Miami
Plan your Miami trip: honest costs from $120/day, 10 best beaches, Art Deco District, Cuban food spots. Real tips from travelers for 2026 visits.
Miami blends Latin flavor, Art Deco glamour, and endless beaches into one electric package. Winter temperatures hover around 75°F (24°C) while summer heat reaches 90°F (32°C). Budget travelers manage on $120-150 daily, mid-range visitors spend $200-300, and luxury seekers start at $400. The metro area exceeds 6 million people, making Miami the cultural capital of South Florida and the Caribbean gateway to the United States.
Last Updated: January 11, 2026
📋 Miami at a Glance
Miami doesn't ease you in. Step off the plane and you're hit with warmth, even in January. The air carries salt from the Atlantic mixed with Cuban coffee roasting somewhere nearby. Billboards flash in Spanish and English. Palm trees line every street. The city moves to a different beat.
This isn't just beaches and nightlife, though you'll find plenty of both. Miami's neighborhoods tell distinct stories. Little Havana pulses with domino games and croqueta vendors. Wynwood's warehouses glow with street murals. South Beach's Art Deco buildings catch the light at sunset, pastel facades framed against blue sky.
"Miami has this energy you can't find anywhere else in the US. It feels more like Latin America than Florida."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
The metro area sprawls across 6.1 million people, making it the seventh-largest in the country. Locals switch between English and Spanish mid-sentence. Food trucks serve arepas next to bagel shops. The city's location makes it the unofficial capital of the Caribbean, a crossroads where cultures blend and collide.
You can stretch a budget here if you know where to look. Skip the clubs, eat at food trucks, stay inland. Or splurge on oceanfront hotels and rooftop bars. Miami accommodates both.
☀️ When to Visit Miami
The ideal time to visit Miami is December through April when temperatures range from 70-80°F (21-27°C), humidity drops, and rainfall becomes rare. December and January offer the best weather with average highs around 75°F (24°C). February through April sees spring break crowds and higher prices, but the beach weather stays perfect. Avoid June through November when heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms dominate.
Miami Climate Overview
Miami's climate breaks into two clear seasons: dry and wet. The dry season runs November through April. These months deliver consistent sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and the kind of beach days that justify the flight. Mornings start cool enough for jeans, afternoons warm to t-shirt weather, and evenings stay pleasant enough for outdoor dining.
December and January hit the sweet spot. Hotel rates stay reasonable outside the holiday weeks. Beaches aren't packed. The ocean temperature hovers around 73°F (23°C), which feels refreshing but not cold.
"January in Miami is absolutely perfect. You'll see locals wearing jackets when it's 68 degrees while tourists are in swimsuits."
— r/Miami, Reddit
Summer (June through September) brings the lowest hotel rates and the smallest crowds. If you can handle the heat and don't mind ducking into air conditioning every hour, you'll find deals. Beach mornings work fine. Afternoons require indoor plans.
Hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30, with peak risk in August and September. Most storms miss Miami, but tracking forecasts becomes part of the routine.
Major Events 2026
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (federal holiday)
- February 16: Presidents Day (federal holiday)
- Late February to March: Calle Ocho Festival in Little Havana
- March (dates vary): Ultra Music Festival (electronic music)
- May 25: Memorial Day (federal holiday, beach crowds peak)
- July 4: Independence Day (fireworks on the beach)
✈️ How to Get to Miami
Miami International Airport (MIA) serves as the main gateway, handling over 50 million passengers annually with direct flights from major US cities, Latin America, Europe, and beyond. Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) sits 30 miles north and often offers cheaper flights. Ground transportation from MIA to South Beach costs $25-35 via taxi, $15-20 via rideshare, or $2.65 on the Miami Beach Airport Express bus. Rental cars start around $40 per day.
Miami International Airport (MIA) sits about 8 miles west of Downtown Miami. It's one of the busiest airports in the United States, with terminals that can feel overwhelming during peak travel periods. Expect long immigration lines if you're arriving from an international destination.
Getting from MIA to your hotel depends on your destination and budget. Taxis line up outside every terminal. A ride to South Beach typically runs $25-35 and takes 20-30 minutes without traffic. Add 15-20 minutes during rush hours.
Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) cost slightly less, around $15-25 to South Beach depending on demand. Pickup zones are clearly marked in the arrivals area.
"Rideshare from MIA to South Beach was $18 at 11 AM on a Tuesday. Smooth and cheaper than a taxi."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
The Miami Beach Airport Express (Route 150) offers the budget option at $2.65 per ride. The bus runs every 30 minutes and takes about 40 minutes to reach South Beach. It's clean, air-conditioned, and equipped with luggage racks. You'll need exact change or a reloadable EASY Card.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) serves as an alternative. It's smaller, often less crowded, and sometimes offers cheaper flights. The catch? It's 30 miles north of Miami Beach. Budget 45-60 minutes for the drive. Rideshares to South Beach run $40-60.
🚇 How to Get Around Miami
Miami's public transit includes Metrorail (elevated train), Metromover (free downtown loop), and Metrobus routes covering most areas. A single ride costs $2.25 with free transfers within 3 hours. The EASY Card ($2) works across all systems. Metrorail connects Downtown, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, and the airport but doesn't reach Miami Beach. Most visitors use rideshares or rent cars for flexibility. Parking on Miami Beach costs $3-5 per hour on the street, $20-40 per day at hotels.
Miami's public transportation works, but it requires planning. The system centers on three modes: Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus.
Metrorail runs two lines: the Orange Line and Green Line. The Orange Line connects Miami International Airport to Downtown, then continues south through Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, and down to Dadeland. Trains run every 10-15 minutes during the day, less frequently at night. A single ride costs $2.25.
Here's the catch: Metrorail doesn't go to Miami Beach. To reach South Beach via public transit, you need to connect to a bus.
"Miami's public transit is fine for getting around mainland neighborhoods. But if you want to explore beyond the main routes, you'll need a car or rideshare."
— r/Miami, Reddit
Rideshares dominate. Uber and Lyft coverage is extensive. A ride from South Beach to Wynwood costs $12-18. From Downtown to Coconut Grove, expect $10-15. Surge pricing kicks in during peak hours and weekends.
Renting a car offers freedom. Miami Beach, Wynwood, and Downtown are all within 15 minutes of each other by car (without traffic). Parking becomes the issue—on Miami Beach, street parking costs $3-5 per hour and fills up quickly. Hotels charge $20-40 per day for parking.
🏖️ Top Attractions in Miami
Miami's top attractions span South Beach's Art Deco Historic District, the colorful murals of Wynwood Walls, the lush trails of Everglades National Park, and the cultural heart of Little Havana. South Beach delivers iconic scenery and people-watching, Wynwood showcases street art and galleries, Vizcaya Museum offers Mediterranean-style gardens, and the Pérez Art Museum (PAMM) anchors Downtown's waterfront. Many outdoor attractions cost nothing. Museums charge $15-25 for entry.
South Beach and the Art Deco District
South Beach isn't a single spot. It's the southern tip of Miami Beach, roughly from 5th Street to 23rd Street. Ocean Drive runs parallel to the beach, lined with pastel-colored Art Deco buildings dating to the 1930s. These low-rise hotels glow in shades of pink, mint, and turquoise. At sunset, the light softens everything.
The beach itself stretches wide and clean. Sand is soft and pale. The water transitions from shallow turquoise near the shore to deeper blue farther out. Lifeguard stands painted in bright colors punctuate the coastline.
"South Beach is exactly what you picture. The buildings, the beach, the vibe. It's all there."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
Wynwood Walls and the Arts District
Wynwood sits just north of Downtown Miami. Once a warehouse district, it's now the city's street art capital. Every building, alley, and garage door seems to carry a mural. Colors explode across walls. Wynwood Walls is the anchor—an outdoor museum featuring works by international artists, all concentrated in one block. Entry is free.
"Wynwood is a must if you like street art. But go during the day to really see the details. At night it's all about the bars."
— r/Miami, Reddit
Little Havana
Little Havana centers on Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street). It's the heart of Miami's Cuban community. Cigar shops line the sidewalks. Cafeterias serve cortaditos through walk-up windows. Domino players gather in Máximo Gómez Park (also called Domino Park), where the sound of tiles clicking on tables fills the air.
"Little Havana feels genuine. It's not Disneyfied. You'll hear more Spanish than English, and that's part of the charm."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
Experience: Máximo Gómez Park at Midday
Step into Máximo Gómez Park on a Tuesday afternoon and you enter another rhythm. The sun beats down, fierce even through the shade of banyan trees. Concrete tables anchor the space, each one occupied by men hunched over domino games. The tiles click and clack, a constant percussion layered with Spanish spoken rapid-fire and punctuated by laughter.
Cigar smoke drifts from a nearby bench, mixing with the scent of fresh-brewed Cuban coffee from the ventanita across the street. Someone's radio plays old son cubano, the brass cutting through the ambient noise. A vendor pushes a cart selling croquetas, the fried smell adding another note to the air.
Your shirt sticks to your back within minutes. The heat presses down. Sweat beads at your temples. But the shade offers some relief, and a breeze occasionally slides through, carrying salt from the bay a few miles east. You buy a colada for $2, the coffee syrupy and almost too sweet, bitter and sugary at once. It leaves a film on your teeth.
A player slams a domino down with satisfaction. Someone else groans. The rhythm continues, timeless and specific to this corner of Miami.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya offers an escape from Miami's modernity. Built in 1916 as a winter estate, it mimics a Mediterranean villa with 34 rooms filled with European antiques. Ten acres of formal gardens stretch along Biscayne Bay with fountains, statues, and manicured hedges. Admission costs $25 for adults. Plan at least two hours to explore both the house and gardens.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Miami
Miami's food scene blends Cuban, Caribbean, Peruvian, Haitian, and Latin American influences with high-end American dining. Cuban sandwiches cost $8-12 at casual spots, full dinners range from $15-25 at mid-range restaurants, and upscale seafood or steakhouses charge $50-100 per person. Don't miss cafeterías for Cuban coffee ($1.50-2.50), ceviche at Peruvian spots, stone crab (October to May), and the breakfast at local diners.
Cuban Food: The Foundation
Cuban food isn't exotic in Miami. It's baseline. Cafeterías dot every neighborhood, serving the same core menu: Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, tostones, ropa vieja, picadillo, arroz con pollo, and flan. Prices stay low. A Cuban sandwich costs $8-10. A full plate of lechón asado (roast pork) with rice, beans, and plantains runs $12-15.
For a full sit-down meal, head to Versailles on Calle Ocho. It's an institution, open since 1971. The dining room seats hundreds, the mirrors lining the walls create a hall-of-mirrors effect, and the menu runs to 20 pages.
Cuban Coffee Guide
- Cafecito (café cubano): Small, strong espresso with sugar. About $1.50-2.
- Colada: Larger cup meant for sharing (comes with small cups). Around $2-3.
- Cortadito: Espresso with a splash of steamed milk. $2-2.50.
- Café con leche: Equal parts coffee and steamed milk. Around $3-4.
Seafood
Stone crab season (October 15 to May 15) brings one of the city's signature dishes. Joe's Stone Crab in South Beach has been serving them since 1913. Expect long waits and high prices ($40-60 for a medium crab). For more casual seafood, try Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market on the Miami River—no-frills outdoor tables on a working dock with genuinely fresh fish.
"Garcia's feels authentic. Not fancy, just good seafood and a view of the river."
— r/Miami, Reddit
Budget Tips
- Hit cafeterías for breakfast and lunch. A full breakfast costs $8-10.
- Food trucks in Wynwood offer tacos, arepas, and bowls for $8-12.
- Publix supermarkets sell pre-made Cuban sandwiches for around $7.
- Skip eating on Ocean Drive unless you're prepared to overpay.
🏨 Where to Stay in Miami
South Beach offers iconic oceanfront hotels and Art Deco boutiques starting at $150-200 per night in low season, $250-400 in peak winter. Downtown Miami and Brickell provide high-rise business hotels near transit for $120-180. Wynwood and the Design District deliver trendy boutique stays around $100-150. Budget travelers find hostels in South Beach from $35-50 per night and Airbnbs inland from $70-120.
South Beach: Iconic but Expensive
South Beach is where most first-time visitors want to stay. It delivers the postcard image of Miami: Art Deco buildings, oceanfront views, walking distance to everything. Prices reflect the demand.
"South Beach hotels charge a premium just for the address. You're paying for location more than luxury."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
Downtown Miami and Brickell: Centers on business hotels and condo towers. Practical with Metrorail access. Hotels cater to business travelers. Prices hover around $120-180 per night for mid-range chains.
Wynwood and the Design District: Smaller hotel scene but growing. Boutique properties offer stylish stays around $100-150 per night. No beach access—you'll need a car or rideshare to reach the ocean.
Coconut Grove: Leafy, relaxed, and walkable along Biscayne Bay. Hotels and boutique inns range from $150-250. Attracts an older crowd with yacht clubs and waterfront dining.
Budget Options
- Freehand Miami in Mid-Beach: $40-60 per night for dorms, $120-150 for private rooms. Includes pool and social vibe.
- The Generator Miami: $50-70 dorms, $140-180 private rooms. Located near South Beach.
- Airbnbs: $70-120 per night for a private room inland, $120-200 for a full apartment near the beach.
📋 Practical Information
Miami operates on US currency (USD). Credit cards are widely accepted, but keep cash for tipping, food trucks, and parking meters. ATMs are plentiful. Free Wi-Fi is available at most hotels, cafes, and public libraries. US visitors need no visa; international visitors should verify ESTA or visa requirements. Emergency services dial 911. Tap water is safe. Electricity is 120V, 60Hz (Type A/B plugs).
Money and Tipping
Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere. Contactless payment works at most retailers. Carry some cash for tipping, food trucks, small vendors, and parking meters.
- Restaurants: 18-20% of the pre-tax bill
- Bars: $1-2 per drink
- Taxis/rideshares: 15-20%
- Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per day
- Valet parking: $2-5
Health and Safety
Miami is generally safe for tourists, but use common sense: avoid walking alone late at night in quiet areas, don't leave valuables visible in parked cars, and watch your belongings on crowded beaches.
Emergency services: Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Miami-Dade County. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are everywhere, many open 24 hours.
What to Pack
- Lightweight, breathable clothing (shorts, t-shirts, sundresses)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and sunglasses
- Light rain jacket for summer afternoon storms
- Light sweater or jacket for chilly winter evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes and swimsuit
🌴 Cultural Tips for Miami
Miami blends American and Latin American cultures, creating a unique social environment. Spanish is spoken as commonly as English in many neighborhoods. Tipping 18-20% at restaurants is expected. Dress codes relax during the day but upscale venues require effort at night. Respect is key: greet service workers, don't assume everyone speaks English, and embrace the slower, more relaxed pace.
Language: English and Spanish
Miami is bilingual in practice. English dominates in business settings, but Spanish is equally common in daily life. If you don't speak Spanish, don't worry. English works everywhere. But learning a few basic phrases earns goodwill:
- Buenos días (BWAY-nos DEE-ahs): Good morning
- Gracias (GRAH-see-ahs): Thank you
- Por favor (por fah-VOR): Please
- Disculpe (dees-KOOL-peh): Excuse me
Dress Code
Daytime Miami is casual. Shorts, t-shirts, sandals, and swimwear are the norm near beaches. Nightlife requires more effort. South Beach clubs enforce dress codes: no shorts, no flip-flops, no athletic wear.
"Miami nightlife is surprisingly dressy. We got turned away from a club on Ocean Drive because my friend wore sneakers."
— r/Miami, Reddit
Pace and Attitude
Miami moves slower than New York or Chicago. Service at restaurants can feel leisurely. Locals prioritize relationships and conversation over efficiency. Respect and friendliness go a long way. Greet service workers with "good morning" or "hola." Say "please" and "thank you."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🗺️ Nearby Destinations & Day Trips
1. Everglades National Park (45 minutes)
1.5 million acres of wetlands, mangroves, and sawgrass. Airboat tours offer close-up views of alligators and herons. Entry costs $30 per vehicle. Bring insect repellent.
2. Key West (3.5 hours)
Southern tip of the Florida Keys via the Overseas Highway with 42 bridges. Visit Hemingway's house, watch sunset at Mallory Square, eat key lime pie. Best as overnight stay.
3. Fort Lauderdale (40 minutes)
Quieter beaches than South Beach. Las Olas Boulevard offers shopping and galleries. Water taxis connect neighborhoods along the New River.
4. Biscayne National Park (45 minutes)
173,000 acres, 95% underwater. Glass-bottom boat tours show coral reefs without getting wet. Kayak rentals explore mangrove coastline. Entry is free.
5. Naples (2 hours)
Florida's southwest Gulf Coast with white-sand beaches and upscale shopping on 5th Avenue South. Slower pace and Gulf sunsets.
6. Palm Beach (1.5 hours)
Old-money Florida with Worth Avenue luxury shopping. The Breakers and Flagler Museum showcase Gilded Age grandeur. Pristine, less crowded beaches.
7. The Florida Keys - Marathon & Islamorada (1.5-2.5 hours)
Marathon sits halfway to Key West with fishing and the Turtle Hospital. Islamorada is the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World." Fresh fish sandwiches at roadside shacks.
8. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (20 minutes)
83 acres of rare palms, cycads, and flowering trees in Coral Gables. Entry $25. Nearby: the Venetian Pool, a public swimming pool in a former coral rock quarry ($15-20).
💡 Final Tips
Miami doesn't fit the typical American city mold. It's louder, hotter, more colorful, and more Latin than anywhere else in the US. That's the draw.
Download offline maps before you arrive. Buy a reloadable EASY Card for public transit—it costs $2 and saves the hassle of exact change on buses.
Learn basic Spanish phrases. You'll use them more than you expect, especially in Little Havana. Skip the tourist traps on Ocean Drive. Walk two blocks inland and you'll find better food at half the price.
Plan for air conditioning. Every building in Miami cranks the AC to arctic levels. Bring a light jacket or sweater. The contrast between 95°F outside and 65°F inside can be jarring.
Stay hydrated. The heat and humidity drain you faster than you realize. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout the day.
Miami rewards those who look beyond the beach. Yes, South Beach delivers the iconic experience. But the city's soul lives in the neighborhoods: Wynwood's murals, Little Havana's cafeterías, Coconut Grove's waterfront, the Design District's galleries. Spend time in those places. That's where the city breathes.
📝 Content Transparency
This guide is compiled from verified traveler experiences, official tourism sources, and expert insights. All quotes are paraphrased from TripAdvisor, Reddit, and Google Reviews. Information current as of January 2026. Prices and hours subject to change.