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Vancouver Travel Basics
Calling Codes
The area code in Vancouver is 604.
Virtually all telephone numbers in the Greater Vancouver area are local calls. To make a local call, just dial the seven-digit telephone number. To direct dial long-distance calls to other parts of Canada, to the United States, to Bermuda and to the Caribbean, dial 1, then the area code, then the seven-digit telephone number. To direct dial calls to other parts of the world, it usually is necessary to dial 011, then the country code, then the city routing code, then the local telephone number.
To get the operator, dial 0. For local directory assistance, dial 411 (a service charge applies). For directory assistance in other areas, dial 1, then the area code, then 555-1212 (a service charge applies).
Electricity
Canada, like the United States, uses 110-volt electric power. Flat, two-pin plugs are used. Adapters for European-style plugs are widely available from travel stores and at hotels, as are transformers for those appliances that do not have a 110-volt setting.
Emergency Contacts
Dial 911 for police, fire, and ambulance emergencies.
Ambulance: 604-872-5151
Fire: 604-665-6000
Police: 604-717-3535
Poison Control Center: 604-682-5050
Rape Crisis Center 24-hour hotline: 604-255-6344
Rape Relief 24-hour hotline: 604-872-8212
Vancouver Crisis Center (for persons in emotional distress) 24-hour hotline: 604-872-3311
Fax/Modem
Fax machine and data ports are readily available at hotels (in business centers and in many individual rooms), at office and desk-space rental services, and at secretarial services.
Local Language
Of Canada's two official languages (English and French), English is most widely spoken in Vancouver. But there are a variety of accents, reflecting the city's popularity with immigrants from around the world. The majority of immigrants come from China and India, so the dialects of Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, and Punjabi also are frequently used.
It is not uncommon to find multilingual staffs at bank s, shops, and other businesses.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day: January 1
Good Friday: Friday before Easter
Easter: Sunday in mid-March or early April
Easter Monday: Monday after Easter
Victoria Day: Monday preceding May 25
Canada Day: July 1
Civic Holiday: First Monday in August
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Thanksgiving: Second Monday in October
Remembrance Day: November 11
Christmas: December 25
Boxing Day: December 26
Time Zone
San Francisco lies in the Pacific Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus eight hours). During the spring and summer months, San Francisco, like all of California, observes Daylight Savings Time.
Travel Documents
Australia
Australian citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada.
France
French citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada.
Germany
German citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada.
Ireland
Irish citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada.
Japan
Japanese citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada.
United Kingdom
U.K. subjects must have a valid passport to enter Canada.
United States
U.S. citizens must have a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, or a valid passport to enter Canada.
What to Take
Unless you're attending business functions in Vancouver, dress is casual. Even some off ices have a relaxed dress code. Smart but casual is acceptable for dinner at most restaurants, but more expensive establishments usually attract a well-dressed clientele.
An umbrella is a must. While Vancouver's "wet coast" reputation often is exaggerated, the city does get rain frequently, and a spectacularly sunny day can turn into a damp one on short notice. Visitors shouldn't let this discourage them, though. Vancouverites do almost anything in the rain that they'd do in the sunshine.
Because the city is virtually surrounded by water, temperatures can be a bit unpredictable. Even on the warmest days of summer, it's advisable to carry a windbreaker or light jacket if going on a boat or into the mountains or if you're planning to be outside after dark.
Comfortable walking shoes make it easier to take the ups and downs of Vancouver's topography--and to step from city streets to sandy beaches to park paths without having to change.
When to Go
Vancouver boasts the mildest climate in Canada. With temperatures in the city seldom dropping below freezing, snowfall is usually confined to the nearby mountains, where it makes a picturesque backdrop and is great for winter sports. Surprises sometimes occur, but the temperature tends to remain in the comfort zone from March through October. The warmest and sunniest months of the year usually are July and August.
Festivals are held year-round in Vancouver. The celebration of Chinese New Year (the date varies between late January and mid-February) has spread from the city's large Chinese community throughout the general population, as has the Dragon Boat Festival (June). The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival (between late March and mid-April) is one of the biggest such events in North America. The Vancouver International Film Festival (late September to mid-October) has gained stature with the proliferation of feature film and television production in the area.
Other major festivals include the Vancouver International Children's Festival (May), the International Jazz Festival (late June to mid-July), Vancouver Folk Music Festival (mid-July), Vancouver International Comedy Festival (mid-July), Symphony of Fire international fireworks competition (late July to mid-August), Vancouver International Fringe Festival (September), and the Vancouver International Readers and Writers Festival (October). Another big draw is the Indy Vancouver auto race, which takes on streets around False Creek for the Labor Day weekend.
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