A G U I D E T O

Vancouver

AVERAGE MONTHLY TEMPERATURE: VANCOUVER

VancouverWelcome to Vancouver. With its magnificent oceanfront setting and stunning mountain backdrop, this exciting city is nothing short of spectacular. A place where you can swim at the beach and explore one of three local mountains in the same day, where the cuisine is world-class and the nightlife dynamic – vibrant Vancouver is brimming with amazing experiences for every kind of traveller.

Population 2.5 million

Capital Burnaby

Currency Canadian Dollar

(CAD $)

Introducing

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

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CHINATOWN

DOWNTOWN

YALETOWN

WEST END

COAL HARBOURSTANLEYPARK

Official language English

Time zone GMT -7

Flight timeJohannesburg to LondonLondon to Vancouver

11h 10 mins 9h 30 mins

Interesting factsVancouver is also known as the “Hollywood of the North”. It’s the second most popular destination for TV production filming in North

America (after Los Angeles).

Vancouver’s cruise ship terminal is the 4th largest in the world, with most of the ships departing from the terminal headed to Alaska.

Canada’s longest pool, Kits Pool, is located in Kitsilano, Vancouver. It’s a whopping 137 meters long, which is almost 3 times as long as

an Olympic pool.

The magnificent Stanley Park is actually larger than New York’s Central Park. A great way to explore it is by bike, or a stroll along the famous

Seawall.

Vancouver is consistently voted as one of the world’s most liveable cities – with so much to

see, do and explore, it’s not hard to see why.

For those who love skiing, Vancouver boasts 3 mountains where you can ski. They include Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour and Cypress

Mountain.

COAL HARBOUR

Coal Harbour’s perfect position right next to the water’s edge makes it a great neighbourhood to stay in during your time in Vancouver. Explore the nearby Seawall, quaint neighbourhood cafés and restaurants, a pretty marina and even see the odd seal! Watch floatplanes landing and cyclists on their commute (or hop on a bike yourself), all with a spectacular mountainous landscape as a backdrop.

NeighbourhoodVancouvers eclectic

WEST END

The West End’s tree-lined boulevards, neighbourhood restaurants and independent shops combine to create one of Canada’s most thriving communities. Tucked up against the city’s downtown core, the West End is one of the easiest neighbourhoods to explore, getting a real taste of how Vancouverites live. The West End’s vibe is diverse, multicultural and as laidback as the neighbourhood’s waterfront location would imply.

DOWNTOWN CITY CENTRE

From the city’s oldest neighbourhood of Gastown to the bright lights of Granville Street and the historically international character of Robson Street, the city centre is a hub of activity and one of the best places to stay to explore all that Vancouver has to offer. With such close proximity to the city’s attractions, you can be shopping for souvenirs to remember your fabulous trip to Vancouver in the morning and catching a game of rugby or football at BC Place Stadium in the afternoon.

YALETOWN

Yaletown has become a popular residential neighbourhood, home to the city’s beautiful people and one of Vancouver’s hippest areas. Filled with sidewalk cafes, trendy restaurants, a thriving nightlife scene and intimate boutique hotels, it’s an excellent base for your Vancouver adventure. Stroll brick-lined streets, pick up lunch from a local café or head to the waterfront at David Lam Park and perhaps take part in a sunset yoga class.

VancouverA taste of

CULINARY SIGHTSEEING

Hop over the water to Granville Island for a fabulous foodie tour, where an experienced guide will usher you through the maze of food stalls at the bustling market with plenty of tasting stops along the way. Vancouver has also recently been named as the Craft Beer Capital of Canada, so be sure to sample some of the local brews.

A THRIVING DINING SCENE

Vancouver’s acclaimed chefs use the region’s best seasonal ingredients and combine them with traditional techniques and multicultural influences to create a delicious West Coast fusion cuisine. Pair it all with internationally acclaimed wines from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and local craft beers to get a unique taste of the city.

Vancouver is a haven for any foodie. Home to a thriving restaurant scene, award-winning breweries and cosy independent coffee shops, a wealth of tantalising options await, whatever

your budget or tastes.

Must-seesFive of Vancouver's

1. STANLEY PARK

Lush Stanley Park is the city’s beloved emerald heart with nearly 1,000 acres of evergreen forests, cricket pitches, rose gardens, totem poles and beaches. Stanley Park’s seawall (8.8km / 5.5 miles) is the perfect route to cycle or stroll and provides some of the city’s best sea-to-sky mountain views. In addition to resident raccoons, beavers and squirrels, the park is also home to more than 50,000 animals at the Vancouver Aquarium ranging from friendly sea otters to mesmerising jellyfish.

2. GRANVILLE ISLAND

Culinary adventurers gravitate toward this bustling culinary centre to sample artisan products and multicultural influences. At the island’s heart is

the bustling Granville Island Public Market, where exotic produce and gourmet ingredients are sold

alongside global dishes and local specialties. Sample your way through this Aladdin’s cave of

culinary treasures on a tasting tour, or wander the massive space on your own and pick up fixings

for an al fresco picnic.

Vancouver is a city like no other, effortlessly combining the buzz of a chic urban centre with the rejuvenating spirit of the great outdoors. Here are our top five must-sees.

3. NORTH SHORE

The North Shore is a lush suburb that beckons with outdoor adventure. Look down at the rushing river as you cross Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s swaying bridge and make time to enjoy the rainforest nature trails, totem pole collection, the Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk. Grouse Mountain offers the ultimate mountain-top playground; at the top, you’ll be greeted by jaw-dropping views and Grinder and Coola, the mountain’s resident rescued grizzly bears.

5. FLOATPLANE FLIGHTSEEING

British Columbia boasts the largest floatplane network in the world. For many, the thrill of a floatplane ride is a novelty in itself as they experience their first watery take-off and landing – but it’s the view from above that’s guaranteed to fill you with awe as you zoom over Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver, then find yourself gazing down on remote snowy mountain peaks.

4. CANADA PLACE AND VANCOUVER’S HARBOURFRONT

Canada Place is picture-perfect for photo-ops and a great place to relax and watch cruise ships glide into the city, and the floatplanes

taking off. At its tip is FlyOver Canada, a flight simulation ride that virtually soars across the country complete with wind, scents, mist and

sound. Stop at Jack Poole Plaza for a selfie with the 2010 Olympic Cauldron. Made of steel

and glass, the cauldron is a legacy of hosting this international sporting event.

SPRING AND FALL

Spring in Vancouver is a sight to behold. With the milder weather, the city turns a lush green and the trees explode into colour. Watch the vivid cherry blossoms bloom throughout the city’s streets and parks, enjoy watersports along the waterfront and shop the local markets for some seasonal specialities. In the fall, Vancouver’s temperate climate lends itself to relaxed walks amidst the lustrous fall foliage and to exploration of some of Vancouver’s top galleries and museums.

SUMMER

Summertime in Vancouver brings warm sunshine, cool ocean breezes and a wide array of outdoor activities and cultural festivals. Soak up the sun on one of the city’s glorious sandy beaches, go on an exhilarating water adventure, stroll or bike along the Stanley Park seawall or head to Grouse Mountain to explore the stunning natural surroundings and seasonal activities.

WINTER

It’s no surprise that Vancouver is consistently voted one of the world’s most liveable cities. Few places allow you to explore in the morning, shop after lunch, ski or board the local peaks at dusk, then come back down again to dine and dance the night away in one of the city’s hippest nightlife districts.

For all seasonsA destination

One-way ticket on local public transport

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park admission

Three course meal for two with wine

$100 $2.95 $53.95

IDR 50,000Cappuccino in a local café 1 Litre of petrol

$4.50 $1.50

Spending Money

As of May 2020, R13,26 = $1 CAD

Wondering how much spending money you’ll need during your time in Vancouver? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the cost of some of the things you might be buying whilst you’re there!

Best beachesFive of the

SPANISH BANKS

The least crowded of Vancouver's beaches, this stretch of sand is named to commemorate

its discovery by Spanish explorers in 1792. Located right by the University of British

Columbia, it’s a wonderful retreat for those who wish to escape from the pace of city life. It’s the

perfect place for skimboarding once you learn the optimal tidal conditions.

Which way to the beach? Well, in Vancouver, you can find one everywhere you turn. Here are some of the city’s best beaches.

KITSILANO BEACH

At Vancouver’s version of Venice Beach, you’ll find that the tennis courts are always popular and sand that attracts volleyball players from all over the city. The adjacent Kitsilano Pool offers the chance to swim laps in the city’s only outdoor, heated, saltwater pool, all with a wrap-around view of the city, ocean and mountains.

JERICHO BEACH

When all the elements are right, fishing and a picnic at the Jericho Beach pier makes

for a perfect evening. Enjoy the long, sandy stretch with stunning views of the North Shore

Mountains and the downtown core. It's also a great spot for sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking

and beach volleyball.

WEST END BEACHES

No more than a 30-minute walk from the downtown core, you’ll find two beautiful urban waterfronts - English Bay and Sunset Beach. Relish in rollerblading adventures, yummy ice cream and picnics. Kids will love English Bay’s floating slide and parents will appreciate the full-time lifeguard.

STANLEY PARK BEACHES

A quick stroll into Stanley Park from English Bay, Second Beach is also home to an immense,

heated outdoor pool, complete with a slide for the kids. Further north along the seawall lies secluded Third Beach. Locals tote grills and

coolers to this spot, a popular place for summer evening barbecues and sunset watching.

TC Recommended

To sum Vancouver up, think glamorous city chic meets the outdoor adventure enthusiast and you might have an idea of how active, yet uber-cool, the city really is. With activities including paddleboarding, kayaking, taking a trip

up Grouse Mountain by cable car for a spot of skiing or spending the afternoon cycling around Stanley Park, there is something to suit all tastes.

Roger, Travel Counsellor

Stanley Park is a day on its own. The amazing totems, relaxing parkland and wonderful aquarium make this a

hit with the whole family. If we had more time, we would have hired bikes for a couple of hours. It is also great fun

just sitting watching the seaplanes take off and land.

Joanne,Travel Counsellor

Fill your itinerary with Vancouver’s fascinating hidden gems for a unique getaway. Sip delicious cappuccinos

at Cardero Bottega, a popular coffee house with the locals or taste craft beers at The Boxcar. A must for

families is Town ‘n’ Country Bowl on Marine Drive which features old school bowling alleys

Jim, Travel Counsellor

Our Travel Counsellors create your holidays based on years of travel industry knowledge and first-hand experiences. Here’s what our TCs thought of Vancouver.

Best of the WestReady to see all that Vancouver has to offer? On the fabulous ‘Best of the West’ self-drive tour,

you can explore Vancouver and so much more…

Day 5: Jasper – Wells Gray ParkToday’s drive to Wells Gray Provincial Park takes you along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and presents breath-taking vistas of the North Thompson River.

Day 8: Whistler – ParksvilleDepart Whistler along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay, where you’ll board a scenic ferry cruise to Vancouver Island.

Day 2: BanffToday is all about exploring Banff. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Banff Gondola, then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.

Day 1: Calgary – BanffLand at Calgary Airport, collect your car and drive to Banff.

Day 7: WhistlerSpend your free time enjoying some of Whistler’s endless attractions; enjoy mountain top dining or just relaxing in some of the village’s fine cafés and restaurants. A Peak2Peak gondola ride is included.

Day 4: JasperEnjoy a full day exploring the charming mountain village of Jasper. Take a gondola ride to Jasper’s alpine tundra for stunning views, relish a gentle raft ride down the Athabasca River or simply stroll around the pretty village

Day 6: Clearwater – WhistlerTravel via 100 Mile House to the gold rush town of Cache Creek. Stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch. Continue south to Lillooet and along the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler.Day 3: Banff – Jasper

Drive to see the beautiful Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. From Lake Louise, your scenic drive continues along the Icefield Parkway. If you’re travelling between May and mid-October, stop at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the glacier. Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, have your camera ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to arriving in Jasper.

Itineraries:

Day 13: VancouverA free day to explore Vancouver. Shop on chic Robson Street or explore the funky Granville Island with its market and artists enclave. Visit the city’s vast array of museums. Walk or cycle around the 1,000-acre Stanley Park or stop by the quaint, atmospheric Gastown. Discover the surrounding peaks of the Coastal Mountains or go whale watching on the Pacific Ocean. The city’s dining and nightlife offering is vast and varied, leaving you spoilt for choice.

Day 14: Vancouver departureYour tour ends with the check out of your hotel and the return of your car to the airport rental office. But it doesn’t have to be that way; you could decide to stay a while longer to explore the rest of Vancouver, or take a cruise to Alaska…

Day 11: Victoria – VancouverLeave Victoria and drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a ferry cruise across the Strait of Georgia to Tsawwassen, then drive on to Vancouver.

Day 10: Victoria and Butchart GardensYou’re free to explore Victoria today, with its turn-of-the-century architecture, British traditions such as high tea, and shops full of woollens and china.

Day 12: VancouverToday is all about discovering Vancouver, consistently voted one of the world’s most liveable cities. Spend time exploring temperate rainforest at the Capilano Suspension Bridge and learn all about salmon at the fish hatchery. Continue to Grouse Mountain where you’ll take the Skyride to the Peak of Vancouver with breath-taking views over the Lower Mainland and Coast Mountain Range.

Day 9: Parksville – VictoriaStop at the artist community of Chemainus before continuing to Duncan on Cowichan Bay, famous for its totem poles, then on to Victoria.

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