Welcome to Vancouver!

Please visit concorddragonboatfestival.ca/alerts for our latest racer alerts.

Joining us at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival from out of town? You’re in good company, with teams hailing from across Canada, different US states, and around the world joining us in Vancouver. Email [email protected] for trip planning assistance. Visit Registration and Fees for visiting team registration rates, and Visitor Information for Festival program information.

We’re getting set for our 2024 event- information on our pages is getting updated right now. The 2024 Festival’s full program will be published May 21- we can’t wait to see you over the first weekend of summer very soon!

2024 Accommodations

We encourage teams to book their rooms as soon as possible to secure the best value. These rates are available as limited time offers only, and are while supplies last. Rates are subject to change without notice. Hotels may be added or removed as inventory changes. Hotels are sorted by proximity to the Festival site.

The Festival is currently beginning to open rooms for booking for the 2024 Festival. We expect to be adding more special offers over the coming months. All blocks are first-come, first-served, and expire in mid May 2024. Please email [email protected] for if you require any additional assistance.

2024 AVAILABLE HOTELS (SORTED BY DISTANCE TO SITE)

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown - Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver: Starting at $309

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown – Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver
$309/night up to double occupancy (1 queen), $315/night for 2 queen room ($25 surcharge for 3rd and 4th guest).
Availability June 18-24.
Click here to book at the Festival reservation portal.

Take in all of Vancouver with a downtown hotel stay at Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown offering comfortable rooms & suites with premium amenities.  The Sandman is a 5 minute walk from Racer’s Village and the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.

Downtown Vancouver is just outside the doors waiting for you to check it all out. For those times when you just want to relax and stay in, there’s no shortage of incredible amenities to enjoy, including access to free high-speed Wi-fi throughout. Lounge by the indoor pool anytime of the year, keep up with goals by getting your reps and steps in at our modern fitness centre and flex your business muscles in our 24/7 business centre.

YWCA Vancouver - Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver: Starting at $270/night

YWCA Vancouver – Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver
$270/night for 1 queen bed, or $305 for 2 queen beds. $30 surcharge per guest above 2 guests when booking as a group. When booking individual rooms, booking code will provide 10% off best available rate.
Availability June 20-24
Booking Instructions: Use booking code VANDBF24 online at www.ywcahotel.com. To book for an entire team/as a group, contact [email protected] or 604 895 5840.

The YWCA Hotel in downtown Vancouver provides a warm welcome to all travellers. They offer comfortable, safe and affordable accommodation in the heart of downtown’s art and entertainment scene.  The YWCA Hotel is also a 10 minute walk from Racer’s Village and the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.

Whether travelling with a group, a friend or on your own, they have a room to suit your needs and budget. As a social enterprise hotel by YWCA Metro Vancouver, all revenue generated goes to support YWCA community programs and services supporting single moms and families.

Rosedale on Robson - Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver: Starting at $299/night

Rosedale on Robson:  Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver
$299/night up to double occupancy (1 king/queen or 2 doubles). $30 surcharge per guest above 2 guests.
Availability June 18-26, book by April 17.
Booking Instructions: Use booking code DRAGONBOAT online at www.rosedaleonrobson.com, or email/call [email protected]/604 488 3710/1 800 661 8870 and quote code CONCORD PACIFIC DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.

The Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel provides comfort and convenience in the heart of the sports and entertainment district of downtown Vancouver. Our friendly Guest Services Team and spacious, well-appointed one and two-bedroom suites will help you feel right at home.

The Rosedale on Robson is a 15 minute walk from Racer’s Village and the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Downtown Vancouver: Starting at $399

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – Downtown Vancouver
$399/night up to double occupancy ($50 surcharge for 3rd and 4th guest).
Availability June 18-26.
Click here to book now!

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is known as the ‘Castle in the City’, symbolizing timeless elegance and luxury since 1939. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is a 10 minute public transit ride, or 15 minute walk from Racer’s Village and the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.

Holding a prime downtown location, we are minutes away from Vancouver’s biggest attractions including Granville Island, Robson Street shopping, Stanley Park Seawall, Vancouver Aquarium, Gastown, and Science World. Our knowledgeable concierge team is delighted to assist with suggestions, dining reservations and more. Be sure to meet their Labrador canine ambassadors, Elly and Ella.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is the proud recipient of a Forbes Travel Guide Four Star rating for 2022, and has been voted as one of the Top 10 City Hotels in Canada for the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2022.

Holiday Inn and Suites: Vancouver Downtown - Davie/Burrard: Starting at $279

Holiday Inn and Suites: Vancouver Downtown – Davie/Burrard
$279/night up to double occupancy ($25 surcharge for 3rd and 4th guest)
Availability June 19-25, final day to book May 20.
Click here to book or call 1-800-663-9151 with code DBF for assistance.

Steps from trendy Yaletown bars & restaurants, Robson Street and Shopping, Entertainment District, the Holiday Inn is ideal for a comfortable & stylish stay in the heart of the city. The Holiday Inn is a 20 minute bus ride, or 25 minute walk from Racer’s Village and the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.

Leisure guests can enjoy a stroll along the Vancouver Seawall and take a ferry across False Creek to Granville Island Market. Corporate guests love the hotel’s free Wi-Fi, convenient access to nearby businesses and convention centres. Guests can work in the Business Centre, and book a meeting room that can accommodate up to 110 people. Includes a by-appointment fitness centre and indoor heated pool.

Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre - Broadway/Cambie: Starting at $299

Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre – Broadway/Cambie
Room options starting at $299/night, triple or quad occupancy subject to extra $30/person.
Availability June 18-25, final date to book May 19.
Click here to book and use code DBF.

The Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre Hotel (Broadway) welcomes you to vibrant Vancouver, Canada. Their award winning hotel’s location is convenient to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, the Pacific Central Train Station, and only 2 blocks from the Broadway-City Hall Canada Line SkyTrain Station. The Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre is a 20 minute public transit ride, or 25 minute walk from Racer’s Village and the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.

Start making plans for your next stay to relax and enjoy in otheirr full service hotel! Unwind at the onsite Stages Bistro and Lounge, or have fun at their indoor swimming pool, outdoor fitness patio, and fitness equipment room. Contact [email protected] or 604 879 0511 if you require booking assistance.

Visa Requirements and Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTA)

International visitors (except US citizens) require a visa or eTA to fly in to Canada. Please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website to check entrance requirements. eTAs (valid for multiple entries up to 5 years) are generally required if you do not require a Visa flying in to Canada. Apply for an eTA online on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website.

The Festival only provides letters of invitation if required for a visa. To expedite visa letter requests, please contact us with a spreadsheet listing your group members including: full name, passport numbers, date of birth, citizenship, and intended itinerary information. Visa letters are only issued for teams with confirmed race registrations.

If you require a visa, we recommend that you request a visa letter NO LATER THAN MARCH 1 OF THE COMPETITION YEAR.

Visa processes often take multiple months, and may exceed even 3 months to process.

Public Health Travel Requirements

International visitors should visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website to determine what document or test information is required to enter Canada. Canadian citizens are encouraged to visit Transport Canada’s website for current information regarding air travel in Canada.

The Festival continuously evaluates conditions to meet or exceed public safety and health requirements. For our current communicable disease prevention protocols, visit dragonboatbc.ca/covid19.

Arriving to Vancouver

Via Air

Vancouver’s main airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Direct flights connect North American, Asian, Oceanian, and European destinations year-round. YVR is a 25 minute public transit train ride or drive to Downtown Vancouver. Connecting travellers from South America, Europe, and Africa may clear customs in Toronto or Montréal, before proceeding to Vancouver.

Vancouver is also served by Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) about a 75 minute drive away, with select service to Canadian and US destinations. Float planes from YVR and Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre connect Vancouver to destinations around BC and to Seattle.

Via BC Ferries

Victoria/Nanaimo: Swartz Bay or Duke Point arrives at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (45 minute drive, 90 minute public transit via Translink).

Sunshine Coast/Bowen Island/Nanaimo: Departure Bay, Snug Cove, or Sunshine Coast arrives at Horeshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (30 minute drive, 1 hour public transit via Translink).

Via Road

Via Peace Arch Border Crossing: Take the I-5 to Blaine; then follow Highway 99 to Vancouver

Via Aldergrove Border Crossing: Take the 539; then follow Highway 13 until the exit ramp; connect Westbound Highway 1 until Exit 26; then head Westbound on East Hastings Street to arrive in Vancouver.

Via Highway 1: Take Westbound Highway 1 until Exit 26; then head Westbound on East Hastings Street to arrive in Vancouver.

Getting around Vancouver

Vancouver is a very accessible city, and is easy to get around. We strongly advise visiting teams to take advantage of Vancouver’s public transit system.

Public Transit

Use TransLink and easily get around Vancouver. Simply tap on and off at train stations, or tap on buses using your Compass card (available at ticket vending machines) or with a tap enabled card/device to get around the region.

Get on the Canada Line at YVR Airport, and get off at either Yaletown Roundhouse or Vancouver City Centre for Downtown Vancouver. Most hotels are a short walk away from these stations.

Get to the Festival on transit: Main Street-Science World Skytrain Station is across the street from our main Festival entrance, Stadium-Chinatown Skytrain Station is one block away from Racer’s Village and Concord Community Park, and Olympic Village Canada Line Station is a 10 minute walk away from the docks. Buses on Main Street, 2nd Avenue, Abbott Street, and Keefer Street are walking distance from the Festival site.

For more information on using public transit, visit www.translink.ca.

Biking to the Festival

The Festival is conveniently located along the seawall. Bike parking is generally available at the Festival.

Vehicles, Car Share, Ride Share, and Taxis

Public pay parking is available at the Festival: arrive Eastbound on Pacific Boulevard, and look for signage to the right immediately after BC Place Stadium. This area may be limited to pass parking depending on space. Parking lots are also available at Parq Vancouver (39 Smithe Street), at Rogers Arena, and at Chinatown Parkade (180 Keefer Street).

Convenient car share services are available in Vancouver. Popular options include Evo and Modo.

Uber, Lyft, and other ride share services are available in Vancouver. The main Festival entrance drop-off is Science World, and Racer’s Village drop-off is the Concord Pacific Parking Lot (750 Pacific Boulevard).

Licensed taxis are available throughout Vancouver. Note that while taxis can drop off in the Lower Mainland, they may not be always able to pick you up depending on their geographic license. Your hotel can provide you with taxi information.

Visiting Team Contacts

For general inquiries including visa entries, email us at [email protected].

© 2024 Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society