Fast Facts

American Express -- The local office is at Av. Vallarta 2440, Plaza los Arcos, Local A-1 (tel. 33/3818-2323); it's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to noon.

Area Code -- The telephone area code is 33.

Books, Newspapers & Magazines -- Gonvil, a popular bookstore chain, has a branch across from Plaza de los Hombres Ilustres on Avenida Hidalgo, and another a few blocks south at Av. 16 de Septiembre 118 (Alcalde becomes 16 de Septiembre south of the cathedral). It carries few English selections. Sanborn's, at the corner of Juárez and 16 de Septiembre, does a good job of keeping English-language periodicals in stock, but most are specialty magazines. Many newsstands sell the two English local papers, the Guadalajara Reporter and the Guadalajara Weekly. For the widest selection of English-language books, try Sandi Bookstore, Av. Tepeyac 718 (tel. 33/3121-0863), in the Chapalita neighborhood on the west side.

Business Hours -- Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10am to 2pm and 4 to 8pm.

Climate & Dress -- Guadalajara's weather is mostly mild. From November through March, you'll need a sweater in the evening. The warmest months, April and May, are hot and dry. From June through September, the city gets afternoon and evening showers that keep the temperature a bit cooler, but it seems as though the local climate is getting warmer. Dress in Guadalajara is conservative; attention-getting sportswear (short shorts, halters, and the like) is out of place.

Consulates -- The American consular offices are at Progreso 175 (tel. 33/3268-2200 or -2100). Other consulates include the Canadian consulate (which moved recently), Mariano Otero 1249, Col. Rinconada del Bosque (tel. 33/3671-4740); the British consulate, Calle Jesús Rojas 20, Col. Los Pinos (tel. 33/3343-2296); and the Australian consulate, López Cotilla 2018, Col. Arcos Vallarta (tel. 33/3615-7418). These offices all keep roughly the same hours: Monday through Friday from 8am to 1pm.

Currency Exchange -- Three blocks south of the cathedral, on López Cotilla, between Corona and Degollado, are more than 20 casas de cambio. Almost all post their rates, which are usually better than bank rates, minus the long lines.

Elevation -- Guadalajara sits at 1,700m (5,576 ft.).

Emergencies -- The emergency phone number is tel. 060.

Hospitals -- For medical emergencies, visit the Hospital México-Americano, Cólomos 2110 (tel. 33/3642-7152 or 33/3641-3141).

Internet Access -- Most of the big hotels have business centers that you can use. There are many Internet cafes in the Centro Histórico; the easiest way to find one is to ask a young person.

Language Classes -- Foreigners can study Spanish at the Foreign Student Study Center, University of Guadalajara, Calle Tomás V. Gómez 125, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal. (tel. 33/3616-4399). IMAC is a private Spanish school at Donato Guerra 180, in the Centro Histórico (tel. 33/3613-1080).

Police -- Tourists should first try to contact the Jalisco tourist information office in Plaza Tapatía (tel. 33/3668-1600). If you can't reach the office, call the municipal police at tel. 33/3668-7983.

Post Office -- The correo is at the corner of Carranza and Calle Independencia, about 4 blocks northeast of the cathedral. Standing in the plaza behind the cathedral, facing the Degollado Theater, walk to the left, and then turn left on Carranza; walk past the Hotel Mendoza, cross Calle Independencia, and look for the post office on the left. It's open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Safety -- Guadalajara doesn't have as much crime as Mexico City. Rarely do you hear of muggings. Crimes against tourists and foreign students are infrequent and most often take the form of purse snatching. Criminals usually work in teams and target travelers in busy places, such as outdoor restaurants. Keep jewelry out of sight. Should anyone spill something on you, be alert to your surroundings and step away -- accidental spills are a common method for distracting the victim.