Area Code -- The country code for Portugal is 351; the area code for Madeira is 29.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) -- Most ATMs (available 24 hr. a day) are found in Funchal. But there are also some ATMs in towns throughout the island.
Business Hours -- Shops are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 3 to 7pm, and Saturday 9am to 1pm. They're closed Sunday. Municipal buildings are open Monday to Friday 9am to 12:30pm and 2 to 5:30pm. All banks are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3pm.
Consulates -- The Consulate of the United States is on Rua da Alfândega 10 (tel. 29/123-56-36), off Avenida do Infante. The Consulate of the United Kingdom is on Rua da Alfândega 10, third floor (tel. 29/121-28-60). All other consulates are located only in Lisbon.
Dentist -- A good English-speaking dentist, John de Sousa, has an office in Marina Shopping on the third floor, office 304, Avenida Arriaga (tel. 29/123-12-77), in Funchal.
Doctor -- A good English-speaking doctor is Francis Zino, in the Edificio Zino, Avenida do Infante (tel. 29/175-91-55), in Funchal.
Drugstores -- Drugstores (chemists) are open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 3 to 9pm. The rotation emergency, night service, and Sunday schedules are posted on the door of all drugstores. A reliable, centrally located chemist is Farmácia Honorato, Rua da Carreira 62 (tel. 29/120-38-80). Dial tel. 118 to locate a pharmacy that's open.
Emergencies -- Call tel. 112 for a general emergency, tel. 29/120-82-00 for the police, tel. 29/174-11-15 for the Red Cross, and tel. 29/170-56-00 for a hospital emergency.
Hospital -- The island's largest hospital is the Hospital Distrital do Funchal, Cruz de Carvalho (tel. 29/170-56-00).
Laundry & Dry Cleaning -- Try Lavandaria Donini, Rua das Pretas (tel. 29/122-44-06), Funchal. Clothing can be laundered or dry-cleaned in 1 or 2 days. It's open Monday to Saturday 9am to 7pm.
Lost Property -- The Lost Property office is at Rua da Infancia 28, in Funchal (tel. 29/120-82-00).
Newspapers & Magazines -- The island stocks a good selection of such English-language publications as Newsweek, Time, and the International Herald Tribune, as well as periodicals in French, German, and Spanish. Especially useful is a locally produced English-language publication, the Madeira Island Bulletin -- distributed free at the tourist office and in many of the island's more visible hotels -- which features descriptions of island activities and lists special events.
Police -- Dial tel. 29/120-82-00.
Post Office -- If you've had your mail sent Poste Restante (general delivery), you can pick it up at Funchal's Zarco Post Office, Av. Zarco 5-7, 9000-069 (tel. 29/120-28-31), near the tourist office, as long as you bring your passport to identify yourself. From here, you can also place long-distance phone calls (without steep hotel surcharges) and send telegrams, faxes, and telexes. The office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 8pm, and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Other post offices offering the same services are Calouste Gulbenkian, Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian (Mon-Fri 9am-6:30pm), near the Monument of the Infante Dom Henrique; Monumental, on Estrada Monumental, near the Lido swimming pool (Mon-Fri 8:30am-7pm); and Mercado, Rua do Arcipreste, near the Municipal Market (Mon-Fri 8:30am-6:30pm). Signs in the center of Funchal that read CORREIOS point the way to the nearest post office, or you can look for mailboxes on the street.
Safety -- In terms of crime statistics, Madeira is safer than mainland Portugal, especially Lisbon. However, as in any area that attracts tourists, there is a criminal element that preys on visitors. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are the major villains. Protect your valuables, as you would at any resort.
Taxes -- Madeira imposes no special taxes other than the value-added tax (VAT) on all goods and services purchased in Portugal.
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.
