Currency
The official currency of Macao is the Pataca, or MOP, pegged with to the Hong Kong Dollar, or HKD. Roughly, the exchange rate is 103.20 MOP to 100.00 HKD.
Climate
Macao has a fairly warm tropical climate. Autumn (October – December) is the most pleasant season. Days are sunny and warm and humidity levels are low. Winter (January – March) is cold but sunny. In April, humidity increases and from May to September the climate becomes hot, humid and rainy with occasional tropical storms (typhoons).
Electricity
Electricity in Macao is 220V, 50Hz. The power plugs used in Macao are of the three-pin, square-shaped (British) type.
Languages
Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages, and Cantonese is the most widely-spoken. The official languages are used in government departments in all official documents and communications. English is generally used in trade, tourism and commerce.
Population
More than 690,100 people live in Macao and 94 percent are ethnically Chinese, mostly from the Fujian and Guangdong provinces. Other ethnicities include Portuguese and various worldwide nationalities.
Tax Requirements for Foreign Congress Organisers
There is no tax on conferences and exhibitions in Macao. For more information, visit www.dsf.gov.mo.
Time
Macao is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter time.
Transportation
Taxis in Macao are all licensed and metred according to law. Air-conditioned buses are available that connect the Macao peninsula to neighbouring islands and the mainland.
There is a complimentary shuttle bus provided by Sands Resorts that visits the following stops every 10-15 minutes daily:
Complimentary Non-Dedicated Shuttle Bus
Sands? Resorts Macao (Sands Resorts) operates the largest fleet of shuttle buses and coaches in Macao. Complimentary shuttle bus service is provided to the public to and from other hotels at Cotai Strip, Macao Peninsula, the ferry terminals, Macau International Airport, and all mainland China border gates every 10-15 minutes daily.
Visa Policy & Procedures
| Up to (days) | |
|---|---|
| 14 | Brunei |
| 30 | Nationals of Australia, Republic of Belarus, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The United States of America, Turkey |
| 90 | Albania, Andorra, Austria, Republic of Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kingdom of Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uruguay |
| 3-month | Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, New Zealand |
| 6-month | United Kingdom |
The following holders can use their valid passport or travel documents to enter Macao:
All visitors must hold a valid passport or travel document, and note that the expiration date of this document must not be less than 30 days from the date of entering Macao.
The above information is for reference only. For further information on entry formalities, please contact your local embassy/consulate. If delegates want to travel to mainland China, visas may be obtained at any of the China Travel Service (CTS) offices in Macao. Visas can also be obtained at the Gongbei Immigration and Customs (after the Border Gate).
Map of Macao
*Remarks:
If travelers wish to enter Hong Kong before Macao, they need to check relevant Hong Kong visa policies & procedures with respective immigration departments. For example, Indian nationals need to register online before they can visit or transit Hong Kong visa-free.