American Express Amex have an office in Viajes Carrousel travel agency Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-noon) way out on Sanchez Taboada at Clemente Orozco, but their rates are poor.

Banks and exchange US dollars are accepted almost everywhere - rates are usually fair, but always check. Changing money should also be no problem, with casas de cambio on virtually every corner. Most offer good rates - almost identical to those north of the border - though few of them accept travellers' cheques, and if they do, they charge a heavy commission. For cheques you're better off with a bank, most of which are on ConstituciA?n, a block over from RevoluciA?n.

Books Sanborn's, at RevoluciA?n and 8th, has books and magazines, some from across the border, though it primarily functions as a food chain.

Buses The Central Camionera is reached on local blue-and-white buses marked "Buena Vista" or "Central Camionera", which run through the centre on C 2-A and pass the border on the way to the terminal; or by metered taxi (about $15; haggle fiercely); or there are fixed-fare yellow taxis that leave from between C 2 and C 3 on Madero (about $2). From the station there are departures to almost all Mexican destinations, with numerous departures at all hours to the west coast and hourly buses down Baja. Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas (24hr trip) will cost you US$90, whereas a ticket to Mexico City (36-48hr) will cost you at least US$100. Some operators offer large discounts for students, so bring ID. The Central Vieja bus station, at Madero and 1st, handles buses to Rosarito (hourly 8am-8pm). For US destinations you can pick up Greyhound buses (roughly hourly 6am-6pm) from the Central Camionera; they go on to pick up from the Central Vieja station then cross the border, stopping at San Ysidro. Slightly more expensive, Transportes Intercalifornias run nine times daily from the airport, Camionera Central, the centre of town and both sides of the border to Los Angeles.

Consulates Australia/Canada, German Gedovius 5-202, Zona RA­o (tel 6/684-0461); UK, SalA?nas 1500 (tel 6/681-7323); USA, Tapachula 96 (tel 6/681-7400).

Flights The airport is reached on buses marked "Aeropuerto" from Madero and 2nd. Though they vary greatly depending on demand, flights to the rest of Mexico, and particularly to the capital (16 daily; 3hr), can be surprisingly cheap from Tijuana, sometimes the same price as a first-class bus. Flights to other destinations are less competitive, such as Guadalajara, Acapulco, La Paz, as there are fewer flights and they can charge more. Viajes La Mesa, at Madero and 1st (tel 6/688-1511), can help with bookings, but it pays to shop around for the best prices.

Internet access The best internet cafA©s are branches of SpaceBooth.com ; one is at RevoluciA?n between 2nd and 3rd; the other at C 11 near C Pio Pico. Both have good prices ($2 per hr) and serve coffee, drinks and snacks.

Left luggage Bags can be left at the Central Camionera (daily 6am-10.30pm), in lockers over the border in the Greyhound station (24hr), or next door at Pro-Pack (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm).

Post office Negrete and 11th (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat & Sun 9.30am-1pm), though to send international mail you're better off crossing the border.

Telephones The post office (see above) has large distancia phones, as does the Central Camionera, but you're better off crossing the border to make long-distance calls.