The climate is moderate to hot, with an average annual temperature of just over 20¢ˆXC (68¢ˆXF) and a yearly mean variation between 16¢ˆXC (50¢ˆXF) and 25¢ˆXC (77¢ˆXF). The humidity is high with an average range between 75% and 90%. Rainfall is also high with the yearly total between 40 and 80 ins. The best season is autumn (October-December) when days are sunny and warm and the humidity low. The winter (January-March) is cold but sunny. In April, the humidity starts to build up and from May to September the climate is hot and humid with rain.

Visa

If travel arrangements are made through an agent, the visa processing is handled by Macau tour operators.

Visas are required by all visitors except:

1) Residents of Macau;

2) Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania and the United Kingdom for a stay up to 90 days;

3) Nationals of Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America and Uruguay for a stay up to 30 days;

4) Nationals of China with valid Macau entry/depart documents, including residents of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas Chinese for a stay of up to 30 days;

5) The "Hong Kong Identity Card", "Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card" or "Hong Kong Reentry Permit" holders may stay in Macau for a maximum period of one year.

6) Holders of Diplomatic Passport or "Laissez Passer" issued by the United Nations.

7) Holders of Consulate/Diplomatic documents issued by the Macau SAR or Hong Kong SAR.

Visas can be obtained from the Immigration Services through Embassies/Consulates of the PRC and should be used within the validity; the visa is expired after the valid date.

Visas are also available on arrival in Macau at the Immigration Services for a period of 30 days.

There are three types:

Individual - MOP$100, for individual traveler for a single stay of up to 30 days inMacau, children under 12 years of age pay MOP$50.

Family - MOP$200 for couples, husband traveling with wife and or children (under 12 years of age) of same surname or on proof of their relationship.

Group - MOP$50 per person for bona fide groups of 10 or more and children aged 12 or under.

Visitors who wish to travel to the People's Republic of China and need a visa, can apply for one at the China Travel Service - CTS, located at the Rua de Nagazaki, 35 - tel.700888 (applications must be accompanied by 1 passport size photo and cost MOP$140) or at the Gongbei's Immigration and Customs (after the Portas do Cerco Border) where the visa is issued for a three-day stay and is valid for the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone only (visa costs MOP$100 or HK$90).