How To Explore Macau With A Php20,000 Budget

Most of the time, we often (if not immediately) assume that traveling abroad is so costly that it’s already out of the picture when thinking of going on a holiday. While it’s true that going on an out-of-the-country trip isn’t cheaper than your typical out-of-town getaway, the biggest hack here is choosing which country you’ll see next and planning it in advance.

While the international borders are still slowly easing restrictions, now might be a good time to plan ahead to avoid unexpected travel hurdles and save more money. Since Macau is not yet open for tourists as of this article, you can still pin this as your next destination once it welcomes visitors again.

It’s worth noting that Macau is one of the places you should visit while in Asia because of its rich history, culture, and delicious food – not to mention it’s more affordable compared to its neighboring countries.

By literally just staring at your surroundings, you’ll see Macau transform from a historic piece of a landmark in East Asia into a lively city at night. With only Php20,000 at hand, you can do so much in Macau and even save more as long as you prepare and scour the internet for great deals.

The first thing to do is look for flights that are on sale and book or reserve all the activities and accommodations that you can online. That way, you won’t have to worry too much about shelling out money while in Macau and your Php20,000 budget can stay intact at least until you reach Macau.

While Macau is best known for its bustling nightlife complete with luxurious hotels and casinos, there are tons of affordable accommodations that won’t put too much dent in your budget and at the same time near the historic and tourist spots on the peninsula.

Budget inns and hotels typically range from Php500 to Php1,300 per night and there are lots of options available on Klook. Here are some of the budget places you can check out in Macau.

If you’re going on a 3 or 5-day holiday in Macau, it’ll only cost you less than Php4,000 to book for accommodation. Here’s another tip, it’s better to have your money exchanged before reaching the airport and look for better exchange rates. Macau also accepts Hong Kong bills.

Macau is relatively easy to reach whatever your mode of transportation is — plane, ferry, or even a helicopter. When reaching its historic center, you’ll notice that Macau is tourist-friendly because of its accessibility in public transportation and tourist spots that are near each other.

If you’re stretching your budget further, you’ll be delighted to know that you can stroll around the city while walking. It’s free and who knows, you might stumble across hidden finds around Macau. But if you have more budget to spend, you can conveniently get a discounted offer on airport transfers here. Personally, if you are to stay at a place with no free shuttle, it’s easier to book a private vehicle to avoid getting lost and consuming time navigating your destination.

It’s also best to buy a travel sim card before flying abroad because it's convenient to pick up from the airport, saves you more money, and avoids worries of not being able to search for your tour because you have no WiFi. Yikes.

It will cost you around Php2,500 or less than Php3,000 to prepare for an airport transfer and travel sim card.

Macau is successful in preserving its history through its infrastructure and other relics. Since it was previously part of the Portuguese colony, you’ll see traces of Portuguese culture in the peninsula. But it’s all in the past for Macau as it has also made a mark in the world with its vibrant nightlife vibe and towering world-class casinos and hotels earning the moniker the “Las Vegas of Asia.”

Most of the attractions don’t require entrance fees so you’ll have the chance of seeing top tourist spots like Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, A-Ma Temple, Mount Fortress Garden, and Fisherman’s Wharf to name a few.

We’ve mentioned that this city is pedestrian-friendly so if you’re in the mood to splurge a little, the bike tour exclusively offered on Klook is worth a try. For only Php2,502, immerse yourself in Macau’s culture when you stroll around the Taipa village and see Pak Tai Temple, City of Dreams, Venetian Macao, and more. This tour also includes light lunch and an expert guide so it’s worth your money.

If you also have extra time to spare, you can drop by the Macau Science Center to awaken your curiosity as you go around the 14 galleries and witness live science demonstrations. You’ll get a discounted rate of only Php147 when you buy a ticket in advance here.

Still in the mood for more? International art collective teamLab, which originally opened in Tokyo, Japan, is now in Macau, too! Immerse yourself with eye-catching art installations and exhibitions that can stimulate your mind to pour out more of your untapped creative juices. You can also get a discount of up to 55% off when you purchase your ticket here.

Here’s another adventure that won’t cost you a lot, the Macau Tower tickets are currently on sale on Klook and for a discounted rate, you can unleash your inner daredevil and try bungee jumping, sky walking, sky jumping, and tower climbing. Enjoy the view that reaches as far as Hong Kong when visiting the 360-degree observation deck at the Macau Tower. There’s also a restaurant so you can also satisfy your cravings after trying out the activities there.

There are lots of things to see and do in Macau and bringing Php20,000 with you will feel like you’re also on a luxurious trip. Just plan ahead and be diligent in looking for the best deals for your trip.