American Express -- Inside the Via Scala Shopping, Av. Beira Mar 3960 (tel. 085/4004-7797); open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm.
Car Rental -- Localiza (tel. 0800/979-2000 or 085/3477-5050); Avis (tel. 0800/725-2847); Unidas (tel. 0800/121-121 or 085/3477-5373); and Hertz (tel. 085/3477-5055).
Currency Exchange -- Banco do Brasil, Av. Barão do Rio Branco 1515, Centro (tel. 085/3254-3266), which also has an ATM. HSBC, Av. Monsignor Tabosa 1200, Praia de Iracema (tel. 085/3308-1200). Both open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
Hospitals -- Hospital Batista Memorial, Av. Padre Antônio Tomás 2030, Aldeota (tel. 085/ 3224-5417).
Internet Access -- Cyber Café, Av. Beira Mar 3120, Meireles (tel. 085/3242-5422) charges R$4 (US$2/£1) per hour; daily 9am-10pm. Cyberoom Rent a Computer, Av. Mons Tabosa 937, Centro (tel. 085/3219-6731) also charges R$4 (US$2/£1) per hour; Monday to Saturday 10am-8pm.
Weather -- Fortaleza has a pleasant sunny climate year-round, dry and tropical with an average temperature of 82°F (28°C); a cooling ocean breeze often takes the edge off the heat.
