Fast Facts

American Express -- Viajes Reptur represents American Express. The main office is at Serdán 690-B (tel. 229/931-0838). Office hours for American Express-related business are Monday through Friday from 9am to 1:30pm and 4 to 6pm (but you can reach the staff during the lunch hour), and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

Area Code -- The telephone area code is 229.

Climate -- Veracruz is hot and humid most of the year, but the hottest months are May and June. In the winter, strong winds, known as nortes, occasionally bring cool, even chilly, weather.

Consulate -- The American consulate is closed, and there is no Canadian consulate. The British Consulate is at Independencia 1394 (tel./fax 229/931-6694). It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm.

Drugstore -- Farmacía Las Torres, Av. Díaz Mirón 295, between Abasolo and Paso y Toncoso (tel. 229/932-2885), is open daily 24 hours.

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 060.

High Season -- The peak tourist times are Carnaval, Easter, July and August, and December. Veracruz is more popular with Mexicans than with foreigners.

Hospital -- The Hospital de María is at Alacio Pérez 1004, between Carmen Serdán and 20 de Noviembre (tel. 229/931-3626 or -3619).

Police -- For non-emergencies, you can reach the police in Veracruz at tel. 229/938-0664; in Boca del Río, tel. 229/986-1997.

Post Office -- The correo, on Avenida de la República near the Maritime Customs House, is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 4pm.