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Fast Facts
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. Jet Airways, the best domestic airline, is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm (Patto Plaza, near the Patto Tourist Hotel and the bus stand, Panjim; tel. 0832/243-8790). Deccan Airlines (tel. 0832/243-8877) offers cheaper airfares, but is also notorious for delays and cancellations.
Ambulance -- Dial tel. 102, 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. 98-2298-1562.
American Express -- Call American Express (tel. 1600/1801-242 or 1800/1801-245).
Area Code -- The area code for Goa is tel. 0832.
ATMs -- Ask your hotel for the nearest ATM with credit card facilities. In Panjim. there's an ICICI ATM at the Sindur Business Centre on Swami Vivekananda Road. In Candolim there's an HDFC machine at Regal Villa (opposite SBI), and a UTI machine in the Dona Alcina Estate (also at the Brangaza Complex, opposite the Kadamba bus depot in Mapusa).
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 the aptly named "Practically Anything on Goa" (tel. 0832/241-2121).
Hospitals -- Dr. Bhandari Hospital (tel. 0832/222-4966 or -5602) is in Panjim's Fontainhas area. For hospital emergencies in Margao, call Margao Hospital (tel. 0832/270-5664). In Mapusa, Vrindavan 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 90/55¢-$1.80/30p-90p per hr.), particularly in tourist areas. Wherever you are, ask or look out for Sify iway cybercafes (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.
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Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's India, 3rd Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.
