When to go to Vancouver
In April the snow has stopped and until October the city's climate is very pleasant: not too hot, but not too cold. This is the perfect time to enjoy staying in some of the best Vancouver Apartments at britishcolumbiahotels.net as you explore what the city has to offer. During the winter, from November to March, despite the low temperatures, there are also a thousand attractions to enjoy in Vancouver - and it's worth remembering that the region is the least cold in all of Canada, with temperatures that rarely exceed minus zero degrees. When planning for your wintertime visit, don't forget to Book Top Rated Hotels in Vancouver at tophotels.com. No matter the season, Vancouver promises a memorable stay.
Required documents
A visa is compulsory. If you have a tourist visa for the United States, or have visited Canada in the last 10 years, you can apply for an ETA (electronic travel authorisation), a virtual document that is valid as a visa for up to 5 years. The tourist visa period is 24 weeks (almost 6 months). For those who don't fall into the above category, it is necessary to organise and gather all the documents and forms requested by the government, fill them out, pay the CAD$100 fee and submit the application, which can be done either online or in person at a CVAC (Canadian Visa Application Centre). In addition, biometrics have been mandatory since 2018 and must be registered at a visa centre available in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Porto Alegre and Recife, for CAD$ 85 per person.
What to do in Vancouver
Among the 10 most liveable cities in the world according to The Economist (thanks to the amount of greenery Vancouver retains), this province of British Columbia has a thousand attractions in store for you. Come and see the best ones:
Stanley Park
Canada's largest urban park, covering more than 400 hectares, is everything you've read and more. Its cycle paths are almost all surrounded by the sea, the sound of birds is constant, and with each new route you discover something new or another special spot to relax under its more than half a million trees. The best option is to hire a bike from one of the shops available at the Stanley entrance and enjoy the vibe of the ride. For those who want something quieter, it's also possible to take a picnic and gather friends for a pleasant afternoon. If you get hungry, there are three restaurants inside (apart from the stalls dotted around). The Tea House, which offers snacks and salads in a charming setting with a privileged view of the ocean, The Fish House, as the name suggests, a great option for those who like seafood, and The Waterfall Café, which has the most varied menu and is right next to the aquarium.
Vancouver Aquarium
Taking advantage of the park and its nature reserve, there's also the Vancouver Aquarium to visit. There are more than 70,000 animals, some of them rescued from dangerous situations and cared for today by volunteer activists. The biggest and most popular attractions are the jellyfish, the white whale, dolphins, sea lions and much more. There's also a tropical garden with butterflies and an area entirely dedicated to the Amazon.
In time: don't miss the cinema with a film about the most varied marine species in 4D - it's already included in the ticket price, which starts at CAD$30. CAD$ 30.
English Bay
Still close to the park is the city's most famous stretch of urban sand, English Bay. The beach, which in winter is covered in snow, in summer gives way to a large green lawn, log benches and lots of people watching the spectacular sunset reflected in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Almost every evening, street performers switch on their instruments and entertain tourists and locals with a calm, late-afternoon vibe. There are also memorable fireworks displays on public holidays.
In time: remember that in summer the sunset starts later, at around 9pm.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
This park is a must-see if you're passing through Vancouver. As well as enjoying the tropical forest and walking through its trees, it also makes for beautiful photos. The main bridge is 70 metres above the Capilano River and is 140 metres long. There are 7 more suspension bridges30 metres above the ground, which are scattered throughout the forest, and the Cliffwalk, a path that takes you through the vegetation on a series of suspended walkways. Entry costs from CAD$16. As for access, there is a free shuttle bus that leaves and returns to Canada Place.
Tip: to get even better shots, go in the morning, close to opening time (9am), so the bridge isn't so busy and the number of people getting in the way of your photo is minimal.
Science World
It's one of Vancouver's postcards because of its large round shape seen from various angles of the city - it's a programme especially recommended for children. Its science museum offers a range of interactive activities for visitors, with experiments that test science and sometimes even the mind, such as a room dedicated to puzzles and illusion games and the famous plasma ball to make your hair stand on end. In addition to the permanent attractions, the museum constantly innovates its programme with art exhibitions and screenings of plays and films. Tickets start at CAD$18. If you still have some time, take a bike ride around the cosy neighbourhood of False Creek.
Canada Place
Located in the heart of the city, Canada Place, as well as being a key meeting point in Vancouver, is also a privileged spot due to its modern architecture in the shape of a giant ship, infrastructure with chic restaurants such as Five Sails and Oceans 999, both located inside the Pan Pacific hotel, and a beautiful view of the city's sea (where the big ships dock). Keep an eye on the programme, there are never-ending events: between July and August there are open-air film screenings and free Zumba classes.
Tip: it's also the best place to celebrate Canada Day, on 1 July, and, during December, its entire length is lit up with Christmas lights.
Fly Over
After taking a stroll around Canada Place, still in the harbour, there's nothing like a relaxing and thrilling ride through the Canada's skies - but but in a different way. The Fly Over experience is nothing less than a virtual reality flight in a kind of 4D cinemacinema, through the country's most beautiful landscapes. Waterfalls, rivers, seas, forests and much more, on board a floating chair that sprays water, wind and characteristic smells. Prices from CAD$29.
BC Place Stadium
For sports fansin general, a visit to BC Place is a must. The home of the Vancouver Whitecaps football team is considered the largest in the country, and is also the largest stadium in the world with a retractable, inflatable roof. Its infrastructure is impeccable, and if you can't catch a game, it's worth a guided tour to see the facility and the mini sports museum inside. And it's not just for football matches that you can visit the venue: it also hosts basketball games, hockey matches and the biggest music concerts in Vancouver.
Vancouver Public Library
Vancouver Canada: this public library is sure not to go unnoticed while you're walking through the streets of the Centre. Not only does it charm with its architecture inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, but it is also considered one of the largest libraries in the world, with its 9-storey structure and gigantic collection. Inside, the large windows provide ideal light and a different perspective of Vancouver. Even if you're not a big fan of books, it's worth a visit and maybe even popping in for a coffee on the ground floor.
The Granville Island Public Market
As well as being a tourist attraction, this tip also fits in very well with the area's delicious restaurants. This public market is a true sensory experience of flavours and colours, where you'll find a huge variety of vegetables, fruit, cheeses, sweets and many local delicacies - as well as snacking at each stall. Outside the shed there are shops and a space to sit and watch the street artists perform their magic shows.
Robson Street
In the heart of Vancouver's city centre is the trendy and versatile Robson Street. It's not only home to great restaurants such as Cin Cin, a sophisticated and delicious break for good Italian food, but it's also the ideal spot for shopping. You'll find the biggest and most reputable Sephora shops, New Balance, Victoria's Secret and all the brand names we love.
Grouse Mountain
North of Vancouver, there's fun to be had all year round.In summer, the snow melts and gives way to sunshine and greenery. Those who want to can take the gondola up the mountain and enjoy panoramic views of the city, but the main experience at this time of year is the Grouse Grind, a steep, winding trail that takes about two hours to reach the top of Grouse Mountain. In winter, the site becomes a winter centre in the middle of the city. To get to the top, you need to take the gondola to the ski resort. Further up is the Eye of the Windthe first and only wind turbine that allows you to stand on a glass floor at the top of the mountain and see Vancouver from above with a 360° view. 360° view (open between May and October, when it doesn't produce energy).
Day trips from Vancouver
Two hours from Vancouver, Whistleris considered a favourite day trip destination from Vancouver. There are two large mountains with a cosy alpine village, where the highlights include the ski and snowboarding resort, golf courses, cold-weather shopping malls with shops such as North Face and Patagonia and lots of souvenirs (the Bear Necessities theme is worth a visit), restaurants and bars galore such as the Italian Trattoria di Umberto and spas. In winter, the mountains become the largest winter ski resort in the country, with the steepest descent in North America. In the summer, the city is the place to enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains, hiking and nature trails. Whatever the time of year, don't miss the Peak 2 Peak, a cable car more than 2,000 metres above the ground where you can admire the immensity of nature, the streams, glaciers and forests, forming a green carpet beneath your feet, through the glass windows or the transparent opening in the floor (available on the silver-coloured trams). From CAD$ 51.
If you want to extend your trip and spend the night in the mountains, opt for the Nita Lake Lodge (rates from CAD$ 299), which has a rustic-chic feel in its décor and rooms, equipped with a bathtub and fireplace and overlooking the lake, just 500 metres from the Whistler cable car.
Victoria
Thecapital of the Canadian province of British Columbia, Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. To get there from Vancouver you need to take a modern, fully-equipped ferry for about an hour. In the city, there is a parliament, with a monumental structure and a lawn where you can lie back and enjoy the weather. But the real attraction is 40 minutes from the centre, at Butchart Gardens, a beautiful field of flowers that you've probably seen pictures of. The gardens are open to visitors all year round and offer a beautiful visual experience: there are more than 900 varieties of flowers and well-kept trees that sometimes don't even look real - apart from the delicious smell of the plantations. Tickets start at CAD$14.
VANCOUVER CANADA
Where to eat in Vancouver
Tim Hortons
Vancouver Canada: this coffee shop is a Canadian classic and a source of national pride. It's perfect for breakfast, afternoon coffee or even brunch. All the drinks, both iced and hot, are marvellous, and the bagels are a great choice when you don't want to risk it.
Frenchies
If there is a typical Canadian food, poutine is certainly it, and you can't go to Canada and not try it. The dish consists of a mixture of fried potatoes with sauces, cheeses and meats of your choice, guaranteeing a complete and very tasty meal.
Japadog
If you're in Vancouver, you can't miss this local delicacy: japadog. It's nothing more than an American movie hot dog, made in a trailer near the Waterfront station and with some unusual flavours - like one served with seaweed.
Tea House Stanley Park
With a privileged view of Stanley Park and the ocean, this restaurant is the ideal option for a more chic and romantic lunch or dinner accompanied by a good wine. The restaurant's flagship dish is the mushroom stuffed with prawns and cream cheese.
Where to stay in Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (from CAD$ 367)
A 5-minute walk from Canada Place, in the centre of the city, this is one of Vancouver's most respected and well-known hotels, with a beautiful infrastructure: modern glass-fronted architecture, rooftop pool, hydro bath in the spacious and superbly equipped rooms, gym, spa, fire pit for the cold and everything that five-star hotels offer in the best scheme of things. Among its three bars and restaurants, the highlight is the Botanist, which offers a seasonal menu inspired by botany and with sustainable and healthy principles.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia (from CAD$ 289)
At the foot of the city's main shopping street, Robson Street, you'll find the Rosewood. Its wooden architecture brings a luxurious atmosphere to the lounge while its rooms with huge windows provide natural light and breathtaking views of Vancouver. The indoor swimming pool stands out for being salt water.
The Canada House (room rates from CAD$143)
To feel like a true Canadian, this hotel is the ideal option. Its building resembles the houses in the area and the decor is Victorian, sophisticated and all designed for comfort and a cosy family feel. In addition, it is located 2 kilometres from Stanley Park and a few minutes from the city's main tourist attractions and restaurants. To make you feel even more at home, snacks, juices, coffees and teas are available throughout the day at reception and in the kitchen (which is open to guests).
Budget Inn Patricia Hotel (from CAD$ 55)
A more affordable option, this hotel is located next to the trendy Chinatown area and keeps things simple and organised in its spacious, well-lit rooms. Also on the premises is Pat's Pub & Brewhouse, with vintage décor and serving craft beers made in-house and snacks for a good happy hour.