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Tofino has many fine shops - but a limited availability for certain types of items such as electronics. The nearest major town is a two hour drive away so COME PREPARED.

Here are the top four things we suggest you bring with you to Tofino:

  1. Warm clothing - fleece, wool (or similar) long-sleeved sweaters are a must - with lighter layers such as cotton shirts. It may be cool (5-10 degrees Celsius) and wet while you are here, but it also may be warm enough for t-shirts in the middle of the day. A range of clothing that you can layer is advisable.
  2. Waterproof jacket - made of nylon, rubber, PVC, Goretex or some similar fabric. It is likely to rain (though we hope it will not).
  3. Umbrella 
  4. Comfortable walking shoes. You may walk 10-20 minutes between some venues and shuttle bus stops.

A few other things you should think about are:

  1. Camera (and its battery charger)
  2. Extra camera memory cards - these are NOT available for sale in Tofino
  3. International plug converters - we use the Type B plugs in North America (NEMA 5-15 North American 15A/125V/125V grounded). Converters are NOT FOR SALE in Tofino.
  4. Medications - please bring a copy of the prescription with you to avoid problems at airport's Customs and Immigration. There is a pharmacy in Tofino.
  5. Business cards or contact cards to give to the new friends you meet.
  6. Are you presenting a poster? You must bring it ALREADY PRINTED OUT as there are no large-format printing facilities in Tofino.

 We'd also like you to know a few things about Tofino such as:

  1. The drinking water in Tofino is excellent - it is of extremely high quality and completely free of pathogens (viruses, bacteria etc). Our drinking water is surface water that comes from four streams of intact temperate rainforest watersheds on Meares Island and is filtered and treated to meet British Columbia drinking water standards. Drinking bottled water (except for medical reasons) is frowned on in Tofino, and you will receive a re-useable water bottle at the Congress (made of recycled plastic and free of Bisphenol-A).
  2. It is not legal to smoke indoors in any establishment in Tofino nor to smoke outdoors immediately next to doors. You will find that most venues provide an outdoor place to smoke, but they may not provide an ashtray. Please NEVER dispose of a cigarette butt on the ground - use a trash can or a
  3. Most facilities will provide a recycling bin. All beverage containers are recyclable in Tofino, as well as many plastics, paper, and tin cans. If in doubt, please just ask any staff person working in the facility you are visiting.

 

North American plugs look like this.