What to do in case of an emergency

If it’s the type of emergency in which you have enough time to make a call and can try to communicate in Spanish, here is a list of emergency numbers:

Turismo Municipal - 480 01 71/97
Locatel - 481 11 00/52
Profeco - 483 52 33
Cruz Roja - 485 41 00
Bomberos - 484 41 22
Dirección de Transito – Emergencias - 485 67 43
Policía Preventiva - 485 03 34/486 82 20
Policía Federal de Caminos - 441 34 36
Angeles Verdes - 483 84 70
Dirección Municipal de Salud - 482 01 14/ 483 61 01
Hospital IMSS - 445 53 53 to 69
Hospital ISSSTE - 445 50 73/68
Protección Civil - 483 50 40/483 52 07
Seguridad Pública - 485 79 80/ 485 04 90
Procuraduría del Turista - 484 44 16/ 484 45 83

I’ve left them in their original Spanish on purpose. If you’re having any trouble understanding them here, when you get someone on the other line, it’s not going to get any easier. I would recommend asking a hotel employee or one of the many English speaking folks that work in the hotel zone for assistance. They will be able to not only find the proper party, but act as interpreter for you.

If you don’t have this sort of slow emergency, options are more limited. I’d recommend asking for help from anyone close by. Acapulqueños are very helpful folks and are pretty sure to drop whatever they’re doing to help someone that is truly in need. If this is the sort of emergency that requires one to scream “HELP!” well, try “SOCORRO!” (pronounced so-cow-row). You might try also “ayudame!” (pronounced eye-you-dah-may.)

If your credit cards are lost of stolen you should call the companies immediately to report them. Do not wait until you get home.

You can pick up a Western Union money wire at an Elektra store with an ID.

I believe the US consulate even has an emergency program for emergency cash assistance (an emergency cash loan). If the problem is so bad that you need assistance of an attorney, you can try your consulate for an approved list but don’t expect much direct help.