Page 319 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  317

driver’s license is acceptable
when crossing the border by
land or sea, but not by air). A
visa is not necessary for visitors
from the US, EU, UK, and British
Commonwealth countries. In
your home country, the nearest
Canadian consulate, embassy,
or high commission will have
current information on visa
regulations. Visitors who are
under the age of 18 and
traveling alone must carry a
letter from a parent or guardian
giving them permission to do so.
All travelers who plan to stay Bikes and windsurfing gear in Hood River, Oregon
in Canada or the US for 90 days
or longer must have visas. If Tourist Information border, and parts of British
crossing the border by car, be Maps and information about Columbia, along the Alberta
prepared for customs personnel sights, events, accommodations, border, lie within the mountain
to do a search. and tours are available free of time zone. The clocks are
Canadian landed immigrants charge from the Travel Oregon, turned back 1 hour in
should check the regulations Washington State Tourism, and November; in March they are
before traveling to the US – Tourism British Columbia. turned forward one hour to
citizens of some Common­ These agencies also provide Daylight Savings Time.
wealth countries that were either free reservation services
formerly exempt from the visa for a wide range of accommo­
requirement are now required dation or referrals to such Opening Hours and
Admission Prices
to have a visa. services. Most communities
in the Pacific Northwest also Most businesses are open
operate visitors’ information weekdays from 9am to 5pm,
Travel Safety Advice
centers or seasonal tourism but many in Seattle’s, Portland’s,
Visitors can get up­to­date booths, which offer information and Vancouver’s downtown
travel safety information from about local activities, lodgings, districts stay open later. Many
the State Department in the and restaurants. businesses are also open on
US, the Foreign and Common­ weekends. Banks open from
wealth Office in the UK, and 9 or 9:30am to 4:30 or 5pm,
the Department of Foreign Time Zones and some offer limited hours
Affairs and Trade in Australia. There are two time zones in on Saturdays. Most attractions
the Pacific Northwest: Pacific are open daily, except perhaps
Standard Time (PST) and on public holidays (see p37).
Customs Allowances
Mountain Standard Time (MST). Opening hours can be shorter
Visitors 21 years of age and over Washington and most of British outside the summer season.
are permitted to enter the US Columbia and Oregon lie within Most attractions charge
with 2 pints (1 liter) of alcohol, the Pacific time zone. Parts an admission fee, but
200 cigarettes, 100 cigars or of Oregon, along the Idaho discounts are widely available
4 pounds (1.8 kg) of smoking for families, children, students,
tobacco, and gifts worth up to and seniors. Check tourist
$100. Visitors to British Columbia brochures and local papers
who are 19 years of age or older for discount coupons.
are allowed up to 3.15 pints Permits are required to
(1.5 liters) of wine or 2.4 pints access several national parks
(1.14 liters) of liquor, 200 and campgrounds in the
cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 0.44 lb region: check before planning
(200 g) of tobacco, and gifts a visit. A Discover Pass
worth up to $200. provides entry to Washington’s
Restricted items through many state parks. A day­use
customs include meats, dairy pass costs $10, while the annual
products, and fresh fruits and pass costs $30. It is advisable
vegetables.Travelers entering to purchase these online or
either country with large at select stores in advance,
quantities of cash (more than as not all state parks sell them
$10,000) or traveler’s checks “Pioneers” at the National Historic Oregon on­site. Note that this pass is
must declare it. Trail Interpretive Center for motor vehicles only.

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