The following are answers to commonly asked questions about travelling to Vancouver, Coast and Mountains.

When is the best time to visit Vancouver, Coast and Mountains?
The Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region has a mild climate which allows for travellers to enjoy all its wonder year round. The busier times for the area are from early June to end of October, with it's sunny skies and summer experiences. However if you love a winter wonderland the region is also ideal.

What is the weather like?
In Vancouver, Coast and Mountains a traveller will be able to experience the four seasons.
Summer-(June-August) Are warm and the days are long. The temperature can reach up into the 30 C (86 F) during the summer months; make sure you bring your sunscreen along for your trip.
Fall-(September-November) The fall can be an extension of the summer months, but the nights are a bit cooler. Make sure you have a sweater for the evenings.
Winter-(December-February) The winter season in the region can vary, from a fair bit of rain to lots of snow. The mountains can receive large dumps of snow, great for winter lovers but be aware the metropolitan cities can sometimes receive a little duating as well. Be prepared for a wide range of weather, typically quite wet! Snow or rain warm jackets are advised.
Spring-(March-May) The spring months for the region are beautiful, this is when the flowers come out and the trees turn all different colours of green. You can expect the days to start getting warm, but you will probably still need a jacket and an umbrella handy, as we do get a 'little' bit of rain!

What languages are spoken in the region?
The Vancouver, Coast and Mountains is a potpourri of languages, but predominately spoken is English and then Mandarin. Also spoken in the region is French, Punjabi, Vietnamese, German, Italian, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish.

Do I need a passport or visa to enter Vancouver, Coast and Mountains?
To enter into Canada, if you are an international traveller you will need a valid passport. For some international travellers more travel documents maybe required, such as a Temporary Resident Visa. To find out, contact your local Canadian Embassy. For American citizens as of January 23, 2007 a passport is required to enter/return for all air travel. By January 1, 2008 passport will be required for all American citizens for air and land travel.

Can I bring my weapons into the region?
Weapons are strictly controlled, if you are planning on bring firearms into Canada, you must declare the firearms in writing using a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form. Also all travellers need to declare to Canadian Customs authorities of any firearms and weapons when entering Canada. If a weapon is seized it is never returned. If you are going to borrow a firearm while in Canada you must obtain a Temporary Firearms Borrowing Licence in advance.

What documentation do I needed to bring my pet into Canada?
For dogs and cats coming into Canada, proof of ownership maybe required. Also needed is certification of rabies vaccinations. Only 'caged birds' are allowed into Canada, and may also need proof of ownership. For any other special animals please check the Canadian Government Website, which will have all up to date information. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/petse.shtml.  

What food and/or meat items can be brought into Canada?
For travellers wanting to bring food and/or meat into Canada, they should be aware that all items need to be declared, this includes meat, animal hides, live birds, plants and fruits. All items must be clean and free of pests, soil and roots. Some plants, animals and their products from outside of Canada may be prohibited, or may require additional documentations. For further information please check the Candian Government website. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/gtc/Visiting_Travelling_to_Canada-en.aspx.

Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in Canada?
In Canada, all major credit cards are accepted- American Express, Visa and Mastercard. Also, the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) or ABM (Automatic Bank Machine) will aceept most international banking systems: Interac, Plus, Cirrus and Maestro.

What is the currency used?
In Canada, the Canadian Dollar is used ($). The one dollar and two dollars are both coins, and are commonly know as "loonie" and "twoonie" respectively. The rest of the money is paper form and is colour coded for convince; $5 (blue), $10 (purple), $20 (green), $50 (red) and $100 (Brown).

The currency exchange is always changing, please check with your local bank for current rates.

What are the rules for duty-free limits?
The duty free limits for American citizens are for less than 48hrs you can bring back US $200, and after 48hrs can bring back US$800 every 30 days. For more information regarding the actual contents of the items able to be bought, please check the government website. For international travellers, you should consult with the customs officals in your own country.

Do I need any immunizations or vaccinations to enter Canada?
Travellers to Vancouver, Coast and Mountains do not have to worry about any immunizations or vaccinations, but any children travelling should be up todate on any booster shots. Please check with your local physician.