Major city · Canada
Saint-Joachim
Come for one full day, not a base: Cap Tourmente snow geese in Apr and Oct, Canyon Sainte-Anne any season. Sleep in Beaupré or Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.
Saint-Joachim is a small parish municipality on the Côte-de-Beaupré, 50 km east of Québec City, with a population of about 1,460. It holds two of the region's headline sights: the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve, a marsh where tens of thousands of greater snow geese stop in spring and autumn, and Canyon Sainte-Anne, a 74 m waterfall crossed by three suspension bridges. The village itself is quiet, with a heritage church and a 10 km archaeology circuit. Most travellers visit as a day trip from Québec City or sleep in neighbouring Beaupré and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, where the beds and restaurants are.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct; mid-Oct for the snow goose festival
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many sites closed or reduced)
- Airport
- YQB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Joachim911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Joachim, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYQB Québec City Jean Lesage International (About 50 km (31 mi) west; rent a car or take a taxi or shuttle to the Côte-de-Beaupré.).YQB Québec City Jean Lesage International (About 31 mi (50 km) west; rent a car or take a taxi or shuttle to the Côte-de-Beaupré.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights sit 5–10 km (3.1–6.2 mi) apart along Route 138 and chemin du Cap Tourmente, and there is no local bus.A car is the practical choice: sights sit 3.1–6.2 mi (5–10 km) apart along Route 138 and chemin du Cap Tourmente, and there is no local bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseC$20–35 (≈ US$15–30)
- Beerdraught in a pub / can at a dépanneurC$8–10 (≈ US$6–8)C$3–4 (≈ US$3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–40 (≈ US$11–30)
- Museum or sight ticketCanyon Sainte-Anne entry, adultC$25–30 (≈ US$19–25) (check)
- Budget bedCabin or chalet (up to 4), a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YQB Québec City Jean Lesage International (About 50 km (31 mi) west; rent a car or take a taxi or shuttle to the Côte-de-Beaupré.)YQB Québec City Jean Lesage International (About 31 mi (50 km) west; rent a car or take a taxi or shuttle to the Côte-de-Beaupré.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Dec (15 rain days), driest Feb (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Joachim: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
14 rd
Feb
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
12 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
12 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
13 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
14 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights sit 5–10 km apart along Route 138 and chemin du Cap Tourmente, and there is no local bus. Intercar stops at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, about 10 km from the village centre, so you still need a taxi or a lift from there. Cycling Route 138 is possible but the shoulder is narrow in places.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Canyon Sainte-Anne
goDoor to door: About 15 min from the village
Drive Route 138 east, then Chemin des Chutes Ste-Anne
74 m falls, three suspension bridges, via ferrata and zip-line options; family paths and a shuttle for the north rim.
Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve
goDoor to door: About 10 min from the village
Drive chemin du Cap Tourmente north from Route 138
Marshes, plains and forest trails; tens of thousands of greater snow geese in spring and autumn.
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive Route 138 west
Basilica, museums, restaurants and the Intercar stop; the regional shopping centre.
Québec City
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Drive Route 138 west, then Autoroute 440 or 40
Old town, museums and the main rail and air gateway.
Saint-Tite-des-Caps
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive Route 138 east, then climb into the hills
Start of the Sentiers des Caps; see the Saint-Tite-des-Caps guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Saint-Joachim village
A handful of gîtes and cabins along chemin du Cap Tourmente; quiet, car needed for everything.
Beaupré
About 10 km (6.2 mi) west; more beds, restaurants and shops, and Mont-Sainte-Anne nearby.About 6.2 mi (10 km) west; more beds, restaurants and shops, and Mont-Sainte-Anne nearby.
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
About 12 km (7.5 mi) west; the regional service centre with the basilica, motels and the Intercar stop.About 7.5 mi (12 km) west; the regional service centre with the basilica, motels and the Intercar stop.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Gîte or B&B room1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Canyon Sainte-Anne entry, adult2 × C$25 · check | C$50 |
| Cap Tourmente reserve entry, adult2 × C$10 · check | C$20 |
| Car hire, one day, compact1 × C$70 · check | C$70 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$62 |
| Trip total≈ C$341 per person per day, bed included | C$682≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Cassecroûte meal (fries, burger, poutine) | C$12–22 (≈ US$9–16) |
| Restaurant main course | C$20–35 (≈ US$15–30) |
| Beer, draught in a pub / can at a dépanneur | C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$3–4 (≈ US$3) |
| Canyon Sainte-Anne entry, adult | C$25–30 (≈ US$19–25) (check) |
| Cap Tourmente reserve entry, adult | C$8–12 (≈ US$6–9) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$15–40 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No local public transport: without a car you are dependent on taxis, which are few.
- Cap Tourmente trails and the Canyon have seasonal hours; check before you drive out.
- Route 138 climbs the Côte de la Miche steeply east of the village; watch for cyclists and slow vehicles.
- Cell coverage is patchy in the reserve and along the shore flats.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Saint-JoachimSaint-Joachim
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; the US consulate general and most embassies are in Québec City or Montréal. For a lost passport, contact your embassy in Ottawa or the nearest consulate.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Intercar Québec City → Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré: about C$10–15 (≈ US$8–11), about 40 min (check)
- Taxi Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré → Saint-Joachim village: about C$25–35 (≈ US$19–30) (check)
- Car hire, one day, compact: from about C$70 (≈ US$55) plus fuel (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est le départ du sentier ? — Where is the trailhead? (oo ay luh day-PAR doo sahn-TYAY)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Joachim. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct; mid-Oct for the snow goose festival · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many sites closed or reduced) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares