VANCOUVER & LOCAL INFORMATION

Vancouver, British Columbia

The City of Vancouver is known for its stunning natural beauty and walkable downtown. Vancouver has been ranked one of the most livable cities in the world for the past decade and was ranked as having the 4th highest quality of living in the world as of 2010, on par with cities such as Melbourne, Vienna, and Toronto.

Vancouver is a highly diverse and multicultural city with people from all around the world. As such, it is a popular tourist destination and has been regarded as one of the most outstanding convention cities in the world. The city offers plenty of fine dining and shopping, but is also an excellent place for more outdoor pursuits such as hiking, golfing, boating, and surfing. Mountains and beaches are both accessible from downtown, as well as Stanley Park, a 400-hectare urban park.

Vancouver is known for its culinary diversity, including high-end restaurants, food trucks, and local craft breweries. Granville Island provides a huge indoor space for artists, farmers’ markets, and craftspeople. Learn more about Vancouver’s diverse marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium, see unique artwork at numerous art galleries (including the Vancouver Art Gallery), or catch a Vancouver Canucks hockey game at BC Place Stadium. There is something to do for everybody!

Getting Around

By Public Transit

TransLink provides city transit for tourists and residents seven days a week via buses and trains through its rapid transit system, SkyTrain, including the Canada Line with direct access to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

By Foot

Vancouver is one of the most walkable cities in the world! With easy access to more than 13,000 hotel rooms, the Vancouver Convention Centre is no more than four blocks away from the furthest downtown hotel.

By Boat

SeaBus ferries connect downtown Vancouver to the North Shore with a scenic 12-minute regular ferry service every day.

Shopping

There are many places to shop in Vancouver, from small boutiques to large malls. Major shopping streets include Robson Street, Granville Street, and Burrard Street. Along with typical weekday hours, most shopping locations are also open on weekends and public holidays, typically around 12pm–5pm.

Tipping

Restaurant tipping is left to the customer’s discretion, but the customary amount is 15%. Many restaurants automatically add a tip or gratuity to the bill for groups larger than 6 or 8 people. It is also customary to tip bellhops, luggage handlers and taxi drivers, at your discretion.

Emergency and Safety

Vancouver remains one of the safest cities in Canada. However, it is always advisable to know about local safety services in the unlikely event of an emergency.

In the event of a health, safety, or criminal emergency, dial 9-1-1.

It is also advised to know the location and contact number of your country’s embassy in the event that your travel documents are lost.