If you are about to travel to Macau, you may be interested to know how to connect to the internet there. Enjoy its shopping malls and the huge casinos located on the Cotai Strip with your family and friends! Also, you can take a walk and take outstanding pictures from the Macau Tower, with the best panoramic views of the city. Post them on social media for everyone to like!
And since we know that this is something you want to share with your loved ones, in this post we’re going to talk about the alternatives to having internet in Macau: cellular internet, SIM card, data eSIM, portable WiFi, and public WiFi. At the end of this post, we'll provide our recommendation so that you stay connected throughout your trip.
However, the recommendation for travelers who are visiting this country for the first time is that they familiarize themselves with the alternatives available for them, even before traveling. Otherwise, you may end up disconnected once you land at your destination. That is why it’s good that you know that these are the operators that offer internet in Macau:
Despite the internet censorship that exists in this Asian region, there’s the possibility of staying connected from your cell phone. Certainly, each of these operators offers different services and benefits. Therefore, the idea is that get to know about them in advance. Although, you can also buy a SIM before leaving for the airport.
In addition, it’s good that you know that not all operators guarantee that you will have internet in every place you visit. Even more so, if you’re going to move from one place to another. For this reason, this is an alternative that is not recommended for frequent travelers or if you'll tour extensively throughout the region. But, if you are considering it, it’s good that you know what the cellular operators with internet, offer in Macau.
In the first place, you should know that 3 is a global brand. So, several cellular networks and internet providers operate under this company to provide internet access in the Asian region. Its services are provided under the 3G and 4G networks and, for this reason, it is one of the most important operators in Macau.
In the same fashion, after getting to know the previous option, you may get the SmarTone commercial offer. This company offers roaming plans, monthly data packages, and affordable prices.
On the other hand, there’s the CTM company. This is the only one that offers eSIM cards for those who live in Macau. So, to buy one of these cards you have to go to a branch office and buy a prepaid or postpaid plan.
Generally speaking, the internet in Macau doesn’t have a fixed rate as such. Well, this will depend on the company you choose, the amount of data you buy, and other added benefits. Here, you can see a table with the cellular internet rates in this city.
| Service | Internet rates in Macau |
| 3 o Three roaming | 4.5 GB /month for €54.94 |
| SmarTone roaming | 1.5 GB /month for €12.07 |
| CTM roaming | 2 GB / 15 days for €64.41 |
You can use a SIM card for Macau, it is one of the safest ways to stay connected, even from the moment you arrive at the airport if the decision to buy one is made before the trip.
For this reason, we recommend buying a SIM card for Macau with Holafly. With it, you will connect to the 4G network, and you will have a free shipping to your home, even when you need it sooner.
Another option is to buy an eSIM to have internet in Macau. This digital card has several plans at affordable prices, unlimited data usage, and the possibility of keeping your current phone number. Moreover, you can buy it on the same day of your trip.
On the other hand, you have the possibility of buying a data eSIM for Asia and since this card works virtually, you won't have to wait for a package to arrive, but simply by confirming your purchase, you will receive a code QR that you must scan. This way, your eSIM will already be active on your cell phone.
Similarly, in Macau, you can have internet through portable WiFi. Several providers offer this type of device for travelers. And the cost for the Pocket WiFi, WiFi Hotspot, or wireless router will depend on the features of the device that you’re going to buy or rent:
Additionally, you have the option of connecting to a public WiFi network to connect to the internet in Macau. Although this is a low-cost or free option, the truth is that it’s not so recommended among travelers, although it doesn’t hurt to use it from time to time.
That is, this internet access option is not recommended for those who need to enter some websites with confidential information. To put it another way, public WiFi networks lack security. Also, if you are a traveler who goes from one place to another, this alternative won’t work for you either.
Here we provide a comparison chart with the internet options that you can get in Macau. This way, you’ll be able to see more clearly which one is best for you.
| Service | Internet rates in Macau |
| SIM card | 4 GB / 12 days for €32 |
| eSIM | Unlimited data / 30 days for $64.00 |
| Skyroam Solis Pocket WiFi | Rent from €8.00 per month |
| TravelersWiFi Pocket WiFi | Rent from €5.90 per day |
| Public WiFi | Free |
On the other hand, if you want to know a little more about the internet service in Macau, there’s nothing better than looking at the network coverage in this Asian country.
As you have already seen, there are several options to remain connected in Macau. The recommendation we give you is that you buy a data SIM or eSIM card through the Holafly online store. Select the destination and choose the time of use that you will need and that's it! Also, if you have any questions, Holafly offers customer service around the clock.
The steps to take to complete this process vary depending on whether you have an Android or iOS device. However, this is not mandatory, since the card will expire after the time of use you chose when you first purchased it.
Just once. That is, you can only use it on the cell phone on which you activated it that one time on your travels.
Yes. Most cell phones are compatible with eSIM and support several of these cards. But you cannot use several cards at the same time.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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