TRAVEL: Planning a Staycation in Vancouver

Staycations are on the rise all over the world, including the US, UK, and Canada. However, out of all of these places, few staycationers can make the most of Vancouver. This area has more to do than most vacation destinations out there, whether you want something eco-friendly or completely luxury. 

Decide What Makes a Vacation Special

Everyone has different parameters for what makes a vacation feel like a vacation. Is it the ability to be away from your home? Not having to wash your dishes? Do you like being able to sleep in every morning and forget the sound of your alarm?

You can have whatever makes a vacation feel like a vacation during your staycation in Vancouver. You just need to identify what these elements are and get creative when it comes to finding them in your home environment.

Get the Particulars Out of the Way

• How Much? – Before making any definite plans, outline how much you have to spend on your staycation.  

• How Long? – Due to the lower cost of a staycation compared to a traditional vacation, you may be able to take a staycation several times a year. With this in mind, how long do you want your current staycation to last?

• Where to Go – Where would you like to go on your staycation? Though not all of the places you list may make the final cut, it’s generally better to start with more and then break the list down. 

• What to Avoid – What you don’t want on your staycation could be more important than what you do. For example, if being on vacation means you are not at home, booking alternative accommodations should be top priority. The same can be said for doing household chores and errands. 

Execute Your Plan

Once you have all of the parameters mapped out, you should be able to start making concrete plans and reservations. Depending on your time and budget, you may even be able to split your plans into more than one staycation.

Staycation Examples for Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver offers endless opportunities for staycation planners. Whatever type of vacation you want- you can make it happen here. If you don’t already live here, that alone might make you start looking up real estate in Vancouver.

Get Out of the House and Into the Wilderness

BC has over 1,200 campsites and over 6,000 km of hiking trails. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and more than most people would be able to explore in a lifetime of staycations. Between parks, campgrounds, and other camp-friendly areas, you can have a staycation that costs next to nothing and is just a few hours away from home.

Embrace Your Inner Food Critic or Luxury Foodie

There are more than 5,000 restaurants in the Greater Vancouver area. Within the confines of your budget, you can probably choose enough to fill up breakfast, lunch, and dinner slots. You could use your time to find your new favorite places to eat.

If you’re more into making food, find a bunch of recipes you’ve always wanted to try or book a cooking class or two. With a dozen or so gourmet food shops in the area, it shouldn’t be too hard to find any ingredient you can think of.

Make Your Home Into a Hotel

For a few days or even a week, take a break and hire out your chores. Get a dog walker, hire a house cleaning service, and eat out for every meal. A staycation can be as simple as a week off from housework with no special events and no need to check your phone.