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Vancouver Basics

Vancouver--the "City of Glass"--is located on the Strait of Georgia, shielded from the Pacific Ocean by Vancouver Island. The city boasts an ethnically diverse population, with over 50% of the city's residents having a first language other than English. Vancouver is the commercial capital of British Columbia. The city has a metropolitan population of about 2.1 million residents, making it the largest city in Western Canada.

The mainstays of Vancouver's very diversified economy are technology, services, tourism, mining, forestry, education and TV and motion picture production. Over 9 million tourists visit Vancouver every year, including more than one million tourists who arrive or depart on cruise ships.

Vancouver's climate is mild year-round, as it is warmed by Pacific Ocean currents and protected from blasts of cold Arctic air by a range of mountains. From high 70s Fahrenheit (low 20s Celsius) in summer to a mild mid-40s Fahrenheit (0° to 5° Celsius) in winter, the climate is always hospitable. But Vancouver is a city that sees a lot of rain, particularly during the long, gray and foggy winter months.

First Impressions

Vancouver is a lively, fun and hip city, with clean air, views of the nearby mountain ranges and a decidely Canadian personality. It's also a very pretty city, and like almost all Canadian cities, very clean. The city's downtown, Yaletown, English Bay and West End districts are dotted with modern high-rise commercial and residential developments. It's not until you visit the sprawling southern suburbs, such as Richmond, that you begin to encounter communities comprised of single family housing.

Vancouver has been called a "city of neighborhoods," each with a distinct character and ethnic mix. That's just one of the things about Vancouver that makes it a great place to visit.

Most ships will dock at the modern Canada Place cruise ship facility, which is located in the city center, adjacent to excellent hotels, shopping, dining and entertainment venues. You'll know you're there when you see the distinctive white sails that fly over the structure. The Canada Place facility also houses the five-star Pan Pacific hotel and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre.

If you're not docking at Canada Place, you'll dock at the overflow facility at Ballantyne, which is located just minutes away from Canada Place.

Vancouver really comes alive from May through September. The weather is warm and there's less rain, the days are longer, people are riding bicycles and enjoying in-line skating, and there's a happy vibe about the city.

Time Zone

Vancouver is on Pacific Time, eight hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time during standard time, or seven hours during daylight savings time. Daylight savings time begins on the second Sunday of March, and ends on the first Sunday of November.

Language

English is universally spoken in Vancouver. Chinese--some Mandarin but primarily Cantonese--is spoken at many stores and restaurants. Some shopkeepers also speak French, Canada's second official language.

Currency

The Canadian dollar is Canada's official currency. As of August 23, 2010, the exchange rate is US$1 equals $1.03 Canadian dollars.

Banks and ATMs

ATM machines in Vancouver are plentiful and can be found at bank branches, hotels, restaurants, drug stores and other establishments in the city. At Canada Place, you'll find ATMs at the Cruise Terminal, the Pan Pacific Hotel, the Vancouver Convention Center and the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.

Banks with ATM machines can be found at the following locations:

HSBC: 999 Hastings Street West, a 2-block walk from the pier.
CIBC: 400 Burrard Street, a 2-block walk from the pier.
National Bank of Canada: 555 Burrard Street, a 3-block walk from the pier.
Royal Bank of Canada: 685 West Hastings Street, a 3-block walk from the pier.

To see the locations of the above ATMs, see our Vancouver ATM map.

Using US Dollars in Vancouver

In Canada, one uses Canadian dollars. Since ATM machines are so plentiful in Vancouver, it is easy to obtain Canadian dollars. Alternatively, you can charge your purchases on American-issued credit cards.

Weather

Vancouver's four season western marine climate is unusually temperate by Canadian standards. During the generally cold Canadian winters, Vancouver is the country's warmest city. In addition, Vancouver usually enjoys excellent summer weather, characterized by very pleasant, warm days with abundant sunshine.

Summer months are quite sunny with moderate temperatures, tempered by sea breezes. Though usually in the 70s (F), temperatures can rise into the high 80s during hot spells. Rain falls, on average, one day in four.

From November through March, Vancouver is often gray and gloomy, with the sun shining less than 3 hours per day on average. And this period is foggy and wet, too, with more than half of these days experiencing rainfall. Significant snowfall accumulations are rare.

During the spring and summer evenings, the temperature becomes much cooler, so if you're out and about, don't forget to bring a sweater or a light coat.

Vancouver Average Temperatures
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High - F	43	46	50	55	61	66	72	72	66	56	47	43
Avg High - C	6	8	10	13	16	19	22	22	19	14	9	6
Avg Low - F	34	34	37	41	46	52	55	55	52	45	37	34
Avg Low - C	1	1	3	5	8	11	13	13	11	7	3	1

Vancouver Average Precipitation
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg, Inches	5.8	4.6	3.7	2.4	1.9	1.8	1.2	1.5	2.4	4.8	5.6	6.5
Avg, mm	147	117	94	61	48	45	30	37	61	122	141	165

Vancouver Weather Forecast, Canada

Keeping In Touch

Internet Cafes

Free internet access is available at the Public Library's Central Branch, 350 West Georgia Street. Tel: (604) 331-3600. You can also find wi-fi at any of a number of Starbucks locations in Vancouver.

You can find a number of cyber cafes in the downtown area of Vancouver, including the following venues:

Cyber Space Internet Cafe, located at 1741 Robson Street in West End Vancouver, at Bidwell Street. Tel: (604) 684-6004
Global Internet Cafe, located at 779 Denman Street in West End Vancouver, at Robson Street. Tel: (604) 633-9389
Nicola Internet Cafe, located at 1565 Robson Street in West End Vancouver, at Cardero Street. Tel: (604) 408-1559
Robson Internet Cafe, located at 1690 Robson Street in West End Vancouver, at Cardero Street. Tel: (604) 685-4645
Wicked Gastown Internet Cafe, located at 330 W. Cordova Street in the Gastown area. Tel: (604) 684-0825

To see the locations of the above internet cafes, see our Vancouver Internet Access map.

Finding US Newspapers

US newspapers can be found in many locations in Vancouver, including hotels, newsstands, drug stores and convenience stores, such as 7-11.

Kindle Connectivity

In Vancouver, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through 3-G coverage provided by Rogers or Fido.

Local Holidays & Festivals

The following local festivals, holidays and events are slated to take place in Vancouver in 2010:

New Year's Day, January 1.
21st Winter Olympics, February 12 through 28. It's that time of year again, folks! Vancouver is the host, with Olympic venues spread out through the region.
24th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival, March 6 to 14. Celebrates the whale migration in Tofino, Ucluelet & the Pacific Rim National Park
Good Friday, April 2. Commemorates the Friday before Easter.
Easter Monday, April 5. Gives the people a 4-day holiday.
Victoria Day & Parade, May 24. Celebrates the birthday of the current Canadian Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. However, the date does not change with the change of monarch; instead, it is set on the birthday of Queen Victoria, the Canadian Monarch at the time of Canadian Confederation and establishment of dominion status in 1867.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 25 to July 4. Jazz comes to Vancouver in a big way once again, taking place in a number of venues throughout town.
Canada Day, July 1. Celebrates Canada's 1867 Confederation and establishment of dominion status.
Caribbean Days Festival, July 24 to 25. Held at North Shore's Waterfront Park, this is a two-day celebration of Caribbean culture. Features a parade, live music and dance performances.
British Columbia Day, August 2. Civic holiday.
Labour Day, September 6. Celebrates economic and social achievements of workers.
Vancouver International Film Festival, September 30 to October 15. Film nabobs assemble to view the best in movies from independent directors from across the globe.
Thanksgiving Day, October 11. A day to give thanks for the things one has at the close of the harvest season.
Remembrance Day, November 11. Commemorates Canada's war dead. Anniversary of the armistice ending World War I in 1918.
Christmas Day, December 25. The most important Christian holiday.
Boxing Day, December 26. Commemorates the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Cruise Lines Making Port

Vancouver is a very popular port for the seasonal Alaskan cruise ship trade, which extends from May through September. During this period, just under 1 million cruise ship passengers travel through Vancouver. During 2010, the Port of Vancouver expects to host 205 cruise ship visits. If you'd like to see what ships are scheduled to be in port, check out the 2010 Cruise Ship Schedule.

The following cruise lines currently make port in Vancouver: