Shopping
The Pacific Center
This downtown Vancouver shopping mecca offers over 165 shops including two large department stores - The Bay and Holt Renfrew.
Robson Street
Vancouver's answer to Rodeo Drive is located a few short blocks from The Fairmont Waterfront. In this trendy shopping district you will enjoy designer shops such as Armani Exchange, Chanel, Fendi, Banana Republic, The Gap, Mexx, and HMV Megastore as well as numerous sidewalk cafes, restaurants and bars.
GST Rebate Information
The goods and services tax (GST) is a 6% tax charged for most goods and services sold or provided in Canada. As a visitor to Canada, you will pay the tax on most of your purchases. Under the visitor rebate program, you may get a refund of the tax paid on goods and accommodations in Canada, provided it is less than one month per lodging establishment.
You qualify for a tax refund if:
- You are not a resident of Canada.
- The total of your purchase amounts (before taxes) for eligible goods and accommodation must be at least $200.00 CDN
- Each individual receipt for eligible goods shows a minimum total purchase amount (before taxes) of $50.00 CDN
- You have your original receipts.
- You apply for the refund within one year of purchasing the qualifying goods and accommodations.
- Full conditions are outlined on the Government website.
For more information:
- Call 1 (800) 668-4748 (within Canada)
- Call 1 (902) 432-5608 (outside of Canada)
- Email your inquiries
Rebate Program Mailing Address:
Summerside Tax Centre
275 Pope Road
Summerside, PE
C1N 6N6
Yaletown
Just a few minutes away from the doorstep of The Fairmont Waterfront, the young, well-heeled and hip have transformed rows of former warehouses into a digital district with stylish brick and beam offices, lofts, boutiques, trendy dining, clubs and microbrewery pubs.
South Granville
Just over the Granville Street Bridge, this 10-block stretch of Granville Street--from Sixth Avenue up to 16th Avenue--is where Vancouver's old-money enclave of Shaughnessy comes to shop. Classic and expensive men's and women's clothiers, and houseware and furniture boutiques predominate. This area is also the heart of Vancouver's gallery row.
Gastown
This historic district, which is where you may find the true origins of Vancouver, is home to many of the city's finest hotels and restaurants, along with funkier venues like the Hard Rock Café, Foghorns Barn Grill, and The Old Spaghetti Factory. Art galleries, gift shops, antique stores, jazz halls, and nightclubs line the cobblestone streets.