Three days in Macau are over, my spending habits have collapsed but my happiness level has skyrocketed!

✨Who else gets it, family! Before going, I thought Macau was a "money-burning playground per capita," but after going, I realized—happiness here has nothing to do with wealth! After three days of fun, my wallet kept swinging between "crazy slimming" and "unexpected savings." My spending habits were rubbed on the ground and quietly rebuilt. Now I’ve put together this tearful + surprising guide, and after reading it, you’ll save enough for a Chanel wallet (not kidding).

💰 Spending habits collapse scene: Turns out money can be spent like this

- Hotel assassin VS homestay delight: On the first day, I splurged on a certain trendy hotel. When I entered the room, I found the bathtub was bigger than my bedroom. At night, I stared blankly at the casino night view—spending money felt like buying air! Later, I switched to a homestay in the old town, right downstairs was a curry fishball stall, and the owner lady would call out in Cantonese, "Pretty lady, want it spicy or not?" The price was cut in half, and I could even buy water in slippers at midnight. This is real life!
- Luxury brand store VS street stall: At Galaxy, I saw a certain brand’s queue lasting three hours, then I turned around and spent 30 yuan on a serving of trifle on Rua do Cunha, and the happiness was just as high! My bestie said, "Spending money here, expensive doesn’t necessarily mean right, but the right thing will definitely make you unforgettable," and I totally agree~
- Taxi VS walking: At first, I thought Macau was small and taxis wouldn’t be expensive, but from Taipa to the Peninsula, the meter jumped faster than my heartbeat! Later, I found walking + bus was amazingly good. The bus costs 6 patacas for half an hour and passes by colorful old houses perfect for photos. The money saved was enough to buy two cups of milk tea!

🌟 Three-day walking route: Spend every penny wisely

Day 1: Taipa Carnival Day (mainly a visual shock)

- Morning: Take photos at The Venetian, The Londoner, and The Parisian, pretending to hop around Europe! Take lots of photos at free spots. For the canal boat ride, choose the evening; the sunset shining on the gondola is worth the 300 patacas (remember to wear light-colored clothes for double the photo effect).
- Noon: Eat at the "Bib Gourmand recommended" Mok Yi Kei on Rua do Cunha. The durian ice cream is as soft as clouds, 25 patacas for a taste of happiness.
- Afternoon: Play in the Galaxy’s “Tianlang Taoyuan” water park. Free for hotel guests, 200+ patacas for non-guests, but sliding down the high-altitude slide into the pool and screaming until hoarse is worth it.
- Evening: Take the free cable car at Wynn Palace and watch the music fountain show. The 9 PM show is the most stunning; remember to grab front-row seats to feel like you’re at a concert.

Day 2: Macau Peninsula Nostalgia Day (save money and get great photos)

- Morning: Ruins of St. Paul’s + Love Lane. Crowded like Spring Festival travel? Turn into the nearby alleys! The colorful windows on the stone steps and floral shirts hanging outside the windows make every photo a vintage Hong Kong style.
- Noon: Eat tofu noodles and tofu pudding at Wing Kee, 8 patacas a bowl, smooth like pudding. The owner said, "Chow Yun-fat used to come here often."
- Afternoon: Buy souvenirs at Rua do Cunha, try samples until full! Almond cookies and phoenix rolls, get two boxes as gifts, 20% cheaper than the airport.
- Evening: Watch the sunset at A-Ma Temple. The fisherman's style temple faces the sea, the incense mixed with sea breeze suddenly made me understand "Macau’s soul is on the Peninsula."

Day 3: Hidden Gems Day (local secret spots)

- Morning: Walk on Coloane Island, where the sea is jelly-colored! Buy freshly baked Portuguese egg tarts at Andrew’s Bakery, 10 patacas each, the crust is so crumbly you have to catch the flakes while eating.
- Noon: Eat at Kun Kee Restaurant in Coloane town, satay beef instant noodles + iced lemon tea, 35 patacas for a TVB-style lunch.
- Afternoon: Return to the Peninsula to stroll along New Road, buy meat jerky at Ying Kee Bakery, freshly sliced and eaten on the spot, 50 patacas for a big bag, ten times better than vacuum-packed.

🚌 Transport + money exchange tips: Don’t be a sucker!

- Money exchange: Don’t exchange too much! Most places accept Alipay/WeChat Pay, small vendors take cash. Exchange 500 patacas, enough to use, spend the rest at the border before leaving.
- Transport: Buy a “Macau Pass,” unlimited bus rides for 6 patacas. For taxis, choose black cabs (official), remember to say “meter on.” From the Peninsula to Taipa costs about 100-150 patacas.
- Data: Buy a “Macau 3-day data package” on Alipay, 30 patacas for unlimited use, more convenient than renting a portable WiFi.

🥳 Final ramble:

On the day I left, I saw a sentence at the border: “Macau is small, small enough to walk through in a day; Macau is big, big enough to hold all desires and life.” In these three days, I felt pain over expensive hotels and was moved by the street stall’s lively atmosphere. Suddenly I understood—the meaning of travel is not how much money you spend, but that every penny is spent willingly.

Next time I go, I’ll bring an empty suitcase (for souvenirs), an empty wallet (ready to be filled with memories), and say to the owner lady again: “Add more curry, please~”