Travel Tips


Border Crossings/Canada Customs Entry into Canada: International visitors to Canada who are not US citizens must be in possession of a valid passport and may require a visa. Contact the nearest Canadian Consulate or Embassy for more information. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all persons who enter or re-enter the United States via air, land or sea from a foreign destination to have a passport or other approved secure travel document. For updates, visit the US Department of State‟s website at www.travel.state.gov. Visitors to British Columbia are entitled to


bring in a reasonable number of personal effects and a four-day supply of food. Visitors aged 19 years or over may import up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 200g (8 oz) of tobacco, 1.14 L (40 oz) of spirits or 1.5 L (51 oz) of wine or 8.5 L (288 oz) of beer or ale for personal consumption. For more information on customs regulations


call the Canada Border Services Agency at 1-800-461 -9999 within Canada and 204-983-3500 outside Canada or visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.


Drivers Licenses A valid out-of-province driver‟s license including an international drivers license can be used in British Columbia for up to six months.


Seat Belts British Columbia law requires that all drivers and passengers use seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Strict car/booster regulations are in place for children up to the age of nine years old or 145 centimeters (57 inches) tall. For more details, visitwww.icbc.com/road_safety.


Helmets Helmets are required by all bicyclists and motorcyclists.


Mobile Cell Phones It is against the law to drive while using a handheld mobile phone or other electronic device. Drivers may use hands-free cell phones that are voice activated, or activated by one touch, provided they are securely attached to the vehicle or driver‟s body, i.e. an ear piece. For more information, visit www.DriveCellSafe.com.


Alcohol and Driving It is a criminal offence to operate, or be in the care or control of a vehicle, whether in motion or not, with a blood alcohol content of more than .08 per cent. Drivers with a blood alcohol content of between .05 and .08 may also face fines and license suspensions, and have their vehicles impounded. Breath samples may be requested by a peace officer.


Vehicle Accidents If you are involved in an accident, immediately contact the local police or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), then your insurance company.


Road Conditions For information on road conditions 24 hours a day check the Drive BC web site at www.drivebc.com. The web site includes links to various other information sources such as Inland Ferry Schedules, BC Ferries Waits, Border Crossing Times and Major Incidents and Road Closures.


Ferries For information on ferry schedules, rates and vehicle reservations call BC Ferries toll free at 1-888- 223-3779 from within British Columbia or 250-386- 3431 from out of province or visit www.bcferries.com.


Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) The federal HST of 12% is applicable to most goods


and services purchased in British Columbia. In some municipalities there is an additional hotel room tax of up to 2%.


Emergency 911 In emergency situations, contact the local police, ambulance service, fire department and other emergency services by calling 911. Visitors taking prescribed medications should bring a copy of their prescriptions in case they need to be renewed or tended to by a doctor in Canada.


Tourist Alert The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is frequently asked to communicate urgent messages to people on vacation. If you see your name listed in newspapers, at information centres or hear it on the radio or TV, please contact the numbers given.


Forest Fires If you spot a forest fire while travelling in British Columbia, call the B.C. Forest Service toll-free at 1- 800-663-5555, or *5555 on your cell phone. For more information, go towww.bcwildfire.ca.


Fishing Separate licenses are required for saltwater and freshwater fishing. The Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans issue saltwater licenses; the provincial Ministry of Environment issues freshwater licenses. Both types of licenses can be purchased at sporting goods stores and other retailers, as well as most Service BC offices. Anglers are encouraged to buy their licenses online at www.fishing.gov.bc.ca. A specific license is required in National Parks


and can be purchased at the Park Headquarters at each park site. For more information on fishing go towww.gofishbc.com.


W


elcome to Canada’s national accommodations rating program for bed and breakfasts, cottages, hotels, motels, inns and resorts.


Properties listed in the British Columbia Travel Companion and displaying Canada Select Accommodation Star Ratings have voluntarily been inspected by Tourism British Columbia.


The Canada Select program rates all participating accommodations by category based on the extent and quality of the facilities and amenities provided. Each category i.e. hotel/motel, inn, cottage, B&B or resort has a set of unique inspection criteria to ensure they meet consumer expectations. Overall cleanliness and state of repair is a fundamental requirement of the rating program. The quality of personal services provided by an accommodation is not factored into the rating.


The Canada Select sign is your assurance of quality at more than 5,000 participating accommodations in Canada.


4 British Columbia Travel Companion


STAR RATING DESCRIPTIONS


 Modest Accommodations—Meeting the Canada Select standards of cleanliness, comfort and safety.


 Moderate Accommodations—With additional facilities and some amenities


 Above Average Accommodations—A greater range of facilities, guest amenities and services available.


 Exceptional Accommodations—With an extensive range of facilities, guest amenities and services available.


 Luxurious Accommodations—Among the very best in the country. Outstanding facilities, amenities and guest services provided.


½ 1/2 stars are awarded to properties whose overall quality of facilities exceeds their specific category star rating.


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