British Columbia, Canada — Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver is where mountains meet the ocean in a way no other major city quite matches — a glassy downtown edged by rainforest, the Seawall wrapping Stanley Park, and a food scene that quietly rivals the best in North America.

Photo: Rollan Budi · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Cropped and resized

Where you stay in Vancouver defines the experience. This guide covers the best hotels in Vancouver across every category — from luxury resorts and boutique properties to the best value options.

Quick Picks: Best Hotels in Vancouver, British Columbia

Best for Families

Douglas Hotel (Autograph Collection)

Best Overall

Fairmont Pacific Rim

Best Boutique / Unique Stay

The Loden Hotel

Best Value

Budget Vancouver — Granville Street, West End & HI Hostel

Best Luxury

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Where to Base Yourself

Best Areas to Stay

5 areas

Gastown

Vancouver's Oldest Neighborhood — Cobblestone Streets, Victorian Brickwork, Best Cocktail Bars and Brunches

Gastown is Vancouver's atmospheric original core — the cobblestone streets, heritage brick warehouses, and the famous steam clock make it the city's most photogenic neighborhood. Design shops and innovative restaurants sit alongside the city's best cocktail bars. Walkable to the Waterfront SkyTrain and Coal Harbour.

Historic Victorian ArchitectureSteam ClockBest Cocktail BarsDesign BoutiquesCobblestone Streets

Yaletown

Polished and Upscale — Brick Warehouse Patios, False Creek Seawall, Best Upscale Casual Dining

Yaletown is Vancouver's sleekest neighborhood — converted warehouses now house patio restaurants along Hamilton and Mainland, the Seawall runs along False Creek, and David Lam Park provides green space. Canada Line SkyTrain to the airport stops here. Best for upscale casual dining and nightlife. More polished than charming.

False Creek SeawallCanada Line SkyTrainPatio RestaurantsUpscale Casual DiningDavid Lam Park

West End & Coal Harbour

The Best of Both Worlds — Stanley Park Next Door, English Bay Beach, Most Residential Downtown Neighborhood

The West End is Vancouver's most livable downtown neighborhood — a dense residential area bordered by Stanley Park on one side and English Bay beach on the other. Quieter and more affordable than Yaletown, with great transit and a local café culture on Denman and Davie Streets.

Stanley Park Next DoorEnglish Bay BeachMost Local DowntownDenman StreetDavie Street

Kitsilano (Kits)

Beach Life and Yoga Culture — Kits Beach, 4th Avenue, Lululemon's Birthplace, Best Neighborhood for Outdoor Types

Kitsilano is Vancouver's active, beach-oriented neighborhood across False Creek. Kits Beach fills with volleyball and paddleboarders in summer; 4th Avenue runs past yoga studios, organic cafés, and outdoor retailers. Born here: Lululemon and Arc'teryx. Limited transit but genuine neighborhood energy.

Kits Beach4th Avenue RestaurantsYoga StudiosLululemon BirthplaceOutdoor Active

Mount Pleasant & Olympic Village

Hip and Creative — Craft Breweries, Main Street Independent Shops, Less Touristy Vancouver

Mount Pleasant is where locals actually eat and drink — the brewery district on Main Street, independent boutiques, and some of Vancouver's best restaurants at lower prices than downtown. Olympic Village is the newer waterfront extension. The most authentic neighborhood experience for visitors willing to venture off the tourist trail.

Craft Brewery DistrictMain Street Independent ShopsLess TouristyBest Local RestaurantsOlympic Village Waterfront
Curated Stays

Where to Stay

15 hotels

Getaway Unpacked may earn a commission when you book through selected links, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations remain independently curated.

Luxury
Best Overall

Fairmont Pacific Rim

Coal Harbour · Forbes Five-Star · Waterfront Views of Stanley Park, North Shore Mountains · Michelin-Recommended Botanist Restaurant

Vancouver's finest luxury hotel — the Fairmont Pacific Rim towers over Coal Harbour with panoramic views of Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet, and the North Shore Mountains. Forbes Five-Star with an outdoor rooftop pool, award-winning Willow Stream Spa, and Botanist restaurant ranked in Canada's Top 100. A comprehensive luxury experience in the city.

Forbes Five-StarBotanist Restaurant Canada's BestOutdoor Rooftop PoolCoal Harbour ViewsNorth Shore Mountains

From ~CAD$500 / night

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Best Luxury

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Downtown · 1927 Heritage Building · #1 Hotel Vancouver · Hawksworth Restaurant · Award-Winning Pool

The most storied luxury hotel in Vancouver — Rosewood Hotel Georgia, a 1927 heritage property in the heart of downtown, ranked #1 hotel in the city by nearly every major list. The Hawksworth Restaurant inside is one of Vancouver's finest dining destinations. 156 rooms with a residential feel and Vancouver's best hotel bar scene.

#1 Hotel Vancouver1927 Heritage BuildingHawksworth RestaurantArt DecoAward-Winning Pool

From ~CAD$400 / night

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Best Downtown

Hyatt Downtown Vancouver Alberni

West End / Alberni District · 119 Rooms · Orrin Spa · Outdoor Pool · Michelin Key

Vancouver’s most refined modern luxury hotel (formerly the Shangri-la) — occupying the lower floors of the city’s tallest building in the heart of the Alberni luxury district, steps from Robson Street, Stanley Park, and the waterfront. Rooms are unusually large for downtown Vancouver, with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms, and city-to-mountain views that bring in constant natural light.

City's Tallest BuildingWest End/Alberni DistrictDowntown LocationOutdoor PoolQuiet Luxury

From ~CAD$450 / night

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Best for Couples

Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver

Coal Harbour · Boutique · Heated Pool · Full Spa

A European-influenced boutique hotel in the Coal Harbour neighborhood — the Sutton Place is Vancouver's most traditionally elegant luxury address, with well-appointed rooms, a 23-meter heated pool, a full spa, and personal service standards that consistently outperform larger properties. The Coal Harbour location gives easy access to Stanley Park's seawall and the float plane terminal for Whistler connections. A consistent presence on best-hotels-in-BC lists.

Coal HarbourPoolSpaBoutique

From ~C$350 / night

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Best Design Hotel

JW Marriott Parq Vancouver

Entertainment District · 329 Rooms · Rooftop Pool

A twin-tower hotel complex above the Parq Vancouver entertainment complex, adjacent to BC Place and Rogers Arena — the JW Marriott is the most complete full-service luxury hotel in Vancouver's stadium district, with 329 rooms, a 57th-floor rooftop pool and spa, and direct entertainment complex access. The location is ideal for visitors attending Canucks games, concerts, and events while also providing easy transit access to downtown and Gastown.

Entertainment DistrictRooftop PoolFull-ServiceStadium

From ~C$300 / night

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Best Views

Fairmont Waterfront

Coal Harbour · Waterfront · 489 Rooms · Harbour Views

A 489-room waterfront hotel on Coal Harbour with direct harbor and mountain views, a heated outdoor pool, and walking distance to the Convention Centre and Canada Place cruise terminal. Well-positioned for both business and leisure visitors.

Coal HarbourWaterfrontViewsConvention

From ~C$350 / night

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Best Spa

Wedgewood Hotel & Spa

Downtown · 83 Rooms · Independent · European Elegance

An independently owned 83-room hotel near Robson Square with European-style elegance, a full spa, and personal service that larger properties cannot match. a praised luxury boutiques in Vancouver.

DowntownIndependentSpaBoutique

From ~C$300 / night

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Mid-Range
Best Boutique

The Loden Hotel

Coal Harbour · 77-Room Boutique · Voya Restaurant · Exceptional Service · Best Value Luxury Downtown

Vancouver's best boutique luxury hotel — the Loden, 77 rooms in Coal Harbour with personalized service, contemporary design, and Voya Restaurant. Frequently praised as delivering Four Seasons-level service at lower prices. Walking distance to Stanley Park, Coal Harbour, and Gastown.

Best Boutique Hotel Vancouver77 Rooms Exceptional ServiceBest Value LuxuryVoya RestaurantCoal Harbour

From ~CAD$300 / night

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Best Mid-Range

Douglas Hotel (Autograph Collection)

Entertainment District · BC Place & Rogers Arena · 188 Rooms · Parq Casino Complex · Good Value Downtown

The Douglas sits adjacent to BC Place and Rogers Arena in the Entertainment District — the right choice for sports events, concerts, and those wanting value in a well-designed downtown hotel. Part of the Parq Vancouver casino complex with multiple restaurants and bars on site.

BC Place Rogers Arena Walking DistanceEntertainment DistrictParq Casino ComplexGood Value DowntownSports Events

From ~CAD$200 / night

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Best Value

The Burrard Hotel

West End · 1956 Mid-Century Motor Inn · Design

A lovingly restored 1956 mid-century motor inn in the West End, a block from Robson Street and Stanley Park — The Burrard's design renovation preserved the original motel bones while adding a social courtyard, a restored pool area, and rooms with a considered mid-century aesthetic. One of Vancouver's most photographed hotels and a consistent presence on design-travel publications' Canada lists. Well-priced for the West End location.

Mid-CenturyDesignWest EndValue

From ~C$180 / night

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Best Design Hotel

Opus Hotel Vancouver

Yaletown · 96 Rooms · Boutique · Forbes Four-Star

A 96-room boutique hotel in the heart of Yaletown — Vancouver's converted warehouse neighborhood with the city's best independent restaurant and bar scene. Opus is the neighborhood hotel for Yaletown, with individually styled rooms, a popular lobby bar, and easy access to the seawall and False Creek ferries. Forbes four-star. One of the most enduring mid-range boutique recommendations in Vancouver for those wanting neighborhood character over downtown convenience.

YaletownBoutiqueForbes Four-StarNeighborhood

From ~C$250 / night

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Best Location

Rosellen Suites at Stanley Park

Stanley Park Edge · Suite-Only · Full Kitchens

A suite-only hotel at the edge of Stanley Park — Rosellen offers spacious apartment-style suites at a price point well below the downtown luxury hotels, with full kitchens, separate living areas, and the park's seawall and beach access steps away. One of Vancouver's best-value options for longer stays and visitors who prioritise access to Stanley Park over downtown proximity. Popular with families for the space-to-price ratio.

Stanley ParkSuitesFamiliesValue

From ~C$200 / night

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Best Boutique

Hotel Willo

Downtown · Budget · Near BC Place · Simple

A straightforward downtown budget hotel near BC Place and the entertainment district. Simple, clean rooms at a strong price point for visitors who prioritise location and value over luxury amenities.

DowntownBudgetSimpleValue

From ~C$100 / night

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Best Mid-Range

Versante Hotel Richmond

Richmond · Near YVR · 150 Rooms · Design Hotel

A 150-room design hotel in Richmond — the most distinctive hotel near Vancouver International Airport, with Italian marble, a rooftop pool, and an aesthetic that could pass for a boutique in the downtown core. The hotel runs shuttle service to YVR and is 25 minutes by Canada Line to downtown Vancouver. A strong choice for early departures, late arrivals, or visitors who want design quality without downtown pricing.

RichmondAirportDesignRooftop Pool

From ~C$220 / night

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Budget
Best Budget

Budget Vancouver — Granville Street, West End & HI Hostel

Samesun Hostel from CAD$35 · HI Vancouver from CAD$40 · West End Hotels from CAD$120

Budget travelers have solid options in Vancouver. The Samesun Hostel on Granville Street is the most central (from CAD$35 dorm, CAD$120 private room) and walking distance to everything. The HI Vancouver hostel downtown offers clean dorms from CAD$40. For private rooms, the West End has older hotels from CAD$120 with Stanley Park access.

Budget VancouverSamesun Hostel GranvilleHI Vancouver DowntownWest End HotelsFrom CAD$35

From CAD$35 (dorms) / CAD$120 (private)

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Where to Eat

Restaurants

15 picks
01

Published on Main

Vancouver’s most important restaurant right now — Michelin-starred and deeply rooted in British Columbia’s ingredients. A seasonal tasting menu built around wild seafood, foraged elements, and hyper-local sourcing. Serious but not stiff. Book well in advance.

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Best Fine Dining
02

The Fish Counter

A sustainable fishmonger and casual restaurant — choose your fish, choose your preparation. Excellent fish and chips and the best casual seafood spot in the city.

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Fine Dining
03

Vij's

One of Vancouver’s most iconic restaurants — Indian cuisine reinterpreted through a West Coast lens. Deep flavors, bold spices, and a long-standing reputation that still holds up. No reservations — expect a wait.

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Fine Dining
04

Tacofino

A Vancouver institution that started as a Tofino food truck — casual, thoroughly good tacos built around BC seafood. Not fancy, but essential.

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Fine Dining
05

Chambar

A long-standing favorite — Belgian-inspired comfort food with a strong beer list and a warm, brick-walled dining room. A dependable mid-range option that’s been good for decades.

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Best Overall
06

St. Lawrence

French-Canadian cuisine at its most refined — rich, precise, and deeply traditional without feeling heavy. One of the hardest reservations in Vancouver and ranked among the best in Canada. Intimate room, serious cooking.

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Casual
07

Kissa Tanto

The city’s most stylish dining room — a Japanese-Italian fusion concept that somehow works perfectly. Handmade pastas meet Japanese precision; the result is one of Vancouver’s most distinctive and thoroughly excellent meals.

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Casual
08

Botanist

Vancouver’s most visually striking restaurant — a glass-walled botanical space with a premier cocktail programs in Canada. The food leans Pacific Northwest with a creative edge. Ideal for a polished, high-design night out.

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Casual
09

Hawksworth

The city’s most reliable fine dining reservation — modern Canadian cuisine executed with precision in a classic, elegant room. Central location, consistent quality, and one of the safest “important dinner” choices in Vancouver.

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Casual
10

Miku

The defining Vancouver sushi experience — best known for its aburi (flame-seared) style, particularly the salmon oshi. Waterfront views and a polished room make it the most accessible high-end Japanese option in the city.

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Best Seafood
11

Sushi Bar Maumi

A true omakase experience — small, precise, and focused entirely on traditional Edomae sushi. Limited seats, minimalistic setting, and an authentic Japanese dining experiences in North America.

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Casual
12

AnnaLena

A modern Canadian restaurant that balances creativity with warmth — tasting menus that feel inventive but approachable. One of Vancouver’s most praised restaurants without the formality of downtown fine dining.

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Casual
13

Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie

A defining restaurant of Vancouver’s modern Chinese dining scene — small plates, dim sum influences, and a strong cocktail program. Stylish without trying too hard; consistently packed.

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Casual
14

Savio Volpe

A neighborhood Italian restaurant that locals love — handmade pasta, wood-fired meats, and a lively, unfussy atmosphere. the best place to understand how Vancouver actually eats.

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Casual
15

Granville Island Public Market

Not a single restaurant, but one of Vancouver’s essential food experiences — 50+ vendors selling fresh seafood, local produce, pastries, and prepared foods. Best approached as a slow, grazing lunch.

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Best Brunch
Worth Your Time

Things to Do

6 experiences
🌲Scenic

Stanley Park & the Seawall

Stanley Park is Vancouver's greatest treasure — 1,000 acres of old-growth coastal rainforest 10 minutes from downtown. The 9km Seawall loop around the park (or 22km extended loop to Kits Beach) is Vancouver's most iconic activity. Rent bikes on Denman Street; go counter-clockwise for the best views. Free to enter; parking CAD$6–10.

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🌉Adventure

Capilano Suspension Bridge & Grouse Mountain

North Vancouver's two most dramatic outdoor experiences. Capilano Suspension Bridge (CAD$65) stretches 137m across a canyon through old-growth forest, with a Treetops Adventure canopy walkway and Cliffwalk. Grouse Mountain (15 min drive) offers a gondola to the summit, skiing in winter, and the 2.9km Grouse Grind trail (the hardest 2.9km in North America). Budget alternative: Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free.

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🛶Culture

Granville Island & False Creek

Granville Island is a converted industrial peninsula under the Granville Bridge — the Public Market, independent galleries, Emily Carr University, and live theater create Vancouver's best afternoon destination. The False Creek ferries (Aquabus and False Creek Ferries) connect the island to downtown and Yaletown for CAD$4–5. Add Vanier Park museums next door.

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🏔️Adventure

Whistler Day Trip — Sea to Sky Highway

Whistler is the world's largest ski resort (in combined skiable terrain) and one of North America's best mountain towns year-round. The Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler (2 hours) is one of the world's most scenic drives, passing through Squamish and past Shannon Falls. In summer: mountain biking, hiking, the Peak to Peak gondola, and whitewater rafting.

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🏛️Culture

Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC

Among the most important Indigenous art and culture museum in Canada — the UBC Museum of Anthropology, reopened June 2024 after a major renovation. Arthur Erickson's glass and concrete Great Hall displays massive totem poles against forest and ocean views. The collection spans 50,000+ objects representing 100+ world cultures. Thursday evenings are half-price.

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🌸Scenic

Cherry Blossoms & VanDusen Botanical Garden

Vancouver has 40,000+ cherry trees that explode in peak bloom late March to mid-April — the Queen Elizabeth Park area and streets around Cambie and Granville are the best viewing spots. VanDusen Botanical Garden (55 acres, 7,500+ plant species) is exceptional year-round but magical during blossom season. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival runs annually in April.

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Know Before You Go

Travel Facts

☀️

Best Time

June–September for the best weather — long days, 18–25°C, and all outdoor activities at peak. July–August is peak tourist season. May and September are excellent shoulder months with fewer crowds. October–March is rainy and gray — the city stays alive but outdoor activities are limited.

🛂

Visa

US citizens: no visa required — a valid passport is needed for border crossing. EU, UK, and most Western passport holders: eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) required — apply online before travel ($7 CAD, processed within minutes in most cases). Canadian citizens: no requirement.

🕐

Time Zone

Pacific Time (PT) — PST (UTC−8) in winter, PDT (UTC−7) in summer.

💬

Language

English (official). Significant Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, and French-speaking communities.

✈️

Getting There

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) — Canada Line SkyTrain to downtown in approx. 26 minutes (CAD$10.75). Direct flights from most major US, Asian, and European cities. ~2.5h from Los Angeles · ~5h from New York · ~9.5h from London · ~10h from Tokyo. Drive from Seattle: ~2.5 hours; US-Canadian border crossing times vary significantly.

💵

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD). 1 USD ≈ 1.35 CAD. US dollars sometimes accepted at tourist businesses but at unfavorable rates — use CAD or an international card.

Practical Notes

🐻Wildlife is not theoretical in Vancouver. Black bears regularly visit North Shore neighborhoods and occasionally the city itself in summer and fall. Coyotes are common in Stanley Park and neighborhoods. Orca pods pass through Burrard Inlet seasonally. BC Ferries to the Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands often have whale sightings.
🎿Skiing from Vancouver is world-class. Three local mountains (Grouse, Cypress, Seymour) are 30 minutes from downtown and operating December–April. Whistler Blackcomb (2 hours) is the world's largest combined ski resort. Helicopter skiing and snowshoeing are available from all three.
🛒Lululemon was founded in Kitsilano in 1998; Arc'teryx in North Vancouver in 1989. Both have flagship stores in Vancouver. If you're buying either brand, local prices are the same as elsewhere but selection is better and you avoid import duty vs buying outside Canada.
💰Tipping in Canada: 15–18% is standard at restaurants, 18–20% increasingly expected in Vancouver. Most payment terminals will suggest 20–25% — tap 'Other' to enter your own amount. Tipping is expected but not legally required. Coffee and cafés: tip optional.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Vancouver, British Columbia

What is the best area to stay in Vancouver?

Downtown (Coal Harbour, Yaletown) for the most central access — Fairmont Pacific Rim and Rosewood Hotel Georgia are both here. Gastown for the most atmospheric and walkable historic neighborhood. Yaletown for a sleeker, restaurant-dense base. West End for a more residential feel and direct Stanley Park access. Kitsilano for a local beach-neighborhood experience — requires transit to the main sights.

Are hotels in Vancouver expensive?

Yes — Vancouver is one of Canada's most expensive hotel markets. Fairmont Pacific Rim and Shangri-La from ~CAD$450–500+/night. Rosewood Hotel Georgia and Loden from ~CAD$300–450. Douglas Hotel from ~CAD$200. Budget options (HI Hostel, Samesun) from CAD$35 dorms, CAD$120 private. Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars — roughly 25–30% lower in USD equivalent.

Is Vancouver walkable?

Very — downtown Vancouver, Gastown, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, and the West End are all highly walkable and connected by the Seawall. The SkyTrain (Canada Line, Expo Line, Millennium Line) covers the broader metro. A Compass Card handles all TransLink transit. A car is not needed for most city stays; it becomes useful for the North Shore and day trips.

Do US visitors need a visa for Canada?

US citizens do not need a visa — but do need a valid passport for the border crossing. Most other Western nationality passport holders need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — apply online before travel ($7 CAD, quick approval). Canadian and US citizens crossing by land need a passport or NEXUS card.

What is Vancouver known for?

Stanley Park — one of the largest urban parks in the world, with an 8.8km Seawall. The best sushi outside Japan — Vancouver's Japanese food scene is extraordinary. Mountains-meet-ocean geography — skiing at Whistler, kayaking on Howe Sound, and hiking in Garibaldi, all within 2 hours. A film industry that has made Vancouver the third-largest production center in North America. And a reputation as the most beautiful city in Canada that is entirely warranted.

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