Transportation to Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport accommodates over 22,000 international flights each month.
Airport Shuttle Service
$12.00 per person one way or $18.00 per person round trip
Taxi
Approximately $30.00 one way
Vancouver Map
Information for People with Disabilities
Vancouver is one of the most accessible cities in the world for people with physical disabilities. For more information on local transportation, restaurants, hotels and other issues related to your stay in Vancouver, please contact:
The British Columbia Coalition of People with Disabilities
204 - 456 West Broadway,
Vancouver, BC Canada V5Y 1R3
Tel: +1 604 875 0188 • Fax: +1 604 875 9227
Banks / Currency Exchange
1 CAD $ = 100 cents
Banks are generally open from 10:00 to 16:00, Monday through
Friday. Visitors to Canada are encouraged to exchange funds for
Canadian dollars at Vancouver International Airport, at a bank or at a
foreign currency exchange outlet where they will receive the
prevailing rate. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are found
throughout Vancouver. International credit cards are accepted
throughout the country and traveler cheques can be changed at
banks, hotels, resorts and the airport.
At the time of publishing (December 2005), the values of selected
currencies were:
$0.87 CAD = 1 Australian Dollar
$2.07 CAD = 1 British Pound
$0.15 CAD = 1 China Yuan Renminbi
$1.40 CAD = 1 Euro
$0.01 CAD = 1 Japanese Yen
$0.81 CAD = 1 New Zealand Dollar
$0.11 CAD = 1 Mexican Peso
$1.19 CAD = 1 U.S. Dollar
For up-to-date information, please refer to the Universal Currency Converter at: http://www.xe.com/ucc/.
Passport, Visa and Border-Crossing Information
At the time of writing, to enter Canada, a valid passport is required for citizens of all countries except the United States - although it is strongly recommended to carry one. Visas are required for residents of certain countries; please contact your local Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission Office for the specific requirements for your country of origin.
For delegates visiting the U.S. before or after attending the Symposium
should ensure that they obtain the proper visa, if required.
For more information, please refer to:
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html
Letter of Invitation for Visa Policy
An official Letter of Invitation to obtain a Visa and authorization to attend the 7th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain will be issued ONLY after the Registration Form and full payment have been received.
Electricity
Canada operates on 110V, 60 cycle electric power, which is the same as in the United States. Non-North American visitors should bring a plug adaptor if they wish to use their own small appliances from home (razors, hair dryers, etc). If you are visiting from countries, such as Australia, that use a higher voltage, you may encounter problems charging your re-chargeable batteries. Canadian electrical goods come with either a two-pronged plug, which is the same as the US, or a three-pronged plug; most sockets accommodate both.
Official Language
The official language of the 7th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain is English.
June Climate
Vancouver enjoys warm, comfortable summers that are rarely scorching. June to August daytime temperatures linger just above 20º Celsius (70º Fahrenheit). Evenings, especially in the surrounding mountains, can be cool, so it is best to pack a light jacket and/or sweater. For up-to-date weather information, please refer to: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/.
For Your Budget
Typical costs for meals in restaurants and hotels in Canadian dollars are:
| Breakfast |
$8 - $12 plus tax |
| Lunch |
$10 - $15 plus tax |
| Dinner |
$20 - $25 plus tax |
| Wines, Beer & Spirits | $4 - $7 per serving plus tax |
Goods and Services Tax
A provincial tax of 7% is charged on the majority of items purchased in British Columbia. An additional Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 7% is charged on most items and services, (10% on alcoholic beverages); accommodation tax is 8%.Visitors to Canada are eligible to participate in the Canada Tax Back Program which allows you to claim the 7% GST (Good and Services Tax). You may claim the rebate on most of your purchases after your visit to Canada.
Tipping
Some properties and resort hotels include tips or gratuities with group tours to simplify bookkeeping. This will usually include gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. Otherwise, customary gratuity will be calculated at 15%, which is a base standard tip in most restaurants, bars and hotels.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted at the Symposium facilities. The City of Vancouver has public health regulations that prevent smoking in public buildings, on public transportation and in ALL restaurants. Certain bars have designated smoking areas.
Liquor Laws
In British Columbia, the legal drinking age is 19; bars and restaurants are open from 11:00 to 04:00. In BC, there are stiff penalties for drinking and driving.