Don’t Travel to Macau Before Reading This!
Are you a foreigner living in China and planning a trip to Macau? Then you should read this article before traveling to Macau.
Tip 1- Unless you have a non-Chinese debit card, make sure you bring cash.
Since June 2017, China mandated a policy to keep track of their citizens traveling in and out of Macau. If you go to Macau, you won’t be able to withdraw cash using a China-based Union Pay debit card in Macau as a foreigner. This is because the ATM machines in Macau require a Chinese ID in addition to the Union Pay debit card. As a foreigner in China, you won’t have a Chinese ID, which literally makes it impossible for you to withdraw cash in Macau. Do you plan on gambling while you are in Macau? Make sure you plan in advance and bring enough cash to Macau with you. Are you a high roller and need to carry a lot of cash? Purchase US dollars from China and purchase HK$ with US dollars upon arrival.
Tip 2- Travel between Sundays to Thursdays if possible.
If you plan on staying overnight at a nice hotel in Macau, we highly recommend traveling between Sundays to Thursdays, as during this time, you can enjoy a 5-star hotel between 800 RMB to 1500 RMB per night. On weekends, expect the hotel rates to be at least double of what they are on the weekdays.
Tip 3- Staying at a budget hotel without a hotel shuttle? Make sure you are located fairly near a casino.
Taxis in Macau can get pricey as a taxi ride across town from Taipa to Cotai, or Cotai to Macau Peninsula may cost between 50-80 MOP. These taxi rides will add up. Most casinos in Macau have free shuttle service and this will save you a lot of money.
Tip 4- Check out the water fountain show at the Wynn
The Wynn has free attractions inside and outside the hotel, but the fountain show is amazing. The fountain show performs to the famous Chinese song- Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin.
Tip 5- Do some souvenir shopping and try the street foods at Tai Pa Village
You can’t say you visited Macau without visiting the famous Tai Pa Village. The street food here is amazing- I’ve tried the pork chop with noodles and immediately got addicted. To get to Tai Pa Village- you need to locate the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Start at the West Gate of the Venetian Hotel and Casino, and when you get out on the right, you will see an overpass. Go up the overpass and follow the bridge until you go back downstairs. Then you will see an automated walkway and keep following the path through the nice park. When you hit the end of the automated walkway, make a left as this will be your only option. Just follow the crowd until you see the entrance of Taipa Village on your right.
Tip 6- Don’t have too much Macau Patacas(MOP) when you return from Macau.
Macau Patacas(MOP) is worthless outside of Macau, and you won’t be able to exchange this currency when you return home. Instead, always carry HK dollars as HK dollars are accepted everywhere in Macau. Once in awhile, you will receive change in MOP, and when you do, spend that first.
Tip 7- Many of the tourist attractions are closed on Mondays.
Do You Have any other tip for Traveling to Macau?
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Cheers!