About Vancouver

Weather     Currency     Tipping  

Weather:

Daytime temperatures and night-time temperatures are fairly consistent because of the moderating influence of the sea. Vancouver is sheltered from the worst of Pacific Ocean weather systems by Vancouver Island. In the summer time, you can generally expect hot and sunny weather, with only occasional precipitation. In the fall, winter, and spring time, expect rain more often than not ... after all, there's a reason the grass and tree-leaves are green year-round. Always carry an umbrella with you in case of rain.

Average daily high temperatures are:

Currency:

The Canadian dollar is worth about two-thirds of a US dollar. Most Greater Vancouver establishments accept US dollars and Japanese yen, and usually offer reasonable exchange rates.

The current Canada/US exchange rate and the exchange rate between Canada and other countries, is on the website: www.x-rates.com

Tipping:

Some hotels include tips or gratuities with group programs to simplify bookkeeping. This will usually include gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. In a hotel, bell service should be tipped about $1 per bag, and housekeeping $1 to $5 dollars a day (in proportion to your room rate). Visitors should know that the standard tip in restaurants is 10%-15% (on restaurant bills, an average tip will match the GST(Goods and Services Tax) tax), with 20% for very outstanding service. This is especially important for visitors from countries where tipping on meals is not done: here the waitering staff depend on tips for a significant portion of their incomes. Tip a similar proportion for taxis, or at least round fares up to the nearest dollar.