Time Zone:
Vancouver in August is on Pacific Daylight Saving Time (GMT-4). Visit TimeAndDATE

Electricity:
The voltage in Vancouver and the rest of Canada is 110V. You will need a plug converter if you are coming from a country with anything other than 2 pin sockets. Be aware that if you do not have dual voltage equipment it may not work, or may work well under its usual performance. (For example: mobile/cell phone chargers).

Language:
Canada has two official languages – English and French. VIC& will be conducted in English.  Many banks, hotels, airline offices, service institutions, shops and key tourist destinations have multi-lingual staff.

Currency and Foreign Exchange:
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is the official currency in Canada. Visit Bank of Montreal Currency Converter. All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.

A lot of tourist-friendly businesses choose to accept American currency as a courtesy to American tourists, but US dollars are legally a foreign currency in Canada, not a secondary currency. What this means is that businesses that choose to accept US dollars choose their own exchange rate, and they will only give back change in Canadian dollars, as it’s what they’re legally able to do. Infrastructure in Canada – vending machines, laundry machines, public transit ticket machines, parking meters – basically anything where you insert coins or bills, will only accept Canadian dollars or coins.

Canadian one dollar coin (“loonie”) ($) = 100 cents

Canadian two dollar coin (“toonie”) ($) = 200 cents

Notes are in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5

Coins are in denominations of $2, $1, , $0.25, $0.10, $0.05

Currency Exchange: currency exchanges can be found throughout Vancouver and the international airport.

Credit and Debit Cards:
Most major credit cards are accepted, but visitors are always advised to check with the vendor before a purchase is made. Cash machines with 24 hour access are available in many convenient locations throughout Vancouver and Canada.

Banking:
Regular banking hours in Canada are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with extended hours including weekends at some locations. Visitors who wish to cash cheques or require other banking services are advised to check times of operation with the institutions. Main branches of Canadian chartered banks, particularly in major centres, are equipped to exchange foreign currency as well. Several major European and foreign banks have offices in Vancouver, and will handle some foreign currencies directly.

Most banks have automatic teller machines, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, using bank or credit cards on major international banking networks such as Cirrus, Plus and Interac.

Tipping:
It is customary to tip restaurant waiters, taxi drivers and hairdressers 18 – 20% of the bill, before taxes. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $2 per suitcase or per service rendered. Coffee and food counters often have a tip cup next to the cash register; spare change is always appreciated, but not required.

Taxes:
There are two applicable taxes in British Columbia: a federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% and a BC provincial tax (PST) of 7%.

Short term accommodation taxes (ie. Hotel rooms) include:

• Two and a half percent (2.5%) Major Event Municipal Regional District Tax (ME MRDT)
• Three percent (3%) Municipal Regional District Tax (MRDT)
• Eight percent (8%) Provincial Sales Tax (PST)

Five percent (5%) Goods and Services Tax (GST) (Room rate, DMF, ME MRDT, MRDT and PST will have GST applied)