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Voykit pocket guide · Canada
Matagami
Use Matagami as a one‑night fuel and supply stop before the Billy‑Diamond Highway; 1 night, 2‑3 h of driving from Val‑d'Or.
Matagami is the last service town before the 620‑km Billy‑Diamond Highway north. Most travellers spend a night to refuel, stock supplies and rest before the remote drive. One night is enough for the town’s sights and a quick hike.
- Country
- Canada
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (check)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (cold, limited services)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CAD
- Money
- Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–$80 CAD excl. bed · Mid $80–$120 CAD excl. bed · High $120+ CAD excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Rogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores. Canadian data is expensive — an eSIM is often cheaper.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Fire/ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Same as the US.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: CAD 1–2 per drink.; Taxi: 10–15%.; Housekeeping: CAD 3–5 a night.; Guide: 10–20% of the tour price.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).
- Toilets
- Free in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $2–$3 CAD |
| Burger | $8–$12 CAD |
| Fuel (per litre) | $1.45 CAD |
| 4×4 rental (per day) | $150 CAD |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- YVO · Val-d'Or Airport
- about 180 km (112 mi) north, 2 h drive via Route 109about 112 mi (180 km) north, 2 h drive via Route 109
Typical fares
- Val‑d'Or → Matagami (car)
- ≈2 h, 180 km (112 mi), fuel stop≈2 h, 112 mi (180 km), fuel stop
- Matagami → Radisson (car)
- ≈7 h, 620 km (385 mi), fuel needed≈7 h, 385 mi (620 km), fuel needed
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town grid is walkable; a high‑clearance 4×4 is needed for trailheads and the lake overlook.
See and do
Known for
- Kilometer Zero gateway to the north
- Billy‑Diamond Highway start
- Réso Bell nature trails
- Hotel Matagami
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Radisson | Drive north on Billy‑Diamond Highway, 620 km (385 mi), about 7 hDrive north on Billy‑Diamond Highway, 385 mi (620 km), about 7 h | ≈7 h |
| Val‑d'Or | Drive south on Route 109, 180 km (112 mi), about 2 hDrive south on Route 109, 112 mi (180 km), about 2 h | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Matagami
- Central, heated rooms, free Wi‑Fi, parking for rigs.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moiexkusez mwa |
| Thank you | Mercimehr-see |
| Where is the restroom? | Où sont les toilettes ?oo son lay twah-let |
| How much does it cost? | Combien ça coûte ?kohm-byen sah koot |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'Bonjour' first in Québec; avoid: Assuming everyone speaks English
- Queues: Line up and wait your turn; avoid: Pushing in
- Apologising: 'Sorry' is politeness, not admission of fault; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Canada vs US: Treat Canada as its own country; avoid: Calling Canadians American
- Indigenous culture: Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses and ask before photos at ceremonies; avoid: Wearing headdresses as costume
Scams and watch-outs
- Mobile data drops to zero once you cross the highway gate; download offline maps.
- Fuel prices are higher than in southern Quebec; fill up before heading north.
Matagami is safe for daytime travel; remote highway has no mobile coverage and wildlife crossings; keep headlights on and carry emergency kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Matagami yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kilometer Zero gateway to the north
- Billy‑Diamond Highway start
- Réso Bell nature trails
- Hotel Matagami
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Matagami: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Matagami, revision 5326107 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5326107
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/matagami). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.