Traveling to the most important city in South Florida is a paradisiacal experience; but, if it is your first time traveling there or it has been a long time since you last visited The Magic City, we gathered the best tips and tricks that will come in handy for your next trip to Miami. Clear all your doubts! Enjoy to the fullest this breathtaking destination on the East Coast of the United States.
The best tips for traveling to Miami
1. Plan and book in advance!
Plan your trip and book at least one month in advance. This is our most important tip, booking well in advance will allow you to find lower prices and more availability on what you need for your trip.
If you need to make changes to your reservations, do it well in advance. Many hotels and car rental agencies have cancellation penalties in their rates. Good timing is essential to save money.
2. Travel to Miami during the best season: between March and May
If you want to enjoy Miami with fewer tourists, nice (not too high) temperatures, and multiple cultural events such as the Winter Festival Party or the Miami Film Festival, you should definitely travel during the spring months of March and May.
- Between December and February, the temperature is more pleasing, but accommodation is more expensive and the city is filled with tourists.
- The rainy and hurricane season is between June and September, which means lower prices for lodging, but bad weather can compromise your experience.
3. Stay in safe areas
Miami is considered a safe city for tourists, but it will be even safer if you stay in the best neighborhoods of the Magic City, which are also the more secure ones: South Beach, Key Biscayne, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and the Desing District.
- Areas such as Little Havana and Downtown are safe during the day, but it is not recommended to stay there at night.
- Avoid the neighborhoods of Overtown and Model City (also called Liberty City) and the Opa-Locka sector.
4. Make yourself at home: embrace your language
Many travelers are thankful for the fact that English is not the only language spoken in Miami, Spanish is too. A huge part of the population has Spanish as their native language or at least understands it. In some areas, like in Little Havana, this language is even the predominant one.
You may also run into a small percentage of the population that speaks Haitian Creole.
5. How many days should I stay in Miami? A week, at least
To visit most of the tourist attractions of the Magic City and also enjoy the beautiful beaches, we recommend you stay for at least 7 days. Although, in the end, the length of your stay in Miami depends on your budget and the time you have available. We also suggest:
- Extending your stay to ten days to visit the Everglades or the Florida Keys, if you want a more complete experience.
- Traveling to other major cities in Florida can take only a few hours, so you can do it even if you’re staying only a few days. For instance, you can get to Orlando from Miami in 6 hours using public transportation; but if you rent a car, you can get there in 4 or 5 hours. However, if your stay is very short, we don’t recommend doing this because it will reduce your time to enjoy each city.
6. Wear light and comfortable clothes
If you are wondering what to wear in Miami, our advice is to wear cool and comfortable clothes: T-shirts, shorts, skirts, and dresses are excellent options.
Other recommendations to keep in mind:
- Sunscreen is a must. The sun in Florida is no joke, so if you want to avoid sunburn, don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
- Bring an umbrella in case it rains, especially after February when rainfall increases.
- If you are susceptible to air conditioning, put on something warm before going to an indoor venue.
- If you’re going out, dress up. There’s no such thing as being overdressed when going to a nightclub in Miami. These establishments have strict dress codes which, if not followed, may deny you entry.
7. Get around in Miami using the best means of transportation.
- Renting a car is the best alternative if you’re planning to move around the city a lot, visit a city near Miami, or if you’re traveling with a large group. Although it may be a little difficult to find parking in certain places, you will save much more money than using public transportation and you will have more freedom during your trip. If you need some guidance on this topic, you should know that Viajemos offers the best car rental rates in Latin America and tons of benefits such as unlimited mileage, and free travel insurance.
- Plan your itinerary in advance, that way you will know which routes you can use and how much you have to move around.
- Navigate Miami Beach on the Citywide Free Trolley, buses shaped like train cars. This service is free and runs from 6:00 am to midnight Monday through Saturday and from 8:00 am on Sundays. The trolley arrives every 15 to 45 minutes.
- Use the Metromover in Downtown Miami. It is an elevated train that runs through this sector of the city in three routes. It is free and operates daily from 5:00 am to midnight.
- Take the Miami Metrobus for longer routes within the city. This is the option with the most coverage in the city and many of its routes operate 24 hours a day. The cost per trip is just over $2, but it offers a daily fare of $5.65 USD. Please note that to access this you will need to purchase a rechargeable card at an additional cost.
- Use the Metrorail to get out of the Miami International Airport. This is an elevated train system that runs through several of the most attractive points of the city and connects Downtown with the airport. It operates from 5:00 am to midnight every day. This is a paid service, but it costs the same as the Metrobus and works with the same rechargeable card.
Although there are free options to move around some parts of the city, renting a car is what we consider the best option to get around in Miami on your own schedule while saving money. Think about it: if you’re traveling with several people, with what you would pay for a single Metrobus trip for all of you, you could rent a car through Viajemos and get all the benefits we mentioned before.
8. Use your credit card and carry U.S Dollars
Contact your bank to start the process that will let you use your credit card in the US, also ask them for recommendations on where to convert your currency to dollars in the most affordable way possible.
Using exchange houses or banks in Miami can help you change your currency quickly, but it is not free and will make you lose money; besides, withdrawing money from the ATM is expensive, especially if it is at gas stations, bars, and restaurants.
9. Tipping in Miami
Tipping is very common and nearly mandatory in the U.S. You are expected to tip voluntarily in almost every service: restaurants, cafes, and hotels. It is recommended to give 15 or 20% of the consumption cost. In some places, they charge the value of your tip on the bill automatically, even without letting you know. Check carefully and carry enough cash.
10. Don’t forget your Travel Insurance!
The United States stands out for the high cost of medical services, even a sprained ankle can be expensive in this country. Considering this, one of the most important tips we can give you is to hire a Travel Insurance policy for your trip to Miami. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to buy it, Viajemos includes Free Travel Insurance as a benefit for renting a car.
11. How to find free wifi networks in Miami
Visit cafes, restaurants, libraries, and even some shopping stores to get free wifi. These establishments usually offer wifi services that you can access for free or if you are a customer, so you can connect for the cost of a coffee.
Here are some other recommendations to get free wifi in Miami:
- Make sure your hotel or rented apartment reservation includes free wifi. Some of these places offer this benefit and many tourists resort to them assuming that their reservation will include it, but it is better to check to avoid surprises at the last minute.
- Take advantage of the free Wifi at the Miami airport. Although it includes advertisements, this service is a great option to connect as soon as you get off the plane.
- Check if your cellphone company offers international roaming service. This service can be expensive, but it will allow you to use your phone in Miami with internet access.
- Hire the “wifi tablet” service along with your rental car If you rent a car to move around in Miami, you can add this to your reservation. Then, when picking up the car, you will get a tablet that works as a wifi network to connect all your mobile devices.
12. Finding cheap hotels and accommodation is possible
Compare prices on the website Viajemos. There, you will find different accommodation options and get additional benefits that will increase your savings. We also recommend renting in advance to get the best prices.
While you can look for hostels to find cheaper accommodation options, these usually have limited spaces and are more suitable for people traveling alone rather than groups or families. Don’t forget the most important of our Miami travel tips: do everything in advance.
13. Stay in Miami Beach if you want to enjoy the beaches
Look for hotels specifically in Miami Beach if going to the beach is one of the main purposes of your trip. Miami and Miami Beach are different cities; very close, but different. If you stay in Miami, it takes approximately 15 minutes( by car) to get to the beach.
You should also keep in mind that strolling along the beach and going for a swim is completely free. However, renting beach chairs and umbrellas can be quite pricy: more than ten dollars for each item.
14. Eat at Miami’s best restaurants
If you go to Miami and don’t enjoy its diverse gastronomic offer, did you really go to Miami? There you can find Italian, French, Latin, and Caribbean-influenced restaurants everywhere. Our recommendations are:
- Prima Pasta: an elegant Italian bistro that has been visited by numerous celebrities, including Messi, Diego Maradona, and Gustavo Cerati.
- L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon: the only restaurant in Miami with two Michelin stars and an example of French haute cuisine
- Joe’s Stone Crab: this restaurant has been operating for over a century, becoming an icon of Miami Beach. You need to make reservations and the crab season only runs from mid-October to mid-May, but it is worth it.
On the other hand, if you are looking for more casual and affordable options, you should visit Little Havana, where Cuban flavors will captivate you and you won’t have to pay a fortune.
15. Shopping in Miami Visit South Beach
The best neighborhoods to go shopping in Miami are South Beach, Coconut Grove, and the Design District. But here are some other recommendations:
- Find Miami’s most luxurious stores in Bal Harbour, located north of Miami Beach. This district is certainly the most exclusive shopping area in South Florida.
- If you want to save money, go to the largest outlet mall in the United States, Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, northwest of Miami. This place gathers both classic and moderate-quality brands, as well as luxury establishments and stores. Just go with enough time: the place is gigantic and it is a bit far away.
16. Drinking in Miami: forbidden for people under age 21.
Laws regarding the sale and consumption of liquor are pretty strict in the United States. If you’re under 21 years old, you’re not allowed to buy or drink alcohol, and they take it pretty seriously; Possessing alcohol under the minimum drinking age can result in a fine between 500 and 1,000 dollars, plus a few days of detention.
Additionally, for those who CAN drink, you should know that it is forbidden to drink in public places, including beaches. Also, keep in mind that in Miami-Dade County you can buy beer at any time, but you can only buy bottles of high-proof liquor such as vodka or whiskey between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm, from Monday to Saturday (this may change in other Florida counties).
17. Partying in Miami is all about making reservations
Miami’s nightlife parties start late at night and go on until 5:00 am. If you arrive before midnight, you will find the place empty except for you and the DJ; However, if you arrive after this time, you will find long lines of people waiting to get in. To avoid all that, make a reservation in advance.
And remember, many nightclubs have strict dress codes, so dress up nicely to avoid inconveniences.
Frequently asked questions about traveling to Miami
Do I need a visa to travel to Miami?
You need to present a series of documents to enter the United States, whether these must include a visa depends on your nationality.
- If you’re from Spain, Andorra, or other European countries and you won’t be staying for over 90 days you do NOT need a visa to visit the United States. However, you must present your passport and apply for an electronic authorization called ESTA.
- If you are Chilean, like Spaniards, you will only have to present the ESTA authorization and you will be able to stay up to 90 days in the U.S. This is because Chile is part of the visa waiver program.
- You will need a visa if you are from the following Latin American and Caribbean countries: Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Keep in mind that the regulations to enter the United States may change over time. For accurate and updated information about this topic, contact the U.S. embassy in your country.
How can I get travel insurance for my trip to Miami?
You can purchase a travel insurance policy directly with different insurance companies. However, to make things easier for you, you can get it for free when renting a car through Viajemos. This method guarantees you Free Travel Insurance with coverage for 5 people, besides giving you more freedom and comfort to move around Miami while saving money.
What should I do on my first visit to Miami?
If this is your first trip to the Magic City, we suggest a stroll along South Beach to enjoy the beaches and soak up the atmosphere of this tourist destination. There are other things you can do depending on your interests and budget: if you prefer culture and knowledge, you should visit the museums in Downtown Miami; if you are more into nature, you can take a walk through the parks of Key Biscayne or visit the Everglades. If you want a taste of Latin culture, visit Little Havana.
-->Thank you so much for reading! We hope these tips help you plan an amazing trip to the Magic City. Make sure to share this with your friends so they can also have an incredible experience when traveling to Miami. Stay tuned for more tips and wonderful destinations! We love being your travel partners.
