Image credit: Brenden BrainIf you are planning a trip to Macau, the gambling capital of Asia, you should know that Macau has its own currency called Macau Pataca (MOP).
One pataca is equivalent to 100 avos. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 patacas. Coins come in 10, 20, and 50 avos as well as 1, 2, and 5 patacas.
However, pataca is not the only currency used in this autonomous region of China. While most Macau’s independent restaurants and shops favor pataca, hotels and casinos usually prefer Hong Kong dollar (HKD).
The pataca is pegged with the Hong Kong dollar at MOP$1.03 per dollar. Many visitors find the gap between the two negligible and choose to pay in HKD for everything to avoid the hassle of having two sets of currency in the wallet.
Note that shop owners in Macau may give back change in pataca even if you pay in HKD. Some do not accept HK$10 coin and large banknotes like HK$500 and HK$1000.
It is pretty easy to buy MOP and HKD in Macau. Just make your way to a casino or a change office in town and have your currency exchanged there.
For the best exchange rates and convenience, head straight to Senado Square where you can find a bunch of forex shops. Those shops are located near each other so it is easy for you to compare rates and make your choice.
Image credit: Soi Cheong Money ChangerSoi Cheong Money Changer is a currency exchange company that has over 80 years of experience in the business. Its 9 branches are conveniently located near prime tourist areas in Macau, including casinos and ferry terminals.
The branch located across Rio Hotel & Casino and the one near Zhuhai Railway Station are worth checking out, especially when you are in need for stocking pataca or Hong Kong dollar at late-night hours.
Note that this money changer primarily trades in following currencies: CNY, TWD, JPY, USD, and HKD.
Recommended branches
1. Soi Cheong Money Changer near Senado Square
– This main branch of Soi Cheong Money Changer is less than 5 minutes away (on foot) from Senado Square
– Address: Centro Comercial Central, 62 Av. do Infante Dom Henrique, 4-Andar, Macau
– Phone: +853 28329323
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
2. Soi Cheong Money Changer @ Istmo De Ferreira Do Amaral
– It’s location is near Sun Yat Sen Park and about 4 minutes away (on foot) from Zhuhai Railway Station
– Address: Istmo De Ferreira Do Amaral, Jardim Do Mar Do Sul, No.82, 2R-Gf-F, Macau
– Phone: +853 28437418
– Opening hours: Daily 06:30 – 00:30
3. Soi Cheong Money Changer @ Rio Shop
– This branch is located across Rio Hotel & Casino
– Address: Rua De Luis Gonzaga Gomes No.56, R/C “C”, Macau
– Phone: +853 28703159
– Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 02:00
4. Soi Cheong Money Changer @ Avenida De Venceslau De Morais
– It is located near Mong Ha Hill Park
– The shop is right next to the Avenida De Venceslau De Morais bus stop, and across Park ‘n’ Shop
– Address: Avenida Venceslau De Morais, S/N, Loja B, R/C, Edif. Jardim Venceslau, Macau
– Phone: +853 28481778
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 22:00
5. Soi Cheong Money Changer @ Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal
– This branch is situated inside the ferry terminal
– Address: Avenida da Amizade, Terminal Maritimo do Porto Exterior, 1-andar, Sala 1505, Macau
– Phone: +853 28718910
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 21:30
Image credit: thanomphongP&W Casa de Cambio, also known as Parkway Exchange, is among the most popular money changers in Macau.
They run more than 10 branches around the city, which are strategically located in commercial areas and near hotels and casinos. All branches are open daily.
Recommended branches
1. P&W Casa de Cambio @ Senado Square
– This branch is just 50m away from Macau Tourism Office
– Address: Largo do Senado, No 13B, R/C, Macau
– Phone: +853 28356863
2. P&W Casa de Cambio @ Dr. Carlos d’Assumpcao Park
– It is just a 1-minute walk from Dr. Carlos d’Assumpcao Park and University of St. Joseph
– Address: Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpcao, No. 180, South East Asia Commercial Center, 17 Andar M, Macau
– Phone: +853 28518410
3. P&W Casa de Cambio @ Rua do Campo
– Its location is just 3 minutes away (on foot) from the Portuguese Consulate
– Address: 78 Rua do Campo, Macau
– Phone: +853 28512690
4. P&W Casa de Cambio @ Rua de Pequim
– It is located at Edificio I Chan Kok building, which is beside Holiday Inn Macau
– Address: Edificio I Chan Kok, 8 Rua de Pequim, Macau
– Phone: +853 28780887
5. P&W Casa de Cambio @ Avenida de Horta e Costa
– This branch is less than 5 minutes away (on foot) from Rotunda de Carlos da Maia
– Address: Avenida de Horta e Costa, No 15C, Edif. Lei Kuan, R/C, Macau
– Phone: +853 28529470
Image credit: Shubert CienciaCasa de Cambio Asia, also known as Asia Exchange, operates 4 branches in Macau, which are located at commercial and tourist areas. Among those, the branch at Senado Square and the one at Macau Finance Centre are the two most visited.
Branches
1. Casa de Cambio Asia @ Senado Square
– This branch is located at the corner of Largo Senado and Avenida Ribeiro
– Address: Address: Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, No 192, R/C, Macau
– Phone: +853 28785779
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
2. Casa de Cambio Asia @ Macau Finance Centre
– It is situated at Macau Finance Centre building, which is a 2-minute walk from Holiday Inn and Rio Hotel & Casino
– Address: Rua De Pequim 244-246, Macau Finance Centre, R/C – “M”, Macau
– Phone: +853 28707010
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
3. Casa de Cambio Asia @ Avenida Carvalho
– Its location is across Lisboa Hotel & Casino
– Address: 197 Avenida de Lopo Sarmento de Carvalho, Macau
– Phone: +853 28785779
– Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00
4. Casa de Cambio Asia @ Hainan Garden
– This branch is less than 2 minutes away from the Border Crossing Station, and about 3 minutes away from Zhuhai Railway Station
– Address: Jardim Do Mar Do Sul G/F Block 2 “H”, Rua Va Tai, Macau
– Phone: +853 28439824
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 17:00
Note: Opening hours of these places might change, you are advised to call them before coming.
Image credit: First International Resources First International Resources is a Hong Kong-based money changer with more than 37 years of experience. The company has 5 branches in Macau, 4 of them are located at Macau International Airport.
Its change offices offer currency exchange service for all major currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, CAD, JPY, CNY/RMB, SGD, NZD, MYR, THB, PHP, and TWD/NT.
Branches
1. First International Resources @ Centro Comercial Kuong Fat
– This branch is located at Centro Comercial Kuong Fat building, which is beside Macau Finance Centre
– Address: Rua De Pequim 174, Edif. Centro Com. Kong Fat, 10 Andar F, Macau
– Phone: +853 28727888
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
2. First International Resources @ Macau International Airport (Landside Departure)
– Address: Kiosk “K”, First Floor, Landside Departure Level, Macau International Airport
– Phone: +853 28 861 532
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
3. First International Resources @ Macau International Airport (Airside Departure)
– Address: Kiosk “G4”, First Floor, Airside Departure Level, Macau International Airport
– Phone: +853 28 861 534
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
4. First International Resources @ Macau International Airport (Arrival Level)
– Address: Kiosk “X”, Ground Floor, Arrival Level, Macau International Airport
– Phone: +853 28 861 535
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
5. First International Resources @ Macau International Airport (Arrival Level)
– Address: Kiosk “Z”, Ground Floor, Arrival Level, Macau International Airport
– Phone: +853 28 861 251
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00
Image credit: VmenkovCasa de Cambio Lisboa currently runs 2 currency exchange branches in Macau – one is located inside Hotel Lisboa and the other sits near Grand Lisboa Hotel.
This company is a common choice of visitors who are guests of Hotel Lisboa and nearby hotels and casinos such as Grand Lisboa, Wynn Macau, Grand Emperor, and Hotel Sintra.
Branches
1. Casa de Cambio Lisboa @ Hotel Lisboa
– Address: Av. De Lisboa, S/N, F2, Nova Ala, Hotel Lisboa, Macau
– Phone: +853 2838 2800/2872 28888
– Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 21:00
2. Casa de Cambio Lisboa @ Grand Lisboa
– Address: 41 Av. do Infante Dom Henrique, Macau
– Phone: +853 2871 1972
– Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 23:30
