Don’ts of Vancouver: Vancouver Tips for Travelers
Greetings from Vancouver, British Columbia! For outdoor lovers, Vancouver is a dream destination. There is kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, whale watching, hiking, biking and so much more! Today, we’re sharing our best Vancouver tips: the “don’ts” of visiting Vancouver.
Vancouver Tip #1 Don’t Think Vancouver is Only Outdoor Attractions
The vast majority of things to do in Vancouver are outdoor-related, but there are also some really cool museums in Vancouver. The Museum of Anthropology has an amazing collection of totem poles and relics from First Nations tribes, and from all over the world. We also recommend the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Museum, and the Maritime Museum. You can also go to Canada Place to see the Olympic Torch, or go to Gastown and see the steam clock.
Vancouver Tip #2 Don’t Skip the Asian Food in Vancouver
The Asian cuisine in Vancouver is amazing, and authentic. You can get sushi with black rice, or Chinese food, Thai food, and Indian food. Most of these restaurants are small mom-and-pop places, so in addition to being authentic and tasty, they are also usually pretty affordable.
Vancouver Tip #3 Don’t Skip Happy Hour
For great food and drink specials, don’t miss happy hour in Vancouver. As a tourist, it’s easy to take advantage of happy hour specials to save some money while visiting Vancouver. It’s also a great way to sample some local beers and foods, like poutine.
Read: What to Know Before You Visit Canada for the First Time
Vancouver Tip #4 Don’t Freak Out About Prices
Remember, you’re not buying an apartment! Housing prices are very high in Vancouver, but other prices are comparable to other large cities in the U.S. and Europe. It’s not a budget travel destination, but it’s not something that should keep travelers from coming to Vancouver.
Vancouver Tip #5 Don’t Be Afraid to Rent an Apartment Instead of a Hotel
Hotels in Vancouver can be expensive, with limited availability, but there are tons of other Vancouver accommodation options. With Airbnb, or VRBO, vacation rentals are easy to find, and often more affordable than a hotel. And added bonus of renting a home is getting to experience the neighborhoods of Vancouver.
Vancouver Tip #6 Don’t Wear Your Shoes in the House
Whether in an apartment rental, or a local Vancouver resident’s home, shoes are not worn indoors in Vancouver. This goes for pretty much all of Canada; it’s custom to remove shoes when entering someone’s home.
Vancouver Tip #7 Don’t Be Cheap When it Comes to Sightseeing
If you have a choice, don’t skimp on the cost of excursions. Whether it’s whale watching, a harbor cruise or a seaplane excursion, splurge for the best tour you can afford. The whale watching tours are so great, they guarantee a sighting, or you get to return for free. Excursions in Vancouver aren’t cheap, but they are worth it.
Read: The Differences Between Quebec & France
Vancouver Tip #8 Don’t Forget Sunblock and Extra Clothing Layers for Whale Watching
It’s not always rainy in Vancouver! If you have a sunny day for whale watching, don’t forget the sunblock. It can also be pretty chilly out on the water, so make sure to bring some layers to stay warm. Some boat tours may provide blankets or coats, but it’s always best to be prepared.
Vancouver Tip #9 Don’t Forget a Rain Jacket and/or Umbrella
It rains about 170 days per year in Vancouver, so always expect rain. There are some months better than others, but it’s always a good idea to bring a rain jacket. The jacket will also come in handy when temps drop, which also happens in Vancouver.
Vancouver Tip #10 Don’t Expect Snow in Vancouver
It doesn’t really snow in Vancouver because it’s rarely cold enough. In general, winter in Vancouver just brings rain and clouds. The beauty of Vancouver is that you can take a short drive to the mountains and have all the snow you want, up to four meters in places. But don’t expect to find snow in the city of Vancouver.
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Vancouver Tip #11 Don’t Go to Downtown Eastside
There are a few areas that tourists in Vancouver should avoid. The downtown Eastside area is one of them. There’s a large population of homeless people and drug problems in this area. There are also a lot of police, so it might not be dangerous, but there are just many other better areas of Vancouver to explore, like Granville Island, Stanley Park or Gastown.
Read: What Not to Do in Peru
Vancouver Tip #12 Don’t Ride a Bike the Wrong Way in Stanley Park
Cycling in Stanley Park is one of the best things to do in Vancouver. However, it’s important to follow the direction of traffic and the arrows on the path. Even if it’s not crowded, to avoid any accidents or unpleasant confrontations, it’s best to stick to the rules.
Vancouver Tip #13 Don’t Try to the Grouse Grind Hike if You Aren’t Ready for It
Just outside of town is Grouse Mountain, and a popular hike is to climb the stairs 850 up to the top. It’s a tough hike, and should only be attempted by travelers in good physical condition. Also, don’t try to descend the stairs. They are up only.
Vancouver Tip #14 Don’t Go to the Capilano Suspension Bridge if You Are Scared of Heights
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is another fun Vancouver attraction. It’s a beautiful bridge in the forest, where you can go and walk across it. However, people love to get it swinging and bouncing. So, anyone who is afraid of heights should not attempt to cross the bridge.
Vancouver Tip #15 Don’t Expect a Lot of Cool Architecture in Vancouver
The architecture in Vancouver is pretty bland, so it’s not something tourists generally try to enjoy or photograph, as they would in other cities. The best part of Vancouver is the food and the outdoor recreation, so don’t be disappointed by the lack of interesting architecture.
Vancouver Tip #16 Don’t Skip the Granville Island Public Market
Yes, it’s super touristy, and many locals will say to skip it, but it’s really a cool place to go in Vancouver. You can try all different kinds of food at the public market, shopping for local artisan goods, plus several waterfront restaurants. It’s also easy to get to.
Vancouver Tip #17 Don’t Pass Up the Aquabus or the Ferries
Walking around Vancouver can be tiring on the feet and legs, so don’t pass up the opportunity to take a ride on the Aquabus. Just like a city bus, the Aquabus takes passengers to docks all over the city. It’s a great way to get to Granville Island, and it’s very affordable.
Read: 10 Things That Shock Tourists When They Visit for the First Time
Vancouver Tip #18 Don’t Forget to Get a Compass Pass for Public Transportation
The Compass Pass is Vancouver’s public transportation pass. Passengers add money to it, and it’s used to get on and off the buses, the SkyTrain and the ferries.
Vancouver Tip #19 Don’t Expect to Find Rideshare Services Like Uber in Vancouver
The reason we have mentioned public transportation so much is that Uber and Lyft are not allowed in Vancouver. (as of Summer 2018) There are plenty of taxis, and taxi stands in Vancouver, so you do have that option, but it’s not as easy as other cities. Cycling is a popular mode of transport in Vancouver, too.
Vancouver Tip #20 Don’t Think You Have to Taxi Everywhere
There are a few places, like the University of British Columbia Museum, which are better to take a taxi. However, it’s not always needed. It’s really easy to get around Vancouver using public transportation, and walking. (Make sure you bring comfortable shoes!)
Vancouver Tip #21 Don’t Line Skip
When using public transportation, don’t skip the line. Vancouver lines are very orderly, so someone jumping the line, or skipping ahead, isn’t going to make any friends. The buses run relatively frequently, so don’t worry about missing this one, another one will be along shortly.
Vancouver Tip #22 Don’t Board Before Passengers Have Disembarked
When the train or bus does arrive, give the passengers time to get off before rushing in. This is a public transit courtesy pretty much everywhere, though. Make sure you leave room for them to exit before rushing in to claim your seat.
Vancouver Tip #23 Don’t Think Whistler and Victoria are “Easy Day Trips”
Whistler and Victoria are two of the best B.C. destinations near Vancouver. However, many people think these are an easy day trip from Vancouver. Technically, it’s possible, however it’s a very long day. To reach Victoria from Vancouver requires a bus then a ferry and then another bus, all of which takes around three hours. The drive to Whistler is gorgeous, with many scenic stops along the way, so it’s a bit far for just a day trip. Do yourself a favor and book an overnight stop in these areas so you can fully enjoy them.
These Vancouver travel “don’ts” will give you a good start to planning your Vancouver family vacation. For more Vancouver (and Canada) travel tips, check out some of our other videos and blog posts.