Miami Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and When to Go

Why visit Miami

Miami is where Latin America meets the beach — 24 km of white sand, the largest Art Deco district in the world, one of North America's best Latin food scenes, and gateway to the Everglades, Florida Keys and Cuba (for approved travellers). Brightline high-speed rail now connects to Orlando in 3h30.

Miami is where Latin America meets the beach — turquoise Atlantic on one side, Everglades on the other, with Art Deco South Beach, Cuban Little Havana, wealth-flush Brickell and gallery-heavy Wynwood in between. English is the default but Spanish is everywhere; the food is Cuban, Peruvian, Colombian, Haitian and Caribbean; the beach is 24 km of white sand from South Pointe to Sunny Isles.

• Latin America meets the beach — 24 km Atlantic sand, world's largest Art Deco district, Cuban culture.

• Brightline high-speed rail to Fort Lauderdale (30 min), West Palm Beach (60 min), Orlando (3h30) since 2023.

• ESTA required for VWP citizens (US$21); Canadians with passport only.

• May–November hotel rates drop 40–60%; Art Basel first week December is peak pricing.

• Currency USD; Type A/B 120V plugs; tap water safe; Spanish widely spoken.

Best time to visit Miami

December–April is peak — 22–28°C, low humidity, dry days, sold-out hotels (Art Basel first week of December is the pricing peak). May–October is hot (30–33°C), humid, thunderstorm afternoons but hotels can be 40–60% cheaper. June–November is Atlantic hurricane season (statistical peak August–September); watch NOAA.

Where to stay in Miami

Choosing the right neighbourhood matters more than the hotel itself in Miami. These are the areas travelers book most.

• South Beach

  Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive + Collins; Lincoln Road mall.

• Mid-Beach / North Beach

  Fontainebleau, Faena, Edition, Nobu — quieter luxury strip.

• Brickell

  Manhattan-style financial district — high-rise hotels, Brickell City Centre, rooftop bars.

• Wynwood

  Street-art galleries, brewery scene, indie boutique hotels.

• Coconut Grove

  Leafy, low-key luxury — Mayfair, Mr. C, Ritz-Carlton residences.

• Coral Gables

  Mediterranean revival architecture, Biltmore Hotel, Miracle Mile shopping.

Top things to do in Miami

• South Beach & Ocean Drive Art Deco

  12-block Art Deco Historic District — best on foot or free trolley.

• Wynwood Walls & galleries

  150+ street-art murals; Second Saturday Art Walk free evenings monthly.

• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

  Italian Renaissance villa on Biscayne Bay — 1916 estate with garden loop.

• Everglades airboat tour

  45 min west — alligators, cypress swamps, half-day operators from US$65.

• Little Havana / Calle Ocho

  Cuban cigars, domino park, Ball & Chain live music, walking tours from US$25.

Getting around Miami

You need a rental car for the Everglades, Keys and Wynwood; South Beach + Brickell are walkable / rideshare-friendly. Metromover is free around Downtown/Brickell; Metrorail reaches MIA in 15 min. Brightline high-speed rail connects MiamiCentral to Fort Lauderdale (30 min), West Palm Beach (60 min) and Orlando (3h30) — game-changer since 2023.

• Rental car

  Needed for Everglades, Wynwood, Coral Gables, Keys road trip.

• Uber/Lyft

  US$15–40 across most tourist areas; primary way most visitors get around.

• Metromover

  FREE elevated automated people-mover circling Downtown + Brickell — great skyline views.

• Metrorail + Metrobus

  US$2.65 flat fare; Metrorail reaches MIA airport + Dadeland Mall.

What to eat in Miami

• Cuban sandwich at Versailles / Sanguich

  Versailles is the classic Little Havana institution; Sanguich (Wynwood) is the modern reference.

• Stone crab at Joe's Stone Crab

  South Beach institution since 1913; season Oct 15–May 1; walk-ins bar only.

• Ceviche at CVI.CHE 105

  Peruvian chef Juan Chipoco — Downtown + Doral locations.

• Cortadito + pastelitos

  Cuban espresso + guava pastry US$3 at every ventanita (window).

Practical tips for Miami

• Rent a car for Everglades, Wynwood and Coral Gables; South Beach + Brickell are walkable.

• Tipping 18–20% at restaurants + a 3% Miami Beach 'resort tax' is added at most hotels.

• Book Brightline train to Orlando (3h30) online — walk-up fares 40% higher.

How long to stay and what it costs

Most travelers spend 4–6 days in Miami. Compare live hotel rates for your exact dates before fixing the length of your trip — shoulder-season nights in Miami are often materially cheaper than peak weeks.