Welcome to Vancity!
Vancouver is known for its natural beauty – surrounded by snow-capped mountains and deep blue Pacific Ocean – Vancouver is gorgeous if we do say so ourselves. With its emphasis on sustainability and liveability, Vancouver continuously ranks highly as one of the world’s greatest cities. Vancouver is also famously known as “Hollywood North” for its billion-dollar film and TV industry (we’re betting many of your favorite movies and TV shows are/were filmed in and around Metro Vancouver!). Having hosted the 2010 Olympics, Vancouver sure knows how to show a visitor a good time.
But first, there are a few things you need to know when traveling to Canada, and specifically to Vancouver. Read these handy travel tips and our CanVanFAQ below for information to help make your travel arrangements.
Travel and Accommodation Currency Plugging in your electrical devices Languages Cannabis Weather Hockey Things to Do
Travel and Accommodation
Do I need a visa to come to Canada You might. Most people need a visa OR an Electronic Travel Authorization to travel to Canada – not both. Some people may only need their valid passport. Please visit the Immigration Canada website for more information, and consult the immigration authority of your own country before purchasing tickets or registering for the conference. The process can take a few weeks so start your application early.
How do I get to Vancouver? Vancouver is ~30min taxi ride from YVR Vancouver Airport. Taxis, which are available just outside the airport, charge different flat rates to take you to different parts of the city. The trip from the airport costs $35 to get downtown. Alternatively, you can also take the Canada Line on the SkyTrain, which takes ~26 minutes, and costs $9. To use Vancouver’s public transit system, you can purchase a reloadable Compass Card – which can be used for trains, buses and the Seabus – at any Translink station. Touchless enabled credit cards can also be used to pay for public transit. Rental cars are also available at the airport. Early booking is strongly recommended as the summer is the high season for tourism. Please consult the Translink website for more information about getting around Vancouver by public transport.
How do I make hotel reservations? While there is no special discounted price for accommodation at GMI13, there are a number of hotels near the conference venue. Please see the select list of hotels near UBC Robson Square (800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B7) below. See the locations of these hotels here. Early booking is highly recommended as the summer months are the high season for tourism.
Stanley Park | seawall, forest trails, beaches, the Vancouver Aquarium, the Stanley Park train, totem poles, rose garden, and more! |
Granville Island | public market, shops, harbour walk |
Gastown | Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, steam clock (the most photographed thing in Vancouver!), Gassy Jack, shops and restaurants |
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden | Ming Dynasty-era garden |
Queen Elizabeth Park | highest point in Vancouver (because it’s a dormant volcano), botanical garden, conservatory (birds and shrubbery, if you like that sort of thing), restaurant |
Beaches | we got lots of ’em! |
If you want to go a bit farther afield, try: Capilano Suspension Bridge Whistler
Food and Drink
Tojos | wicked expensive, sushi and omakase |
Steamworks | brewpub on the waterfront |
Alibi Room | 50 taps of local and craft beer!! Oh, and also food. |
Japadog | Japanese-style hotdogs, street food vendor |
Vij’s | acclaimed Indian restaurant |
Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro | Indigenous Canadian-style food |
The Flying Pig (Yaletown or Gastown) | West Coast-inspired food |
The Templeton | nostalgic breakfast diner (has jukebox) |
La Belle Patate | cuz we know you want poutine |
MeeT | veggie/vegan, super fun |
