Join us in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, on Canada's West Coast! Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is sassy, sophisticated and outdoorsy. Voted "Best City in the Americas" by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (2004, 2005 and 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013), Vancouver is home to two million inhabitants who enjoy a mild climate, breathtaking scenery and a wealth of recreational activities. Enjoy all the very best of world class destinations: superlative shopping, exceptional dining, great entertainment and galleries – all perched on nature's edge.
The cosmopolitan city of Vancouver encompasses a mix of many ethnic groups. Out of this multiculturalism comes a remarkable culinary diversity, which, when combined with BC's extensive selection of local ingredients, is born a distinct regional flavour that is unmistakably Vancouver. Visitors will enjoy the freshest seafood, award winning local wines from our emergent wine industry and one of the best selections of Asian dining in the world.
Vancouver has been described as one of the most spectacularly situated cities on earth. The downtown core stands proudly on an ocean swept peninsula surrounded by beaches, sailboats, parks and wildlife. The downtown core is only one mile across at its widest point making it a perfect city for walking. Local site-seeing opportunities include everything from whale watching tours to kayaking along the city shores, mountain biking some of the best trails in the world, to a gondola ride up Grouse Mountain to visit the grizzly bears.
Vancouver is also the gateway for further travel in the west coast. After your conference spend a few extra days in the area and explore the world renowned ski resort of Whistler, only a two hour drive away. The quaint city of Victoria on Vancouver Island is a picturesque two hour ferry journey to the west. Wine tours, exquisite dining and lakeside days await you in the Okanagan Valley, BC's internationally recognized wine region. Or, hop on a cruise ship from Vancouver harbour and sail up the BC coast to Alaska – a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed.
Vancouver entices visitors with its beauty, captivates them with its cosmopolitan charm and draws them in with its profusion of unforgettable attractions. Put simply, it's one of the world's finest cities. Join us in Vancouver, you won't regret it.
Transportation
The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is approximately 11 miles from downtown. An efficient airport transfer service called Canada Line transports delegates from the airport to all the downtown hotels at a cost of $9.00 inbound and $4.00 return during peak hours. On weekends the return would only be $2.75 for a 2 zone ticket as it's non rush hour. Taxi fares are roughly $26 to $30 to the downtown core and private limousine service is $55 one-way, plus gratuity. All of these services accept credit cards, and all amounts are quoted in Canadian dollars. For all the transfer options from the Airport to Downtown visit this website:
www.yvr.ca/en/getting-to-from-yvr.aspx
Currency
Bank debit or credit cards are the most convenient means of getting cash at the many 24-hour-access automated banking machines. All our taxis accept credit cards. Vancouver is striving to be the greenest city in the world by 2020 and 60% of our taxis are hybrid cars. As in the U.S. and Europe these machines accept cards with Plus, Interact and Cirrus symbols and there is one on almost every block in downtown Vancouver. Many Canadian businesses accept U.S. currency and travellers cheques. International currency exchanges are available at the airport and at all the banks in the city. Major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express), are generally accepted by Canadian businesses. The U.S. dollar is currently valued at. $1.09 Canadian and many cabs and restaurants will accept US cash on par. Exchange rates vary daily.
Passports, Visas, Medial Insurance
Citizens and permanent residents require a passport.
Travelers are advised to stay informed of Canadian and U.S. passport regulations by visiting:
www.cic.gc.ca
US Travellers can visit this website for American Citizens entering Canada:
www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/canada-mexico-travel
Do you need Medical Insurance when you travel to Canada?
Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance. Check with your personal medical plan before leaving the U.S. or your home country to ensure you have adequate travelling insurance. It is advised that all people travelling outside their own country take out trip cancellation insurance, medical insurance and insurance to cover loss/damage to personal effects.
12 Reasons to Come to Vancouver
- The Vancouver Convention Centre is the AIPC 2 time winner for World's Best Convention Centre
- Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, bordered by mountains and ocean
- Vancouver was the city chosen to host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
- regularly ranked "the most livable city in the world and the only city in North America to make it to the top 5"
- blessed with a sheltered marine climate that is mild year-round
- "the most accessible city in the world" for travelers with disabilities
- one of the only cities in the world where you can ski, golf and sail all in the same day
- home to the 1,000-acre Stanley Park, one of the world's finest urban parks
- just 1-1/2 hours from Whistler/Blackcomb –North America's top rated ski destination
- a cultural crossroads that is located midway between Western Europe and the Asia Pacific region
- a food-lover's dream with more restaurants, a wider selection of ethnic cuisine and better prices than any comparably sized city in the world
- the launching point for excursions to wild Alaska, enchanting Victoria, BC's Okanagan wine country, and the stunning Canadian Rockies.
The official website for visitors to Vancouver:
www.tourismvancouver.com
Weather
June
High 19C/ 72 F