Safety Tips in Macao

When I got off the fast ferry from Hong Kong, the queues at immigration to get into Macau were huge. They had a good few dozen counters open but still each queue was about 30-40 deep. It took at least 30-40 minutes to get through so bear this in mind if you're entering Macau via boat.

Crime Report Hotline: 993

Judiciary Police (Headquarters): 2855 7777

Complaints Centre: 8800 1999 (nar@pj.gov.mo)
Rua Central, Edifício da Polícia Judiciária, Bloco C, R/C, Macau

Community Policing Unit: 8800 1111 (gerpp@pj.gov.mo)
Rua Central, Edifício da Polícia Judiciária, Bloco C, R/C, Macau

Administrative Support Centre: 8800 1367
Rua Central, Edifício da Polícia Judiciária, Bloco C, R/C, Macau
Estrada Flor de Lótus, Edifício da Delegação da PJ no COTAI, COTAI

Juvenile Care Unit: 8800 5500 (nam@pj.gov.mo)
Av. da Praia Grande, 517, Edifício Comercial Nam Tung, 14º andar, Macau

Gaming-related and Economic Crime Department: 2833 0099 (dicje@pj.gov.mo)
Rua Cidade de Braga, 414, Edifício Vista Magnifica Court, R/C BL, Macau

Narcotics Division: 2883 3777 (dicte@pj.gov.mo)
Rua do Minho, Edifício Hung Fat Garden, Bloco 2, 1º andar, Taipa

Portuguese terminology concerning addresses:
Rua = Street
Edifício = Building
Andar = Floor

How is it possible that an island so small can support so many casinos of gigantic proportion?!

Simply put... the average tourist here is going to walk the ruins of S. Paulo, and maybe a few other historic corners. But the rest of the time for the average foreigner will be spent in the casinos. The weekends are packed full of visitors from Hong Kong, China and Korea who run the casinos over.

But if you have the patience to wade through the crowds, or the fortunate opportunity to visit during a quieter time, you will still enjoy the sites. If you are here on a weekend or holiday, the crowds multiply exponentially since Macau, Hong Kong and China mostly celebrate the same dates.

Whenever you come to Asia (even in winter time) don’t forget to carry all the time a bottle of water with you.

Unless you are one of those who like to spend all day drinking soft drinks. No matter what, you will be walking a lot, therefore, having a bottle of water at your side will help you to cope with the humidity.

Besides, during those days you are in Asia, if you feel the humidity is too high, then you should drink more water than usual, sip it a little bit every 10, 15 minutes. Warning: even if you don’t feel thirsty, drink! (for your good sake).

Upon arriving at the Macau Port, we were immediately accosted by a guy wanting to drive us around the town to show us the major sights for only US$80! We wisely said no and decided to show ourselves around the city.

It turns out that the average cab ride between any two sites in the city is only about US$2. This guy may have shown us a few things we never would have seen on our own, but it was have cost us far, far more than we paid. Our total transportation bill was no more than US$15 for all of our cab fares combined.

Macau central area was originally designed with narrow streets. While it was fine several hundred years ago, by the time it got to the late 1980’s and when Macau’s economy soared, the streets became too narrow with no way to expand. Therefore most of the streets have been turned into one way with no parking.

Violence relating to organised crime has increased in Macau. Police say the violence is linked to gang wars over gambling profits that have been shrinking because of the regional economic downturn. Everyone should exercise common sense and caution in visiting Macau especially wandering around at night.

Macau seemed pretty safe to me, of course just taking care for pick-pocketers, like anywhere. But, Macau is big, and I didn't wander everywhere. I have no doubt that there are some slummy parts of the city that you'd want to watch out for. I was told by a friend of mine from Hong Kong that there are a number of casinos here run by the mob, and thus the mob has a notorious business here in crime... apparently people getting fingers chopped off for not paying in the casinos. Anywho... I don't think you have to worry about that! Just don't go in any casinos! :=)