Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/810732
46 visitvancouver@tourismvancouver.com Navigator Essential information for travellers TRAVELLING WITH SPECIAL NEEDS > Planat: planat.com An innovation of the Rick Hansen Foundation, Planat celebrates and encourages accessibility by providing detailed information and documenting the accessibility of venues and spaces around the world. > Spinal Cord Injury BC: 604.324.3611, sci-bc.ca Search online for suppliers of attendant care services; medical supplies; equipment purchase, rental and repairs; and recreational opportunities. > Government of Canada: accesstotravel.gc.ca Get information on accessible transportation and travel across Canada. > Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 888.736.7391, TTY 604.736.2527 or 778.329.0784, widhh.ca Interpreter services 24-hour message-relay centre. > The Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation: 604.688.6464, disabilityfoundation.org Find disabled sailing and other recreational opportunities. > Canadian National Institute for the Blind: 604.431.2121, cnib.ca Also, see accessibility rating information throughout the business listings beginning on page 53. CUSTOMS & BORDER CROSSING INFO > Canada Customs Entry Regulations Citizens or permanent residents of the United States require a U.S. passport to enter Canada. Proof of residence, such as a driver's licence, should also be carried. However, this is not accepted as proof of citizenship. Visit cbsa-asfc.gc.ca for details. All international visitors must be in possession of a valid national passport and, in some cases, a visa (check with your local Canadian consulate or embassy). > Returning or Travelling to the United States U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to have a passport at all entry points if entering the U.S. Find up-to-date information at dhs.gov and travel.state.gov. Each visitor over the age of 19 may import to Canada, duty-free: 1.14 litres (40 oz.) of liquor or wine or 8.5 litres (288 oz. or 24 bottles) of beer and 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 200 grams (7 oz.) of manufactured tobacco. Revolvers, pistols and fully automatic firearms are prohibited in Canada. For more information, contact: > Canadian Border Service Agency: 800.461.9999 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Outside Canada: 204.983.3500 cbsa-asfc.gc.ca > Immigration Canada: 888.242.2100 (24-hour recording; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to speak to a call-centre agent), cic.gc.ca > Make Sure You're Fully Insured Travellers are advised to get personal health, luggage or other travel insurance, purchased through local automobile associations, travel agencies and insurance companies. TRAVELLING WITH PETS All pets coming to Canada must be accompanied by their owners. Each pet must have a certificate from a licensed American or Canadian veterinarian clearly stating that it has been vaccinated against rabies in the previous 36 months; otherwise the pet will not be let into Canada. inspection.gc.ca TRAVELLING BY CAR > Driving in B.C. Tourists with a valid licence can drive in B.C. for up to 6 months from another province, state or country, or up to 12 months if they also hold an International Driver's Permit issued outside of Canada. > Driver Services Centre Royal Centre Suite 221–1055 W. Georgia, Vancouver, B.C. 800.950.1498, icbc.com > B.C. Buckles Up The use of safety belts, child safety seats, bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets is mandatory in British Columbia. > Bank Machines/Credit Cards Most bank machines in Metro Vancouver offer service on the Plus, Cirrus and Interac networks. They also generally accept credit card withdrawals. If you use your credit card to get cash from an ATM, the currency exchange is automatically done for you at the rate your credit card company offers. Vancouver welcomes all major credit cards. > Tipping Tips or service charges are not often added to a restaurant bill in Canada. Tipping your server at a bar, restaurant, nightclub or pub is standard practice. A tip of 15 to 20 per cent of the pre-tax amount is suggested. Porters at airports, railway stations and hotels are generally given $1 to $2 per bag. > Taxes A federal goods and services tax (GST) of five per cent applies to most purchased goods and services. In addition, a provincial sales tax (PST) of seven per cent is applicable to most retail purchases except liquor, which is taxed at 10 per cent. FREQUENTLY USED NUMBERS • Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre Message Centre: leave a message at 604.683.2000 or email visitvancouver@tourismvancouver.com • Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911 • City of Vancouver Inquiries: 311 • Non-Emergency Police: 604.717.3321 (24 hrs.) • Public Transit: 604.953.3333 (Mon. to Sat., 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.), translink.ca • BC Ferries: 250.386.3431 (recorded information), 888.223.3779 (in B.C.), bcferries.com • BC Parks: 604.924.2200, www.bc.ca/bcparks • Weather Report: 604.664.9010 • Road Report: 800.550.4997, drivebc.ca • Canada Customs: 800.461.9999 (in Canada), 204.983.3500 (outside Canada), cbsa-asfc.gc.ca • Environment and Climate Change Canada: 604.582.5200, ec.gc.ca • Fisheries & Oceans Canada: 604.666.2828, pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca • Discover Camping: 604.689.9025 (within Lower Mainland), 800.689.9025 (outside Lower Mainland), discovercamping.ca • Ski Information: cypressmountain.com, grousemountain.com, whistlerblackcomb.com