My post about my first time in Macau (READ: First-time in Macau) is short and sweet, just like that trip back in 2005 as we only spent two full days in this region. Now, 12 years after, I was able to spend four full days and brought along my sister who has not been to Macau before. It’s like how it was when I also brought her to Hong Kong.
Many new things have propped up in Macau since my last visit. But if it’s your first time here, there’s nothing to fear about getting lost because Macau is only 115.3 square kilometers small. However, with so many people living in this tiny territory, the World Bank has listed Macau as the most densely populated country/region in 2016. If you haven’t stepped foot yet on Macanese soil and you are considering this as one of your travel destinations, here are things that might help you as a first-time traveler to Macau.
Getting there:
By Air
Fly into Macau through the Macau International Airport. From there, you can get to your hotel or destination in various ways: rent a car (there are car rental booths in the airport), taxi (there are taxi stands at the arrival area; fare starts at MOP19.00), public bus (bus numbers 26, 36, AP1, MT1, N2, 51A, AP1X, and MT4 ply in this area; check the bus stands for the routes), or hotel and casino shuttle buses (walk to the north exit parking lot and shuttle buses will take you straight to the big hotels and casinos).
You can also take helicopter services from Hong Kong or Shenzhen directly to Macau.
By Sea
You can get to Macau by ferry via the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal at the Macau peninsula or the Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal near the airport. Ferries that dock here come from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Tuen Mun (New Territories).
By Land
If you are coming from mainland China, specifically from Zhuhai in the Guangdong Province, you can enter Macau through the Border Gate, located at the northernmost part of the Macau peninsula, or through the Lotus Bridge in Cotai.
Be sure to bring your passport, which has a validity date of 6 months or more (meaning, your passport should not be expiring anytime within the next 6 months). There are countries that have Visa and Entry Permit exemption, which are listed here. So, if you are a citizen of any of these countries, you can enter Macau without the need of obtaining prior visa.
For more information on ways of traveling to Macau, you may check schedules and contact details in this page.
Currency:
The currency used in Macau is the Pataca (MOP). Banknotes are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Patacas. Coins, on the other hand, are 1, 2, 5 and 10 Patacas and 10, 20 and 50 Avos (1 Pataca=100 Avos). You can check the currency exchange rates via Oanda. As of this time of writing, one US dollar is about MOP8.00.
But you can also carry Hong Kong dollars in Macau. However, Patacas are not accepted in Hong Kong. Chinese Yuan (RMB) are often acceptable. While HKD100.00 are equivalent to MOP103.20 and RMB100.00 are around MOP120, most shops and restaurants in Macau accept both foreign currencies at a rate of MOP1.00=HKD1.00=RMB1.00. Also, buses accept Hong Kong money at a HKD1.00=MOP1.00 basis, but they do not accept payments in RMB.
We’ve checked the best rates to exchange our USDs into MOPs. The airport money changer has better rates than that of our hotel’s. Money changers in smaller streets have better rates than the one at the Sendado Square. But the best rate we had was at the bank.
Meanwhile, casinos only accept HK Dollars and not Macanese Patacas, so those HKDs are indeed handy if you want to try the slot machines.
Best Time to Go There:
The best time to go there is during the first quarter of the year, starting with the New Year’s celebration, stretching to the Macau City Fringe Festival and towards the Chinese New Year. During this season, it is sunny during the days and cooler during the afternoons and nights.
Towards the second quarter of the year, Macau is full of religious activities, such as the Catholic Holy Week and the Chinese religious celebrations of the A-Ma Festival, Feast of the Bathing of the Lord Buddha, Feast of the Drunken Dragon, and Tam Kong Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival and the Lotus Flower Festival are also celebrated in May and June.
The International Fireworks Display falls during the third quarter. This is also the time of the year when it’s rainy season. The months from May to September are considered to be the hottest and most humid.
The last quarter of the year is more exciting with the Grand Prix in November and Christmas in December. Weather is also good as it is cooler and less humid at this time of the year.
Must-try Food:
Macanese cuisine is a good combination of Chinese and Portuguese tastes. You can have rice noodle soup or congee or opt for caldo verde to warm your tummy. Dim sum are commonly served in eateries. Galinha à Africana can also be eaten in Macau. But try the Minchi and the Golden or Macanese codfish for some authentic local flavor. Cap your meals with Pastéis de Nata or Portuguese egg tarts, which are very popular in Macau; so popular that most pastelarias run out of them once evening comes.
Where to Stay:
First and foremost, decide your budget and interest. If you want luxury, you can always choose among the hotels in Cotai Strip or at the Nape area in the Macau peninsula. If you prefer budget accommodations, there are plenty to choose from around downtown Macau. To get the best deals, you can book via Agoda and select the hotel based on your budget, or the reviews received from previous guests, or the location you want (like near a particular landmark).
You can choose a hotel that is near the Senado Square if you want to be close to shops and historical landmarks, or get one near the Guia Lighthouse area where there are many eateries and stores.
Getting Around:
By Bus
Going around Macau is fairly easy. There are plenty of buses plying various routes, which are about 79 in total. On our first day, we took bus number 18 from its first stop at the Barra Terminal (across A-Ma Temple) and went all the way to the last stop, which is the Portas de Cerco or the Border Gate.
Macau is divided into three areas: Macau peninsula; Taipa; and Coloane. Macau peninsula is joined by three bridges with Taipa, where the airport is located. Taipa and Coloane are now conjoined as a single island by reclaiming the middle portion, which is now Cotai (a portmanteau of Coloane and Taipa), where many high-end hotels and casinos are built. If you want to go around the Macau peninsula by bus, it’s a flat rate of MOP3.20. If it is just around Taipa only or within Coloane only, fare is at MOP2.80. The highest rate is from the Macau peninsula to the Hac Sa Beach, which is the southernmost part of Coloane, at MOP6.40.
Prepare exact change and drop them off as soon as you board the bus. There is no way to get your change if you put in a banknote. What we did, however, was that we bought a Macau Pass at MOP130.00 and we could use the MOP100.00 load of the card for the bus fare and in purchasing goods in convenient stores. That way, we didn’t have to scour for coins to use in the bus. Remember to board in the front door and alight at the rear door of the bus. Once you load the bus, move to the end part to make way for other passengers entering the front door. Also, give your seats to the elderly, children, differently-abled and pregnant women.
Bus stops have information on which bus numbers halt in that particular point, including the routes of these buses. You can check this site or you can download the app using the QR code in the site for the bus numbers and routes.
Walking Tours
Not every area in Macau has bus stops, but they are walking distance from each other. You might prefer going around by taxi, rented car, hop-on hop-off on an open-top bus tour (limited to 10 attractions only), or pedicab tour (about MOP300.00 per hour in limited areas only). But the best way to see Macau up close is by walking through its web of streets.
You can divide Macau into eight areas, where you can explore the city on foot. There are eight suggested Walking Tours; six of which are in the Macau peninsula, one in Taipa, and one in the Coloane Village.
Sightseeing
If you are a history lover, visit the heritage sites around Macau, such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square. Art lovers will like to see the displays at the St. Lazarus District (Barrio de S. Lazaro). If you come as a family, getting close with nature, such as watching the giant pandas in Coloane or boating at Nam Van Lake, would be a good option.
Sporties out there can enjoy a hike at the various trails around Macau. Karting and horse racing also gives sport lovers the adrenaline rush. Macau’s nightlife is also vibrant. There are several bars that caters to those who like to hang out during the evenings. Of course, the casinos are some places where excitement prevails, even if you’re not a gambler. Just walk through the gaming areas and feel the vibe. And for those who are out shopping, you have a wide array of choices, from local goods to high-end brands. But don’t miss to go inside a local mercado. I did, and it was quite amazing.
I’ll list down 15 places to see in Macau in my next post. It might help you put together your itinerary. Meanwhile, enjoy your first-time travel as you experience Macau at your own style!
