TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(MOP)
Pataca |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 853 |
Climate
The climate is moderate to hot, with an average annual temperature
of just over 20°C (68°F) and a yearly mean variation between
16°C (50°F) and 25°C (77°F). The humidity is high
with an average range between 75% and 90%. Rainfall is also high
with the yearly total between 40 and 80ins. The best season is
autumn (October-December) when days are sunny and warm and the
humidity low. The winter (January-March) is cold but sunny. In
April, the humidity starts to build up and from May to September
the climate is hot and humid with rain and occasional tropical
storms (typhoons).
Clothing
It is usually casual even in the casinos. Cotton or light clothing
is recommended for the Summer. Woolen clothing and occasionally
even a top-coat is required for the Winter. Sweaters and jackets
are sometimes necessary for the cooler evenings in March-May and
September-November.
Time
Macau is eight hours ahead of GMT.
Safety
and Security
Macau is a very safe place. There are police stations and reporting
centres throughout the territory and for emergency dial 999. There
are also two new 24 hour emergency hotline numbers 110 and 112
meant to facilitate emergency calls by tourists from the mainland
and abroad.
Currency
The Pataca (MOP$) is divided into 100 avos and it is Macau's official
currency. There are bank notes and coins in the following denominations:
Bank notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Patacas. Coins: 1,2,
5 and 10 Patacas; 10, 20 and 50 avos
By the decision of the Macau Government the Pataca is pegged to
the Hong Kong dollar (HK$) which freely circulates in Macau. The
exchange rate is MOP$103=HK$100. There is an acceptable variation
up to 10%. Roughly 8 Patacas is equivalent to 1 US dollar.
Foreign
currency or travellers' cheques can be easily changed in hotels,
banks and authorised exchange dealers located all around the city.
If the visitor needs to change money outside the usual working
hours, there are 24 hour exchange counters operating in the Macau
International Airport (Taipa Island) and in the Lisboa Hotel (Macau).
Banks open normally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through lunch time.
Most credit cards are accepted in many hotels, shops and restaurants.
There are no restrictions on the amount of currency which can
be brought in or taken out.
