The two largest newspapers in BC are produced in Vancouver, the Vancouver Sun and the Vancouver Province. The two national newspapers, the Globe and Mail and the National Post, are also available. Popular radio stations include CBC Radio Two (FM 105.7) for classical music, NEWS 1130 (AM 1130) for news, The FOX (FM 99.3) for rock music, and QMFM (FM103.5) for easy-listening music. The most popular Canadian TV stations are CBC, CTV, Global, Bravo, CityTV, and, in BC, the Knowledge Network.

Georgia Straight, a weekly Vancouver tabloid, is available free at cafés, bars, bookshops, libraries, and street boxes. It is the best source to check the local music and art scene. For same-day savings on tickets to many events and performances, try Tickets Tonight at the Burrard St Tourist Info centre (For further details see Attractions Discounts).

The Canadian unit of currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents, and 1 and 2 dollars. Bank notes (bills) come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and $500. Plan to arrive with at least $100 in local currency and get change on arrival for tipping and transit (when traveling on buses you will need to pay the driver the exact fare in cash if you haven’t bought a ticket in advance).

In Canada, taxes are not included in the listed price unless specified, so when making a purchase add a further 12 percent for HST (Harmonized Sales Tax). An additional 2 percent MRDT (Municipal and Regional District Tax) may also be charged on accommodation.

Helpful information for planning your trip to Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler is available online.

Public telephones are often both coin- and card- operated. Local calls cost $0.50; directory assistance (411) is about $1. Most convenience stores sell phone cards. Within Greater Vancouver, you must prefix the local telephone number with area code 604. Long-distance calls in BC require either a 604 or 250 prefix. For a long-distance number in North America, dial the prefix 1 and then the area code. To dial abroad, dial 011 + country code + city code (dropping the first 0).

New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Family Day (BC, early Feb), Good Friday and Easter Monday (Mar or Apr), Victoria Day (usually 3rd Mon in May), Canada Day (Jul 1), BC Day (1st Mon in Aug), Labour Day (1st Mon in Sep), Thanksgiving (2nd Mon in Oct), Christmas Day (Dec 25), Boxing Day (Dec 26). Remembrance Day (Nov 11) is a holiday for banks and government offices.

Vancouver and Victoria work hard to make their attractions and services accessible but it is best to check ahead. In Vancouver, SeaBus and SkyTrain are accessible, and all SkyTrain stations have elevators. Lift and “kneeling” public transit buses for people with mobility aids operate on many routes in both cities (For further details see Buses & SeaBus).

In emergencies, your consulate may be of assistance.

The legal drinking age in BC is 19. Consuming alcoholic beverages in public spaces is not allowed.