ContentsNorth AmericaCanada ........................................................108 - 117Central AmericaCosta Rica ...................................................118 - 123South AmericaEcuador and the Galapagos .........................126 - 133Brazil ...........................................................134 - 137Chile ............................................................138 - 141Argentina .....................................................142 - 145The Falkland Islands ....................................146 - 147Guyana ........................................................148 - 151107ArgentinaBrazilThe Falkland IslandsChileEcuadorGuyanaGalapagos IslandsCosta RicaCanadaTHE AMERICAS | INTRODUCTION

CANADAAlbertaManitobaBritish ColumbiaBanff N.P.Jasper N.P.ChurchillHudsonBayVANCOUVERVancouver IslCanadaVancouver is a beautiful city in a wonderful coastal setting and with a backdrop of pine-covered peaks. There is plenty to do, with lush Stanley Park a great place to start your explorations by foot or bike. You could also take a trip across to Granville Island to look around the tempting array of produce on offer at the local market. Vancouver has some excellent restaurants, bars and coffee shops, and the main downtown area around Robson Street is great for shopping. Fairmont Waterfront Hotel HIGH The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel is within easy walking distance of all the city's amenities and has great views of its busy harbour and the Vancouver skyline. It's a large hotel with well-appointed rooms and all the facilities you would expect of a modern city-centre accommodation. Four Seasons Vancouver MID The Four Seasons Vancouver offers upmarket, modern accommodation in a central location. Its rooms have city views and are comfortable as a base after your explorations. There is also a spa, terrace, garden and restaurant at the hotel. Best Western Downtown MID A comfortable hotel in the downtown area, overlooking False Creek, convenient for trips to Granville Island. A large hotel, its rooms are all air-conditioned with TV, telephone, and tea and coffee making facilities. There's also a steam room and fi tness centre.VancouverIn focusJuly The islet-dotted waters of Canada's west coast is perhaps the best-place to see orcas, until early September. Canada contains some of the world's greatest untamed lands. These wild, beautiful habitats are home to three of the eight species of bear - black bear, brown (or grizzly) bear and polar bear. Its vast wilderness areas are the bears' last stronghold; it is undoubtedly the best bear-viewing location in the world. Off the coast, the rich waters of the west coast islands draw whales and dolphins aplenty. Over the next few pages, you'll fi nd a selection of ideas and itineraries following our favourite routes through Canada - from classic self-drive road journeys, to those designed to show you the best of the country's marine and wildlife, to some of the best stand-alone lodges for bear-viewing. With our advice, you'll have the best bear-viewing holiday.108Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982October Polar bears gather in Churchill on the west coast of Hudson Bay. They pass through the area until November.