Macao is a region located in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. It’s a special administrative state of China but it has a separate Government. It’s known for having the most densely populated region in the world and also for becoming the top destination for gambling tourism. It was founded by the Portuguese Empire and remained under the Portuguese rule until 1999 when China reclaimed its domain. t’s the only place in China where gambling is legal and that’s why it has a huge revenue in this industry. Macao is seven times larger than Las Vegas, which is why it’s well-known as a vibrant destination for anyone who enjoys nightlife. It has two different currencies that are used and accepted: The Macanese Pataca (MOP) and Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), and both are used in the same way. This place consists of its Peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane, which are connected by landfill forming the Cotai strip. You might find a warm climate almost anytime, but it’s recommended to visit it from October to December since the weather is sunny with low humidity during these months. From January to March the weather is cold but sunny, while from May to September the climate gets hotter with occasional typhoons, so consider that if you want to visit Macao. You should also take note of some tips about this destination.
First of all, Macao has a lot of Portuguese heritage fused with Chinese culture everywhere. You can find this amazing blend in street signs, food, architecture, and local customs. There are precious historical sites that you can visit like the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of A-Ma Temple and the Ruins of St. Paul’s. You can also taste delicious dishes that arise from the Cantonese-Portuguese fusion, which are characterized by their spicy touch and a colorful seasoning full of exotic flavors. Macao is usually easy to visit because it’s only an hour away from Hong Kong by fast ferry and an hour and a half away by bus. You might not find difficulty by taking a tour to visit the highlights of Hong Kong and Macao. Once you’re in Macao, you should visit its Historic Center with lovely Portuguese and Chinese architecture, something quite memorable for many travelers. You can also detail other attractive buildings and temples in this place, and many of them are completely free to enter. There's a popular saying that goes "if you haven’t visited the Largo do Senado, you haven’t visited Macao". The Senado Square or Largo do Senado encapsulates very well the vibrant city life of Macao and also its amazing cultural blend. You can enjoy this place by visiting shopping malls, restaurants, and other small attractions. As you can see, there’s a lot of things to do in this place. You can’t get bored that easily, but you should be careful when booking a flight if you don’t read the following safety tips. Health is a serious topic in Macao and its government always ensures the safety of tourists and citizens. That’s why you can get the “Macao Health Code” nowadays, and it can serve as a health declaration once you arrive in this country. With the current situation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it’s strictly mandatory to declare your health condition at the port of entry through the Macao Health Code. If you enter the Macao SAR, you need to declare your health condition honestly. Remember that medical examination can be performed by officers of the Health Bureau if necessary. The penalty for violation with this law is a prison term up to 6-months, so you should be careful with this condition. While you’re honest about your health condition at the port of entry, there shouldn’t be any problem. As you might already know, the COVID-19 epidemic has mainly affected older people, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take it seriously if you’re young. This virus is very contagious, which is why the Macao Health Code becomes so important. If you’ve visited countries where this disease is already endemic, you might consider telling your doctor and accepting extra regulations at Macao’s port of entry if necessary. Remember that this is important to keep you safe and keep other travelers out of risk too. Note that there are some characteristic symptoms about the COVID-19 that might help you to identify if you could have the disease or not. These are mostly fever, chills, cough, and respiratory distress. Some people might feel nauseous, diarrhea, vomiting, and runny nose, but those are not that common as the first mentioned. However, it’s still important that you be very careful with your health, and once you feel any of these symptoms, especially fever, contact your doctor or any emergency number to get help. Some people have also felt other symptoms associated with the cough and fever outbreak, including headaches, earaches, and watery eyes. There are even people who lost their sense of smell and taste for a few days, although this has not yet been very common. As you notice, the symptoms vary a lot, but the most recurrent are fever, shortness of breath, and cough, so you should consider them at all times. The best advice for the current COVID-19 pandemic is to have a strong routine of hand washing and social distancing, but even with these considerations is still important to do proper research of other extra requirements in any country, especially when planning an upcoming trip. That’s the case with Macao, which has a valid Health Code to guarantee traveler’s safety. Macao Health Code guarantees that you can keep yourself safe not only when arriving in the country, but also while staying there. This document is strongly required at the port of entry and it’s followed by important inspections to have better information on the health status of each passenger. Medical staff, children, and pregnant women should also be aware of this requirement since it can be helpful for their delicate condition. Last but not least, don’t forget to keep yourself informed about upcoming details regarding the Macao Health Code so you can stay safe and enjoy your trips the best way possible.