TRAVEL TIPS FOR KAMLOOPS AND AREA
Weather
For current weather information, visit Environment Canada.
Border Crossing
In general, US citizens and permanent residents should carry a birth or baptismal certificate or voter’s registration card. A US driver’s license is NOT accepted as proof of citizenship. Naturalized citizens should carry documents proving citizenship, such as a green card or a passport.
All goods must be declared. Wearing apparel and personal goods for use by visitors are permitted free of duty. Persons aged 19 years and older may bring into Canada up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, or 220 grams of manufactured tobacco. Persons aged 19 years and older may also bring into Canada 1.14 litres of spirits or 1.5 litres of wine or 8.5 litres of beer or ale. Revolvers, pistols, and other firearms are prohibited entry into Canada. All weapons must be declared.
New and Important Information
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all travelers, including US Citizens, from the America’s, the Caribbean and Bermuda, to have a passport or another acceptable document that confirms the bearer’s nationality and identity to enter or re-enter the US.
· In addition to the passport, acceptable documents include a valid NEXUS Air Card or Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) will be acceptable.
Important Dates
Air Travel
A passport-only requirment will apply to all travelers - including returning US citizens - entering the US by air from the Western Hemisphere on January 23, 2007. This new requirement includes Canadians and others who have previously been exempt from having to carry a passport.
Sea & Land Travel
The new requirement for a passport or other secure travel document will be enforced for Western Hemisphere travel into the US by sea (cruise) or land at some point prior to January 1, 2008; but no exact date has been set.
Obtaining A Passport
For Canadian Citizens: Visit the Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise website or call 204-983-3500 (from outside Canada) or 1-800-461-9999 (from inside Canada).
For US Citizens: Visit the State Department’s travel website or call the US National Passport Information Center at 1-877-4USA-PPT or 1-888-874-7793.
Please remember to allow yourself sufficient time for application processing and mailing time of the actual document.
Currency and Banking
Currency exchange is offered at major Canadian banks, credit unions and automated teller machines, which are conveniently located throughout Kamloops. US currency is widely accepted, but not necessarily at the daily exchange rate. Travellers Cheques are also accepted at various commercial enterprises.
Most major credit cards, such as VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted, as is Interact payment at most commercial establishments. Banking machines are easily accessible for banking or to withdraw cash.
Kamloops is a great city to get around in
Driving Laws
International drivers licenses are accepted. Wearing seatbelts at all times is mandatory, and failure to do so may result in a fine. Road signs are posted in metric (kilometres/hr). Maximum speeds of up to 110 km/hr or 66 mi/hr are posted. Drinking alcohol while driving is strictly prohibited and subject to severe penalties under the Criminal Code.
Foreign Motor Coach Operators
All charter buses operating in British Columbia must carry the Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card and Canada Interprovincial "P" Cards. Operators planning the maximum six entries per year may obtain all necessary permits at any weigh scale. For more than six entries, contact the British Columbia Motor Carrier Commission at (604) 953-3777.
Holidays
Good Friday/Easter Monday
· March 21 (Good Friday) & March 24 (Easter Monday) 2008
Victoria Day
· May 19, 2008
Take note of holidays and special events
Canada Day
· July 1
BC Day
· First Monday in August
Labour Day
· First Monday in September
Thanksgiving
· October 9, 2006; October 8, 2007
Remembrance Day
· November 11
Liquor Laws
· The minimum age is 19 for consumption of any alcohol in British Columbia. Government Liquor outlets are located throughout the province and are cloased on Sundays and statutary holidays. Cold Beer & Wine stores can be found in most communities and are open every day. Drinking while driving motorized vehicles, including boats, is illegal and subject to severe penalties under the Criminal Code.
Taxes
· Provincial sales tax is 7% on retail purchases, 10% on liquor, and 8-10% on accommodation.
· The 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) is refundable to non-Canadian residents on accumulated purchases of $100 or more. GST on hotel/motel accommodation is also refundable. Obtain GST refund forms at Canada Customs.
Gratuities
· In Canada, it is common courtesy to provide a 10% to 15% gratuity for meals, valet parking, and certain services such as haircuts. Some places automatically put the gratuity on the bill (usually this will be restaurants) so read your bill carefully before paying.
Area Codes
· For Vancouver and Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Howe Sounds, Sunshine Coast, Whistler (604) / (778)
· For all other places, such as Kamloops, it is (250).
Please make sure your hunting and fishing licences are up to date
Hunting and fishing Licenses
· Freshwater Fishing Licensing: Tel: (250) 387-9589
· Hunting Licensing: Tel: (250) 387-9739
Highway Reports
· BC Highway Conditions 1-900-565-4997 $0.75/minute usage charge
Emergency Contacts
· Direct all emergency calls to 911. Non-emergency numbers are listed in the front of all local telephone books.
Motorcoach Repairs
· Kamloops: Canada West Coach Lines Ltd, 101 - 929 Laval Crescent, Tel: (250) 374-7032.
Hospitals and Walk-In Clinics
The Overlander Extended Care Hospital
250-554-2323
953 Southill Street
Brocklehurst, BC
Royal Inland Hospital - Information
250-374-5111
311 Columbia Street,
Kamloops, BC V2C 2T1
Kamloops Urgent Care Clinic
250-371-4905
4-910 Columbia Street,
Kamloops, BC V2C 2V9
Sahali Medical Clinic
250-851-0212
1315 Summit Drive
Kamloops, BC V2C 5R9
Summit Medical Clinic
250-374-9800
5-1380 Summit Drive
Kamloops, BC V2C 1T8
Tranquille Medical Clinic
250-376-2263
281 Tranquille Road
Kamloops, BC V2B 3G2