Banks and exchange There are numerous banks and casas de cA?mbio (Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm) along Rua dos Andradas and Avenida Senador Salgado Filho near PraA§a da AlfA?ndega. The casa de cA?mbio at the RodoviA?ria changes travellers' cheques.

Boats Two-hour excursions on the Rio Guaiba leave from the tour-boat berth (Doca TurA­stica) on Avenida MauA?, near the train station. Schedules vary seasonally, so check with the tourist office. There are also boat excursions from the Centro Cultural Usina do GasA?metro.

Consulates Argentina, Rua Prof. Annes Dias 112, 1st floor (tel 051/224-6810); Uruguay, Av. CristA?vA?o Colombo 3133 (tel 051/224-3499); USA, Rua Cel. Genuino 421 (tel 051/226-4177); UK, Rua Itapeva 110 (tel 051/341-0720).

Health matters Pronto-Socorro Municipal hospital is on Av. Osvaldo Aranha at the intersection with VenA?ncio Aires (tel 051/231-5900).

Post offices At Rua Siqueira Campos 1100, Rua Sete de Setembro 1020 and Rua General Camara, near the waterfront Avenida MauA?.

Shopping Handicrafts from throughout the state are available at Artesanato Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Senador Salgado Filho 366, and the Feira do Artesanato on PraA§a da AlfA?ndega (between ruas da Praia and Sete de Setembro) is worth a look, too. The Sunday RedenA§A?o Bric-a-Brac in the Parque Farroupilha is well worth a visit for regional handicrafts; there's a lively atmosphere, with street performers and thronging bars and restaurants. The Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul has a small gallery where reasonably priced original prints and paintings by local artists are offered for sale.