Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China on the Pearl River Delta, about 60 km west of Hong Kong. Its compact peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane combine a UNESCO-listed Portuguese colonial old town, Cantonese temples and street food, and the glittering casino resorts of the Cotai Strip.
Macau is very safe, with low violent crime and a heavy police and CCTV presence around casinos and tourist areas. Visitors should watch for pickpockets in crowded places, avoid unlicensed money lenders and counterfeit goods, check taxi meters, and take typhoon warnings seriously between June and October.
Current safety advisory
Low
Macau is generally low risk. Check the US State Department, UK FCDO and Macau Government Tourism Office advisories before travelling, particularly in typhoon season (June to October).
Last updated: 2026-10-16
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Travel advisory
Travel advisory
Travel advisory
Travel advisory
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Macau is one of the safest destinations in Asia for visitors; violent crime against tourists is rare, and the main risks are petty theft, gambling-related scams and heat or typhoon weather
Pickpockets and bag snatchers work the crowds at the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square, the Border Gate (Portas do Cerco) and casino entrances; keep bags zipped and worn in front
Persons under 21 may not enter casino gaming floors; carry a passport or a photo ID, as staff check age at the door, and children may not stand or linger on the gaming floor
Typhoon season runs from June to October; when Signal No. 8 or higher is hoisted, buses, ferries and most shops stop and visitors must stay indoors. Check smg.gov.mo and the Macao Civil Protection Info app
Do not accept money lenders' offers near casinos; unlicensed loan sharks operate outside gaming areas, and borrowing from them can lead to threats and violence
Agree on the fare or insist on the meter in taxis; use the Macau Taxi app or ride from official ranks, and check that the meter is running from the start
Do not photograph or film on the gaming floor; casino security can detain visitors who ignore this rule
Tap water is safe to drink in most areas but often tastes of chlorine; bottled water is cheap and widely available. Carry a rain jacket and sun protection year round
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unlicensed money lenders and loan sharks
Men near casino entrances and ATMs offer quick cash loans to gamblers, sometimes with high interest and threats if repayment is late
How to avoid: Never borrow from unlicensed lenders; use the bank or credit card cash advance at licensed counters only, and report approaches to the Public Security Police Force on +853 2857 3333
Taxi overcharging and refusing the meter
Some drivers take long routes, ask for a flat fare from the border or airport, or charge extra for luggage beyond the official MOP 5 per bag
How to avoid: Insist on the meter, note the licence plate, use the Macau Taxi app, or take a free casino shuttle or MOP 6 bus. Report a complaint to the Transport Bureau on +853 2850 5000
Counterfeit goods and luxury watches
Street sellers and some shops sell fake designer bags and watches, or phone 'refurbished' handsets with defects
How to avoid: Buy branded goods only from the official stores in the casino resort malls and keep receipts. Counterfeit goods may be seized at customs on return
Casino tout and fake 'friendly stranger' offers
Strangers at the border or ferry terminals offer rides, tours or private poker games and then demand payment or lead tourists to unlicensed gambling dens
How to avoid: Use official shuttles and licensed operators; refuse invitations to private games; gamble only inside licensed casinos
Pickpocketing and distraction theft
Thieves work the crowds at the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square and the Border Gate, sometimes using a bumped shoulder or a map as a distraction
How to avoid: Carry a cross-body bag worn in front, keep phones out of back pockets, and do not leave bags on café chairs
Restaurant and tour price surprises
Some tourist-area restaurants add service charges, tea charges or high prices for dishes charged by weight
How to avoid: Check the menu prices and service charge before ordering, confirm prices for seafood sold by weight, and ask for an itemised bill
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No vaccines are required for entry from most countries. Routine vaccinations, hepatitis A and B, and an annual influenza shot are advisable. Dengue fever is present in southern China and Macau in the warm months, so use mosquito repellent from May to October.
- Water
- Tap water meets safety standards but is chlorinated and many visitors prefer bottled water. Hotels and restaurants serve filtered or boiled water.
- Food
- Food hygiene standards are high; restaurants, bakeries and street stalls are generally safe. Wash hands before eating, and be cautious with raw shellfish in hot weather.
- Facilities
- Macau has a public hospital, Centro Hospitalar Conde de São Januário (Estrada do Visconde de São Januário, Macau Peninsula, +853 2831 3731), and the private Kiang Wu Hospital (Rua Coronel Mesquita, Macau Peninsula, +853 2837 1333). Pharmacies are marked by a green cross. Medical care for non-residents is charged at non-resident rates, so travel insurance with medical evacuation to Hong Kong is strongly advised.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Solo travelers find Macau easy and safe: signage is in Chinese, Portuguese and English, public transport is cheap and the old town is walkable. Keep valuables close in crowds, share the hotel details with someone back home, and download offline maps. Free casino shuttles are a useful safe way to move between the border, ferry terminals and Cotai.
Female travellers
Macau is very safe for women travelling alone, day or night, in tourist areas. Use licensed taxis late at night, keep drinks in sight, and avoid empty alleys near the Border Gate. Call 999 in an emergency.
Families
Macau is very family-friendly and safe for children. Children under 21 cannot enter casino gaming floors, so plan routes around the resort shopping arcades and use the signed non-gaming entrances. Watch for traffic on narrow old-town lanes, bring sun protection and insect repellent, and stay indoors during Signal 8 typhoon warnings.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Macau is tolerant and has no laws against same-sex relations, but same-sex unions are not legally recognised and the scene is small. Public displays of affection are fine in resorts and tourist areas; use discretion in conservative neighbourhoods and temples.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 999 (Macau Public Security Police Force) or 112
- Medical
- 999 (ambulance) or 112
- Fire
- 999 (Fire Services Bureau)
- Coast Guard
- 999 or 112 for sea emergencies; the Public Security Police Force's marine police handle harbour incidents
- General Emergency
- 999 or 112 (works from all mobile phones, even without a SIM)
- Main Hospital
- Centro Hospitalar Conde de São Januário, Estrada do Visconde de São Januário, Macau Peninsula, +853 2831 3731
- Second Hospital
- Kiang Wu Hospital, Rua Coronel Mesquita, Macau Peninsula, +853 2837 1333
- Tourist Hotline
- Macao Government Tourism Office hotline +853 2833 3000 (staffed 24 hours)
- Police Non Emergency
- Public Security Police Force general hotline +853 2857 3333
- Embassy Us
- US Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau: +852 2523 9011 (Macau is covered from Hong Kong)
- Embassy Uk
- British Consulate-General Hong Kong (covers Macau): +852 2901 3000