Miami Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

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.

Staying safe and comfortable

Local emergency number: 911.

• Tourist areas (South Beach, Brickell, Mid-Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove) safe.

• Avoid Liberty City, Overtown, parts of Little Haiti/Little River after dark.

• Never leave anything visible in parked cars — smash-and-grab is common.

• Rip currents on beach — watch flag warnings; lifeguards on major stretches.

• Emergency 911 (all services).

Visas and entry

Entry policy: mixed, typically up to 90 days. Same US rules everywhere: VWP citizens need ESTA US$21; Canadians with passport; everyone else B-1/B-2 visa. Cuba-related travel from Miami requires OFAC-authorised categories only.

Budgeting your trip

Accommodation is the largest controllable cost in Miami. Compare live rates for your dates and neighbourhood shortlist before locking in flights — the difference between areas is often larger than the difference between travel weeks.