The Tourism Chilliwack Visitor Centre is located by Exit 116 of the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1). Our building is at the front of the Chilliwack Heritage Park grounds, a few metres south of the highway at 44150 Luckakuck Way. Our friendly staff can provide maps, detailed directions and the latest information on attractions and events. You’ll find a large selection of free tourist services and attractions brochures to choose from as well.
Customs and Border Information
Languages Spoken (including online Translator)
Licences - Hunting and Fishing
Wireless Internet Locations in Chilliwack (free access)
BC / Canadian Public Holidays 2011
|
New Year's Day |
January 1 |
|
Good Friday |
April 22 |
|
Easter Monday |
April 25 |
|
Victoria Day |
May 23 |
|
Canada Day |
July 1 |
|
BC Day |
August 1 |
|
Labour Day |
September 5 |
|
Thanksgiving Day |
October 10 |
|
Remembrance Day |
November 11 |
|
Christmas Day |
December 25 |
|
Boxing Day |
December 26 |
Information for visitors to CanadaTo enter into Canada, if you are an international traveller you will need a valid passport. For some international travellers more travel documents maybe required, such as a Temporary Resident Visa. To find out, contact your local Canadian Embassy. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) wants to help travellers find the information they need to know in order to enter Canada. For useful links to assist in your travel planning, visit Canada Border Services
Visitor Requirements: U.S. Residents
Visit the Department of Homeland Security for current requirements for traveling outside of the US. For American citizens as of January 23, 2007 a passport is required to enter/return for all air travel. By January 1, 2008 passport will be required for all American citizens for air and land travel.
Importing Goods into Canada
For travellers wanting to bring food and/or meat into Canada, they should be aware that all items need to be declared. This includes meat, animal hides, live birds, plants and fruits. All items must be clean and free of pests, soil and roots. Some plants, animals and their products from outside of Canada may be prohibited, or may require additional documentations.
Weapons are strictly controlled. If you are planning on bringing firearms into Canada, you must declare the firearms in writing using a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form. Also, all travellers need to declare to Canadian Customs authorities of any firearms and weapons when entering Canada. If a weapon is seized, it is never returned. If you are going to borrow a firearm while in Canada, you must obtain a Temporary Firearms Borrowing Licence in advance.
The Fraser Valley has a mild climate which allows travellers to enjoy all its wonder year round. The busier times for the area are from early June to end of October, with it's sunny skies and summer experiences. However, if you love a winter wonderland the region is also ideal.
Chilliwack's mild climate with limited extremes provides excellent growing conditions for a wide variety of crops and agricultural products. The average temperature is 1.6 degrees Celsius in January and 18 degrees Celsius in July. Precipitation falls mostly as rain, with snow limited, for the most part, to the surrounding mountains. Click here for a current 5 day forecast.
| MONTH AVERAGES | HIGH | LOW |
| January | 5 | 0 |
| February | 8 | 1 |
| March | 11 | 2 |
| April | 14 | 4 |
| May | 17 | 7 |
| June | 20 | 9 |
| July | 23 | 11 |
| August | 24 | 11 |
| September | 21 | 9 |
| October | 15 | 5 |
| November | 9 | 2 |
| December | 6 | 0 |
Summer - (June-August)
Days are usually warm and long. The temperature can reach up well into the 30°C range (86° F) during the summer months; make sure you bring your sunscreen along for your trip.
Fall - (September-November)
The fall can be an extension of the summer months, but the nights are a bit cooler. Make sure you have a sweater for the evenings.
Winter - (December-February)
The winter season in the region can vary, from a fair bit of rain to lots of snow. The mountains can receive large dumps of snow, great for winter lovers but be aware the metropolitan cities can sometimes receive a little inundating as well. Be prepared for a wide range of weather, typically quite wet! Snow or warm rain jackets are advised.
Spring - (March-May)
The spring months for the region are beautiful, this is when the flowers come out and the trees turn all different colours of green. You can expect the days to start getting warm, but you will probably still need a jacket and an umbrella handy, as we do get a 'little' bit of rain!
You are encouraged to exchange funds at a bank where you will receive the current rate of exchange. Rates of exchange fluctuate on a daily basis and are posted at points of sale. Many larger businesses will accept US dollars. For updated information on currency exchange, please visit the Bank of Canada Website. All major credit cards are accepted in Chilliwack and most bank machines offer “Plus”, “Cirrus” and “Interac” networks where you can withdraw cash.Chilliwack uses Pacific Standard Time (-8hours GMT), with daylight saving time (DST) in effect between March and November.
Driving
Visitors may drive in BC for up to 6 months with a valid driver's licence from another province, state or country. Driving is on the right side of the road.
In BC, seatbelts and other safety devices such as child restraints, are mandatory and must be worn by the driver and all passengers. Talking, typing, texting or dialing on a handheld cellphone or any handheld portable electronic device while driving is against the law. The fine is $167. Texting or emailing while driving gets you an extra 3 penalty points. For new drivers, there is a full ban on all cellphone and electronic devices including hands-free. Bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets are also required by law. For up to date highway information please visit Drive BC
Canada uses the same electrical current and electric plug shape as the United States (110 volts AC at 60Hz). You will need to use an adapter if you wish to use an appliance from overseas during your visit.
[back to top]
Emergency Service Contacts
Police, Fire & Ambulance |
911 |
| Chilliwack RCMP (Non-Emergency) | 604-792-4611 |
| Air or Marine Emergency | 1-800-567-5111 |
| Chilliwack General Hospital | 604-795-4141 |
| Crime Stoppers - TIPS Line | 1-800-222-8477 |
| Chilliwack Search & Rescue | 604-792-3414 www.chilliwacksar.org |
| Canadian Avalance Association | 250-837-2748 www.avalanche.ca |
| Fraser Valley Regional Fire Dispatch | 604-702-5014 |
| Poison Control Centre | 1-800-567-8911 |
| Provincial Emergency Program Information | 604-586-4390 www.pep.bc.ca |
| Report a Wildfire | 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 from a cell phone) |
| Wildfire Information Line | 1-888-336-7378 |
[back to top]
Hospitals & Walk-in Clinics
Chilliwack General Hospital is located at 45600 Menholm Road, in downtown Chilliwack and does have an Emergency Room. Walk-in clinics are located at 1-6014 Vedder Road and 9005 Mary Street.
During wildfire season, be sure to check you are conforming to campfire regulations or you could be facing a fine of several hundred dollars! The province is enforcing a size restriction on campfires and regulations can change at any moment depending on the weather conditions. Current Fire Bans and Restrictions.
Providing a tip or gratuity for service has become a standard practice in Canada. The amount is not calculated on your bill, so it is suggested that you add 10% - 15% to the amount before taxes. However, the amount should vary and be dependant upon the quality of service you received.
[back to top]
Languages Spoken
English and French are the 2 official languages of Canada. English is the primary language spoken on the West Coast of Canada.
For up to date hunting and fishing regulations including information on where to buy licences visit the Ministry of Environment Website. For more information on Fishing in Chilliwack and purchasing licences, visit Fish Chilliwack.
[back to top]
The legal drinking age in British Columbia is 19 years of age. Anyone under the age of 19 is considered a minor and not permitted in nightclubs or drinking facilities and cannot purchase alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at either a government liquor store or a privately-owned cold beer, wine and liquor store.
| 1 kilometre | 0.6 mile |
| 1 mile | 1.6 kilometres |
| 1 kilogram (kg) | 2.2 pounds (lbs) |
| 500 grams (g) | 1.1 pounds (lbs) |
| Temperature: 0 Centigrade | 32 Fahrenheit |
| 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Fuel: 3.8 litres (l) | 1 US Gallon |
[back to top]
HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) is a 'value added' sales tax applied to purchases made in Chilliwack and is currently at 12%. There are rebates given at the point of sale for the provincial portion (7%) of the BC HST for a limited number of items, such as books, children’s clothing and footwear, children’s car seats and booster seats, diapers, basic groceries, gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel for motor vehicles, boats and aircraft. For more information visit the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
[back to top]
Bus Services - Greyhound Bus Lines. The Greyound bus terminal is located on Luckakuck Way by The Real Canadian Superstore. Greyhound’s office in Vancouver can be reached at 604-482-8747. Chilliwack Transit operate an extensive bus service throughout Chilliwack and
out to Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs.
Trucking - Truck Services Two fully equipped truck stops & two card locks (Exit 116 Lickman Rd and Exit 119 Vedder Road)
Air Services
Chilliwack Airport
Runway length 3800 ft, can accommodate light to medium sized propeller plans and some small jets, all-weather takeoffs, Airport Services Chartered Flights, and the famous airport coffee shop with its homemade pies.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located only 90 minutes from Chilliwack and Abbotsford International Airport is only 35 minutes away. There are airport shuttle services available to both locations from Chilliwack. For Vancouver there is the Airport Link Shuttle and for Abbotsford there is a shuttle service from Chilliwack called the Valley Airporter.
Ferries
Chilliwack is only 90 minutes from both of Vancouver’s main ferry terminals at Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay. For more information visit BC Ferries.
Taxi Services
Chilliwack Taxi - 604-795-9111
Cheam Taxi - 604-824-2800
Transit into Vancouver
For those not wanting to drive into Vancouver, there is the Skytrain which starts in Surrey, Bus Service (from Langley) and the West Coast Express from Mission. Plan your journey from any of these using the widget below:
Free Wireless Internet (Wi-fi) Locations in Chilliwack, BC (updated June 2011)
| Coffee Shops | ||
| Decades | 45846 Wellington Avenue | 604-793-6675 |
| Waves | 1-45560 Market Way | 604-824-9283 |
| Callicarpa Cafe |
10015 Young Road North | 604-792-6612 |
| The Yellow Deli |
45859 Yale Road | 604-702-4442 |
| Kroissant Kaffe | 107-5615 Teskey Way | 604-846-5040 |
| Starbucks | 3-46030 Yale Road | 604-792-9434 |
| 45617 Luckakuck Way | 604-847-0868 | |
| 107-45800 Promontory Road | 604-847-9464 | |
| 101-45863 Yale Road | 604-702-4418 | |
| Hotels | ||
| Best Western Rainbow Country Inn | 43971 Industrial Way | 604-795-3828 |
| Prestons at the Coast Chilliwack Hotel | 45920 First Avenue | 604-701-3070 |
| Restaurants | ||
| Hana Sushi | 45300 Luckakuck Way | 604-847-0305 |
| Bozzini's | 4-45739 Hocking Avenue | 604-792-0744 |
| Ric's Grill | 100-45300 Luckakuck Way | 604-824-6506 |
| Peggi Sue's Donair | 5643 Vedder Road | 604-858-0999 |
| McDonalds | 45525 Luckakuck Way | 604-858-5512 |
| 45816 Yale Road West | 604-795-5911 | |
| 5718 Vedder Road | 604-858-6671 | |
| Vedder Mountain Grille | 42239 Yarrow Central Road | 604-823-6563 |
| Other | ||
| Chilliwack Public Library | 45860 First Avenue | 604-792-1941 |
