Lesson 1: Before You Leave Home
Things you need to know before you leave home, such as passport requirements and climate. Other items of interest that will help once you arrive like what you should tip a waitress.
Introduction
Photo by Maureen Fleury
Welcome to the first lesson on Travel in British Columbia. Like any real trip, you have to make preparations. On this virtual trip, we have a few little things to tend to before we start venturing into the province. For instance, if I quote distance in kilometers, do you know how far that really is? If I refer to a price of something, do you know that GST may apply?
In this lesson, we will learn about the entry requirements, what merchandise you can bring in and out of British Columbia. Learn what you should pack and other pieces of information to help you get prepared for your visit to British Columbia. By learning a few things in advance, it will make you feel less like a stranger. It may also save you from some embarrassing moments!
Some of these questions will be answered in this lesson:
- What is a loonie?
- What do the letters GST represent?
- Can you bring pets into BC?
- Why buy travel insurance?
- What credit cards are widely accepted?
- What is a Visitors Tax Rebate?
- Do I need a visa to enter?
- How much should I tip a bellhop?
Some of this information is applicable to all of Canada so that's why I used the words "Canada" or "country". In the cases where there are variations from province to province, I have only listed what is applicable to British Columbia. That's why you may see me change the wording from "Canada" to "British Columbia".
