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Visas
Visa-free entry (for a stay of less than 20 days) is granted to
citizens of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy,
Japan, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of
America and Uruguay.
Visa-free entry is also granted to Hong Kong residents (British
Commonwealth subjects) for stays of up to 90 days.
There are three types of visas available on arrival in Macau - Individual,
Family and Group.
Visitors from countries which do not maintain diplomatic relations
with Portugal must obtain a visa from an overseas Portuguese Consulate
before arriving in Macau. There are no foreign embassies in Macau.
Banking Hours
The banks in Macau are open from 9.30am - 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays,
and from 9.30am - 12.00 noon on Saturdays.
Getting Around
Bicycles are the best way of exploring Macau and can be hired from
shops in Taipa Village or from some hotels. However, cycling is
prohibited on the Macau-Taipa bridges.
Public buses and minibuses operate from 6.45am to midnight. There
are also buses from Macau to the islands of Taipa and Coloane available
on a regular basis. Passengers are required to have the exact fare.
Mokes are small jeep-like vehicles painted in bright colors and
good especially for exploring the islands. However, drivers must
be 21 years of age and a holder of a valid international driver's
licence.
There are plenty of licensed taxis available in Macau. However,
only a few of the drivers of these black and cream-colored vehicles
can speak English.
A pedicab or a trishaw, is actually a tricycle carriage with seating
for two passengers. However, it is quite rare to be able to find
a pedicab driver whose English is fluent enough to be a proper guide.
There is a rule of agreeing on an hourly rate before anyone sets
off.
Passports
All visitors entering or leaving Macau must be the holder of a valid
passport or travel document, except for Portuguese nationals with
an identity card, who are permitted to enter the country without
a passport for an unlimited stay.
Money Matters
The official unit of currency in Macau is the pataca (composed of
100 avos), which is available in coins and banknotes denominations
of :
Coins : 10, 20, 50 avos and 1 and 5 patacas.
Banknotes : 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 patacas.
The pataca can be freely converted into Portuguese escudos or Chinese
yuan and is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar (which is circulated
freely in Macau) at the rate of 103.20 patacas to HK$100.00, with
a permissible variation of up to 10%.
There are no restrictions on the amount of currency which can be
brought in or taken out.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards are accepted in many leading hotels, restaurants
and shops.
Foreign Currency
Foreign currency or traveler's cheques may be changed at banks,
hotels or licensed money changers.
Health Certification
International Innoculation Certificates are not normally required
unless cholera has been detected either in Hong Kong or Macau or
in the area recently visited by the arrival.
Customs
On arrival, visitors are not usually bothered with customs formalities,
but may be subjected to a routine check.
Besides the import of drugs and firearms, which is prohibited without
a proper licence, there is no restriction or duty on personal effects,
as long as their contents are deemed reasonable by the customs office.
There is, however, a 5% ad valorem duty on importation of electrical
appliances and equipment.
On departure, there are no export duties on any articles : antiques,
gold, jewellery, radios, cameras, etcs.
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