Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Credit Cards
Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in Canada. Credit cards
can get you cash advances at bank ATMs, usually for an additional surcharge. Be aware
that many US-based credit cards now convert foreign charges using unfavorable ex-
change rates and fees.
Opening Hours
Standard business hours are 9am to 5pm weekdays. Some postal outlets may stay
open later and on weekends. Most banks adhere to standard hours but some branches
keep shorter hours and others also open on Saturday mornings. Usual retail shopping
hours are from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and noon to 5pm on Sunday in the
city center, although in neighborhoods such as Main St and Commercial Dr stores typic-
ally open from 11am. Twenty-four-hour supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience
stores are dotted around the city, particularly in the West End.
Shopping malls often stay open later than regular stores. Many supermarkets stay
open until 9pm or beyond. Restaurants are usually open for lunch on weekdays from
11:30am until 2:30pm and serve dinner from 5pm until 9pm or 10pm daily, later on
weekends. Many are open all day; some close between lunch and dinner; some open
only for dinner. Those serving breakfast often open at 7am, and many that don't serve
breakfast do serve weekend brunch. If restaurants take a day off, it is usually Monday.
Pubs and bars that serve lunch open before midday; others wait it out until 5pm be-
fore opening their doors. Clubs may open in the evening around 9pm, but most don't get
busy before 11pm. Bars and clubs, especially those downtown, may serve liquor until
3am.
Tourist attractions often keep longer hours in summer and reduce their opening hours
during winter.
Post
Canada Post
(
www.canadapost.ca
)
may not be remarkably quick, but it is reliable. The
standard (up to 30g) letter and postcard rate to destinations within Canada is 63¢. Post-
cards and standard letters to the US cost $1.10. International airmail postcards cost
$1.85.
Postal outlets are dotted around the city, many of them at the back of drugstores -
look for the blue-and-red window signs. Handy branches:
604-662-5723; 349 W Georgia St;
8:30am-5:30pm Mon-Fri;
Stadium-Chinatown)
