Capital: Macau
Time zone: GMT + 8
Telephone services: Country Code: 853
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999 (subject to change)
Tourist information: Macau Tourist Information Bureau, 6 Sherlock Mews, Paddington Street, London W1M 3RH Tel: (020) 7224 3390 Fax: (020) 7224 0601.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.
Visa information: May be obtained on arrival in Macao. Nationals of countries, which do not maintain diplomatic links with Portugal must obtain their Visas in advance from Portuguese consulates overseas, and may not obtain them on arrival in Macao. Visas are required by all except: Nationals of Brazil. India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Thailand for stays of less than 20 days. Residents of Hong Kong holding a Hong Kong Identity card. for a visit up to 90 days. Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan for stays of less than 20 days. Narcotics, firearms, endangered species of animal and plants and pesticides.
Health information: Other Health Risks: Diarrhoeal diseases, hepatitis A and B, Oriental liver and oriental lung fluke and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome may occur in this area.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Pataca (MOP) = 100 avos MasterCard is accepted. Travellers cheques may be changed at hotels, banks and bureau de change. Cheques in US dollars are the preferred CURRENCY.
ATM availability: Over 20 locations.
Cost of living: Visitors may expect to pick up a variety of bargains since Macau is a free port. A wide range of accommodation, suitable for all budgets, is available.
Languages: Portuguese and Chinese (Cantonese). English may be spoken by those involved in tourism.
Weather: Sub – tropical climate with very hot summers. There is a raining period during the summer months. Winds can reach gale force and typhoons are not unheard of.
Electricity: Usually 220 Volts AC 50 Hz.
Post: 3 – 5 days
Transport: ROAD: There are 5 bus routes in he city. CAR HIRE: Available. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance. DOCUMENTATION: IDP not required from drivers from the UK.
Special information: Macau is a mixture of Portuguese, Chinese and Western culture, the visitor can experience all of these in one location. Violent crime is quite rare although residential burglaries and pick-pocketing is a problem.