Explore BC: The Complete Vancouver & British Columbia Visitor Portal

Published 2026-07-13 · FanVancouver Travel Desk

This is the FanVancouver deep-dive library: everything a visitor to Vancouver and British Columbia actually needs, researched with real addresses, current prices and official links. Twenty in-depth guides with interactive maps, updated for the 2026 season.

Safety Map: Where to Stay & What to Avoid

Honest interactive map — best neighbourhoods, the Downtown Eastside explained, car break-in rules.

Travel Essentials

Taxes at the till, tipping, eTA/visas, eSIM, budgets and 12 local tips.

Getting Around

Tap your credit card on SkyTrain and buses, airport fares, SeaBus and the rainbow mini-ferries.

Victoria & Vancouver Island

Ferries, Butchart Gardens, museums, parks and 1–2 day itineraries for BC's capital.

Tofino & Surfing

Surf schools with prices, best beaches, seasons, hot springs and how to get there.

Whale Watching

Orcas and humpbacks: operators in Vancouver, Steveston and Victoria, prices and best months.

Ferries to the USA

Victoria Clipper to Seattle, Coho to Port Angeles: schedules, terminals, border rules.

Alaska Cruises

Sailing from Canada Place: lines, routes, prices and embarkation tips.

Fishing in BC

Licences and prices, salmon seasons, best rivers, lakes and ocean spots, charters.

Camping & Hotels

How Discover Camping reservations work, the most beautiful campgrounds, hotel booking rules.

Fire Bans & Campfire Rules

What's allowed right now, legal campfire rules, city bylaws and fines. Updated for 2026.

Farmers & Fish Markets

Granville Island, Steveston wharf, Trout Lake and more — addresses, days and real prices.

Live BC Heat & Ocean Temps

Live heat maps: air temperature across BC and satellite ocean temperature at the coast.

All Vancouver Attractions

Stanley Park, Capilano, Playland, steam clock, Deep Cove kayaking, Peace Arch — hours and prices.

Best Hikes (with Map)

12 trails from easy canyons to Panorama Ridge — interactive map, day-pass rules, bear basics.

Day Trips & Road Trips (with Map)

Sea-to-Sky, Whistler, hot springs, gold-rush forts, Sunshine Coast and Okanagan on one map.

What to Eat

Sushi capital of North America, Japadog, wild salmon, Richmond dumpling trail and cheap eats.

Vancouver with Kids

Science World, grizzlies on Grouse, free Burnaby Village, beaches and rainy-day backups.

Shopping & Souvenirs

Robson St, outlets, Lululemon and Arc'teryx at the source, ice wine and Indigenous art.

Plan by trip type

• Before you land: essentials (money, eTA, SIM) → safety map — where to book → getting around.
• First time, 3 days: attractions guide (Stanley Park + North Shore day) → whale tour → Victoria day trip.
• Active trip: hikes with map → Sea-to-Sky road trip → family variants.
• Outdoors week: book campsites early, check fire rules and the live heat/ocean widget, add fishing or Tofino surfing.
• Food lover: farmers & fish markets — Granville Island, Steveston wharf and the Saturday markets, with real prices.
• Bucket list: Alaska cruise from Canada Place, or ship to the USA via the Victoria Clipper.

Also on FanVancouver: the Vancouver city guide, events calendar and local news explained for visitors.

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