Fast Facts

Area Code -- The telephone area code for all of Vancouver Island, including Victoria and most of British Columbia, is 250. For the greater Vancouver area, including Squamish and Whistler, it's 604. If you're calling a Victoria number within Victoria, you don't need to dial the area code.

Business Hours -- Victoria banks are open Monday through Thursday 10am to 3pm and Friday 10am to 6pm. Stores are generally open Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm. Some establishments are open later, as well as on Sundays, in summer. Last call at the city's bars and cocktail lounges is 2am.

Consulates -- All the consulates are in Vancouver.

Currency Exchange -- The best exchange rates in town can be found at banks and by using ATMs. Royal Bank, 1079 Douglas St. at Fort Street, is in the heart of downtown. Take bus no. 5 to Fort Street.

Dentist -- Most major hotels have a dentist on call. Cresta Dental Centre, 3170 Tillicum Rd., at Burnside Street in the Tillicum Mall (tel. 250/384-7711; bus no. 10), is open Monday through Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 5:30pm, and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Doctor -- Hotels usually have doctors on call. The Tillicum Mall Medical Clinic, 3170 Tillicum at Burnside Street (tel. 250/381-8112; bus no. 10 to Tillicum Mall), accepts walk-in patients daily 9am to 9pm.

Electricity -- The same 110 volts AC (60 cycles) applies as in the U.S.

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 911 for fire, police, ambulance, and poison control. This is a free call.

Hospitals -- Local hospitals include the Royal Jubilee Hospital, 1900 Fort St. (tel. 250/370-8000, emergency 250/370-8212), and the Victoria General Hospital, 1 Hospital Way (tel. 250/727-4212, emergency 250/727-4181). You can get to both hospitals on bus no. 14.

Internet Access -- In the heart of Old Town, Stain Internet Café, 609 Yates St. (tel. 250/382-3352), is open daily 10am to 2am (C$2.50/US$2.10/£1.20 per half-hour). Closer to the Legislature, try James Bay Coffee and Books, 143 Menzies St. (tel. 250/386-4700), open daily 7:30am to 10pm (C$1/US85¢/45p per 10 min.). Most hotels have Internet access, as does the Victoria Public Library.

Library -- The Greater Victoria Public Library (tel. 250/382-7241; bus no. 5 to Broughton St.) is at 735 Broughton St., near the corner of Fort and Douglas streets.

Luggage Storage & Lockers -- Most hotels will store bags for guests who are about to check in or who have just checked out. Otherwise, coin lockers are available outside the bus station (behind The Fairmont Empress). Take bus no. 5 to the Convention Centre.

Pharmacies -- Shopper's Drug Mart, 1222 Douglas St. (tel. 250/381-4321; bus no. 5 to View St.), is open Monday through Friday 7am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 7pm, and Sunday 9am to 6pm.

Police -- Dial tel. 911. This is a free call. The Victoria City Police can also be reached by calling tel. 250/995-7654.

Post Office -- The main post office is at 714 Yates St. (tel. 250/953-1352; bus no. 5 to Yates St.). There are also postal outlets in Shopper's Drug Mart and in other stores displaying the CANADA POST postal outlet sign. Supermarkets and many souvenir and gift shops also sell stamps.

Smoking -- Smoking is prohibited in any public areas, including restaurants, bars, and clubs.