Vancouver Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 8.3/10
- Best time to visit
- June to September brings warm, dry days ideal for the outdoors, while December to March suits nearby skiing. Spring and fall are quieter but rainier.
- Population
- 2.6M
Overview
Wedged between the Pacific and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver pairs glassy downtown towers with rainforest parks and ocean beaches. The mild, multicultural city is a launchpad for skiing, kayaking, and West Coast dining.
Getting around
SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus run on a single Compass Card or contactless tap, and downtown is highly walkable. Cycling along the Seawall is popular and scenic.
Local etiquette
Locals are friendly, outdoorsy, and famously polite, so queue patiently and say thank you to bus drivers. Recycling and composting are taken seriously.
Safety
Vancouver is very safe overall, with petty theft and visible drug issues concentrated in the Downtown Eastside. Use normal caution and avoid leaving valuables in parked cars.