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British Columbia

British Columbia (BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, between the Pacific Ocean, and the Rocky Mountains. BC has great scenery along the coast and inland, and is a rewarding destination for outdoor life, especially downhill snowsports and wilderness backpacking.

British Columbia is truly massive at nearly one million square kilometers (larger than every U.S. state except Alaska and four times the size of the island of Great Britain). Within this landmass, several north-south mountain ranges cross through the province, such as the Rockies, the Selkirks, the Purcells and the Coastal Range. Because of this rough terrain, however, B.C. has only five million inhabitants: less than a tenth of Britain's population or just two thirds as much as next-door Washington state. The majority of British Columbians live in just a few densely-populated valleys sandwiched between the mountain ranges or along the sea.

In each of these valleys a very different climate, lifestyle, and culture can be found. The coastal metropolis of Vancouver is the ultra-urbane playground of Hollywood stars and Chinese billionaires, for example. But across each mountain range the scene changes: Williams Lake and Chilcotin Plateau are cowboy country, and the Okanagan Valley (Canada's warmest region) hosts fruit orchards and wineries, and on it goes. Across the entirely of province one will find diverse First Nations: the indigenous peoples of British Columbia.

Cities
Listed below are nine of the province's most notable urban destinations. Links to others will be found in the various regional articles.
 * – a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.
 * – the provincial capital, on the south tip of Vancouver Island.
 * – the tournament capital of Canada.
 * – the largest city in the British Columbia interior.
 * – the "Queen City" of the Kootenays, renowned for its tourism, culture and outdoor activities.
 * – a popular summer destination on Okanagan Lake.
 * – the largest city in Northern British Columbia and the centre of the BC Forest Industry.
 * – Canada's rainiest city, is the hub of the North Coast.
 * – a summer and winter outdoor destination and the site of many events in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Other destinations
With its abundance of mountains, coastline and wilderness, British Columbia has many destinations outside of its cities and towns. Listed below are nine of the province's most notable other destinations.
 * — high peaks in the Columbua Mountains, large, active glaciers, and one of Canada's largest cave systems
 * — historic villages of the Haida First Nation, deep fjords, rugged mountains, salmon spawning streams, sub-alpine tundra
 * — includes parts of the Kootenay and Park mountain ranges, the Kootenay River and the Vermilion River
 * — a wide range of summer and winter recreational opportunities such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking & canoeing
 * — includes Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies
 * — rugged coasts, lush temperate rainforests, and the famous West Coast Trail
 * — the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands, replete with artist studios, hiking, kayaking, climbing, yoga
 * — part of the Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site in the northwestern corner of British Columbia
 * — in the Canadian Rocky Mountains along the western slope of the Continental Divide of the Americas in southeastern British Columbia

Understand
The multicultural nature of British Columbia is a byproduct of its history. BC is the homeland of many indigenous nations whose ancestors were here for thousands of years, and has subsequently been influenced by settlement from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere in North America.

The indigenous peoples of BC have formerly been called Indians, Native Canadians, or Aboriginals, but now the generally accepted terms are indigenous or First Nations. Prior to arrival of Europeans, this region was able to support a variety of cultures based around different ways for gathering food. On the coasts and near major rivers, people were sedentary and had complex social hierarchies: this was largely due to the abundance of salmon. Inland people were nomadic hunter gatherers who lived in much smaller communities. More than thirty languages belonging to seven different language families were spoken in what is now BC when Europeans began to document them. To learn about indigenous cultures in British Columbia in the past and today, visit the islands of Haida Gwaii, the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, 'Ksang village near New Hazelton, the village of Kitwanga, and numerous other small museums and historic sites across the province.

The arrival of Europeans began with trading, and may have even been a positive relationship for the indigenous peoples as first. However, the Europeans brought smallpox and other diseases, which decimated the indigenous populations.

For many years, what was to become BC was claimed by each of Spain, Russia, and the United States. But ultimately, it became part of the British Empire in 1846 when the U.S. gave up its claim to the area. Britain didn't try to settle the area with colonists, but rather just gave the Hudson's Bay Company a monopoly here to trade with the indigenous peoples for furs, and since many of those HBC traders were French-Canadian there was a French-speaking population here at one time, but it is now mostly assimilated. Fur trade related historic sites in BC include Fort St. James National Historic Site near Vanderhoof, Fort Langley National Historic Site in Langley, and Fort McLeod National Historic Site near Prince George.

Soon, however, more English-speaking settlers began to arrive to looking for gold, which some did find, and so the British government decided to give them their own local colonial governments in the hope that they wouldn't rebel against the HBC and try to the join the United States, starting with Vancouver Island in 1849. Eventually all of these smaller colonies were merged into a single one called British Columbia, which gained its current borders in 1866. Sites from the gold rush and colonial days include Fort Steele Heritage Town near Cranbrook and Barkerville Gold Rush Town.

BC's population was still small and mostly indigenous at this time, when the Canadians came calling offering membership in their newly created federation. BC was the sixth province to join the Confederation of Canada, in 1871. This was done at least partly on the basis of a promise by the Canadian federal government to build a railway linking BC to the rest of Canada. Significant geographical barriers and political feuding delayed the completion of this railway until 1885 when the last spike was driven home at a place called Craigellachie near Sicamous. Following the completion of railway, many more arrivals from Eastern Canada arrived and the character of much of the rural BC interior is typically English-Canadian as a result. With a few exceptions, the First Nations of BC (unlike the rest of Canada) have never signed treaties or ceded their territory to Canada. Almost one third of the First Nations communities in Canada are in BC, and there are more different tribes in BC compared to other areas in Canada. Therefore, the official ownership of much of the province is contested as the First Nations claim much of the province as their territory. The courts have generally acknowledged that there is a basis for the claims based on historical use of the land and have urged the governments to negotiate a settlement to these claims. Settling these land claims has been a complex issue that is still ongoing. The first modern treaty signed was by the Nis'ga in Northern BC in 1999 (their capital is at Gitlaxt'aamiks north of Prince Rupert). In 2007, the Tsawassen First Nation (reserve near Delta) and the Maa-Nulth First Nations (a confederacy of five First Nations on Vancouver Island) signed treaties with the province and the federal government.

During the early to mid 20th century, First Nations people were legally required to send their children to Church-run boarding or day schools. The primary intent of the schools was to assimilate the First Nation population, though it is now recognized that this was cultural genocide. Children were taught that their culture was backward and evil and were not allowed to speak their native languages, physically punished if they did not follow the rules, and many were sexually exploited by school staff and other students. This systemic problem is finally being addressed and discussed openly, particularly after a large unmarked graveyard was identified at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops in 2021. Hundreds of students were buried over the school's existence, in part due to the poor health conditions in the schools. Similar graves have been subsequently identified at other former residential schools across Canada. Many of the First Nation communities have been trying to revive their culture and are now often the center of much of the ecotourism industry.

During much of the 20th century, BC's economy boomed based on exports of lumber and minerals. This attracted many new waves of immigration. Americans began to have large influence on BC, especially during Second World War, when thousands of them arrived to build the Alaska Highway, and though most didn't stay long, after the war most of BC exports were mostly going to the US and much of BC's then-still-young tourism industry relied on American clients.

After Canada's immigration reforms of 1967 removed the preference for Europeans, the new arrivals were increasingly from Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, and, especially, Asia.

Some Chinese men had already arrived in the early part of the 19th century to work in the gold rush of that era and later many more worked on the construction of the railway through the mountains. A much larger Chinese migration began after 1967, much of it initially from Vietnam and Hong Kong, and later from Mainland China. Chinese history can be glimpsed in the Fan Tan Alley in Victoria's Chinatown (Canada's oldest, and second oldest in North America) and discovered at the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver's Chinatown. The present-day Chinese community mostly doesn't live in Chinatown-style urban ghettos and instead lives in standard Canadian-style housing in Vancouver South or Richmond, but East-Asian-style shopping can still be found in the Golden Village shopping district of Richmond

There was also a Japanese community in Coastal BC before the Second World War until they were evicted and sent to camps in the interior. This story of the community as it once was can be learned at the National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre in Burnaby, and internment can be learned about at the Langham Cultural Society in Kaslo.

There was also a community from British-ruled India (including Pakistan and Bangladesh), primarily made up of Punjabi Sikhs; there is no major South Asian museum in BC as yet, though one was promised in the 2020 election. Nevertheless, the Punjabi Market in Vancouver South is the place to do South Asian shopping.

The early 21st century has also seen BC has become a major hub for Canadians relocating from other provinces, especially retirees seeking milder weather (for example in the town of Sidney), but also hippies and other free spirits (notably around Ucluelet) and those looking for gig work in the booming film industry.

Visitor information

 * hellobc.com (official tourism website)

Talk
Although Canada is officially a bilingual French/English country, you would be hard pressed to find many French-speaking people in B.C.; they are in fact far outnumbered by speakers of Mandarin, Cantonese or Punjabi in the province. Services are available in English and French at offices of the federal government. Provincial and municipal governments operate in English only. Some businesses, especially in Vancouver and Victoria offer services in a number of languages (primarily Asian ones). Banks sometimes indicate by a sign in the window which languages are offered. Publications of the provincial government are often available in Chinese and Punjabi, while depending on the demographics of the area, provincial and municipal government services may be available in Mandarin, Cantonese or Punjabi.

With the migration of people from all over Canada into British Columbia, most citizens here speak with a general Canadian accent while in rural areas, people may speak with a slight twang. At one time Chinook Jargon, a bridge language for trading between English, French and First Nations peoples in the late 1800s and early 1900s, was common and almost became the official language of BC. Now there are very few speakers of the language, but many terms from the language are common slang terms in rural parts of BC.

 * Cheechako : Newcomer, implying "tenderfoot" (more common in Northern BC and the Yukon).
 * Saltchuck : The ocean. Often abbreviated as in "out on the chuck"
 * High Muckamuck : The chief, or boss, or "high pooh-bah"
 * Tyee : king or chief or boss, can also mean a large Chinook salmon
 * Cultus : Bad or worthless, also "ordinary"
 * Skookum : Strong, powerful, or impressive, also just means "big and thick".
 * Skookumchuck : "strong water", used for rapids, especially saltwater rapids

By plane
Vancouver International Airport is the province's major international airport and the second busiest airport in Canada, which is served by most major international airlines and has direct flights from much of North America, and larger airports in Asia and Europe. Victoria, Abbotsford, and Kelowna also have international airports that have service to some locations within Canada, and may offer some flights to the United States of America, Mexico, or the Caribbean, though mostly on a seasonal basis in winter months. Some flights from Alberta travel to Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Prince George.

By car
There are a number of land border crossings from the United States into BC from Washington (state) near BC's west coast. See the Lower Mainland (BC) and Northwest Cascades (WA) articles for details in those areas. In addition, some car ferries cross from the United States into BC, see "By boat" below. There are also land border crossings into BC from Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Below are some notable highways to enter BC.

 * BC is connected from Washington state by:
 * Interstate 5 (Washington) / Highway 99 (BC), connecting Seattle via Bellingham with Vancouver. This is the busiest international crossing into British Columbia.
 * Highway 97, connecting Wenatchee with Kelowna via Osoyoos.
 * Highway 395 (Washington) / Highway 22 (BC), connecting Spokane via Colville with Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) about 18 km east of Grand Forks.
 * BC is connected from Idaho by:
 * Highway 95 connecting Coeur d'Alene via Bonners Ferry to Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) for travel to Cranbrook.
 * BC is connected from Montana by:
 * Highway 93 connecting Missoula via Kalispell to Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) for travel to Fernie.
 * BC is connected from Alberta by:
 * Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), connecting Calgary via Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops
 * Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway), connecting Lethbridge to Hope via Cranbrook and Castlegar. Highway travels close the Canada-United States border.
 * Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway), connecting Edmonton via Jasper to Prince Rupert via Prince George.
 * Highway 43 (Alberta) / Highway 2 (BC) connecting Highway 16 west of Edmonton via Grande Prairie to Dawson Creek
 * Highway 93, connecting Lake Louise to Radium Hot Springs. This is an alternative to Highway 1, if traveling from Alberta to areas south of Highway 1.
 * BC is connected from the Northwest Territories by:
 * Highway 7 (Northwest Territories) / Highway 77 (BC), connecting Highway 1 (Mackenzie Highway) with Fort Nelson

 * BC is connected from Yukon by:
 * Highway 1 (Yukon) / Highway 97 (BC), parts of the Alaska Highway, connecting Whitehorse and Watson Lake with Dawson Creek via Fort Nelson
 * Highway 37 (Stewart-Cassiar Highway), connecting near Watson Lake with Kitwanga via Dease Lake

By bus
From Alberta From United States of America

By boat
There are ferries from Washington into Victoria and Sidney, and from Alaska into Prince Rupert. Except the Victoria Clipper all the other ferries do take vehicles onboard:

By train

 * Operates the Amtrak Cascades, a daily train route between Seattle and Vancouver.

 * Operates two train routes entering British Columbia.
 * "The Canadian", runs along a historic and scenic railway into British Columbia. turning south at Ashcroft and along the Canadian Pacific track to Mission, and on to Vancouver. Other stops in British Columbia include several cities in the Fraser Valley, as well as Boston Bar, Kamloops, Clearwater, and Valemount. Notable and major cities along the route outside of British Columbia include Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Sudbury, and Toronto. Two to three departures per direction per week.
 * "The Skeena", from Jasper to Prince Rupert including stops in McBride, Prince George, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, New Hazelton, Kitwanga, and Terrace. The train stops overnight stop in Prince George, where passengers must disembark for the night and make their own arrangements for accommodations. There is a connection with BC Ferries' Inside Passage and Queen Charlotte routes at Prince Rupert. Three departures per direction per week.

 * Offers an elite-class, expensive passenger tour service to Prince George and Jasper, returning to Vancouver via the another CN line via Kamloops. It does not pick up passengers along the route. Guests are placed in local hotels in Prince George and Jasper. See Rocky Mountaineer.

By plane
BC is a large province. The most convenient way to get to much of the province is by plane. However, this can be quite expensive. It is often more expensive to fly to some point in BC than it is to fly to Europe. Vancouver International Airport is the regional hub for most air service within BC. Float planes can also be convenient for accessing many coastal locations.

By car
Getting around here is not always easy. Many worthwhile destinations are outside of the cities and not accessible by public transportation options. This makes renting a car quite a popular option for getting around, although there is some bus service to be found. Bear in mind when travelling by car that headlights should be used both day and night, regardless of conditions. If driving during the winter, plan your route carefully as British Columbia experiences some hazardous weather.

If you drive or rent a vehicle, be aware that provincial law requires fuel to be prepaid before filling up. If you use a "pay-at-pump" interface, the station may place a hold on an available amount in your account which may last for a few days. It is wise to ensure you have adequate funds or credit limit room on your payment cards before visiting.

For north-south travel within BC, the main highways to take are:

 * Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and/or Highway 19 on Vancouver Island, which enable travel between the south end and north end.

 * Highway 5 (South Yellowhead Highway) traveling diagonal from southwestern BC heading northeast
 * Highway 97 traveling north-south.
 * Highway 37 (Stewart-Cassiar Highway) running north into the Yukon to connect with the Alaska Highway

For east-west travel within BC, the main highways to take are:

 * Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) in southern BC.
 * Highway 3 (Crownest Highway) near BC's southern border with the United States.
 * Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) in northern BC.

Winter driving
Each year, between October 1 and April 30, vehicles must have winter tires or chains on most highways, other than coastal areas of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. In addition, between mid-fall and mid-spring, mudslides or snowfall can temporarily close highways. DriveBC provides information on current road conditions, including any closures.

Itineraries:
 * Sunshine Coast-Vancouver Island Circle Tour - a good way to see Vancouver, the neighbouring Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island
 * Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies

Intercity buses

 * Between Prince George and Fort St. John with stops in Mackenzie, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, and Taylor. There is also a weekly trip between Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson, allowing passengers to travel between Prince George and Fort Nelson over two consecutive days.
 * Between Prince George and Prince Rupert with stops in Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, New Hazelton, Kitwanga, and Terrace, and Port Edward.
 * Between Prince George and Valemount with a stops in McBride and Tete Jaune Cache.
 * Daily between Kamloops and Vancouver with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
 * Daily between Kelowna and Vancouver with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
 * Daily between Kamloops and Kelowna with stops in Chase, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Enderby, Armstrong, and Vernon.
 * Three days per week per direction between Kamloops and Prince George with stops in Savona, Cache Creek, Clinton, 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, Lac La Hache, Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Hixon.
 * Routes include:
 * Between Kaslo and Vancouver with stops in Balfour, Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Rock Creek, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Manning Provincial Park, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, and New Westminster. Operates two trips per week per direction.
 * Between Calgary and Kaslo with stops in Okotoks, High River, Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston, Salmo, Nelson, and Balfour. Operates one trip per week per direction.
 * Routes include:
 * Between Kaslo and Vancouver with stops in Balfour, Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Rock Creek, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Manning Provincial Park, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, and New Westminster. Operates two trips per week per direction.
 * Between Calgary and Kaslo with stops in Okotoks, High River, Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston, Salmo, Nelson, and Balfour. Operates one trip per week per direction.
 * Between Kaslo and Vancouver with stops in Balfour, Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Rock Creek, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Manning Provincial Park, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, and New Westminster. Operates two trips per week per direction.
 * Between Calgary and Kaslo with stops in Okotoks, High River, Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston, Salmo, Nelson, and Balfour. Operates one trip per week per direction.

By ferry

 * You will find that BC Ferries is the only way to access many island and coastal communities. Nearly all of the routes operate vehicle ferries. Some of the smaller islands can be visited on foot or by bicycle, but in many cases additional road transportation is necessary. Although ferry service is generally reliable, taking an automobile on board is rarely cheap, and you will likely find it less expensive to take the ferry as a foot passenger and rent an automobile at your destination. Reservations are available on some of the routes and are recommended if traveling during a long weekend or during the summer. If you are taking bus service across a ferry, you should confirm when buying your bus ticket that the ferry fare is included.

By train
See By train under Get In for additional options.

Tourist/railfan railway operations, which allow passengers to ride on restored train from decades ago:

See
Vancouver, as the province's largest city, has the biggest concentration of cultural institutions, including the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Museum of Anthropology, and Science World. It has live theater, shopping, nightlife and casinos, in a spectacular setting. Vancouver's massive Stanley Park, which covers a peninsula attached to the city's downtown, is not just your average urban park! You can stroll through the park on the seawall, check out the aquarium, take a look at the totem poles, and stop at various historical points of interest.

Victoria, a smaller city that is the seat of the provincial government, trades on its English charm, is home to the Royal British Columbia Museum, and the beautiful Butchart Gardens, which offer over 50 acres (22 hectares) of gardens and floral display.

In Richmond, a southern suburb of Vancouver, is the International Buddhist Temple, the most authentic example of traditional palatial Chinese architecture in North America. It is an edifice straight out of the Chinese past, as it resembles any authentic temple that can be found along the banks of the Yangtze River, where one of the world's oldest civilizations originated. Come explore traditional Chinese art, culture, and the Buddhist philosophy inside this magnificent place. Free admission.

The history and culture of British Columbia's First Nations (Indigenous) peoples can be explored all around the province. The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, and the U'mista Cultural Society in Alert Bay are excellent places to start.

British Columbia's spectacular scenery is the main reason many visit come to the province, whether it's for the rugged coastline, or the majestic peaks of the Coast Mountains and Rocky Mountains range, the vine and orchards of the Interior, or the canyons of its many rivers.

Do
British Columbia has an abundance of riches when in comes to outdoor activities in every season. Go skiing at Whistler-Blackcomb, North America's largest ski area, or the other excellent ski areas throughout the province in destinations near Kimberley, Fernie, Nelson, Kelowna or Rossland. If skiing's not your thing, there's winter surfing in Tofino.

Backpackers should head to the West Coast Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail closer to Victoria, or the BC sections of the Trans Canada Trail. As hiking is a popular pastime residents, most cities and towns have ample ell-marked and well-maintained hiking trails.

Kayakers will be thrilled by Desolation Sound, Telegraph Cove, the Broken Islands, Haida Gwaii, and opportunities to kayak among orcas (killer whales).

Rock-climbing opportunities abound in the Rocky Mountains, and the Stawamus Chief in Squamish is world-famous among rock climbers.

Roam the open range on horseback or try world-class fly-fishing in the Cariboo-Chilcotin.

Walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in North Vancouver and hike the many forest trails in the area.

Explore British Columbia's many national, provincial and local parks. Yoho National Park in eastern BC bordering Banff National Park on the Trans-Canada Highway, and Glacier National Park, which takes in part of the Selkirk Mountain Range where the Trans Canada Highway crosses the range through Roger's Pass, are among the highlights. Vancouverutes take their parks so seriously, they hold elections for their parks board!

Canada's most popular river for whitewater rafting is the Kicking Horse River in western B.C. near that Alberta border that passes through Yoho National Park.

Eat
Due to British Columbia's diverse population, the province has a large variety of food available. BC's extensive coastline is home to some of the freshest fish in the world and the province's main specialties are salmon and geoduck.

Vancouver is home to diverse, cosmopolitan dining options and one can find Japanese and Chinese restaurants on practically every commercial block. Vancouver's southern suburb of Richmond has became a foodie hotspot with many travelling to one of its many East Asian malls which are home to some of the best affordable Chinese restaurants in Canada and the town's annual (Apr-Oct) Asian night market is the largest such market outside of Asia.

Nanaimo on Vancouver Island is famous for its Nanaimo Bar, a dessert made of chocolate and coconut.

Drink
The legal drinking age in BC is 19.

Beer, wine and spirits are available from the government liquor stores (BCL). They are also available from private beer and wine stores which are usually associated with pubs or bars. Most BCL stores close at 8PM while most private liquor stores are open until 11PM. You cannot buy alcohol in grocery stores.

BC is home to a number of breweries, including the Columbia Brewery in Creston which brews Kokanee, the Granville Island Brewery in Vancouver and Nelson Brewing Company in Nelson. Most breweries offer tours.

BC is also well-renowned for its wine and the Okanagan Valley is the centre of the wine industry in the province. It's a perfect area to visit during the Autumn grape harvest. Many wineries are open for tastings. Due to its temperate climate Vancouver Island is home to an abundance of wineries and most Southern Gulf Islands are home to at least one winery.

Sleep
Accommodation throughout BC can always be arranged in the usual motels, hotels and B&Bs. BC Provincial Parks have had a good reputation over the years and most have very nice campgrounds. Camping in BC is an experience you shouldn't miss.

Stay safe
Outside of the metropolitan areas, much of BC is pretty remote. The more remote the area, the better prepared you need to be. Expect any town with a population of at least 1000 residents to have cellular service, but cellular service on highways in rural areas may have dead zones or there may be no cellular coverage at all. Cellular coverage is less likely to be consistently available along roads in rural areas that are mountainous.

If you are thinking of travelling off designated ski or snowmobile trails always take an avalanche safety course. Travel with experienced guides, talk to locals, look at the Canadian Avalanche Centre's forecast. Or best of all, just play it safe and ski at one of BC's great ski resorts.

Outside the winter months always inform yourself about local concerns with carnivorous wildlife, i.e., bears and cougars. If you're in the BC woods, you can assume that there are likely bears and other wildlife in the area. You're in their territory and it's good practice to make noise and keep your eyes (and ears) open. Knowing how to avoid wildlife encounters is a good idea.

Between May and August, hot weather and extreme weather events can increase risk, especially for vulnerable people, as may wildfires.

Petty property crime is a problem in the major cities, as it is in most, so don't leave items visible in a vehicle. Violent crime is relatively infrequent. Simple precautions will normally preclude a brush with crime. A problem area for tourists to avoid is the infamous East Hastings area of Vancouver.

Experiments with late bar/nightclub closing times (4AM) have also led to increased problems and violence on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver (especially on weekends).

Close to 20 women have been killed or are missing along the "Highway of Tears" (Highway 16) between Prince George and Prince Rupert since about 1970. Young women should not hitch-hike along this highway, especially if they are alone.

Smoking, vaping and cannabis
British Columbia has strict anti-smoking and anti-vaping regulations that prohibit smoking and vaping in any indoor public space or workplace including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The only indoor places where smoking and vaping may be ok is within hotel rooms, if smoking is permitted, or private residences. Smoking and vaping outdoors is not permitted within 6 metres (20 ft) of a building's doors, windows, and air intakes.

In British Columbia, the legal age to obtain, possess, and use marijuana is 19. While the use and possession of recreational marijuana is legal throughout Canada, it is generally a criminal offence to transport marijuana into Canada or to other countries, including the United States of America, even if it is legal to obtain and use marijuana in the other country.

Pot cafes in Vancouver often provide a smoking room where you can safely and discreetly indulge; however, unlike their Amsterdam counterparts, they will not sell you marijuana.

The province of British Columbia is the first jurisdiction in the world to decriminalize possession of hard drugs. Possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine (crack and powder), methamphetamine, MDMA, and opioids (including heroin, fentanyl and morphine) is no longer a criminal offence. The exemption is scheduled to last until until Jan 31, 2026.

Driving while under the influence of drugs is a crime. Anyone caught selling drugs or trafficking them will still face criminal penalties. Possessing hard drugs at airports and many other locations remains illegal.

Go next
To the south is the border with the United States of America with the following states bordering British Columbia from west to east.

 * Washington is home to the Olympic Peninsula, Mount Ranier National Park, the North Cascades mountain range, a highly developed agricultural region and the vibrant cities of Seattle-Tacoma on the Pacific coast.
 * Idaho contains Craters of the Moon National Monument, the western sliver of Yellowstone National Park, and Boise the state's largest and capital city.
 * Montana contains Glacier National Park (unrelated to British Columbia's national park with the same name) and the northern sliver of Yellowstone National Park.

To the east is the province of Alberta which is home to a beautiful mix of prairie, boreal forest and mountains and an economy that fluctuates with the price of oil. It is also home to the cities of Edmonton (the provincial capital) and Calgary (a self-styled cow-town). The mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are popular and busy in all seasons.

To the north are is vast, sparsely-populated wilderness within two territories of Canada.

 * Yukon Territory is adjacent to most of British Columbia's northern boundary including the western end of this boundary. It can be accessed Dease Lake on Highway 37, but is more commonly accessed on the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) via Fort Nelson.  Either way, travel will likely lead to Whitehorse, the largest and capital city of this territory.
 * Northwest Territories is adjacent British Columbia's northern boundary near the east end of this boundary. It can be accessed from Fort Nelson on Highway 77.  The most notable city to reach is Yellowknife, which is the largest city and capital of this territory.

To the northwest is Alaska, though with the exception of the isolated community of Hyder, reaching this state requires travel by ferry from Prince Rupert or by road via the Yukon.

title: British Columbia


text:
British Indian Ocean Territory

The British Indian Ocean Territory is centrally located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives, about halfway between Madagascar and Indonesia. The main island, Diego Garcia, is a military facility off limits to anyone not on official duty, but some of the uninhabited outer islands can be visited by independent yachters with advance permission.

To quote the British Indian Ocean Territory travel advice through the British Foreign Office: "The British Indian Ocean Territory is not a tourist destination. Access is restricted and a permit is required in advance of travel. There are no commercial flights and permits are only issued to yachts in safe passage. Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections to the military facility."

History
Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976, leaving only the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago of 2,300 islands. The largest and southernmost of the 58 islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Approximately 3,000 former agricultural workers, earlier indigenous residents in the islands (often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois) were exiled primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order which had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. Later in June 2017, the matter was sent to the International Court of Justice, which ruled that the islands belong to Mauritius. Despite the ICJ ruling, the United Kingdom has refused to hand the islands over to Mauritius, and they remain under de facto British control to this day; repeated requests by the Chagossians to return or even simply visit have been denied by both the British and American governments.

No timetable has been set for the Ilois return, but when they do, they plan to re-establish copra production and fishing.

In February 2022, a group of Chagossians who had been exiled by the British made an unsupervised visit to survey the unclaimed Blenheim Reef, while also raising the Mauritian flag on Peros Banhos to submit a report to the ITLOS whether Blenheim Reef is claimbale.

Landscape
Flat and low (most areas do not exceed two metres in elevation).

Flora and fauna
The BIOT Marine Protected Area protects a variety of wildlife, including 1% of the world's coral reefs. You may see endangered species such as green turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, sharks, and rays, and the territory also includes species that don't exist anywhere else in the world: the Chagos brain coral and Chagos anemone fish. Other wildlife includes tuna, billfish, and eighteen species of seabirds, including red-footed and brown boobies and sooty terns. Fish in the territory are able to thrive due to the prohibition on commercial fishing; the reefs here have more fish than anywhere else in the Indian Ocean.

Unfortunately, the prohibition on diving means that your chances to experience the coral reefs and thriving fish populations will be limited. You can enjoy whatever you can see from the surface, though, as well as the seabirds and the flora on the islands. The islands are also abundant in coconut crabs, the world's largest land arthropods, which can grow up to a meter in length.

Native trees include the Indian mulberry, sea trumpet, and tropical almond. Coconut trees left over from the islands' plantation years are also plentiful.

Many of the territory's rules, including the limits on fishing and mooring, exist to help protect the wildlife.

The territory is vulnerable to invasive species; rats introduced to some of the islands in the 1700s have already harmed native birds and plants. Don't threaten the wildlife by bringing any non-native species. Before coming to the territory, scrub your hull, wash fruits and vegetables, and inspect everything closely to ensure there are no stowaway insects or spiders. Don't bring live plants with you into the territory, and when you go ashore, check everywhere for hidden seeds, insects, spiders, or other small animals.

Climate
Tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds. December through February is the monsoon season; June through September is the drier winter season with slightly cooler temperatures.

Outer islands
If you need to make a stop in the territory as part of a longer Indian Ocean sailing trip, there are some designated locations on the outer islands for you to moor. Valid yacht mooring permits for up to 28 days can be obtained from the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, for a fee of £50 per week. Details here. The mooring permits allow you to moor only at designated anchorages; some of the other islands are strict nature reserves and may not be entered. Apply at least six weeks before you plan to arrive in the territory. In order to get a permit, your passport must have at least six months' validity from your date of entry into the territory, and you must prove that mooring there is necessary for your safe passage across the Indian Ocean and demonstrate proof of adequate travel insurance and yacht insurance.

Your permit is only valid for the specified dates. If weather or other circumstances force you to change your dates of travel, you must contact the territory administration before the date on the permit and ask them to amend it. Don't moor in the territory outside the dates you have permission for.

The designated anchorages are five specific areas, two on islands in the Salomon Islands atoll and three on islands in Peros Banhos atoll. Exact details will be provided by the BIOT administration with your permit.

Several of the other islands are strict nature reserves. You may not anchor, land, or approach within three nautical miles of these islands: Cow Island, Danger Island and the drying coral reef, Eagle Island, Nelson's Island, and the Three Brothers and Resurgent Island. In addition, the eastern portion of Peros Banhos atoll is equally off limits. All wildlife on and around these islands is protected. Anyone who violates these rules by approaching the islands may be fined £1,000 on the spot, with increasing penalties if you fail to pay.

Diego Garcia

 * is a military facility with a large American and British military presence. Entry is restricted to military personnel and other people affiliated with the British government, visiting on official duty. The island has both a military airport and a harbour, but unauthorised vessels are strictly prohibited from approaching within three nautical miles.

Get around
There is paved road between the airport and the harbour on Diego Garcia.

Diego Garcia
The clear blue water on the lagoon side of Diego Garcia (except after stormy weather).

Outer islands

 * Snorkel – the marine life is spectacular. Beware of sharks, though.
 * Go for a hike through the coconut jungles, ruined buildings, and pristine beaches.
 * Meet other travellers. The mooring sites sometimes get more than one boat at a time, especially the popular "yacht club" on Ile Boddam, where you may be able to socialise over some barbecued fish on the beach.
 * You may be able to find a bit of sports equipment. Boddam Island has a swing and a volleyball court.

Diving, spear-fishing, and removal of flora and fauna are prohibited.

Diego Garcia

 * Plantation Trail – a walk to the beach, a little over ten minutes, that allows you to see various native trees, ferns and coconut crabs. Non-native trees have been cleared and native trees planted—most of the work, including the construction of the trail, has been done by volunteers. The trail includes a loop, so you can see a different area on the way back. Informative signs at the beginning of the trail tell you about the tree species you'll see.
 * Snorkel Trail – follow a series of nine buoys over a shallow area of water where you can see a beautiful coral ecosystem. Masks and snorkels are available from the marina office.

Buy
Commercial activity of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Eat
Independent yachters must be self-sufficient, so bring whatever food you need. You are allowed to catch fish for your own consumption within three days. Use a rod or line only; spear fishing is strictly prohibited. Keep a log of your fishing in case the British government asks to see it.

Don't bring any fresh food ashore with you, for fear of accidentally spreading non-native seeds or small animals.

Drink
Most of the islands have old wells with fresh water, including Ile Boddam, Ile Takamaka, and Ile du Coin. The water isn't drinkable, but it is usable for washing and can be filtered and purified.

Sleep
On the outer islands, you're not allowed to remain on shore between sunset and sunrise, or set up any kind of camp or structure. So you'll be sleeping on your boat.

Stay safe
The old buildings on Ile du Coin and Ile Boddam are structurally unsafe, and visitors enter at their own risk.

The territory is tightly controlled, with fines and possible imprisonment for violations of its numerous rules. Do not go within three nautical miles of the strict nature reserves or Diego Garcia; kill, remove, or disturb any flora or fauna (except the limited fishing that is permitted), including shells; introduce any foreign flora or fauna (including pets, which must remain on your boat); stay ashore overnight; do anything that risks damaging the old buildings; leave behind garbage except in designated receptacles; import drugs; or go diving.

The territory is very remote, and no medical facilities are available. Be prepared to get a medical evacuation if you need it.

If you have an emergency, you can contact Diego Garcia for assistance on 2.182MHz HF SSB or 00 246 3702938.

Go next
Yachties can only visit the BIOT as part of a longer voyage across the Indian Ocean. Here are some possible next stops for your itinerary:

 * Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a territory of Australia
 * Madagascar
 * Maldives
 * Rodrigues, an outlying island of Mauritius
 * Seychelles

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: British Indian Ocean Territory


text:
British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are a self-governing British overseas territory in the Caribbean just to the north-east of the US Virgin Islands.

The BVIs, as they are called, are a popular travel destination for sailors, fishermen, sun worshippers, and other independent travellers, albeit not for the cost conscious. Boating among the dozens of tiny, mostly uninhabited, islands is a great stop on any tour of the Caribbean.

Landscape
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are composed of more than 60 islands and keys. More than 43 of the islands are uninhabited. The islands fall into two types: the majority are steep volcanic islands (including the main islands, Tortola and Virgin Gorda), and a small number of relatively flat coral islands (such as Anegada and Sandy Spit). In fact, Anegada is referred to as "the drowned island" because its elevation is so low. Many people miss it altogether until they sail close to it. The highest point in the BVI is Sage Mountain on Tortola.

Climate
With a tropical climate tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, and little seasonal temperature variation, the weather in the BVI is rather enjoyable. In the low season, there is a chance of tropical storms and even hurricanes, the most recent being the devastating Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

History
The Virgin Islands are thought to have been first settled by the Arawak from South America around 2000 years ago, though there is some evidence of Amerindian presence on the islands as far back as 1500 BC. The Arawak were later displaced by the more aggressive Carib tribe from the Lesser Antilles islands.

The Spanish Empire claimed the islands in the early 16th century, but never settled them, and subsequently the English, Dutch, French, Spanish, and Danish all jostled for control of the region, which became a notorious haunt for pirates. Eventually the English consolidated control of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost van Dyke and their smaller surrounding islands. These became part of the British overseas territories.

Since the 1960s, the islands have steadily focussed their economy towards tourism and financial services, becoming one of the wealthiest areas in the Caribbean.

Economy
The economy is one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean. The US dollar is the legal currency within the British Virgin Islands. The islands of the BVI are highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income, together with the offshore financial industry.

Tourist information

 * British Virgin Islands Tourism website

Entry requirements
The British Virgin Islands maintain a separate border control from the United Kingdom. Nationals of the United Kingdom, Canada, EU, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, United States of America and various other countries do not require a visa to enter and visit the British Virgin Islands. Other nationals do require a visa. However, from 1 September 2016 foreign nationals who have been granted a visa to visit either the UK, the USA or Canada can also visit the BVI based upon the same visa.

Passport and visa regulations are enforced at ports, especially for boats moving back and forth between the US and British territories. Ferry operators can take only those US citizens who are carrying passports, or else they face a $3,000 fine. There is a $10 entry tariff and $20 exit tariff, per person, when entering and leaving the country, respectively (Aug 2019).

By plane
Most international flights from North America into the BVIs involve changing planes in either San Juan, Puerto Rico (for flights from North America and Spain), Antigua (for the UK) or Saint Martin (for the Netherlands and France) since the Beef Island airport cannot accommodate large aircraft. Alternatively, the BVI can be accessed from the United States via St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where upon arrival in St. Thomas, travellers can transfer to the BVI via ferry.

 * via St. Thomas . For North American visitors, travelling by air to St. Thomas and then connecting by ferry is usually by far the cheapest way to travel to the BVI from North America. However, some incoming flights arrive too late to catch the ferry to Tortola, so may necessitate an overnight stay in Charlotte Amalie. See the section on travelling by boat below.
 * via San Juan . The other common way to travel from North America is to fly via San Juan. Several small regional carriers ply the route between San Juan and Tortola, but the two main carriers are Cape Air and Seaborne Airlines]. Other small regional carriers include Air Sunshine, interCaribbean Airways or the not yet operational BVI Airways. When you are departing from the BVI, Cape Air and Seaborne can check your baggage through onto connecting airlines and give you boarding passes for connecting flights, but the reverse is not always true - when you are travelling to the BVI depending on how you are ticketed you may need to check-in again (so but you can do this at the gate often up to a few minutes before take off, and it does not take long - these are fairly small planes).

Warning - if you are trying to book tickets directly via the internet (rather than through a travel agent) and you want to fly via Puerto Rico, it is normally much cheaper to book a flight to San Juan and then separately book a flight from San Juan to Tortola on one of the regional carriers. Because of the pricing arrangements, booking on a codeshare basis through American Airlines or Continental can result in absolutely exorbitant ticket prices. Typically a far which may come to US$700-850 to fly from a major American city to San Juan will balloon to around US$6,000 if you add a connection to Tortola. However, you can normally book the separate connecting flight directly with a local carrier for US$200-300.

 * via Antigua or St Martin. Air travel from Europe usually involves either flying from the UK to Antigua (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic), or flying into Sint Martin from Amsterdam (KLM, TIU Airlines Netherlands) or Paris (Air France), and then (in each case) connecting via InterCaribbean Airways, VI Airlink, or Winair. However, a number of carriers also link to North America (American Airlines, Air Canada, Delta, United, JetBlue, Spirit)

By cruise ship
The main cruise ship pier in the BVI is located on Tortola via Road Harbour. The port holds two large cruise ships, but some cruise passengers may find themselves being shuttled into the dock by a smaller boat because their ship is either too large for the pier or the pier already has two ships docked.

Tortola is an ideal hub from which cruise travellers can experience day-trips to incredible attractions and excursion opportunities to one of the numerous nearby islands. From snorkel trips to shopping to the Baths, or just sipping the famous BVI Painkiller at Pusser's or another beach bar, it's easy to hop from island to island in the BVI.

By boat
Boats move freely between the BVI and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A few cruise ships visit the major ports, but small vessels are more common.

Ferry services from the USVI into the BVI tend to depart from St. Thomas and go to Tortola, though there are often also services from St John or crossing all the way to Virgin Gorda depending on the season and/or day of the week. There are several different ferry companies that provide service between the territories. These ferries are what connects the people of the British Virgin Islands with the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most ferries link the city of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas with either Road Town or the West End of Tortola.

Many visitors also spend their time in the BVI by chartering boats and going from each island as they please. This is a very popular method of spending a vacation but requires work as you must stock your own food on board, and captain the boat. If you do not like this, you can also hire a local captain who will worry about all the navigation on your trip.

The ferry is one of the more popular ways to reach Tortola from the U.S. This is due to the fact that Americans can reach Tortola via only one direct flight and then a short ferry ride. This will no doubt save the traveller several hundred dollars, since a second flight would not be necessary.

You can catch one of the ferries, almost any time of day. After 5PM most of the services are shut down for the evening. The ride lasts about 50 minutes depending on the weather. The scenery is well worth the price of the ride.

Costs

 * One-way ranges from $25–30 for adults, $19–25 for children
 * Round-trip ranges from $45–52 for adults, $30–42 for children

Times

Vary greatly between companies. Some of the companies even alternate their schedules between themselves and another company. For a current list take a look at this page's ferry schedule.

Tips

Many travellers find it easier to just buy two one-way tickets from different companies instead of one round-trip ticket with the same company. Since ferries from different companies are coming and going constantly, you should be able to catch a ferry at any time during the day. Often times one company will be convenient upon arrival, but not upon departure. Just check the schedule to find out if this will be the case for you, if not then by all means, buy the round-trip ticket and save a few bucks.

By boat
A great way to see the islands is by boat. sailing boats and motor boats can be rented or chartered with a crew from any major harbour. The conditions for sailing and motoring depend on the time of year and anchoring off islands can be tricky, so either be sure you know what you are doing or hire a crew. Most companies that charter in the BVI will require you to prove a certain level of experience, either with sailing certification from a reputable organization or by providing an extensive sailing resume.

If you are an experienced sailor, it doesn't get any better than the BVI. Line of sight sailing in moderate trade winds, no currents to speak of, barely any tides, and few underwater obstructions other than the shore itself make sailing around the islands very relaxing.

Road Town, on Tortola, is one of the principal centres for bareboating (self-hire yacht chartering) in the Caribbean.

By car
Cars can be rented on the larger islands such as Virgin Gorda and Tortola, but are obviously unnecessary on many smaller islands where goat paths and foot trails are the main mode of transportation. There is one scooter for rent on Jost Van Dyke. It is now legal for rental cars to be picked up and delivered at the airport, at least on Tortola.

Be aware that the roads are very hilly, the standard of the roads is low, the standard of the driving is very low, and there are no specific laws against driving whilst under the influence. People driving in the BVI for the first time are advised to think as if everyone else on the road is trying to cause an accident and make it look like their fault - although that is not actually true, it will give you the right frame of mind to have when get behind the wheel.

By taxi
Taxis in the British Virgin Islands can be expensive. Do not bother to try and haggle - taxi prices are fixed by law. Taxi rides can be colourful - sometimes taxis are shared with other passengers or the driver may stop en route to run an errand. Either way, it's a good chance to really get to know the island!

See
Nature is the main attraction in the islands, with coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and scenic seaside villages the main draw.

Other attractions include historic villages, churches, and, if the sun is too much for you, a museum in Road Town, the shady Botanic Gardens or the rain forest on Sage Mountain in Tortola.

Beach
The quality of beaches in the British Virgin Islands, even by Caribbean standards, is very high. Because of the large number of beaches, particularly on the north side of Tortola and the west side of Virgin Gorda, the beaches are generally not crowded (with the exception of Cane Garden Bay on Tortola, which is next to a densely populated area). It is not uncommon, even during tourist season, to be able to have a more remote beach largely or entirely to yourself for an afternoon. With the possible exception of Cane Garden Bay, beaches in the BVI do not tend to have the vendors pestering tourists which are characteristic of some other Caribbean islands. Conversely, many of them do not have any amenities, so remember to bring your own lunch and water!

Sail
The Virgin Islands is the most popular area for a sailing vacation in the Caribbean. This is a first-timers paradise, since the islands are close together and well protected from the Atlantic. You wake up to sunshine and a blue sky, choose the cruising target of the day by pointing on a nearby island and set sail in a comfortable trade wind. There are many yacht charter companies and marinas in the British Virgin Islands. Apart from cruise ship passengers, the majority of visitors to the British Virgin Islands stay on liveaboard boats or charter sailing vessels.

Scuba diving
The BVIs are home to the wreck of the RMS Rhone which served as the site for the underwater scenes in the 1977 Nick Nolte/Jackie Bisset/Robert Shaw flick The Deep. The Rhone is the best-known and most often visited dive site in the islands. Lying just west of Salt Island, the Rhone is a former Royal Mail Steamer that sank in a hurricane on October 29, 1867 with the loss of nearly all lives. A spectacularly large 310 ft (94 metres) steamer in her previous life, she's now a three-site dive, with each chunk resting at varying depths, from 20 to 80 ft (6 to 24 metres).

Apart from the Rhone, the BVI boasts several other shipwrecks, the most notable of which are the Chikuzen, a collection of four purposely sunk wrecks in 'Wreck Alley' off Cooper Island, the Inganess Bay, the Fearless, the rarely dived Parmatta, and an aircraft off Great Dog Island. In addition to wreck diving, the BVI has the usual plethora of coral reefs that one would expect in a Caribbean diving destination.

A list of dive operators in the BVI can be found here. When diving on a guided tour, expect to pay around US $80–100 for a two tank dive and about US $50–60 for a one tank dive, although cheaper deals can be had as part of a package. Most dive operators do not charge extra to use their equipment if you decide to leave yours at home, and most are happy to pick up guests who are staying on boats en route to dive sites ('rendez-vous diving' in local slang). Almost all dive sites in the BVI have permanent marker buoys on them attached by the National Parks trust. If you are on a boat, confident in your diving skills, and are a semi competent navigator, it is easy to locate these buoys and dive most of the sites without a guide.

Fishing
It is illegal for non-British Virgin Islanders to remove any marine organism from BVI waters without a recreational permit. A permit is available for charterers who intend to fish while in the BVI. The cost is $35 ($10 application fee; $25 for the permit). This temporary fishing permit can be obtained from the Department of Conservation and Fisheries: Department of Conservation and Fisheries, The Quastisky Building PO Box 3323 Road Town, Tortola. Tel: (284) 494-5681/3429 or (284) 468-3701 ex. 5555/1 Fax: (284) 494-2670 E-Mail: cfd@bvigovernment.org The government office closes early on Friday afternoons and doesn’t reopen until Monday morning. For charterers arriving on the weekend, it may be a couple of days before you can get a permit. When you arrive for your charter, check with the local staff for advice on obtaining a permit. There have been instances of extremely zealous enforcement of penalties for fishing without licences (including 5 figure fines), so visitors should be mindful of that.

Spearfishing (of any kind) is strictly prohibited in the BVI, as is any kind of marine harvesting on scuba equipment. With appropriate licences, visitors can hunt whilst free diving (i.e. with no snorkel or tank) for lobster and conch during the relevant hunting seasons.

Surfing
Several beaches offer surf-oriented breaks, including Josiah's and Apple Bay.

Windsurfing
The annual "HiHo" windsurfing race-cum-travel-tour is held on or around the 4th of July weekend. For a week, internationally renowned competitors participate in formal course racing. Recognized as "One of the 100 top BVI adventures" by the BVI Tourist Board, the HiHo fleet is easily recognized by the distinctive event and sponsor flags flown by the charter fleet. The event generally stops for a day or two at Virgin Gorda, a night on Anegada, one or two nights around Tortola and finishes with a day of racing around the area of Sandy Cay, west of Jost van Dyke. Participants join in a 15-mile ocean dash from the waters around Necker or Gorda directly to Anegada. This event is unusual in that Anegada, a low-lying island, only becomes visible to someone at ocean-level during the last five miles of the race.

Money
Despite being a British overseas territory, BVI uses the U.S. dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" (ISO currency code: USD). It is divided into 100 cents.

Shopping
Shopping options vary in the BVI, from locally made to some high-end options, though not as flashy as the jewellery and tourist shops in nearby Saint Thomas or Saint Martin. With rare exceptions, international chains of shops are banned by law in the BVI to protect local character; however, there are some shops like Little Switzerland which are hugely popular with Caribbean visitors for the beautiful high-end wares.

The main shopping area on Tortola is Wickham's Cay in Road Town. Main Street is a small, winding road leading from the Governor's House, past the old Post Office to the Botanic Gardens. The shops on this road are housed in small, West Indian houses and often painted in bright colours, notably Serendipity Bookshop, perhaps the brightest of them all, which has a good collection of Caribbean history and cook books (and now has an internet cafe upstairs). Notable shops include Pussers, a store, popular bar and restaurant (and home of the infamous Painkiller drink!), Sunny Caribbee selling spices and handmade items, and Latitude 18 which sells casual beach clothes. Next to the historic post office is Amethyst, selling imported African and Indian items, Samarkand jewellery shop and across the road, Kaunda's, where you can find Caribbean music.

Additionally, near the cruise ship dock is a branch of Colombian Emeralds jewellery store and opposite it, the Craft Market which despite its name sells mostly T-shirts and jewellery, clothes and other goods. Island crafts genuinely made in the BVI include crocheted items, straw hats, rum and guavaberry liqueur, and can be found in the craft market. Not to be missed are the small bakeries selling local delicacies like Johnny cakes, roti, fish soup and coconut bread.

On the rest of the island there are a number of pharmacies, supermarkets, variety stores and jewellery shops. Shoprite in East End and OneMart in Purcell offer good variety of food at better prices than in Road Town although Bobby's supermarket in Road Town, Cane Garden Bay and Nanny Cay has good prices and is open till midnight 364 days a year (closed Good Friday). There is no need to find a specialty liquor outlet if you simply want a couple of bottles of wine, beer or rum as supermarket prices are excellent, rum is from $3 a bottle. Alcohol is very cheap in the BVI as there is not special taxes or duties on alcoholic beverages. If you are buying quantity or looking for specialty rums, Tico is an excellent store.

On Beef Island, near the airport, is the pretty Trellis Bay, which offers a selection of cafes, tourist shops and a supermarket. Both the Loose Mongoose beach cafe and the Last Resort restaurant on its very own miniature island are worth trying.

Shopping on Anegada is limited to basic necessities plus two gift shops at the hotel and camp ground. Similarly, there are a few gift shops but mostly beach bars and places to laze the day away in a hammock, taking in paradise. Virgin Gorda has a supermarket in the marina and gift shops in the resorts.

Eat
Inevitably, freshly caught seafood is the dish of choice for most people. Lobster and various fish are available from the many restaurants in the BVI. The choices throughout the islands vary from very high-end dining options to beachside cafes. Local dishes include rotis and curries inspired by Guyana and Trinidad cuisine, to Italian, French and Asian influences.

The BVI sponsored an event titled "Taste the BVI" during the Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland, USA in 2009, with notable BVI chefs including Ken Molyneaux, Imran Ashton, Henry Prince, and Neil Cline.

In 2011, the BVI National Culinary Team won nine medals at the Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition, taking home five gold medals, including one in the Culinary Team of the Year category and one in the Chef of the Year category.

The national dish is considered to be Fish and fungee.

Drink
Rum, not surprisingly, is the drink of choice in the islands. Many rum-based delicious concoctions can be found at bars on the main beaches and roads. Because beaches in the BVI are so pristine, many do not have refreshment stands so it would be wise to bring at least water. However, a lot of the beaches have nearby restaurants and bars, so it's easy to saunter over for a drink when you're done relaxing on the sand. The "Painkiller" - a drink made from rum, coconut, and topped with OJ - is highly recommended, as is the Bushwacker. However, each bar has its own specialty drinks so it's worth it to sample your way through the BVI. Watch out for the No-See-Um, a refreshing banana, coconut and pineapple drink made with 151 proof rum - it'll get you before you see it coming!

There is plenty of Nightlife around Road Town, although many popular tourist places are advertised and some of the more local bars are worth checking out, so ask a local for what is on where. Live local music is a feature of many restaurants and bars. The sunsets are spectacular, so a drink on the beach or in the mountains, watching the sunset and listening to local music before dinner can be a very pleasant vacation from the usual club-based entertainment of most mainlanders. Banana Keets on Tortola offers a beautiful view of the sunset, as does Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda. The Banana Keets terrace overlooks Sage Mountain as well. Expats tend to hang out in Road Town, at the Dove, le Cabanon, or Village Cay. These places are full on Fridays. Do not miss the Full Moon Party at Bomba's Beach Shack, which is full of revelers and good items. This bar is famous for its walls where panties and bras are hanging, old license plates are affixed to the walls, and drinks are flowing freely.

Sleep
If you're renting a boat, you already have your bed too, but for landlubbers, the larger islands offer resorts, budget bungalows, and a few things in between. To get off the beaten path there are many options if you're willing to island hop by boat.

There are larger hotel options on Tortola, as well as many intimate, locally owned inns that are hidden treasures. Private islands like Necker Island (owned by Sir Richard Branson) and Guana Island can be rented. Peter Island Resort is a very exclusive private island resort (and is connected by a free ferry service from Road Town). Other high end resorts are on Virgin Gorda, but there are many villas and smaller hotels there as well. Jost Van Dyke offers laidback options and Anegada has adventurous packages for the active traveler.

Many visitors to the BVI staying on land will rent private guest houses rather than stay at larger hotels, and there are a large selection to choose from through the islands.

Stay safe
The BVI has much lower incidence of crime than many other Caribbean areas, and wandering about alone, even at night, is not considered particularly high risk. However, as with all foreign travel, tourists should use good judgement and avoid certain areas.

Despite the perception of the Caribbean being laid back in relation to drugs, possession and supply of narcotics is a criminal offense and penalties can be severe.

Stay healthy
Most healthcare in the BVI is private and run along the lines of U.S. healthcare (i.e. it is expensive). Compared to other Caribbean islands, the quality of care is good, but for serious matters, patients are usually transported to Puerto Rico for care.

Emergency treatment is usually provided from Peebles General Hospital in Road Town. Emergency care is free.

Go next
Island hop to the U.S. Virgin Islands and the rest of the nearby Caribbean islands, such as Puerto Rico or Saint Martin.

title: British Virgin Islands


text:
Britt

Britt is a city in North Central Iowa, best known as the home of the Hobo Foundation.

See

 * Hobo Museum. World's only museum dedicated entirely to hobo culture.
 * Hobo Memorial, Evergreen Cemetery. A corner of the cemetery is dedicated to hobos.

title: Britt


text:
Brittany

Brittany (French: Bretagne, Breton: Breizh) is a diverse region in northwestern France and a historic country with a distinct identity, sharing much of its Celtic heritage with Cornwall and Wales, mostly known internationally for its crêpes.

Regions
There are two regions in Brittany, which are culturally different (language, habits, dances, food, etc.):

Departments
Furthermore, the region is subdivided into four administrative departments:

The department of Loire-Atlantique, which has been in Pays de la Loire since the 1950s, is historically and culturally related to Brittany, and the castle of Brittany's dukes is in Nantes.

Upper Brittany

 * – The capital of Upper Brittany, a region with a unique Celtic past and culture.
 * – A medieval town popular with tourists because of its picturesque timber houses, ramparts and stone walls
 * – Regarded as one of the most prestigious seaside resorts in all of France with its international film festival, villas, sumptuous hotels, casino and an airport
 * – A destination of frequent pilgrimages
 * – Once the heavily fortified base of pirates and nowadays one of the top tourist draws
 * – Designated a ville d'art et d'histoire, a town of artistic and historic significance
 * – Designated a ville d'art et d'histoire, a town of artistic and historic significance
 * – Designated a ville d'art et d'histoire, a town of artistic and historic significance

 * – It's not part of any of the regions departments, but is often considered a part of Brittany, with Breton influences, and is just at its southeastern side

Lower Brittany

 * – The quasi-capital of Lower Brittany and city with the largest tides
 * – An old city, built by Vauban
 * – The megalithic menhirs, stones erected by the prehistoric peoples of Brittany
 * – A historical sardine-fishing and canning town
 * – Famous for its yearly Festival Interceltique, dedicated to Celtic music with participants from all of the Celtic nations
 * – Popular for its castle and the Napoleonic heritage trail
 * – Capital of Finistère and famous for its Quimper faience, a type of white glazed pottery
 * – A characteristically Breton city
 * – A city in the golf of Morbihan
 * – A city in the golf of Morbihan

Other destinations

 * – Arthurian forest
 * – An artificial lake created by EDF (an electricity utility), a scenic highlight of interior Brittany
 * – A verdant rocky coast stretching from St Malo to St Brieuc—bustling resorts, and charming fishing villages
 * – A mountainous area in Finistère, with heathland
 * – One of the nicest provinces of Brittany, with the following towns:
 * – Has a cute center
 * – Famous for its space and telecommunications museum and bronze-age gallery graves.
 * Minor towns around Montfort-sur-Meu in the Ille-et-Vilaine department with an article on Wikivoyage:

Understand
Towards the end of the 4th century, some of the Celtic Britons from what is now Wales and southern England began to emigrate to the Armorican Peninsula. Indeed the "Great" in Britain was added to differentiate it from the "Little" Britain on the mainland. The region received its modern name - Brittany (Breizh in Breton, Bretagne in French) from these settlers. With them they brought their own customs, tradition, and language that were completely different from that of their neighbors.

As a result of their unique cultural identity, Breton history became a long struggle for independence, at first from the Franks (5th to 9th centuries), that led to a Breton kingdom. After Viking invasions the kingdom became a duchy. The influence of the Counts of Anjou and the Dukes of Normandy was important from the 10th to 12th centuries, and finally the duchy was under the influence of England and France. Brittany was united with the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province governed as if it were a separate nation under the crown.

Jacques Cartier was a Breton sea captain who explored parts of what is now Canada in the 1530s and 40s.

The Breton people maintain a fierce sense of independence to this day, as displayed by their local customs and traditions. In 1914, over 1 million people spoke Breton which equates to 90% of the population of the western half of Brittany. In 1945, it was about 75%, and today, in all of Brittany, at most 20% of Bretons can speak Breton.

Since the 1970s, a resurgence of regional identity has happened in Brittany. Breton art, music and culture are recognized across France. It is quite common to see the Breton flag at all events, but also abroad.

Talk
Being a part of France, French is universally spoken and understood by almost all locals in Brittany.

In Lower Brittany, many people also speak the Breton language, a Celtic language closely related to Cornish and Welsh, more distantly to Irish, and very different from French. On the road you may notice signs in both French and Breton.

While France tried to discourage the use of regional languages, their use is rebounding, bringing a stronger understanding of culture, contributions, and history. Through the local efforts of the Bretons and their Breton language schools (Diwan, Div Yezh, Dihun), children are being taught in the native language while they learn standard curriculum. The schools are supported by worldwide efforts through various groups, including the International Committee for the Defense of the Breton Language.

In Upper Brittany, the Gallo language is sometimes spoken, which is a langue d'oïl language (like French) and influenced by Breton.

Due to its proximity to the British Isles, many people working in the tourism industry can also speak English. Some British and Irish people also live in Brittany, especially in the countryside.

By boat
From various destinations:
 * Channel Islands – Direct ferries from Jersey and Guernsey to Saint-Malo
 * Ireland – Cork to Roscoff
 * United Kingdom – Plymouth to Roscoff and Portsmouth to Saint-Malo

One of the main services is Brittany Ferries, which operates the following regular services:
 * Plymouth-Roscoff
 * Poole-Cherbourg
 * Portsmouth-St Malo
 * Portsmouth-Ouistreham (Caen)
 * Roscoff-Cork

By plane
There are airports in Brittany with scheduled flights:
 * Bretagne Airport in Brest, served by Ryanair and Hop! - Air France
 * South Brittany Airport near Lorient, with flights from Porto and Paris
 * Cornouaille Airport in Quimper
 * Saint-Jacques Airport in Rennes, a minor international airport with direct flights from numerous French cities, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Spain
 * Armor Airport in Saint-Brieuc, with Channel island flights

 * Atlantique Airport in Nantes, is not in the region but it's close enough to be a convenient hub

By train
The TGV train runs almost hourly from Paris Montparnasse to Rennes, and then Brest, Quimper, Lannion and Saint-Malo—see the SNCF website. Some TGVs run from Lille (Eurostar connexion to London), Strasbourg, Lyon and Marseille to Rennes. There are a few TGVs that connect Rennes to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport every day.

Regional trains also link Rennes to Nantes (via Redon or through the Pays de la Loire).

By car
Major road axis exists in the region :

 * N12 - Non-tolled road linking Paris to Brest via. Fougères, Rennes and Saint-Brieuc
 * A11 - Tolled motorway running from Paris to Rennes, also named the Océane Route
 * A84 - Non-tolled motorway running from Rennes to Caen, the N12 merges into it between Fougères and Rennes
 * N137 - Dual carriageway runs from Rennes to Nantes

To be noted, the tolled motorway A10 links Paris to Bordeaux via Nantes

By bus
Bus companies offer bus services from and to all major rail stations in Brittany.

By car
Throughout Brittany, all roads are free (no tolls).

By train
Trains are an easy way to visit Brittany, except for the center of the peninsula. There is no difference between TGV high-speed train and regional trains (TER) in Brittany—both run at the same speed, and regional trains are usually cheaper and as comfortable as TGVs.

The main regional train lines are from Rennes to Brest, Quimper, Lannion and Saint-Malo. There is also some regional services from Rennes to Nantes, and from Brest to Quimper, Quimper to Nantes, Saint-Brieuc to Dinan, Dinan to Dol-de-Bretagne. Depending on the hour, some trains have few stops, some others stop everywhere.

Regional trains are operated by the local authority. Trains, buses and some boats are operated in conjunction, often with convenient schedules for connections and combined tickets. At some hours during week days and on Saturdays, round-trips are half price (you don't pay for the way back). More information at https://www.breizhgo.bzh/en

By bus
Regional buses are operated by the local authority but are under a single BreizhGo brand, so as regional trains and some boats. Buses are the best way to reach the center of Brittany where no train service exists. All these services are operated in conjunction, often with convenient schedules for connections and combined tickets. https://www.breizhgo.bzh/en

See

 * Menhirs and Dolmens – Brittany has a large number of megaliths, which simply means "big rocks". These menhirs (standing stones) and dolmens (stone tables) were sites for burials and worship. See some magnificent examples at the bay of Morlaix and the gulf of Morbihan. Museums at Vannes and Carnac detail the archaeological finds made at these sites.

 * Coastal Brittany
 * Cote de Granit Rose – The beautiful Pink Granite Coast offers an abundance of beautiful vistas, ranging from amazing pink granite outcrops through to gloriously sandy beaches.
 * Cote d'Émeraude – Saint-Malo, Cancale and Dinard

 * Religious buildings - Lot of churches, chapels, calvaries.

 * Gardens – Brittany has exceptionally beautiful gardens, see Remarkable Gardens of France

 * The chateau des Rohan in Josselin

 * Nantes-Brest Canal

Do

 * Participate in a fest-noz – Breton for "night fest" are dancing sessions open to everyone, where people learn to dance traditional dances from Brittany, usually from 18:00-02:00. It will cost you from nothing to €8 to participate (most of them have a €6 fee). More globally, Breton people tend to dance when they hear traditional music so you may see people dancing in the street.
 * Hiking – there are many places where to hike
 * Pays de Montfort – A natural and hiking destination between Rennes and the forest of Brocéliande.
 * Monts d'Arrée – the mountainous area in Finistère, a very preserved place with a lot of natural paths in preserved and diverse countryside
 * Biking
 * Canals and some rivers have been used as communication paths since centuries. They all offer a nice way to bike in Brittany. You can go from Rennes to Dinan, Rennes to Redon and then Nantes or the Atlantic Ocean. The longest bike path on a canal is on the Nantes-Brest Canal from Redon to the Châteaudun: you literary cross Brittany east to west.

 * Music festivals – There are plenty of festivals in Brittany, some of which are huge and have an international audience (Transmusicales, Vieilles Charrues, Festival du Bout du Monde, Festival Interceltique, etc.).

 * Swim – Brittany is famous for beaches and

Eat
By far the foods that Brittany is most known for are crêpes and galettes among the regional specialities, that you can eat on the numerous crêperies you can find in quite every places.
 * Kig ha farz – meat and stuffing
 * Coquilles Saint-Jacques – famous in Saint-Brieuc
 * Mussels and oysters – famous in Cancale
 * Crêpes made from wheat flour, they are eaten in Lower Brittany
 * Galettes made from buckwheat flour are traditionally eaten in Upper Brittany
 * Galette-saucisse – a grilled sausage rolled onto a fresh galette, traditional snack in Ille-et-Vilaine, you can buy some in markets or at sportive events
 * Galette complète – a galette filled with ham, cheese and an egg.
 * Tourteaux (large crabs) and spider crabs
 * Far breton – cake made with prunes and eggs
 * Kouign amann – butter cake, served lukewarm
 * Galette (biscuit) – butter sweet biscuit from Lower Brittany, not the same as galette from Upper Brittany
 * Ham and pork products
 * Artichokes and cauliflowers

Drink

 * Cider (cidre) – Like Normandy, Brittany is cider country. Much like wine, cider comes in different varieties that are intended for different purposes, so you should pay attention to the following words on the label. Doux indicates a sweet cider, with a strong apple flavour and low alcohol percentage (3% or below), that is best drunk with dessert or by itself. Demi-sec / brut is sharper and fresher, with an alcohol content of between three and five percent. This kind of cider is more common as an apéritif, or as an accompaniment to local cuisine, especially seafood. Unlike in certain other countries, notably the United States, cider in Brittany is always alcoholic and always sparkling (pétillant). A map of the producers (in French) is here
 * Perry (poiré) – Similar to cider, but made from pears. Production is considerably limited compared to its apple-based counterpart.
 * Chouchen – Breton mead, a sweet alcohol made from fermented honey, water and yeast
 * Beer – There is a great variety (some of them are made with sea water)
 * Whisky – There are Breton whiskies. Nevertheless, there are better ones in the Gaelic world.
 * Kir Breton – The local adaptation of the kir. You pour Breton cider instead of white wine, preferably from the Rance valley. (Kir, for those uninitiated, is blackcurrant liqueur and white wine.)
 * Buttermilk (lait ribot)

Stay safe
When swimming in the sea, watch out for rips and undercurrents, like in the Golfe du Morbihan. Be mindful that the tide can come at a very fast pace so watch out or you might be stranded on an outlying island! Check the tides (marées) in your local tourist office. Ask for a table of the tides.

When it comes to personal safety, Brittany is fairly safe for the most part. Some larger urban areas like Rennes and Brest have their share of pickpocketing and muggings, but besides those, one can travel stress-free throughout the region.

Go next

 * Channel Islands, i.e. Guernsey and Jersey
 * Mont Saint Michel – In Normandy, but very close to the Brittany border; monastery and town built on a tiny outcrop of rock in the sand, which is cut off from the mainland at high tide (and then joined to the continent by a light bridge; cars and buses can no longer pass or park near the Mont, but there's a transport system with light buses). It is one of France's major tourist destinations, and as such gets very busy in high season. Check the times of the tides before you visit!

title: Brittany


text:
Brive-la-Gaillarde

Brive-la-Gaillarde is the largest town in the department of Corrèze in Limousin, France.

By train
Direct trains to Brive from Paris can be caught at Gare d'Austerlitz. There are also direct trains from Toulouse.

By plane
Brive Vallée de la Dordogne (BVE) (Brive Souillac) airport opened in June 2010. CityJet flies to Brive from Dublin, Dundee, Edinburgh and London City. Jet2 flies to Manchester in the UK. Air France flies to London City.

By Bus
There are Flixbus connections from Toulouse, Lyon, Bordeaux and Paris. Buses leave you a little bit far from the centre.

See
Museums

Musee Labenche is Brive's museum of history and art. It is in the town centre.

Do

 * Rugby: CA Brive were relegated in 2023, so they play rugby union (15-a-side) in Pro D2, the French second tier. Their home ground Stade Amédée-Domenech (capacity 14,700) is 500 m east of town centre.

title: Brive-la-Gaillarde