't even finish watching this video. Complaining about there not being an airport in Banff, really??? Not seeing bears (the national park is not a zoo btw!). That you can't get around as good with public transport than you would with a rental car...
Lake Louise is one of the most touristy places in Banff National Park. Did you honestly expect to be there all by yourself? You guys sound so entitled and whiney. You having a bad experience is your own fault for having unrealistic expectations, not preparing properly for the trip and not doing your research beforehand.
Just sharing our experience to try and help others :)
Your (her) whining is unbearable. You sound spoiled and entitled. No bears, no wolves, no moose - it’s not a zoo. These creatures are doing their best to survive by not being seen by humans who will kill them for putting a paw out of the national park. Maybe research a bit more before you visit outside your home area.
Complaining about a 2 hour drive from Calgary to Banff? I drove 22 hours all the way from MN and it was well worth it and I will do it again. Then I was also driving 2-5 hours everyday getting around to different places in the National Parks and that was also well worth it for all the amazing scenery to see along the drives. I have been to around 30 different National Parks in the US, and the places that you can drive to in the Canadian Parks are better than the places you can hike to in the US Parks. I don't see how you could go on a trip here and not get a rental car.
@@JacobandJennyTravel I really don't get the hate in the comments you were sharing your experience and offering tips... people suck sometimes honestly. sheep mentality in full force. and you're so polite back to them!
The tips on getting a car and not spending too much on hotels are awesome! Thanks you for sharing!
This review made me a little sad. It is such a privilege to visit places like Lake Louise. If you take a little time and do some of the hikes at Lake Louise they take you away from the crowds, even in peak season. My husband and I are well traveled and were absolutely blown away by the beauty at Lake Louise and up past the Tea House. Take this review as just one couples’ experience
It is for sure a gorgeous place, just wanted to shed some light on some of the realities :) thanks for your sharing experience as well!
What a waste of time. These two have NO clue on travel. And this is their foundation for TH-cam
👍🏼
Am i the only one annoyed at female reviewer here.
Hahaha yeah she is the worst ;)
Not alone at all !
The dude looks like he badly misses his mental health, which he lost when he hooked up with her.
Tourists flying to a NATIONAL PARK WITH RESTRICTED AIRSPACE questioning why there is not an airport!
Haha got us there!
Tourist complaining about other tourists being where they want to go …
Yeah it is a struggle haha
Just got back after spending 12 days in Banff on a snowboarding trip. Didn’t have a car. Shuttle from the airport only took maybe an hour and a half? We stayed at the Rocky Mountain resort and used their shuttle when the time worked out otherwise hiked or got a taxi, which was cheap IMO. It was a great time, people that go into it thinking it’s going to be like Instagram will be sorely disappointed though. 🤷🏻♂️
It is a wonderful place! Thanks so much for watching :)
What do you expect from their age group, other than to think that life and Instagram are one in the same? The video should have been titled, “How not to do or prepare for travel vlogs.”
Kids think everything will be like Instagram! 😂. Tip for everyone. Do a TON of research on the cusp of the seasons. Take your trips during these times, if you can. The crowds are less and the bugs are way less if you travel in colder weather. I don't mind layering up early in the morning to start hiking. Lightweight layered garments you stuff in your bag as the day warms and your exercising warms you. ALL TRAILS and a Garmin Montana makes hiking like an EASY button, but only if you have common sense. Chat up Park Rangers. They are SME's (subject matter experts) and love to impress you with their treasure trove of extremely valuable yet FREE knowledge! The takeaway: Read, plan, cusp, weather, All Trails app, Garmin Montana, Park Ranger mind meld! "Live long and prosper"
@JacobandJennyTravel I get your point about Lake Louise. Ive found that same situation in many national parks. The main attraction is often times not the best attraction. It may just be the easiest place, logistically and profitably, to herd mass numbers of tourists. If people listened to your video read in an A.I. voice, the actual info is pretty dang good. Im going to be 💯 here, like you were my kids. The more views subscribers you get, the better. And the more interactions (like mine 😅), the better for algorithms. But the way the young lady in the video presents is....irritating to be nice. To the point that it would disuade people from watching a second video with her in it. Just being honest. Info was great, delivery pretty bad. It would have been fine if your audience was a group of friends / fellow hikers, but I stopped watching because the delivery was to bitchy and whiney. "Things not to do" are super helpful videos IMO, but you can keep the criticism real and helpful even if you dial back the delivery! 😀 I know how you felt though. Its like going to Gatlinburgh Tenn. The downtown area they herd tourists to is God Awful. It's like a flea market with neon signs. But there is endless beauty right around the corner. Hope you don't take this the wrong way, just trying to help, and thanks for taking the time to help people steer away from mistakes.
Yep I had that same experience going to the Galápagos Islands. It had been hyped up so much that experiencing it wasn’t what I expected. I did have a fun time but I was expecting so much more. I find it is best to keep your expectations low and you will enjoy experiences more.
Thank you for sharing your experience! we are taking our kids in early summer and definitely learned some great things from this video! You guys are AWESOME!
So so glad this was helpful! Have a wonderful trip! :)
Oh my gosh hi guys!! I was just researching Banff and you all popped up and I got so excited. We’re thinking of visit Banff for my mom’s birthday this year. This video was SO helpful 😊
Omg that is so cool!!! Yay we are so glad this video was helpful ☺️ let us know if you have any questions 😘
I wonder if the other tourists were complaining about you being there. You need to stay home.
Hahaha! Good one ;) thanks for watching!
It is nasty in here.
But funny!😂🤣😃
@@JacobandJennyTravel you guys are just getting lite up in the comments.
Come back again. Rent a car, have all the fun you can find!!!😉
Bears are in the cascade mountain valley with some cougars. And everything is up in the morning about 4 am walking around town.
We will have to go there haha! Thanks for letting us know!
thanks for sharing, what time of year did you go to Banff?
We were there in the middle of July :)
Negative people her should just sit at home !!
Thanks for watching :)
I just came back from a two-day HIKE of the Lake Louise and Moraine basins. If you would have hiked the area, instead of stopping to just take pictures of the Lakes at their trailheads, both of which are tourist traps, you would have had a great and memorable time. The two of you are youngsters, not senior citizens or the standard fair on those bus tours. Why didn’t you just take shuttles in the morning to both lakes, hike the whole day, and then take the shuttles back to your hotel. Banff is a world class destination, if you are willing to adopt the best approach to seeing it. Instead, you opted for a subpar method of experiencing it, only to blame the place for your poor choice…thus becoming the 1% of Banff’s visitors who don’t go away completely enthralled with the place.
We did hike at Lake Louise :) thanks for your advice!!
Hey JJ : loved your honest opinion. I plan on going to banff next year. Curious to know which month you went there
We are so glad to hear that!! We were there in early July :) have a great trip!
Great post. I relate with your travel preferences (public trans, hotels) and still recognize there are times/locations where others choices(car) are more practical.
I’m looking to go in end of May/beginning of June. I’m glad you posted that bit about Morraine opening June 1.
When did you go?
Aside from the lakes, how did fill out the rest of your itinerary? Also, is Calgary worth a day or two visit?
We are so happy our video could help! We would definitely recommend hiking Johnston Canyon, it is so incredible! A little busy but definitely worth it. We unfortunately didn’t get any time in Calgary but I am sure you could find some fun stuff to do there. Thanks for watching :)
As a local, just curious where did you plan on driving to see a bear? How about go for a hike. And if you did see one you may regret it. Most of us, the last thing we want to see in the back country is a bear.
We were hoping to see one as we were driving along. We definitely would not want to see one on a hike lol
The road to Lake Louise is closed for private vehicles in winter, they say and you can only get there by bus so the car won't help. I'll be there tomorrow so I'll check it out
Enjoy your trip there! It is beautiful :)
The road to Lake Louise is open all year round. It does not close in the winter. Moriane Lake is closed all winter to all vehicles. It’s closed to private vehicles in the summer.
Banff is not a large town and thus it makes zero sense for it to have an international airport. Calgary is the closest major population center, and thus has an internarional airport. That's like complaining that there isn't an airport at the grand canyon for international travelers and complaining that you have to drive there from Las Vegas or Phoenix.
Makes sense!! :)
If it takes you 2hrs from Calgary to Banff you are driving dangerously slow. Banff Springs is an experience in itself. Stay at a cheap hotel if you are out and about, stay at Banff Springs if you want to stay around the hotel grounds.
Hahaha it took our bus 2 hours! Thanks for watching :)
Buddy the cheap hotels were down by the traffic circle that is long gone. Nothing is cheap anymore.
@@mavrosyvannah traffic circle?
@@darrinsteven7002 you remember it? Remember the Bel Air motel?
You'd think a couple of this age would have used the internet to find out about what they're getting themselves into. I had to laugh when she said what am I missing. Id suggest a BRAIN.
Hahahaha good one 🧠 I never thought of getting a brain before
Sounds like a bear of a time to see all the wildlife you wanted to see! Thanks for always keeping it real. Wall of people is no good. You should definitely coordinate the tour so people go to the right lakes!
Such a bummer we didn't see a bear!! Someday lol! We are happy people appreciate our honestly.
Great video! About how far was it from the parking lot to the "wall of humans". Also, what time of year were you there?
Thank you so much! We were there in July! And it was about a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot!
@@JacobandJennyTravel Thank you.
Touristy places have tourists.
This is true haha!
Hi what hostel did you stay in banff. I am going in July this year.
Samesun Banff :) have a great trip!
What hotel did you go?
We stayed at Samesun Hostel in a private room :)
thx, for all the info, we are driving there in Sept, and will not stay in Banff at the high prices, also the info on the lakes are great, still looking at the info on the lakes. how far is Lake Emerald from the rest?
We are happy to be helpful! Lake Emerald was pretty close, I think only around a 20-30 minute drive. We have some more Canada videos that might be interesting to you as well if you want to check any of them out :) thanks for watching! Here is a video where we went to Lake Louise, Moraine and Emerald all in one day th-cam.com/video/mgTK25ibr04/w-d-xo.html
Perfect example of people who shouldn’t be at national parks. Completely oblivious.
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You should have visited Jasper National Park!!! That’s where you’re going to see wildlife! Just today, we saw 3 black bears on the road in Jasper, when we were going to Maligne Lake!
That is awesome!! We hope to go there soon 😍
Thanks for the tips! Which hostels did you stay at? We are looking as well!
We stayed at Samesun Banff Hostel :) it was awesome! So glad the video helped!
I'm not sure what time of year you guys went but I went there in mid September and the place was virtually deserted, There was people around the front of the lake closest to the Hotel but we walked down the trail to a few picture spots and for the most part nobody even walked by or nothing. We are thinking about going back for New Years eve because we heard it turns into a ski town times square with a big street party.
That is good to know! We might have to try again in September. Thanks for the tip :)
@@JacobandJennyTravelMay I ask what time of year you visited?
@pkj6426 we visited in July :)
@01hondascott, I've read so much about the bad crowds, even in mid September, that we are afraid to plan a trip. We were thinking a week in Banff and a week in Jasper. How long ago did you go? Thoughts? Thanks.
I went in mid-June 2023, and it was fantastic. Flew Toronto to Calgary, 1.5 hr drive to Canmore. Stayed in an air bnb in Canmore, 20 mins from Banff.
There were barely any people at Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, and several other spots.
The shuttle busses are in place due to the number of people that would begin parking in the middle of the night for a spot.
July is not the month to go if you don't want a lot of tourists and to pay twice as much.
This video is an example of why researching locations is important.
You guys are Americans ! That is why all this description u doing in this video
Yup we are Americans!
I live 4 hours away from Banff and Jasper national park (been living here for 26 years). My favorite spot is Moraine Lake. Too bad, I can't just drive there anymore like I used to every year. Because of so many tourists visiting, you have to park and book a shuttle to visit the lake. The amount of people (tourists) visiting in the summer has been insane.
Oh man I’m so sorry! Overtourism is definitely a thing.
Yep - we cannot even enjoy our own parks in BC or AB anymore. Over crowded, no where to park. Hotels that are dives cost over $500/night, - ridiculous. Thanks a lot Zuckerberg!
Yup. The quaint little lodge at Moraine Lake she is mentioning here is over $1000/night.
Everything is insane in Banff, especially lake Louise and moraine lake. We’ve been here 5 days now and a couple times we could not get a parking spot at lake Louise even though each time we went up there , there’s been completely wide open parking lot there. They only want people going there in buses so they can charge you an arm and a leg to get there. The whole place is a big money grab. And then you get to the lakes and the public washrooms are disgusting to say the least. For a place that generates over 3 billion dollars in tourism revenue every year, you think there would be sensible bathrooms for people to use. But in saying that Banff and Canmore and the lakes are beautiful no doubt about it, and I’ve enjoyed my time here and I will probably visit again in the future.
So !!! Do you think, that wall of humans doesn’t includes you???
Wow!! You are not the only tourists on earth 😆
Yes we understand we are tourists too lol
Thank you for the details! I’m visiting next month in mid-July and excited!!
We hope it helped!! Have a wonderful trip :)
Which hotel did you stay in? How many days do you need to visit Banff?
We stayed at Samesun Banff and got a private room (it’s a hostel). I would recommend around 5 days for Banff :)
Omg! You guys have a very negative perspective on travel. All I hear is blah blah complaining. Maybe you guys are made for the city lol. These were not good "takes".
It is a beautiful place, just sharing our experience :)
@@JacobandJennyTravel i understand that. i guess it just leaves a bad taste in peoples mouths when the whole video is complaining. coming from a local haha. banff is a magical place when you know the insider spots ;)
Anytime I think I am traveling to a busy/popular place I spend WAY more time than necessary planning and researching. Doing this would have saved you tons of issues for these trypes of trips.
That is a very smart thing to do! Thanks for watching!
Your information seems to be out of date. If I am not mistaken Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are no longer open to private vehicles during tourist season. You have to take a tour or shuttle. Moraine Lake hotel is closed in off season when we went there. Years ago we could find motorhome parking at Lake Louise by going at the crack of dawn. No more I believe but check it out beforehand as rules have changed lately.
Yes we filmed this two years ago so I am sure some of it is outdated! :)
I feel you about Lake Louise... when I went to Bermuda, everybody was raving about Horseshoe Bay but it was a sea of cruise ship tourists; I rented a moped and found the most insane beach coves... the water in Bermuda in summer,,,,, beautiful aqua blue and all you have to do is stand by the road to appreciate
Yeah that happens sometimes with super popular tourist spots :( thanks for watching!
Great video and not surprised by the crowds but hey the place is spectacular. I will be visiting in six weeks. Can't wait.
You are so right! It is amazing :) have a great trip!!
There's a tea house hike 1.3hrs away from the lake from there you'll see the entire lake and the real beauty of it
Yes we saw that!! It seems like a great activity!
can't watch, you are only showing the world how unprepared you are
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great observations. im a canadian who visits or passes through yearly and all these tips were very accurate points.
for those who think "well what were you expecting it's a tourist place" don't understand what it's like in person to see the beauty of the scenery severed by literally what you called a "wall of people"
easily you can find other touristy areas in banff/jasper that have tourists around but you're still able to enjoy the scenery rather than being met with a wall of people.
thanks for sharing! happy travels to all, and yes, do not avoid these lower end hotels. banff is ridiculously safe and when you're there you should be spending your time around the park NOT trapped inside a thousand dollar 5 star hotel
It is great to hear from a local point of view!! Thanks so much for your comment! Cheers friend :)
Banff is still stressful with a car. Being a local I saw so many tourists get denied from parking because every place was packed. Especially in Lake Louise. A lot of times the bus is the only option to the lakes in the summer. Obviously there’s a lot of other tourists at the lakes as well. You have to be mindful of that.
That definitely makes sense!! Thanks for sharing that :)
Lol. I live a few hours away. I backpack Banff and jasper every summer. During covid was awsom, no tourists
I bet that was awesome!!!☺️
God, this girl is insufferable. Complaining about other tourists on a tourist channel??
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Hi you cannot drive to either lake moraine lake is only accessible by bus / tram lake Louise shuttle up or walk a very long distance
Great tip!
no airports in most natl parks in canada.
That makes sense! Thanks for watching :)
Grsat advice! Moraine Lake is so amazing, but please note that you cannot drive there with a private car!
Good note! Thank you :)
You guys are just expecting way too much. You just need to realize this is a touristic place. You know what to expect 😂 youre expecting no one is there ? Thats crazy
You cant appreciate the people and the nature at the same time. Maybe be grateful a little. Everyone want to see it not just you
Useless content!!
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We saw one bear in the distance and a few elk in the distance from arriving at Calgary to leaving Sunpeaks for Vancouver. I even went out at 9pm when the Bear Alert sign was on in Jasper and never saw a bear despite bear poop all over the pavement. Was slightly disappointed 😔 but the whole tour of Canada was amazing 😻
Oh man that is super a bummer!! But we agree, the scenery in Canada is amazing 😍
wanna see a bear? there are zoos. these are really nitpicky things that only some entitled people complain about. even with public transit, there are plenty of things to do and see if you do 10 seconds of research. sorry you had a not so good experience, but some people would kill for that experience
just finished the video, "you will rarely catch me not staying at a nice hotel". that has to be one of the most entitled things I've ever heard.
We are so sorry you feel this way. We had a great experience in Canada BUT wanted to share that everything is not perfect.
I don't know if you know this but bears bite very hard and if one does bit you it is very painful.
Haha yeah that makes sense
Guys its easy to love something to death. Have to wonder when the business end got so in charge.
Im glad you found other lakes to enjoy
We were so happy when we got to Moraine Lake :) thanks for watching!
You can’t drive to lake Moraine. You can only shuttle to it unless you have a handicap plate/ plaque
Thank you for the information :)
I'm going to Banff in October so thanks for this honest video :)
I used to work in a hotel by the lake Strbske Pleso in Slovakia which gets very crowded in summer so after this experience I refuse to travel during summer months lol...That small national park gets over 20k visitors DAILY during summer break but then it's pretty much empty in Autumn. Every single train that runs up the mountains is completely full..
Not sure if Banff is still crowded in Autumn but I'm hoping it's not as busy as those summer months :)
We are so glad this video helped you! Banff is beautiful and we are sure you will have an amazing time! Summer is for sure the busiest time to travel!
Is it worth visiting in October? Cos I’m planning to visit Canada in October
@@99_AuroraYThow was it in October ? We are planning too
@@sabbyreloaded it’s the best time to see the fall and better weather! I enjoyed a lot
@@sabbyreloaded Banff was definitely worth it in October, but keep in mind that some attractions/tours close in the first half of October. The weather was great. It was snowing in higher areas when I arrived and it got quite warm by the time I left (25 - 27C which is great for that time of the year) and it was very dry. I spend 7 days in Banff and it rained for like 1 hour in total. Banff wasn't crowded at all so that's another plus
GOOD ADVICE!! Agree about Lake Louise vs Lake Moraine! Yah think that was bad...check out Santorini Greece
Thank you so much! Haha yeah I am sure Santorini is crazy too!
Of course lake Louise is busy! Are you serious?
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Two hours is not a bad drive from Calgary. There’s no airport inside of Yosemite either.
Yes you are right! Thanks for watching :)
Did you do any research prior to going? 🤦♀️
Yup 👍🏼
Can't wait for our summer 2023 :) first time to visit...thank you for the honest review!
We hope you will have an amazing trip :) we hope the video helped!
Maybe like, you should like, research like, places like, before you like go there.
Hahaha "like" that was totally, "like" a good one ;)
Imagine a national park in the Rockies without an airport. Blasphemy. And crowds at one of the most popular places in Banff, whaaat??? Thanks for dropping by, don't come back.
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This is the kind of woman you don’t marry 🤣🤣
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As for the cost of accommodations in Banff versus the Dominican Republic, bear in mind that Canada, like the US, is a wealthy first world country, while the DR is a poor country that relies heavily on tourism. Therefore, it stands to reason that expenses will be substantially higher in Canada compared to the DR. Similar to why things cist a lot more in Australia than in nearby Indonesia.
My suggestion would be try not to go during the peak season. Try May, June or September. Downside is you might get some snow or colder weather, but a lot less crowds. July and August are gonna be the most busy, that's why people are out of school and families travel most often.
You can also try Jasper. It's similar Banff, but a little less touristy so you'll have less people. Banff has 4 million visitors per year Jasper's like half that.
We for sure want to go to Jasper our next trip to Canada!! Thank you for all the great suggestions :)
Jasper is definitely worth it. Less people. The town is so quaint. The views are stunning. I camped and hiked there. I wish I could remember the hike but there was gorgeous turquoise waters no one talks about. I'd like to go back and do the icefields tour.
You must be American 😂
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A regular hotel room in Calgary, during the summer, will cost $200-$300 a night (and that’s NOT during The Stampede), so of course it’s gonna be $400-$500 in the relatively small town attached to easily one of the most popular national parks on the planet. Canada isn’t a South American country with rampant income inequality that can afford to charge next to nothing for “luxury” resorts because they don’t pay their staff a living wage etc. Keep in mind, with the exchange rate for US dollars, your money goes a lot farther in Canada though. That $400 room actually only costs you $280, and the same goes for everything you spend money on of course. Restaurants, activities, gas, souvenirs etc etc.
Thank you so much for the information :)
Thanks. Useful to know. Will give Louise a miss and head to Moraine.
Yay we are so glad we could help! You will love moraine lake!
Go to Peyto lake, best panorama view and less people there
I am Canadian and I have lived in Canada my entire life. I honestly believe that the most beautiful place in Canada is Banff. I have been there multiple times and I will be there again as soon as I can be. The people in this video are not wrong about anything they said. Definitely rent a car in Calgary and visit as many locations in this amazing national park as possible. Find accommodations away from the major centres. Use Airbnb. Most of the spectacular locations are not the highly advertised or most known locations. For example, nearly everyone uses Highway #1, but Highway #1A is more secluded. Don't just follow the crowds or the advertisements. Drive the highways, make stops at all the scenic sights along the way and don't visit Banff during the busy seasons. But don't visit when I am going either.
It is great to get a locals perspective! Thank you so much :)
One reason people take shuttle bus, is the parking is really difficult.
That is a great point!
Great honest review! 👍🏾👍🏾 stay well
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching :)
Me and wifey choosing Bus or rental car..and your video put us in the right more enjoyable vacation.. and Car it is👍
A car seems like the best option! Thanks for watching :)
Do research elsewhere from instagram & plan better in future ! Also 2 hours travelling is nothing in Canada as it’s so vast .
Thanks for the suggestion :)
I soo appreciate this. It sounds like an amazing place, but I appreciate your tips and honesty!
We are so glad!! :) We want to keep it real and not make everything look amazing all the time
you probably always seen pictures of moraine lake and thought it was lake louise
We did know the difference but I could see that happening to someone! Thanks for watching :)
You sound like a couple of old people, travelling isn't for you, just go on vacation in a resort
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Hahaha Been living in the forest in Canada for 43 years and have still not seen a bear!! :D This made me laugh!!
Hahaha wow!🐻
I think for any tourist place it's common sense to go to the most popular sites in the early morning. Which is what my fam and I will be doing. But I think this video is informative and some lessons learned
You are so right!! Thanks for your comment!
Sounds like you didn’t research before you went.
We did a lot do research just wanted to share the ups and downs with everyone :)
So ungrateful
We are very grateful, but also want to share our experiences :)
lol. seriously didnt think roads were going to be good? bwhahahaha wolves are nocturnal and bears arent going to be hanging out on the roads waiting for you to drive by
Hahaha 👍🏼
It is indeed brutal now. It wasn’t like this even 10 years ago, let alone 20 years ago. The crowds and “influencers” crowding the tourist spots have serious locals simply staying away and going to other places. Lake Louise was my mountaineering home… years ago. Now I dread going there… the paid parking is new too. lol.
Yeah that makes sense, it is such a bummer!
I love how lazy tourist expect to see everything.
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great tips thank you!
We are so glad it was helpful :)
What a brat, Jesus lol
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You can't drive to Moraine lake anymore. I wish you could.
That is such a bummer :(
You need to visit in the Winter, thats when it comes to life! skiing, ice sculptures, etc
Yes we for sure want to visit in the winter! It looks amazing ☃️
I highly recommend you utilize a travel agent to book your next trip. Most do not charge for their services so you are not paying more to book with a travel agent and in the case of your Banff trip, it could have saved you a lot of frustration. Yes I am a travel agent but I am not at all promoting my services, just suggesting you book with an agent, any agent. A travel agent would have explained everything you just stated on this video, but BEFORE your trip making for a better and more enjoyable trip for you.
Thanks for your suggestion :)
super useful, thanks. Moraine lake it is
We are happy to help! Enjoy your trip :)
Guys, I am expecting for two young people to be smart. But apparently “ your regrets “ translated to not doing your own homework and research . Next time post something a positives instead of negatives complaints!
If you watch any of our other videos I promise they are very positive :)
The term as it defines "wildlife" is because they are "wild". If you are looking just to see a bear, or a sure thing, then a zoo is where you need to go. If you want an opportunity to see a bear, then research best chances and recent sightings. While it is possible to see bears mid day, especially for habituated bears, early morning, or late afternoon/dusk are the best times. Grizzlies and black bears do overlap, but grizzlies tend to like easy access to open areas, where black bears often try to stay in the thick of it. Time of year is a factor as well, spring is far better than summer to see them and heat will put them down much of the day. And if you get into the backcountry away from the crowds, you have a better chance. Anyway, they are awesome and signify wilderness because they are wild and not easily found. Again, like some grizzlies around Teton National Park that are habituated, you may have a better chance of seeing them, but just because there is a large population does not mean you will see them. In fact most bears will often leave the area as soon as they are aware of you and often before you knew they were there. If a bear sees you and hangs around, it is because they are likely habituated to people, cars, etc.
Bighorn sheep will tend to hang around certain areas and can become accustomed to people, meaning they won't necessarily leave. Elk are similar to some extent and you will have a better chance of seeing these two than any of the others you are talking about. Deer are a good possibility as well. Wolves are very tough and consider yourself lucky if you see them, with mountain lions very elusive with very few sightings even though their numbers are high. Like bears, best times for all animals as mentioned are very early morning, or late afternoon/dusk.
Yes you are so right! Thank you so much for all that wonderful information :) we will be on the lookout for wildlife soon!
Most of us in Canada stay away from the wolves and the bears.
That makes sense haha! Thanks for watching!