Practical information Macau

9  sq.mi

13 hrs 45 mins Hong Kong is 5,980 mi from London.

469903 hab.

Macau international airport, located on a ground gained from the sea on Taipa island, was opened in November 1995. It connects most of the major cities in China and Asia. But European visitors generally get to Macau by boat via Hong Kong. 50 minutes by jetfoil, 75 minutes by hydroplane or 3 hours by ferry. There are close to a hundred daily shuttles. Prepare between 25 and 50 euros for the trip (20 and 40 pounds).

Macau is safe, no specific precautions are required. You sometimes have gangland killings and assassinations between triads, secret societies controlling games, drugs and prostitution, but tourists are not concerned. In August and September, if a typhoon occurs, warning bulletins are broadcast throughout the territory and populations are urged to shelter themselves.

The official languages are Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese. English is widely spoken in business, tourism and trading circles.

A valid passport is sufficient. No visa for a stay of less than three months.

Buddhism is most popular, followed by Confucianism and Taoism. Strong Catholic community.

The Macanese Pataca (which consists of 100 Avos) is the official currency. Notes of 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Patacas and coins of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Avos are available. The Pataca (MOP) is indexed to the Hong Kong Dollar. £1 Sterling = approximately 12 MOP. Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard, American Express, etc.) are accepted almost everywhere and you'll find plenty of ATM machines in the streets. The best option is to take travellers cheques drawn up in USD rather than in Pounds as the transaction fees will be lower. Banks are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Saturdays. Some bureaux de change offices are open 24 hours a day and you can also exchange money in hotels.

By taxi: taxis are black with cream or yellow roofs. The fare is M$ 8, and M$ 1 every 820 feet. Extra fees for taxis to the islands:: M$ 5 to Taipa and M$ 10 to Coloane. You also have pedicabs, quite slow but rather romantic tricycles. Negotiate the fare in advance (roughly M$ 80 to 100 an hour). However, most of the tourist sites are on hilltops and only pedicabs can take you there.
By bus: very practical. Road maps are available at the tourist office. A single ticket costs MOP 2.
By car: you can rent mini-mokes at the New Century Hotel, on Taipa island (MOP 350 a day), or Japanese cars at Avis, thel Mandarin Oriental hotel (about MOP 400 a day). Cars are left-hand driven in Macau and you need an international driver's licence. Bikes can also be rented in hotels, an excellent means to move round Macau. But it forbidden to cross the bridges to Taipae on a bike. Note that you can rent them on the island.

No particular vaccine required but it is recommended to be vaccinated against tetanus, poliomyelitis, typhoid fever, hepatitises A and B. No risk of malaria. Tap water is drinkable and local food is ok. However, by precaution, bring a broad-spectrum antibiotic and medecines against intestinal problems.

220 V, but allow to bring an international adaptor with flat pins.

Add a tax of 15% to the marked prices in the hotels. Tips are generally given in restaurants but not in taxis.

To call Macau from the UK: dial 00 + 853 + the number you are calling
From Macau to the UK: 00 + 44 + region code + the number.