Book cheap flights to Vancouver

Any time is a great time to visit this exciting city! Winter falls between January and March, where many locals pull on their boots and head up the ski slopes. Spring sets in from April to June, when universities close and families take advantage of the outdoors. Summer sees many art and music festivals come alive, and in the months leading up to Christmas, the city is abuzz with festive cheer.

South African Passport holders require a visa to visit Vancouver, or anywhere else in Canada. You will need to ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and has three blank pages available for entry stamps.

The High Commission of Canada is situated in Pretoria.

Address: 1103 Arcadia Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083

Phone: ( 27) 012 422 3000

Vancouver is one of the safest cities to live in. It is a very accessible city and is easy to get around. Like all big cities, small-scale crimes do occur, so be vigilant with your personal belongings and do not leave your items unattended.

If you decide to venture outside the central region, be careful of Downtown Eastside, just north of Chinatown. It is not a violent neighbourhood, however it is a hub for many homeless people, prostitutes and drug addicts. The area is under new development, but try to avoid walking around on your own.

Should you find yourself ill or in need of medication, you’ll have no trouble finding a health clinic or well-stocked pharmacy nearby. Should you require immediate medical attention you can call the UBC Hospital Care Centre at ( 1) 604 822 7222.

If you want to be in the middle of the action, with access to cool bars and interesting attractions, make your way Downtown and mingle with the locals.

Another popular area for tourists is Gastown/ Railtown for a more edgy vibe. Only 15 minutes away from lively Granville Street, this is a hotspot for youngsters, where many trendy restaurants and clubs make for a fun night out! The gritty old London feel of this neighbourhood stems from its old brick buildings from the early 20th century.

For something more upscale, Yaletown is teeming with many high-end restaurants and is conveniently located close to the Skytrain station.

North Vancouver is a quieter area, ideal for couples and families, with Lower Lonsdale being pretty and vibrant. A Seabus ferry gets you downtown in 15 minutes.

Getting around in Vancouver is easy as the public transport network is extensive.

Ideally, you don’t want to stay too far from the Skytrain lines, and there are three to choose from depending on your location. The Canada Line is your best bet, as it travels from the airport to the major tourist areas around the city.

The Seabus (public transit ferry) is a great option to get you between Downtown and North Vancouver, while the public buses are also reliable. Taxis can work out to be quite expensive (unless you’re a group), so try to stick to public transport as far as possible.

Fares are zone-based, but you can save some money by buying booklets of Faresaver tickets. There are also day passes available, which are good options if you plan on travelling extensively during the course of a day.