Money
The currency used in Macau is the Macanese Pataca (or simply Pataca). It is normally abbreviated MOP$.
It is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar at a fixed exchange rate of approximately one to one. (The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US$ and is allowed to trade within a range between 7.75 and 7.85 Hong Kong dollars to one United States dollar). The Hong Kong dollar is also an accepted currency in Macau.
The Pataca is divided into 100 Avos. There are 10 avos, 20 avos, 50 avos, MOP$ 1, MOP$ 2, MOP$ 5 and MOP$ 10 coins, and MOP$ 10, MOP$ 20, MOP$ 50, MOP$ 100, MOP$ 500, MOP$ 1,000 notes.
Macau has no restriction on the amount of money that one can bring in or take out of the territory.
A good website that gives current exchange rates for almost all the currencies in the world is : www.xe.com
Money can be changed in banks, Hotels and authorized bureaus. Banks will normally give better rates than hotels and tourist establishments, while bureaus might give a better rate than the bank. If you change your money in a bureau, make sure that you checked the exchange rate properly and see whether they take a commission...
Most banks are open from Monday to Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. Bureaus are normally opened later, as well as on weekends. 24 hour bureaus are operating at the airport and in the Lisboa Hotel.
Cash can be withdrawn 24 hours a day at the ATMs. Most international credit cards are accepted in Macau.
Traveler cheques will be accepted in almost every bank and bureau.
Communications
Post : CTT-Macau Post (Correios de Macau) is quite efficient and reliable.
Branches are located all over the territory and provide an array of services, from postage of letters and parcels to EMS and selling of phone cards.
Most branches open from Monday to Friday, throughout the day. Large branches open on Saturday morning.
The branches at the airport and at the ferry terminal are open from Monday to Saturday, 10 am - 7 pm
The GPO in Largo do Senado (Senado Square) is open from Monday to Friday, 9 am - 6 pm and on Saturday morning, 9 am - 1 pm.
The branch on 162 Rua do Campo (Centro cultural) open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 7 pm
The branch at Nova Taipa (Rua de Bragança - "Crisantemo Court", Taipa Island) is open from Monday to Friday, 10 am - 7 pm and on Saturday, 10 am - 2 pm
The Coloane Island branch is located on Rua da Cordoaria and open from Monday to Friday, in the morning (9 am - 12 noon) and at the afternoon (1:30 - 5:30 pm
Internet : Unless your hotel/guesthouse provides internet facilities, or if the price they are asking is too high... The best way to send or receive an Email, to plug in to Skype, or simply to load your photos on a CD, is to enter one of the Cyber shops in town.
The Internet café at the UNESCO centre of Macau, located on Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção (not far from The Landmark Hotel and Casino) is open daily, from 12 noon to 8 pm (closed on Tuesdays and public holidays).
Internet facilities are also available at some of Macau's public libraries:
- The Central library of Macau (Biblioteca central de Macau) is located on 89 Avenida conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida (not far from Mondial Hotel), open daily, 10 am - 8 pm (closed on public holidays)
- The Sir Robert Ho Tung Library (Biblioteca Sir Robert Ho Tung) is located at No. 3 Largo de Santos Agostinho (St. Augustine's Square), open daily, 11 am - 7 pm (closed on public holidays)
- Mong Ha Library is located on Rampa dos Cavaleiros, Bairro de Mong Ha (near Mong Ha Stadium), open from Monday to Saturday, 1 - 7 pm (closed on public holidays).
Phone : Making an International call from your hotel room can be very expensive and, therefore, unless you use your own mobile phone, you'll better buy a prepaid phone card that will allow you to call from every phone in the country (including public phones). Prepaid cards (also known as IDD phone-cards) are available for MOP$ 50, MOP$ 100 and MOP$ 150.
Domestic calls (inside Macau) are basically free but hotels do charge for them. Calls from public pay-phones costs MOP$ 1 and you can use your prepaid phone card, as well as coins (credit card operated public phones are available in some places, especially in busy tourist and commercial centers).
If you wish to use your mobile phone while in Macau, contact the information desk of the three providers, to get more details: CTM (dial 1000), Hutchison Telecom (dial 1118) and SmarTone (dial 1628)
Time
Macau doesn't apply summer saving time. The time is GMT+8 all year round.
Weights & Measures
Like most countries in the world, Macau uses the metric system.
Electricity
The electrical current in Macau is 220 volts / 50 cycles alternating current (AC).
The common plugs are the ones with three round prongs, as well as those with three square shaped pins (Rectangular blade plug - UK type).
It is recommended to get an adaptor as outlets in Macau can be different than those in Hong Kong and China.
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You may also want to read about...
When to come? What to wear? What to bring?
Customs and Immigration
Visiting China and Hong Kong
Emergency - what to do in case of a problem
Health & Hygiene
