Under $100: Macau

Macau has a reputation for being a playground of the rich and famous. Most people associate the territory with its ritzy casinos, where high rollers are ushered into VIP rooms with huge buy-ins. But this is only one, very thin slice of Macau.

Church of St. Paul © Pop2nix | Dreamstime

If you’re traveling on a smaller budget than a Chinese billionaire, you’re actually doing yourself a favor: You’ll get to experience daily life along with the area’s rich culture and history.

Consider building your day around one of the self-guided walking tours designed by the tourism board, which you can undertake for free. These will allow you to customize your experience in Macau while also seeing its top sites on foot.

Portuguese Egg Tarts © Witthayap | Dreamstime

Eat street food as you tour the city. Stalls are everywhere and the food is cheap. The options range from Portuguese dishes harkening to Macau’s history as a colony of Portugal to endemic Macanese bites. Fried rice, seafood skewers, egg rolls and more cost less than $5.

When you’re finished walking, venture to the Macau Tower. From the observation deck, you can peer over Macau city, Taipa Island and mainland China. The ride to the top costs only MOP 135, about $17 in U.S. dollars.

© Keng Po Leung | Dreamstime

A slight splurge for dinner, A Lorcha serves top-notch Macanese-Portuguese cuisine. Plan to spend around $50 for dinner here.

It’s not hard to visit Macau on the cheap, as long as you’re willing to self-entertain. And if you end up with extra cash, a casino is never far away.