Exploring Vancouver: Travel Tips And Insights

Vancouver is a young city, incorporated in 1886, with a diverse multicultural identity. It has a vibrant Indigenous culture, a fondness for health-conscious eating, and a breathtaking backdrop of mountains and beaches. It's also known for its high fashion and excellent shopping, dining, and nightlife scenes. Vancouver is safe city, but crimes of opportunity do occur, so it's important to keep an eye on your belongings. The best way to get around Vancouver is on foot, by bike, or via public transportation, as the city is compact and easy to navigate. The official languages are English and French, but you'll also hear Chinese, Punjabi, German, Italian, Tagalog, and Spanish. The currency is the Canadian dollar, and it's important to be mindful of the exchange rate when visiting from the US.

Vancouver is compact and walkable

Vancouver is a very walkable city with a compact downtown core. It is easy to get around by foot, and you will likely find that many of the places you want to go are just a short walk from your hotel. The city is tiny, flat, and difficult to park in, so you won't need a car. In fact, you can walk from one extreme corner of downtown Vancouver to the other in about 45 minutes, and nothing in the middle of downtown will be more than a 20-minute walk away.

Vancouver's neighbourhoods each have their own unique character and are well worth exploring on foot. The West End, for example, is a popular area for visitors to stay, with convenient access to the rest of the city. Other notable and walkable neighbourhoods include Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Gastown, and Robson Street.

Gastown, Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood, is a great place to experience the city's historic charm and independent spirit. The district is known for its Victorian architecture, fashion scene, décor boutiques, art galleries, and culinary offerings. Meanwhile, Robson Street is one of Vancouver's oldest commercial streets, offering a mix of shopping, dining, and attractions such as BC Place Stadium and Stanley Park.

Stanley Park, located at the northwestern edge of downtown Vancouver, is one of the city's top tourist destinations, attracting approximately 8 million visitors annually. The 400-hectare park features beaches, paved and dirt trails, and kid-friendly spots, including a pool, water park, and miniature railway. It is recognised as one of the greatest urban parks in the world.

In addition to its walkability, Vancouver also offers a well-connected public transit system, making it even easier to get around without a car. The SkyTrain, for instance, provides a quick and convenient way to get into the city centre from the airport.

It rarely pours with rain

Although Vancouver has a reputation for rain, it rarely pours with rain. In fact, from June through September, it's one of the driest cities in Canada.

The city does experience frequent rain during the other months, but it rarely rains so hard that you can't still go outside and enjoy the outdoors. A good drizzle can even add to the rainforest ambiance. Vancouver's wettest months are November and December, with an average precipitation of 182mm. However, even during these months, the rain is unlikely to pour heavily.

The city's moderate and oceanic climate is protected by mountains and warmed by Pacific Ocean currents, making Vancouver one of Canada's warmest cities. So, while you may need to pack an umbrella or a rain jacket, you can rest assured that the rain won't put a damper on your outdoor plans.

It's worth noting that Vancouver recently experienced a heat warning, with elevated temperatures posing a moderate risk to public health. This is an unusual occurrence, as the city is typically known for its mild and pleasant weather.

It's safe, but keep an eye on your stuff

Vancouver is a very safe city for tourists to visit, with a very low crime rate and no risk of natural disasters. However, it is important to take some basic precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. While violent crimes are rare, petty crimes such as pickpocketing do occur, particularly in crowded areas like public transit stations and tourist attractions. To avoid falling victim to pickpockets, it is recommended to keep your bag in your line of sight at all times by carrying it in front of you, rather than on your back.

Vancouver is a great destination for solo travellers, including women. Common sense precautions, such as sticking to well-lit and busy areas after dark, will greatly reduce the already low risk of encountering any problems. Female solo travellers will be pleased to know that Canada is highly ranked on the Bounce Women Travel Safety Index, meaning that it is a very safe country for women to explore by themselves. While there is nothing that makes Vancouver specifically dangerous for women, it is always a good idea to take the same basic precautions that you would at home.

In addition to pickpocketing, another common issue in Vancouver is property crime, particularly theft from vehicles. Tourists are advised never to leave anything visible inside their vehicles, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and to always lock all windows and doors. Homelessness and drug addiction are also prevalent issues in the city, particularly in the Downtown Eastside area. While it is unlikely that tourists will be harmed by these individuals, it is recommended to avoid this area at night due to the presence of homeless people, prostitution, and drug addicts, which can be an unpleasant sight.

Overall, Vancouver is a very safe city to visit, but it is always important to be vigilant and take basic precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your trip to Vancouver is enjoyable and problem-free.

It's a foodie haven

Vancouver is a food-lover's paradise, with a diverse range of culinary delights to offer. The city's food scene is so renowned that it has been named one of the best food cities in the world by Food and Wine magazine and Condé Nast Traveler. As you walk through the streets of Vancouver, you'll sense the local appreciation for great dining. From food trucks to fine dining, there's something to tantalise every taste bud.

Seafood Delights

Being a city on the Pacific Coast, Vancouver offers an abundance of fresh seafood. From salmon to sea urchins, you can expect to indulge in locally sourced marine delights. The Spot Prawn Festival, for example, celebrates this local delicacy with a variety of mouth-watering dishes prepared using spot prawns, which are harvested for only a short period each spring.

Ethnic Foods Galore

Vancouver is a melting pot of cultural influences, and this is reflected in its cuisine. The city boasts ethnic foods from various cultures, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and more. Whether you're craving pork buns, Japanese hot dogs, modern Asian fusion, or a cosy night of Korean barbecue with friends, Vancouver has you covered.

Food Trucks and Craft Beers

With over 100 food trucks, Vancouver has an unrivalled food truck scene in Canada. You can easily find a variety of delicious options, from fresh juices to fish tacos, using the Street Food App. And what goes better with food trucks than craft beer? Vancouver has emerged as a global player in the craft brewing scene, with more than 50 breweries in the city and surrounding areas. Local ingredients, such as hops, barley, raspberries, and honey, are artfully incorporated into an extensive range of beers.

Dining Districts and Tours

If you're unsure where to start your culinary journey, Vancouver's dining districts, such as Gastown, Main Street, and Alexandra Road, offer a plethora of options. Additionally, Vancouver Foodie Tours provide an excellent opportunity to sample a variety of restaurants and dishes, with charming local guides leading you through the city's vibrant food culture.

Notable Restaurants

While a comprehensive list of Vancouver's great restaurants would be never-ending, here are a few standouts:

• Vij's - Mouthwatering Indian cuisine by celebrity chef Vikram Vij.
• AnnaLena - Small menu featuring oysters, scallops, ducks, and a unique dessert of chocolate-covered fried chicken skin.
• The Acorn - Creatively upscale vegetarian menu with spirit-forward cocktails and a robust beer and wine selection.
• Wildebeest - Simple cooking with a focus on meat, featuring dishes like pork cheek risotto and bone-in heritage Angus ribeye.
• Tojo's - Award-winning sushi restaurant credited with creating the California roll.
• Hawksworth Restaurant - Consistently named one of the best restaurants in the country, serving contemporary Canadian fine dining.
• Chambar - A Belgian restaurant led by three-star Michelin-trained chef Nico Schuermans, offering classic dishes like mussels, steak, and braised lamb shank while maintaining carbon neutrality.

So, whether you're a seafood lover, a craft beer enthusiast, or a culinary explorer, Vancouver is a foodie haven that will satisfy all your cravings and leave you wanting more.

It's easy to get to and around

Vancouver is easy to get to and get around, whether you're travelling by foot, bike, car or public transport.

If you're planning on walking, you'll be pleased to know that Vancouver is a compact and mostly flat city. It takes just 40 minutes to walk from one extreme corner of downtown to the other, and all the neighbourhoods are within biking distance.

If you're thinking of driving, be aware that Vancouver is rainy from October to May, and that it's difficult and expensive to park in the city.

However, if you'd prefer to use public transport, you'll be glad to know that Vancouver has a variety of accessible options. All TransLink buses, community shuttles, rapid transit, SeaBus, and West Coast Express trains are fully accessible to people of all abilities. The SkyTrain is a quick and handy way to get to the centre of Vancouver from the airport, and it's sometimes faster and cheaper than a taxi.

Vancouver also has a paratransit system, which offers a variety of programs and services to ensure everyone is confident using public transit. For example, the CNIB ID Compass Card entitles legally blind CNIB clients to travel on transit for no fare.

Frequently asked questions