Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BC Children's Hospital
(
604-875-2345;
www.bcchildrens.ca
;
4480 Oak St;
17)
St Paul's Hospital
(
604-682-2344; 1081 Burrard St;
22) Downtown accident-
and-emergency hospital.
Vancouver General Hospital
(
604-875-4111; 855 W 12th Ave;
Broadway-City
Hall)
Pharmacies
Vancouver is well stocked with pharmacies.
Pharmasave
(
604-801-6991; 499 Granville St;
7am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30pm
Sat, to 5pm Sun;
Granville)
Shoppers Drug Mart
(
604-669-2424; 1125 Davie St;
24hr;
6) Pharmacy
chain.
Money
Canadian dollars come in $5 (blue), $10 (purple), $20 (green), $50 (red) and $100
(brown) denominations. New bills are currently being introduced: colors will remain the
same but the paper has a plastic feel. It will be several years before all the older bills are
replaced, though. The penny (1¢) was recently phased out, but nickel (5¢), dime (10¢),
quarter (25¢), 'loonie' ($1) and 'toonie' ($2) coins persist.
Most Canadians do not carry large amounts of cash for everyday use, relying instead
on electronic transactions: credit cards, ATMs and direct-debit cards.
ATMs
Interbank ATM exchange rates usually beat the rates offered for traveler's checks or for-
eign currency. Canadian ATM fees are generally low, but your home bank may charge
another fee on top of that. Some ATM machines also dispense US currency; ideal if
you're planning a trip across the border. ATMs abound in Vancouver, with bank
branches congregating around the business district bordered by Burrard, Georgia,
Pender and Granville Sts. Drugstores also frequently have ATMs.
Changing Money
You can exchange currency at most main bank branches, which often charge less than
the
bureaux de change
dotted around the city. In addition to the banks, try
Vancouver
Bullion & Currency Exchange
(
604-685-1008;
www.vbce.ca
; 800 W Pender St;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri;
Granville), which often offers a wider range of currencies and
competitive rates.
