Banks: 10:00 to 15:00, Monday to Thursday; 10:00 to 18:00 Fridays
Post Offices: 09:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:00 Saturdays
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday

Overall, Victoria is a safe city to visit. Violent crimes are low and incidents involving tourists rare. However, the city has its share of petty theft and crimes of opportunity, so don’t leave your bag unattended or keep anything valuable in your car. Victoria also has a lot of homeless people living on the streets of certain neighbourhoods. There are panhandlers throughout the tourist areas and downtown so take notice when walking at night, avoid deserted streets and try to travel with someone.

Police: 911

110V, 60Hz, flat two-prong blade plugs

Victoria has excellent standards of hygiene, so visitors should have no trouble with the tap water or the food in restaurants. It does rain a lot, especially during the winter, so be sure and bring a good rain jacket and warm layers of clothing. Most hotels have a doctor on call, or can suggest a nearby pharmacy for any minor illnesses.

Serious medical problems can be tackled by the Tillicum Mall Medical Clinic, which takes walk-in patients every day from 09.00 to 21.00. The hospitals in Victoria are also fully capable of dealing with most emergencies. Canada’s healthcare system does not cover foreign visitors, so it is suggested that you buy travel insurance before arriving in case of a medical emergency.

Emergency services: 911
Victoria General Hospital: +1 250 727 4212

English is the official language spoken throughout British Columbia and Victoria.

Canada uses the Canadian dollar as its official currency. There are 100 cents in a dollar. Banknotes, which come in a variety of bright colours, have denominations of C$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are heavily used in Canada and come in denominations of C$1 (a loonie), C$2 (a toonie), and 50, 25, 10 and five cents and one cent.

All visitors over the age of 18 can import: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 14 ounces of tobacco, 40 ounces of liquor and wine or 24 12 ounces of cans of beer. Canadian customs officials check cigarettes and alcohol closely, so expect to pay a duty fee if you bring in more than the allowed quota.

Canadians in general are very laid back, and the residents of Victoria are even more friendly and relaxed than usual. Visitors can expect a warm welcome just about everywhere they go in Victoria. Handshakes are the normal form of greeting, and men and women receive equal treatment. The main social rule in Victoria is to be nice. It may be a little disconcerting at first, but Canadians are simply big-hearted people with little pretension.

Any citizen of the British Commonwealth such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand need only show proof of their Commonwealth citizenship to get into Canada. Occasionally visitors are asked to show evidence of sufficient funds. US citizens do not need a visa either, but must show a passport to enter the country. Citizens from all other countries typically need a visa, which can be obtained from your nearest Canadian consulate.

The Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre is located at the inner harbour, across from the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This useful centre is open from 09:00 to 17:00 daily, with extended hours during the summer.

Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre
812 Wharf Street
Phone: +1 250 953 2033
www.tourismvictoria.com