Airlines -- Even the smallest hotels are able to make air travel arrangements for you and usually charge a small fee to process tickets, which saves you the hassle of having to travel all the way to Panjim. Alternatively, book your seats online; both Kingfisher (tel. 0832/254-2020) and Jet (tel. 0832/243-8792) have very user-friendly websites, or you can try www.travelocity.co.in for the best deals and sometimes discounted fares. Jet is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm (Patto Plaza, near the Patto Tourist Hotel and the bus stand, Panjim; tel. 0832/243-8790). An assortment of budget airlines offers cheaper airfares.
Ambulance -- Dial tel. 102 or 108, or you can call the Panjim Ambulance and Welfare Trust (Panjim; tel. 0832/222-4824). Also in Panjim, call the 24-hour Vintage Ambulance Service (tel. 98-2305-9948). In Margao, call the local Ambulance Trust (tel. 0832/273-1759). In Mapusa, call tel. 0832/226-2372.
American Express -- Call American Express (tel. 1600/1801-242 or 1800/1801-245).
Area Code -- The area code for Goa is tel. 0832.
ATMs -- While some of the smaller villages may not have ATM facilities, for the most part you won't have to search hard to find one. Ask your hotel for the nearest machine with credit card facilities, and -- unless you're staying somewhere remote (like Fort Tiracol) -- you shouldn't need to travel far to draw money. Taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers can also usually take you to one without much bother (preferably during the day). In Panjim. there's an ICICI ATM at the Sindur Business Centre on Swami Vivekananda Road.
Banks & Currency Exchange -- For the best rates, you can exchange cash and traveler's checks at Thomas Cook in Panjim (8 Alcon Chambers, D. B. Marg; tel. 0832/222-1312; Mon-Sat 9:30am-7pm). Another location is between Baga and Calangute, at the State Bank of India, in the Hotel Ofrill Building (tel. 0832/227-5693).
Car Rentals -- Try Sita World Travel (101 Rizvi Chamber, Caetano Albuquerque Rd., Panjim; tel. 0832/222-0476, -0477, -3134, -6477, or 0832/242-3552).
Drugstores -- Go to Farmacia Universal in Panjim (Behind People High School; tel. 0832/222-3740; 24 hr.). Walson and Walson Chemist can be found on Calangute (tel. 0832/227-6366; daily 9am-9pm).
Emergencies -- In Panjim, dial tel. 102 for an ambulance, and tel. 101 in case of fire.
Helpline -- Call tel. 0832/241-2121 for all kinds of information, including changed phone numbers.
Hospitals -- Dr. Bhandari Hospital (tel. 0832/222-4966 or -5602) is in Panjim's Fontainhas area. For hospital emergencies (and preventative treatments) in Margao, the Apollo Victor Hospital (tel. 0832/272-8888; emergency hot line: tel. 0832/272-6272) is recommended, and there's an evenings-only branch in Panjim, too (First Floor, Velho Bldg.; tel. 0832/564-7400; open 5-8pm). In Mapusa, Vrundavan Hospital (tel. 0832/225-0022 or -0033) is reputed to be the best.
Internet Access -- High numbers of backpackers mean plenty of Internet facilities (Rs 25-Rs 90 per hr.), particularly in tourist areas. Wherever you are, ask or look out for Sify iway cybercafes (or use the locator menu on their website to find a nearby location; www.iway.com).
Police -- Dial tel. 100. Panjim Police Headquarters (tel. 0832/242-8400 or -3400) is on Malaca Road, at the western edge of Azad Maidan.
Post Office -- Panjim's General Post Office is at Patto Bridge and is open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
