Macau Travel Guide
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Macau is an interesting place to visit, as by its own admission is made up of two very distinct sides. The older of these two speaks to its long-standing (though now former) colonial influence from Portugal, giving a Mediterranean feel along this predominantly Chinese coast. The other side is a twisting menagerie of lights, dice, and cards, as Macau is the self-proclaimed “Las Vegas of the East.” This is no exaggeration either. As gambling is illegal in the neighboring countries of China and Hong Kong, it requires no stretch of the imagination to see how Macau was able to gain a stranglehold on this new-world pastime.
You have a few options in consideration of the best time to visit Macau, something that will undoubtedly prove useful when planning your Macau vacation. For most, the safe bet lies in the autumn months (October-December), when the temperature is pleasantly mild for both indoor and outdoor activities alike. Spring (March-May), however, is also a good for planning your trip, as the temperatures are similar to autumn, with an onset of humidity in the later months. Once summer begins, most will find the humidity more oppressive than the heat, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re looking for discount airfare to Macau and plan on spending a substantial chunk of your time indoors, i.e. at the (air-conditioned) casino.
The bulk of Macau’s hotels lie on the Macau Peninsula, though there are also many options in the Taipa and Cotai area due to their locations as burgeoning casino hotspots. Hotel rates are at their highest on Friday and Saturday nights, with high demand from the Hong Kong residents coming to gamble over the weekend. If you can, make your booking through a travel agent or website – even if for the same day –as these rates can still be much lower than walk-in rates. If coming from Hong Kong, the agents at the Shun Tak ferry pier should be your point of contact, as purchasing a package deal (which includes return ferry tickets) gives you the best price.
For as heavily marketed and participated in as it has become, there remains much more to Macau than gambling. The peninsula and majestic islands of Coloane and Taipa are an amazing sight to behold, with soft pastel flora and greenery. Portuguese influence is everywhere, even to the un-trained eye; cobbled back streets, stone fortresses, art deco buildings, parks and gardens. This fusion of East and West has even been recognized by UNESCO, which named 30 buildings and squares collectively as the Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site. There are also several world-class museums. The Macau Tower is the place to go for those who hoping to indulge in pulse-pounding activities. On offer here is bungee jumping, a walk around the rim, as well as sport climbing the tower’s base.
Walking is arguably the best way to get around if you’re staying on or near the Macau Peninsula, as it’s compact and full of things to discover. Most streets have a pedestrian sidewalk that make walking easy, although at peak times you’ll have to fight crowds going in all directions. Macau can also be quite hilly in places; be prepared to struggle up and down steep lanes and steps if you’re far out of shape. On the road, you’ll find that many casinos and hotels offer frequent (and free) shuttle buses to and from the Macau ferry terminal and Taipa ferry terminal, and it is possible to change between shuttles there. These shuttles are a great way to get around if you plan your journey beforehand. As for car rental, this option is certainly possible, but not that popular given the territory’s small size.