GENERAL INFORMATION
TRAVEL IDEAS
- Macau, 2 days
- Exotic Macau, 3 days
- Vibrant Hong Kong Plus Exotic Macau, 6 days
OTHER TRAVEL IDEAS
- Vibrant Hong Kong, 3 days
- Discover Hong Kong, 6 days
- Hong Kong Extension Ideas
- Gems of South East Asia, 10 days
- Classic Orient, 13 days
- Tale of Two Cities, 9 days
STAYS OF DISTINCTION
FAR EAST TRIVIA
AIR-LAND INCLUSIVE
AIR-LAND INCLUSIVE
Macau
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
PASSPORTS & VISAS
All visitors to Macau must have a valid passport. Three-month visa-free visits are available to all the Commonwealth countries, including Canada and also US citizens.
VACCINATION
Vaccination certificates are not required for visitors to Macau. However, health regulations are liable to change on short notice, and it is advisable to check regulations with carriers when making reservations.
CURRENCY
Macau's official currency is the Pataca (MOP$) and is divided into 100 avos. The Pataca is linked to the Hong Kong Dollar which is also accepted as currency in Macau. The exchange rate is MOP$1.032 = HK$1.00.
Visitors can exchange foreign currency and travellers' cheques at authorized exchange dealers and banks. There are 24 hour exchange counters operating in the Macau International Airport (Taipa Island) and in the Lisboa Hotel. Large hotels will also exchange foreign currency but will often provide unfavorable exchange rates.
ATMs throughout the city will accept foreign cards to dispense local currency and sometimes also give you the choice to receive Hong Kong dollars. Larger hotels, shops and restaurants will all accept international credit cards.
TELEPHONES
Local calls in Macau are free when made from a private telephone. Public phones charge MOP$1.00 (US$0.15) for 3 minutes. Public phones are located throughout the city, most accept coins or international calling cards but you will also find credit card phones in the busiest areas. Mobile phones will most likely work in Macau but you will be paying high roaming fees for using the local carriers' networks. GSM SIM-cards can be bought from any of the local telecom companies (CTM, Hutchinson Telecom, SmarTone). Edificio CTM on 25 Rua Pedro Coutino (tel. (853) 1000) sells international calling cards and has information regarding use of mobile phones in Macau.
TRAVELLERS' CHEQUES
You will need your passport when you cash your travellers' cheques. Most foreign currencies and travellers' cheques can be changed at banks, money changers, hotels, and major retail outlets. Some money changers charge a commission of several cents on the dollar, so before handing over your money or signing anything, check how much you will receive in return.
CLOTHING
Cotton or light clothing is recommended for the summer. Warmer woolen clothing and an overcoat may be required for the winter. Sweaters and jackets are sometimes necessary for the cooler evenings from March to May and September to November. Macau is very cosmopolitan in its outlook and revealing clothing such as short shorts, mini skirts and low-cut tops is accepted but refrain from topless sunbathing.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Macau has two main hospitals that provide 24 hour emergency services; the public S. Januario Hospital located on Estrada do Visconde de S. Januario (tel. (853) 313 731) or the private Kiang Wu Hospital located in Estrada Coelho do Amaral (tel. (853) 371 333). There are also a number of health centers for less urgent care which your hotel can direct you to.
CLIMATE
Macau has a subtropical climate with cool, dry winters and hot, wet summers. January and February are the coldest months with temperatures falling to as low as 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit). Spring is March through May and is warmer but also usually quite humid with occasional drizzles. Temperatures peak at around 35° Celsius (95° Fahrenheit) in July/August with humidity levels approaching 90%. Summers are also the monsoon period and June through August see on average 17 days of rainfall per month. The best time to visit Macau is October through December when the temperature and humidity have declined somewhat and the weather is stable and sunny.
DRINKING WATER
Tap water is from China and is purified and chlorinated. The Health Department regularly monitors water quality and holds it to international standards. However, the pipes in your building may be of varying quality and the water that you drink may be of different quality to what comes out of the water treatment plants. While you are unlikely to become sick from the tap water, a careful traveler may want to stick to bottled water.
