what papers do you need to travel to canada?

Proof of identity and nationality. Passports work the best.

If you belong to a terrorist organisations it is easy. Somehow they get get easy Visa to Canada. otherwise be prepared to deal with essentric visa officers.

they changed it recently, so i think you now need a passport, which is stupid, because a lot of people don't have then and are not going to spend the money just to get one to go to Canada, so they will lose tourism.....

Although a "passport" is the universal 'ticket'--if you dont have one---normally a valid and current drivers license from your
State/Province of Origin and one other photo ID will get you
across the border (and back)--

Current Requirements for Entry Into Canada bu US Citizens
1.
Proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with one of the regional passport agencies located throughout the U.S.) or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver’s license, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.
2.
Photo identification, such as a current, valid driver’s license.

All U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport.


There are proposed changes, no laws have changed.
The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:
*December 31, 2006 – Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
* December 31, 2007 – Passport required for all land border crossings, as well as air and sea travel.

If you are traveling only for vacations you only need your passport (at least if you are mexican)