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Mica Dam British Columbia, Canada |
For information on Vancouver, BC, please visit http://www.tourismvancouver.com/planners/IAHR.
Why Vancouver? The city of Vancouver
possesses a unique geographic and cultural
ambience. In addition to being dynamic and multicultural, it will provide a spectacular natural environment for the 33rd Congress.
A cosmopolitan city of 1.8 million people representing a diverse local population and
thriving cultural attractions, Vancouver is situated at the mouth of the mighty Fraser River. Several large civil and environmental engineering companies operating on an international scale make their home in Vancouver, and the area’s setting provides a multitude of water engineering challenges that will greatly enhance the theme of this Congress. The city also offers spectacular attractions that promise outdoor adventure and urban excitement with the breathtaking Coast Range Mountains as a backdrop, the waters of the Pacific at its shore, and abundant greenery all around.
Voted “Best City in the Americas” by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (2004, 2005 and 2006), Vancouver is home to two million inhabitants who enjoy a mild climate, breathtaking scenery and a wealth of recreational activities. Enjoy all the very best of world class destinations: superlative shopping, exceptional dining, great entertainment and galleries – all perched on nature’s edge.
Vancouver has been described as one of the most spectacularly situated cities on earth. The downtown core stands proudly on an ocean swept peninsula surrounded by beaches, sailboats, parks and wildlife. The downtown core is only one mile across at its widest point making it a perfect city for walking. Local site-seeing opportunities include everything from whale watching tours to kayaking along the city shores, mountain biking some of the best trails in the world, to a gondola ride up Grouse Mountain to visit the grizzly bears.
Vancouver entices visitors with its beauty, captivates them with its cosmopolitan charm and draws them in with its profusion of unforgettable attractions. Put simply, it’s one of the world’s finest cities. Join us in Vancouver, you won’t regret it.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is consistently rated one of the best airports in North America. Served by 40 airlines, it sees about 17 international and 22 scheduled U.S. flights daily. Downtown Vancouver is approximately 11 miles or 25 minutes away and easily reached by scheduled coach transfers, limousine, taxi, car rentals, and transit.
An efficient airport transfer service called the Airporter transports delegates from the airport to all the downtown hotels at a cost of approximately $13 each way or $20 return. Taxi fares are roughly $27 and private limousine service is $42 one-way, plus gratuity. All of these services accept credit cards, and all amounts are quoted in Canadian dollars. All transportation departs from both domestic and international terminals on a regular basis and deliver riders to the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, the official site of the 33rd IAHR Congress.
UBC Shuttle to the Hyatt: Go to the UBC bus loop on University Blvd., East Mall, UBC, take Bus #44 which will bring you directly to the Hyatt. Bus fare is approx. $2.50 one way.
Bank debit or credit cards are the most convenient means of getting cash at the many 24 hour-access automated banking machines. All taxis accept credit cards and 60% of the taxis are hybrid cars. As in the U.S. and Europe these machines accept cards with Plus, Interac and Cirrus symbols and there is one on almost every block in downtown Vancouver. Many Canadian businesses accept U.S. currency and travelers cheques. International currency exchanges are available at the airport and at all the banks in the city. Major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express), are generally accepted by Canadian businesses. The U.S. dollar is currently valued at $0.98 Canadian and many cabs and restaurants will accept US cash on par. Exchange rates vary daily.
Requirements for American Citizens entering Canada: U.S. citizens and permanent residents require a birth certificate, a resident alien card or a green card together with picture I.S. or passport to enter Canada. A driver's license is NOT accepted as proof of citizenship.
Requirements for American Citizens re-entering the USA: Currently, Canadian and American citizens only need a birth certificate and a piece of photo ID (such as a driver's license) to cross back into the USA. However, a new U.S. law has been introduced requiring passports for entering the U.S. via air effective January 23, 2007, and via land and sea borders as of January 01, 2008. Travelers are advised to stay informed of U.S. passport regulations.
Requirements for International Visitors entering Canada: Persons visiting from countries other than the United States must have a valid passport and may require other documentation such as visas. Check with the nearest Canadian Consulate well in advance of travel. For more information, please see www.cic.gc.ca.
Are you a single parent traveling with a child under 18 years of age to Canada?: Foreign officials and transportation companies are vigilant concerning documentation for children crossing international borders. Generally, any individual younger than 18 years of age could be considered a child. Unless a child is accompanied by both legal parents, the following documentation should be carried by the child or the accompanying adult:
Do you need Medical Insurance when you travel to Canada?: Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance. Check with your personal medical plan before leaving the U.S. or your home country to ensure you have adequate travelling insurance. It is advised that all people travelling outside their own country take out trip cancellation insurance, medical insurance and insurance to cover loss/damage to personal effects.
Altitude: Sea level
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time
Population: 514,000
Metro Area Population: 1.9 million
Telephone Area Code: 604 and 778
Language: English and French are Canada’s two official languages. English is the predominant language in British Columbia. Many banks, hotels, airline offices, shops, and key visitor attractions have multilingual staff.
Climate: Vancouver has one of the mildest climates in Canada. Winters are wet but temperatures seldom fall below freezing and snow is rare. Summer is sunny and warm, almost never too hot and seldom humid. Late autumn can be chilly with occasional rain and fog.
Temperatures:
| Month | Average Daily High | Average Daily Low | Bright Sun | ||
| °Celsius | °Fahrenheit | °Celsius | °Fahrenheit | % | |
| January | 6 | 42 | 1 | 34 | 21 |
| February | 7 | 45 | 1 | 34 | 31 |
| March | 9 | 49 | 3 | 38 | 33 |
| April | 13 | 56 | 5 | 42 | 47 |
| May | 16 | 63 | 8 | 48 | 53 |
| June | 19 | 68 | 11 | 54 | 47 |
| July | 21 | 72 | 12 | 56 | 63 |
| August | 21 | 72 | 12 | 56 | 56 |
| September | 17 | 65 | 10 | 52 | 50 |
| October | 13 | 56 | 9 | 50 | 34 |
| November | 9 | 49 | 4 | 40 | 26 |
| December | 7 | 48 | 2 | 36 | 17 |
