Vancouver: Currency Exchange Guide for new Visitors

The Canadian Dollar
Canada Currency

The legal currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar (CAD or CA$).

Canadian currency comes in both paper bills/notes and coins.

There are currently five Canadian coins in circulation – nickel (5¢), dime (10¢), quarter (25¢), 'loonie' ($1 ) and 'toonie' ($2).

The toonie has 2 colours--a silver rim around a gold-coloured centre, while the slightly smaller loonie are all gold-coloured.

There is no longer a penny coin (1¢), so amounts are rounded up or down to the closest 5¢.

Canadian Dollar denominations ($5, $10, $20, $50, $100) are all in different colours.

Many smaller establishments might not take high denominations bill like $50 or $100 due to fear of counterfeits.
So carry smaller denominations like $20 or $10.

Vancouver BC        
Money Exchange
(Cash)

Usually airport, and hotels has worst rates and charges higher or in some cases exorbitant commission.
We suggest changing only minimal required currency at these kinds of places.

Vancouver has many currency exchange counters in city areas like downtown, Granville Entertainment district and West Broadway .

Few popular Vancouver Money Exchange Counters are :

1). Ice Currency Services -          1169 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B5  (Vancouver Downtown)
2). Charlies currency exchange - 827 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1K7
3). Happy Currency Exchange -   101-409 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R4
4). VBCE Currency Exchange -     120-800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6 (Vancouver Downtown)
5). VBCE Currency Exchange -     2576 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3G8
6). VBCE Currency Exchange -     118-6061 No.3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2B2  (

In Canada, you'll get the best money exchange rate at banks.

If you are changing large amount of currency then it is worth checking few banks as every bank exchange rates and commission differs.

You can also buy Canadian Dollars at home from your bank before getting on to the plane for Vancouver to get the good exchange rate.

Credit cards
in Vancouver BC

Your credit card provides you with absolute best exchange rate for purchases in Canada.

Please check beforehand with your bank for the additional fees on the top of exchange rate for using your card in foreign country.

Visa and Master cards are widely accepted all over in the Greater Vancouver area establishments.

ATM in Vancouver BC

ATM machines are all over in Vancouver allows cash withdrawal in local CAD using international credits cards like Visa/Plus and Mastercard /Cirrus.

Traveller cheques

Traveller's cheques are accepted by hotels and most banks in Canada.

Traveler cheques may be subject to a fee in Canada.

US dollars in Canada

USD is widely accepted in Canada in many private locations like Restaurants or small shops, however exchange rate might not be in your favour.