The City of Macao

Life

(gov.mo)
Updated: 2009-12-17 10:51

Macao International Airport [wikipedia.org]

Postal Service

Macao provides a very efficient and reliable post office service with the head office in the Senado Square. It's open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Monday to Friday), and on Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Tel: 853-2832 3666). It provides postal service and express mailing to destinations worldwide. There are post offices throughout the city, too. You can safely send letters, post cards or packages to anywhere in the world by normal or express mail (ask for information directly at the post office counters regarding costs and time). The Macao Postal Services have over 30 automatic vending machines in different parts of the city. Most hotels offer postal facilities for guests' letters and packages, and a packing service.

Philately

For some years Macao has been issuing stamps of which are favorite items for collectors. The stamps are famous for their originality with specific themes related with characteristics of the city, particularly portraying point of convergence between east and west. The following series of stamps have been praised by all philatelists: "Chinese Zodiac", "Literature and Famous Personalities", " Legends and Myths", "Classified Patrimony", "Science and Technology" and "Macao Arts", among others.

In order to satisfy the continuous growing demand of stamps, the Macao Postal Services has recently opened philately shop near St. Paul's Ruins, an important historical monument of Macao, to facilitate the acquisition of stamps by collectors and tourists. The Macao Postal Services also provides philately counters in all post offices.

Office hours of the philately shop: Monday to Thursday: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, 13:30 to 17:15 pm Friday: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, 13:30 to 17:00 pm

For more information, please call (853) 2832 3666

Currency

The Pataca (MOP$) is divided into 100 avos and it is Macao's official currency. There are banknotes and coins in the following denominations: Coins: 10, 20 and 50 avos; 1, 2 and 5 Patacas. Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Patacas.

Many signs and establishments make use of Chinese and Portuguese names with English becoming commonplace. [wikipedia.org]

By the decision of the Government the Pataca is linked to the Hong Kong dollar (HK$) which is accepted as currency in Macao. The exchange rate is MOP$103.20 = HK$100.00. There is an acceptable variation up to 10%. Roughly 10 Patacas is equivalent to 1 EURO and 8 Patacas is equivalent to 1 US Dollar.

Foreign currency or travellers' cheques can be changed in hotels, banks and authorised exchange dealers located all around the city. If the visitor needs to change money outside the usual banking hours, there are 24 hours exchange counters operating in the Macao International Airport (Taipa Island) and in the Lisboa Hotel (Macao).

Banks open normally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. 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 of the territory.