This guide covers everything you need to know before taking the bus to Miami.
The key attractions’ locations.
The ideal time to visit.
Where to stay and for how long.
Public transportation.
How much do things cost?
The best apps to use.
The best city views.
And other important information is all included.
Here are 11 must-know recommendations before visiting Miami:
THE MIAMI MAP
Miami is located between the vast tropical wastelands known as the Everglades to the west and Biscayne Bay to the east.
Let’s start with downtown Miami, which is full of spectacular new Manhattan-style buildings, and then go on to Miami Beach.
The city is built on natural and man-made barrier islands with stunning beaches.
South Beach is known for Ocean Drive, which is home to the Art Deco neighborhood.
It has the world’s biggest concentration of Art Deco buildings.
Lincoln Road Mall is a pedestrian promenade lined with shops, cafés, and galleries.
South Pointe Park Pier is located at the southernmost point of South Point Beach.
Bayside Marketplace is a major waterfront retail mall with prominent stores and restaurants.
Near Bayfront Park and the Freedom Tower.
Bayside Marketplace, is located near Bayfront Park and the Freedom Tower.
This is a huge waterfront retail complex featuring renowned businesses and restaurants.
We shouldn’t overlook two fascinating neighborhoods:
Little Havana, the Cuban quarter famed for the iconic Calle Ocho.
And Little Haiti is noted for its diverse international cuisine and vibrant creative communities.
Wynwood Walls, located south of Little Haiti, is a one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery.
Showcases big multicolored street paintings.
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are located in Coconut Grove.
A picturesque ancient neighborhood. Biscayne Bay surrounds it.
The historic Venetian port is located in Coral Gables.
Key Biscayne is a paradise-like island south of downtown Miami.
Located on the opposite side of a causeway.
Continue south to discover Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Which is located close to Matheson Hammock Park.
Continue south till you reach Zoo Miami. If you have time, don’t miss a trip to Key West, Florida’s southernmost point.
There are two main airports in Miami:
– Miami International Airport, which is just about six miles from downtown
– Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, which is about 25 miles from downtown.
If you come by rail, you have two options:
– Amtrak will drop you off at the Miami station
– Tri Rail and Brightline will drop you off at Virgin MiamiCentral in downtown Miami.
To give you a better idea of the distance, a vehicle trip from Miami International Airport to the Art Deco neighborhood takes roughly 20 minutes.
Walking from one end of Ocean Drive to the other takes roughly 30 minutes.
MIAMI WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The climate of Miami is tropical monsoon.
It gets a lot of sun all year and a lot of rain, especially during hurricane season, which lasts from June to November.
Did you know that Miami receives more rainfall than Seattle or New York City?
Winters are mild, with temperatures ranging from 63 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 15 degrees Celsius).
Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 77 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 31 degrees Celsius)
With frequent rain showers and thunderstorms.
The weather is quite pleasant in the spring and fall.
In the spring, temperatures vary between 67 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit, or 19 and 20 degrees Celsius.
While in the fall, temperatures range between 70 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Of course, these are just averages; the weather and temperatures may fluctuate during your visit.
So be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MIAMI
Miami is best visited in the spring, from March to May, when the weather is pleasant but not humid and hurricane season has not yet begun.
In addition, the peak season is coming to an end, which means fewer people and reduced pricing.
The cheapest months to visit Miami are from June through September.
The best time to come is probably in July.
When the weather is hot and humid, plus it is hurricane season, don’t worry.
Miami has everything from year-round sunlight to natural beauty to vibrant culinary art, and cultural scene.
So you’ll have a great time regardless of the season.
And how do you choose the optimal days and times to see the attractions?
Simply use Google to determine how crowded a certain site is at a given time of day.
Of course, going early throughout the week and/or in the morning is recommended.
Many visitors stay in Miami for three days to explore the key sites and get a sense of the energy of this dynamic city.
We recommend staying at least two extra days if you want to have a more leisurely schedule while still seeing most of what Miami has to offer.
WHERE TO STAY AND PRICES OF ACCOMMODATION
If you are visiting Miami for the first time, you can stay downtown.
If you’re on a tight budget, Miami Beach has the most backpacker-friendly lodgings.
Choose South Beach for its beaches and nightlife, and Brickell for its stylish restaurants, bars, and shops.
If you’re traveling with children, Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne may be the finest choices.
In Miami, a mid-range hotel room costs between $100 to $250 a night.
The average cost of a cheap hotel is $120.
Again, these are all average costs, and the price variations for various hotel categories are rather large.
Yet, with a little internet research, you may find cheaper discounts.
Especially if your dates are flexible, you are not traveling during peak season, or you visit Miami during the week.
You can even reserve an Airbnb.
The average nightly rate for two people is $130, and $170 for four people.
Visit our blog to learn about the best applications for booking your stay.
TRANSPORTATION FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT
– Metro Rail
– Metro bus
– Miami Beach bus
– Tri-rail
– Shuttle Bus or hotel shuttles
– Taxis
– Private transfers
– Uber and Lyft
– Auto rentals
Are all options for getting to and from Miami International Airport.
To and from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, you may use:
– The Tri-rail, shuttle bus, taxis, private transfers, Ubers, and Lyfts, or rent a vehicle.
Arriving by train: Amtrak, Tri-rail, and Brightline offer train service to Miami from over 200 destinations.
Check out our travel guide for more details.
If you’re driving, you can get driving instructions to Miami using Google Maps. You’ll also want to know where to park ahead of time.
Parking apps such as:
– PayByPhone
– ParkMobile
– SpotHero
– Parkways
Can help you discover and reserve parking spaces in the city.
You may get a parking space at one of the numerous hotels in Miami.
However, certain hotels in busy areas, like South Beach, charge extra for parking, so always check ahead of time.
Getting Around: Many of Miami’s main attractions are dispersed.
As a result, hiring a car might save you a significant amount of time while moving about.
However, if you want to save money on tolls and parking, or if you’re just staying in one region, you should use the city’s public transportation system.
Metrorail, Metrobus, Metro Mover, and Trolleys are all options.
Taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts are other choices for moving about the city.
We recommend:
– Scooters
– Segways
– Bikes
– Even walking
To explore the sandy beaches or pedestrian-friendly districts like South Beach.
But not as your primary mode of transportation in Miami.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Drinking water is one of the things you should be aware of if you want to have a pleasant and simple trip to Miami.
In Miami, drinking tap water is perfectly safe.
In a moment, we’ll go over applications for discovering water fountains across the city.
Woosh Refill Stations in Miami Beach provide ice-cold filtered water for a nominal price.
More information may be found in our blog.
Toilets: There are various public bathrooms around important sites, as well as on beaches and in parks.
You may also use the restrooms at cafés, restaurants, and even hotel lobbies.
Later, we’ll go through applications for finding toilets.
Free Wi-Fi: There are several free Wi-Fi hotspots in Miami’s fast-food restaurants, cafés, and hotels.
Stay tuned for additional information.
Crowds and lines: Miami is one of the most visited cities in the world.
Exploring the city might be difficult due to the large crowds.
Even if you can’t escape the crowds, there are certain things you can do to make your vacation to Miami more enjoyable.
You can avoid peak seasons, and travel during rush hours.
Get up early in the morning to explore the city without the crowds.
Use Google Maps or a similar app to check how crowded a specific location is at a specific time of day.
Or explore the suburbs after you’ve seen the must-see attractions in the City Center.
Overall, Miami is a safe city, particularly for tourists. Pickpocketing, on the other hand, can be a concern in the Miami Beach and downtown areas.
You should also be on the lookout for frauds such as bogus petitions and those who try to distract you or offer you assistance with your bags.
Watch your belongings and employ common sense, as you should in any large city throughout the world.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
If you are traveling from outside the United States, you will most likely want a specific US travel adaptor to charge your phone and other gadgets.
This is a picture of a US power plug.
If you travel frequently, consider purchasing a universal travel adaptor that may be used in other countries as well.
Money exchange:
– You may withdraw US dollars from ATMs situated in banks
– Hotel lobbies
– Fast-food restaurants
And other locations across the city.
If you use an ATM outside your network, you may be charged a convenience fee in addition to your bank cost.
You might also use prepaid cards that do not impose fees for ATM withdrawals.
A currency exchange bureau can also help you swap your foreign cash for US dollars.
Rates are generally lower in the city rather than at hotels and airports.
Internet: You may use your phone to access the internet by purchasing a prepaid SIM card.
T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and more local carriers are available.
More information may be found in our trip guide. You might also try hiring a pocket Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot.
Check out our travel guide for more details. Tipping: Always tip at restaurants, bars, and hotels in the United States, including Miami.
Wait staff in restaurants often get 15 to 20 percent pre-tax, while bartenders earn 1 to $2 per drink or 15 to 20 percent of the bar bill.
10% is the industry norm for Uber and Lyft drivers. In our Travel Guide, you may learn more about tipping.
BEST APPS TO USE IN MIAMI
In Miami, your phone may be your best friend.
Here is a selection of helpful applications:
– Miami-Dade/Transit Tracker provides useful information on the city’s bus, rail, and mover car systems.
– To discover and reserve parking near your location, use PayByPhone, ParkMobile, ParkMe – Miami Beach, SpotHero, or ParkWhiz.
Groupon for coupon codes and savings, restaurant notifications, and other offers.
TripAdvisor and Yelp for restaurant, hotel, museum, and tour reviews, among other things.
Uber or Lyft for city transportation, Google Maps or Apple Maps for walking, public transportation, driving, and so on.
If you don’t want to utilize roaming, Google Maps also allows you to download maps.
SitOrSquat or Flush to locate public bathrooms.
Tap to locate the nearest drinking water fountain or refill station, and Wi-Fi Map or Wi-Fi Finder to locate Wi-Fi in Miami.
Check out our travel guide for links to these applications on iOS and Android, as well as more fantastic Miami app recommendations.
FOOD AND PRIZES
Miami has a wide range of dining alternatives, from elegant five-star restaurants to fantastic street food joints.
We recommend utilizing Yelp or TripAdvisor to discover a nearby location with positive ratings.
Lunch from a food truck costs around $10 in Miami, whereas a cheap restaurant dinner costs around $15 on average.
A three-course supper for two at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $65.
A burger can cost as little as $4 at a quick food restaurant or as much as $20 at a mid-range restaurant.
A coffee costs between $1.50 and $5, a bottle of Coke about $2, beer between $5 and $8, and a happy hour drink special starts at $5. A Pastelito, a classic Cuban pastry, costs less than a dollar.
Miami has a lot of amazing affordable food. Check out our travel guide for a selection of the top cheap restaurants.
Finally, you may save money by purchasing food and beverages from a local grocery shop or fresh fruits at a farmer’s market.
Locate a store or market near you using Google Maps or a similar tool.
CITY PASSES AND GUIDED TOURS
You can choose from all-inclusive pick-your-attractions passes or create your own.
You may visit an infinite number of sites for one, two, three, or five days with all-inclusive cards.
Such as the Sightseeing Day Pass and Go Miami all-inclusive card.
You’ll also be able to Skip The Line at select locations. Current rates and information may be found in our travel guide.
Walking tours are led by expert guides who are knowledgeable about the city’s rich history and culture.
Another excellent method to see different districts in Miami.
Links to websites and other fascinating tours may be found in our trip guide.
BEST FREE VIEWS OF MIAMI CITY
You may enjoy various breathtaking views of Miami from one of the following sites for free.
Take a free Metro across the Miami River promenade.
Or the opposite side of the river to Bayfront Park, Brickell Key, Bayside Marketplace, the MacArthur Causeway, and South Point Park and Pier.
Check out our blog for extra spots with fantastic free and paid views over the city.
As well as maps, links, opening hours, and other information to help you plan a stress-free vacation to Miami.