Inuvik City Guide

Food options are limited. Try local Indigenous dishes like caribou and Arctic char. Few international cuisines. Most places close by early evening.

Nightlife is minimal, with a few local pubs and lounges.

Few local cafés serve coffee; no specialty scene.

Standard Canadian tipping: 15-20% in restaurants, 10-15% for taxis, 15-20% for services. Expected in sit-down places, optional elsewhere.

SIM cards can be bought from Bell, Telus, Rogers dealers. Bell and Telus have better coverage. ID is required for registration. eSIMs are available but may need store setup.

Generally clean with regular waste pickup.

Almost no 24/7 services. No late-night food, pharmacies, or clinics.

NorthMart is the main grocery store with basic international products available. Stores open roughly 9 AM to 7 or 8 PM, and may close or reduce hours on Sundays and holidays.

Card payments are common in most shops and gas stations. Cash is still accepted but used less often.

ATMs are at banks like CIBC and RBC, and some bigger stores. Watch out for out-of-network fees around $2-3 CAD.

Local schools include East Three School (K-12) teaching mainly in English with some Indigenous language programs. No international schools.

Very small community with almost no digital nomad presence.

Lots of natural areas like Boot Lake Trail and the Mackenzie Delta. Limited shade due to Arctic environment.

Safe routes like Boot Lake Trail exist. Watch for wildlife outside town. Few organized races.

The Recreation Complex has a gym, ice arena, curling rink, and swimming pool.

Limited tennis facilities; no dedicated clubs.

No padel facilities.

Yoga options are limited; occasional community classes may exist.

No dedicated dojos; rare community classes.

Cross-country skiing is common in winter. No downhill skiing facilities.

Kayaking and canoeing are popular on the Mackenzie Delta in summer.

Surfing isn’t available here.

No diving due to cold water and visibility.

Inuvik Regional Hospital offers basic healthcare with English-speaking staff. For complex care, patients may be sent to bigger cities. Pharmacies operate regular hours.

Tap water is treated and safe to drink.

Several playgrounds and kid-friendly sites like the Igloo Church and Visitor Centre. Baby supplies at NorthMart are limited.

Generally accepting like other Canadian towns, but fewer LGBTQ-specific spots.

Pets are generally accepted outdoors but vet services are limited. Pet supplies available at NorthMart.