Like a local: visit Vancouver on a budget

Like a local is a part of an occasional series of travel tips and recommendations on how to be a tourist and stick to your savings goals. Happy travels.

People in Vancouver, BC’s largest city and cultural centre, often joke that the B.C. stands for “bring cash.”

That may be true when it comes to buying into the region’s notoriously high-priced real estate but this beautiful city, nestled between a snow-capped mountain range and the glistening Pacific Ocean, can be a perfect destination for the budget-minded traveller.

The best of what Vancouver has to offer – parks, beaches, bike paths, mountain hikes, and other natural wonders – are all complimentary. And of course, there are also all the amenities of any big city – great restaurants, vibrant nightlife, theatre and music – but they too can be experienced without destroying your credit rating.

Getting Around

There’s simply no better way to get around Vancouver than by foot or bicycle. Renting a car is a fool’s errand. It’s not only expensive, but you will spend half your vacation hunting for a parking spot. Vancouver boasts an impressive labyrinth of bike paths that you can use to traverse the city and explore the sights.

The city’s bike share option, Mobi, is ubiquitous and a favourite among tourists. It can cost about $10 a day, or you can choose from a multitude of hourly rental options. Once you’ve got your wheels, cruise the famous Seawall that circles Stanley Park and take in the stunning panoramic views of English Bay and Lions Gate Bridge. You can also bike on the wall to Canada Place where the mammoth cruise ships are parked like hotels on the sea. 

Places to Eat

Sushi reigns supreme in Vancouver and it’s priced competitively. Check out Sushi Bang near City Hall for a commuter favourite, plus a massive menu that borders on excessive. For some of the best Chinese, Peaceful Restaurant has exploded in popularity after its appearance on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. One slurp of their homemade Dan Dan noodles and you’ll call Guy Fieri a genius.

Aside from the Japanese culinary influence, hippiedom can be seen throughout the city’s restaurant and drinking establishments. The laid-back menu vibes often comes with laid-back pricing. Take the iconic 60s institution, the Naam, a vegetarian-friendly time capsule to a counter-culture past, with the retro prices to boot.

Places to see

While Vancouver’s West Side can be an expensive stronghold of yoga-crazed fitness fanatics, the East Side works tirelessly to assert its independent and affordable spirit. Stroll down Commercial Drive, the beating heart of the East Side, and you’ll see vintage clothing shops, Italian cafes, and Grandview Park, which features a glorious city skyline view. Pop into Havana’s for their beloved Mojitos or dig into a basket of Johnny Cakes at the Reef, a popular Caribbean joint with a patio seemingly made for people watching.

Incredible views are in no short supply in Vancouver, but if you want the mother of all views – an eagle’s POV looking down upon the ocean and Greater Vancouver – it’s surprisingly doable. Take a city bus to Grouse Mountain, where gondolas await. Lift tickets will set you back (north of $40), but if you hike the Grouse Grind the price is halved. Your muscles, however, will make you pay in other ways.

Where to drink

One of Vancouver’s most industrial areas has become a burgeoning zone for sipping the best in craft beers. Railtown, which is just east of the historic Gastown area, has become a hot spot for hip crowds knocking back flights of IPAs and other malty offerings. Walk through the cathedral doors of Postmark Brewing and you’ll be awed by the building’s rich 90-year history. Staff recommend the signature West Coast Pale Ale, described as aromatic and rugged.

Walk a few blocks west to reach the Alibi Room, a favourite destination to geek out on beer. The Alibi features laid-back décor and a chalkboard overflowing with choice. Your head will swirl not just from the high alcohol selections, but the extensive menu of local and exotic beers. Best to ask for a recommendation.

Hit the beach

On a beautiful sunny day in Vancouver, which doesn’t happen for a substantial portion of the year, the bars and patio can seem oddly quiet, if not downright empty. What gives? Vancouverites flock to the beaches to bask under the sun – a marked cultural difference from much of the Midwest and East Coast.

Each beach in Vancouver offers a different vibe. For example, Kitsilano commonly has blaring music and inhumanly fit bodies. Third Beach is tucked away at the edge Stanley Park and attracts passing by tourists. Spanish Banks is more family-friendly with BBQ pits and concession stands.

And finally Wreck Beach, hidden by the wild bushes around UBC campus, is truly for the minimalist traveller – you don’t even need clothes to hang out here.