Be Safe In Vancouver

As far as North American cities go, Vancouver is a safe city to visit and it has a good complement of quality hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, a low crime rate and excellent roads. In addition, Canada is politically stable and although the threat of terrorism is a worldwide risk, Canada has been the victim of fewer terrorist attacks than the US and certain European countries.

Although Vancouver is a safe city, there are rough areas to watch out for, particularly after dark, and visitors should take common precautions to take care of themselves and their belongings. Visitors should pay specially attention when they are in crowded, tourist-friendly areas, as this is where pickpockets like to hang out and practice their trade, while the main train and bus station - Pacific Central Station - is also populated by unsavoury types.

It is always a good idea to keep your valuables out of sight no matter what part of the city you are in; don’t wear exposed money bags with valuables in; wallets should be kept in an inside or a front trouser pocket and purses zipped up in a handbag that should be worn with a strap across the body.

As for dangerous areas in Vancouver, there is one main area that people on foot should stay away from at night; this being the eastern end of East Hastings street in the Gastown area, to the east of downtown Vancouver. Although a built up area and inhabited by many hotels and restaurants, certain parts of this street are where drug addicts and prostitutes tend to congregate.

Police:  911

Health

Windsurfing is very popular here, as is skiing in the wintertime. While these activities are fun, there is always a greater element of risk, even for the most seasoned of athletes, and taking out adequate travel and medical insurance before embarking on your journey is an absolute must.

Canada’s roads are excellent and the national accident rate is lower than many other civilised countries, yet driving to the nearby ski resorts and on Highway 99 to Whistler puts drivers at more of a risk of having an accident in the winter, due to adverse weather conditions.

General Hospital: +1 604 875 4111