Macau’s national currency is called the pataca, which is divided into 100 awos. The official bank abbreviation for the Macau currency is MOP, and on price lists and price tags they usually simply write Pat. Banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 pataca, as well as coins of 10, 5, 2 and 1 pataca, 50, 20 and 10 avos circulate in circulation in the country.

In addition to the national currency, cash in neighboring Hong Kong is in free circulation in Macau – Hong Kong dollars, with which you can easily pay everywhere. Moreover, paying in dollars, you will most likely receive change in Macau currency. The Hong Kong dollar is divided into 100 cents, denoted in banks as HKD. Banknotes are found in denominations of 10, 20, 50 and 100, 500 and 1000 Hong Kong dollars and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 Hong Kong dollars and 10, 20, 50 Hong Kong cents.

Any freely convertible world currency and the currencies of neighboring states of Southeast Asia can be easily exchanged in Macau for both the national currency and Hong Kong dollars. You can do this at banks and currency exchange offices. In addition, many expensive hotels offer a similar service to their guests.

When making currency exchange transactions, in some cases a commission is charged. If there is no commission, then the rate, as a rule, is somewhat underestimated. And in banks, and in exchange offices, and at receptions in hotels, the exchange rate is almost the same. The exception, perhaps, is the exchange kiosks in the arrivals area at the airport, it is not profitable to change a lot of money there.

Plastic cards
From the point of view of the use of plastic cards, Macau is a more than advanced state. You can pay with Russian cards of Visa, MasterCard and Maestro payment systems almost everywhere. By the way, if you plan to stay in Macau for only a couple of days, you can exchange or withdraw at an ATM quite a bit of money for some small expenses, and pay for all entertainment, food, transport and the like with a card. This will turn out to be much more profitable.

ATMs
ATMs в Макао обозначаются международным ATM, “знают” английский, а наличные выдают на выбор — либо в гонконгских долларах, либо в макаосской национальной валюте. They are located everywhere – in banks and next to them, in shopping centers, at the airport and just on the streets. Street ATMs operate daily and around the clock.

For local cash withdrawals ATMs do not charge commissions, but you will have to pay a small amount to your Russian bank for using a third-party ATM. Check with your bank for the exact fee.

Banks
For the most part, banks in Macau are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 17.00, on Saturday they close around noon, and on Sunday and national holidays they do not work at all. Currency exchange offices are usually open daily and operate from 08.00 (09.00) to 20.00 (21.00).

Local branches of Western Union are located in banks, currency exchange offices and post offices. You can find out the location of the office and find out the opening hours on the company’s website.