Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Macau depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for MacauEmergency Numbers
- General
- 999
Currency
- Name
- Macanese Pataca
- Code
- MOP
- Symbol
- P
Pegged near 1:1 to Hong Kong Dollar, which is also accepted everywhere. USD and EUR can be exchanged. ATMs throughout. Cards accepted at casinos and hotels; cash preferred at local restaurants and markets.
Power Outlets
- Outlet type
- Type G
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
CST (UTC+8) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
October–December and March–April are ideal — low humidity, cool temperatures (18–25°C). July–September is typhoon season with heat and humidity. The Grand Prix (November) and Macau Arts Festival (May–June) are major events.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Service charge (10%) usually included — check the bill |
| Hotels | MOP 10–20 for porters | — |
| Taxis | Round up | — |
Dress Code
- Smart casual for casinos and upmarket restaurants
- Casual for Coloane village and Taipa's traditional streets
- Modest dress at churches and the Ruins of St Paul's
Social Etiquette
- Macau is an SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China — Chinese law applies, distinct from Hong Kong
- The Portuguese colonial heritage (Macau was a Portuguese colony until 1999) gives it a unique Iberian-Chinese atmosphere — the best pastéis de nata (egg tarts) in the world are here
- Casino etiquette: no photography on the casino floor; smart casual required at some tables
- The Historic Centre of Macau (UNESCO) is compact and walkable — beautiful in the early morning before tourists arrive
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Gambling is legal and the primary industry — Macau's casino revenue eclipses Las Vegas
- Minimum gambling age is 21
- Photography on casino floors is prohibited
- Cannabis and drug offences carry severe penalties
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Cantonese) | 你好 (Nei hou) | nay HO |
| Hello (Portuguese) | Olá / Bom dia | oh-LAH / bom JEE-ah |
| Thank you (Cantonese) | 唔該 (M'goi) | mm-GOY |
| Thank you (Portuguese) | Obrigado / Obrigada | oh-bree-GAH-doh |
| Egg tart (Cantonese/Portuguese) | 蛋撻 (Dan tat) / Pastel de nata | dan TAHT / pahs-TEL deh NAH-tah — order these immediately |
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