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 Vancouver, a coastal seaport city in Canada, boasts stunning mountain ranges, sandy beaches, and a breathtaking rainforest. It is consistently ranked as one of the world's most desirable places to live and is known for its energy, diversity, and cultural richness. This city is truly a unique and captivating destination.

currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD), C$1 = 100 cents

phone

Fire, Police & Ambulance: 911

newspaper

Vancouver Sun — www.vancouversun.com
The Province — www.theprovince.com
Ming Pao (Cantonese) — www.mingpaocanada.com/van
World Journal (Mandarin) — www.worldjournal.com
The Georgia Straight — www.straight.com

hours

Banks: Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm, extended hours (including weekends) at some locations.
Stores are mostly open Mon–Sat 10am–9pm and Sun 10am–6pm.

population

City: 662,248 (2021 census)
Metropolitan area: 2,642,825 (2021 census)

info

Vancouver Virtual Visitor Services
200 Burrard Street, Vancouver
+1 604 683 2000

Note: the physical Visitor Centre is closed to the public, but you can get help over the phone, online and through Google Messages.

website

www.destinationvancouver.com

Aerial Photography of False Creek, Cambie Bridge and Granville Bridge in Downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada, on a Hazy sunny sunset. Edgar Bullon / Shutterstock.com

The City

The city of Vancouver offers everything from stunning landscapes, superb restaurants, remarkable cultural diversity and some of the best sporting events in the world.

Vancouver is a city with many neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics. Gastown is a charming and historic area with small shops and intimate restaurants. Kitsilano is a casual and health-conscious neighborhood. Chinatown has traditional architecture and large open-air markets. Robson Street is known for its fashionable boutique shopping and unique eateries.

It boasts 400 hectares of breathtaking scenery in Stanley Park, which has been designated a national historic site of Canada and attracts visitors and residents alike to enjoy the outdoors at its finest.

It is no wonder that Vancouver has been named one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world.

Sustainable City

Vancouver is consistently recognized as one of the greenest cities in the world. It is a true example of inspiring environmental action on a bug urban scale with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per capita within Northern America.

The city has set many ambitious goals, including a plan to become zero waste by 2040. The plan aims at reducing air pollution and waste, fostering energy-efficient construction and improving the city's natural environment.

Netsnake / Flickr

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Poul Riishede / Shutterstock.com

Stanley Park

Paul Krueger/cc by 2.0 (cropped)/Flickr

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Capilano River Hatchery

Beautiful girl in Vancouver city StockWithMe / Shutterstock.com

Do & See

Enjoying the city's cultural, natural and social attractions is easy. Whether by foot, bus or boat, you can feel the pulse of this vibrant city everywhere you go. Discover the magnificent green oasis and surrounding landscapes that make Vancouver a favourite for visitors from all over the world.

Netsnake / Flickr

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Pavel Vakhrushev / Shutterstock.com

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre

Verena Matthew / Shutterstock.com

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

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Gastown

Alan Stucchi / Shutterstock.com

Vancouver Lookout

Dan Breckwoldt / Shutterstock.com

Science World

Edgar Bullon / Shutterstock.com

Canada Place

Poul Riishede / Shutterstock.com

Stanley Park

Dan Breckwoldt / Shutterstock.com

Chinatown

Voyager / Wikimedia Commons

Vancouver Art Gallery

inacioluc / Shutterstock.com

Granville Island

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Grouse Mountain

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English Bay

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Lynn Canyon

Rr parker / Wikimedia Commons

Museum Of Anthropology

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Queen Elizabeth Park

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9 O'Clock Gun

Natalia Bratslavski/Shutterstock.com

Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver

Bright, Stylish, Contemporary Dining Room Jeffrey Mitchell / Shutterstock.com

Dining

The multicultural character of Vancouver can easily be seen in the wide range of cuisine, a fusion of many ethnic flavours: African/Indian, Greek/Italian and Mediterranean/French, with fresh seafood is on almost every menu. With chefs blurring international boundaries and restaurants ranging from bohemian to ultra chic, Vancouver has refined the art of eating out.

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Farmer's Apprentice

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Le Crocodile

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La Quercia

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Cuchillo

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Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

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L’Abattoir

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CinCin Ristorante & Bar

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Simba’s Grill

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Pink Pearl Chinese Seafood

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Water Street Café

Two multi ethnic friends enjoying coffee together in a coffee shop viewed through glass with reflections as they sit at a table chatting and laughing Uber Images / Shutterstock.com

Cafes

Vancouver is a great destination for coffee lovers, with a number of cafes offering cups of slow-brewed java made with organic, fair-trade, and locally-roasted beans. In addition to their delicious coffee, many of these cafes also have lovely outdoor seating with views over the water. Whether you're looking to relax and take in the sights or simply need a pick-me-up, these cafes are the perfect place to enjoy a great cup of coffee in Vancouver.

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Caffe Artigiano

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Trees Organic Coffee & Roasting House

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Terra Breads

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Mink Chocolate Café

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Kafka’s Coffee Roasting

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Bel Café

Gastown and the historical steam clock in Vancouver, Canada Dan Breckwoldt / Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

From the flamboyant and outrageous to the laid-back and quiet, bars and pubs offer Vancouver residents and visitors alike a wide array of choices. The legal drinking age in Vancouver is 19, yet many up-scale establishments enforce a 21-23 age limit.

Nightlife in Vancouver has something to offer everyone, from dance clubs to Irish pubs, live music venues and plenty of theatre and arts. Busy Granville Street on a Saturday night is electrifying, while Gastown and Yaletown have more than their share of hip, trendy spots.

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The Diamond

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L’Abattoir

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Granville Street Entertainment District

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The Narrow Lounge

Mikhail Nilov/pexels

Fortune Sound Club

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Funky Winker Beans

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The Cascade Room

Shopping Couple Capitalism Enjoying Romance Spending Concept Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

Shopping

The casual shopper will enjoy a stroll along Robson Street with its unique boutiques, coffeehouses and restaurants. Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s shopping hotspots and the hub of epicurean delight. The Public Market overflows with fresh vegetables, fruits and exotic herbs and spices. Art and handcrafted items, custom-built kayaks, wooden musical instruments, blown glass, leather goods and one-of-a-kind toys are a small sampling of items for sale.

Shulevskyy Volodymyr / Shutterstock.com

Mink Chocolate Café

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Granville Island Public Market

Wpcpey/cc by-sa 4.0/wikimedia

CF Pacific Centre

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Kaarigar Handicrafts

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Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

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Fazakas Gallery

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Treasure Green Tea Company

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Chinatown

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Granville Street

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Kitsilano

A foggy winter day in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as seen from the seawall in Stanley Park, with the Lions Gate Bridge and North Shore Mountains in the background. Puffin's Pictures / Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located 16 km/10 miles from downtown Vancouver. Canada Line (the city's rapid transit railway system) connects the airport to downtown Vancouver in under 30 minutes, departing every 7-15 minutes. There are also numerous car rental companies present at the airport, as well as taxi services.

Address: Vancouver International Airport, Richmond

Email: customercallcentre@yvr.ca

Phone: +1 604 207 7077

Website: www.yvr.ca

More Information:

Abbotsford International Airport (YXX)

Abbotsford International Airport (YXX): Located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, about 65 km (40 mi) east of Vancouver, Abbotsford International Airport is a smaller regional airport that primarily serves domestic and regional flights within Canada and the United States.

The airport is accessible by car, public transportation, and taxi, and offer a range of amenities and services for travelers, including shops, restaurants, lounges, and other amenities.

Address:

Email:

Phone: +1 604 855 1001

Website: www.abbotsfordairport.ca

More Information:

Public transport

In Vancouver, private vehicles are the most popular mode of transportation. Mass transit include local buses, Skytrain and Seabus. A Translink Day Pass, which can be purchased at many stations, grocery stores and 7/11's, can be used on all of these. Bicycle rental is another very popular way for visitors to get around the city and cover more ground that walking. Several companies located around the city offer these services.

Vancouver has a comprehensive public transportation system that includes buses, trains, and ferries. The main agency responsible for public transportation in the city is TransLink, which operates a network of buses, trains, and ferries that serve the Metro Vancouver area.

Buses: The bus system in Vancouver is extensive, with routes serving the city and surrounding areas. Buses run frequently, and many routes operate 24 hours a day. TransLink also operates a number of express and limited-stop bus routes that offer faster service to popular destinations.

Trains: The SkyTrain is Vancouver's rapid transit rail system, which consists of three lines: the Expo Line, the Millennium Line, and the Canada Line. The SkyTrain serves a number of cities in the Metro Vancouver area, including Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Richmond.

Ferries: The SeaBus is a passenger ferry service that operates between downtown Vancouver and the North Shore. The SeaBus operates every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours.

In addition to these services, TransLink also operates a number of other public transportation options, including community shuttles, HandyDART (a door-to-door service for people with disabilities), and the West Coast Express (a commuter rail service).

Public transportation in Vancouver can be accessed using a variety of fare payment options, including fares paid in cash, fares paid using a Compass Card (a reloadable electronic fare card), and fares paid using the TransLink mobile app.

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Website: www.translink.ca

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Taxi

Taxis in Vancouver are generally reliable and can be a convenient option for getting around the city. Most taxis in the city are metered, with rates determined by distance and time, and there are a number of different companies operating in the city.

Ridesharing services, such as Uber, Lyft and Blacklane, have become increasingly popular in recent years, and offer a convenient and often more affordable alternative to traditional taxis. These services allow users to request a ride and pay for it through the app, and drivers are typically independent contractors who use their own vehicles to provide transportation.

Address: Vancouver Taxi

Email:

Phone: +1 604 871 1111

Website: www.destinationvancouver.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around

More Information:

Postal Service

In Vancouver, Canada Post offers a variety of services, including letter and parcel delivery, post office boxes, and money orders. The company also provides a range of shipping options for individuals and businesses, including priority, express, and international shipping.

Address: Canada Post, 495 W Georgia Street, Vancouver

Email:

Phone: +1 866 607 6301

Website: www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/fpo/personal/findPostOfficeDetail?outletId=0000647365

More Information:

Pharmacy

Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Rexall and Pharmasave: These Canadian chains have numerous locations throughout Vancouver and offer a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as health and wellness products, beauty products, and more.

In addition to these larger chain stores, there are also many independent pharmacies throughout the city that offer a range of medications and other health-related products. Many of these pharmacies also offer additional services such as prescription refills, flu shots, and other immunizations.

Address: Shoppers Drug Mart, 1125 Davie Street, Vancouver

Email: asdm272@shoppersdrugmart.ca

Phone: +1 604 669 2424

Website: www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/store-locator/store/272

More Information:

Telephone

Country code: +1
Area code: 604

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Electricity

Canada uses 110-volt electricity, 60 cycle electric power, same as the USA. Unless your appliance is dual voltage, you need to use a “converter” or a “transformer”. Power outlets are designed for use with a two prong and some accept a 3 prong (with ground) plug.

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