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 Miami is known for its glamour and cosmopolitan vibe, but what truly sets this city apart is its miles of sandy beaches, which coupled with year-round sunshine and pleasant warmth have cemented Miami's position as a top travel destination. Describing it merely as an international metropolis would be a gross understatement, given its North American core infused with Caribbean flair, a generous dose of Latin American influence, a hint of African heritage, a touch of Asian influence, and a sprinkle of European charm. All these elements and their fascinating blend give Miami a vibrant and exhilarating cultural life.

currency

1 US dollar = 100 cents

phone

Emergency Number: 911
Miami Police Department: +1 305 579 6111

newspaper

Miami Herald – www.miamiherald.com
Miami Today – www.miamitodaynews.com
Miami New Times – www.miaminewtimes.com
Biscayne Times – www.biscaynetimes.com

hours

Shops and attractions in Miami are normally open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm. Restaurants usually serve until 1am, while bars and clubs (in non-residential areas) do not close until around 5am.

population

Metro area: 6.3 million (2023)

info

Greater Miami & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau
701 Brickell Avenue # 2700, Miami
Open Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm
+1 888 766 4264

Miami skyline and beach Mia2you/Shutterstock.com

The City

Immigration has played a major role in Miami's explosive growth over the last 80 years, and this has naturally had a great influence on the shape of Miami today. Its people make the city pulsate with a large and vibrant multicultural art scene, while its location at the sea and in the sun has attracted life-indulging pleasure-seekers from all over the world: the lazy beach culture by day gives way to infectious musical rhythms by night.

Miami – in this guide also referring to Miami Beach, which is built on a sandbar across Biscayne Bay – is a city of contrasts: across the street from one of the country's most exclusive nightclubs, visitors in the know can catch a gritty open mic night, and salsa clubs and musical theatre of the highest caliber exist here side by side.

Little Havana and Little Haiti are the centers of Caribbean life in the city, while the Art Deco architecture near South Beach showcases Miami's heyday in the roaring 20s, mixed with today's latest fashion in dining, wining, living, and clubbing. Miami Beach exudes a celebrity lifestyle, while Miami itself has fast become an international cultural hot spot as a center of Latin and North American art and gastronomy with inspiration taken from all corners of the world.

Miami has picturesque beaches, exceptional nightlife, plentiful shopping opportunities, and delicious dining options. Although there is an abundance of things to do in the city and on the beach, visitors should not pass up the chance of taking one-day excursions to see some of the breathtaking natural surroundings.

Do & See

Miami has unlimited ways to charm its visitors, as the city's natural beauty and its surroundings are breathtaking, while its great climate offers chances for outdoor activities pretty much all year round.

While staying close to the city will allow you to enjoy some of the best beaches on the planet, do also explore a little further and visit the wonders of the Everglades or the Florida Keys.

Even though the weather nearly forces you to stroll around in the sun, Miami's architectural past and its vibrant art scene will tempt you to spend some time indoors, and the warmth of the vastly international population will make you want to stay here for good.

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South Beach

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Art Deco Historic District

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Everglades National Park

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Miami Food Tours

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Miami Seaquarium

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Jungle Island

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Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

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Key West

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Miami Sailing

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Ancient Spanish Monastery

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Pérez Art Museum Miami

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Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

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Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

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Máximo Gómez Park

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Matheson Hammock Park

Dining

Like its people, Miami's cuisine is an infusion of flavors. Greatly influenced by the city’s ethnic mix and its location by the Atlantic Ocean, creative chefs have merged Miami’s seafood with Asian, Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and the result is a limitless array of options, ranging from world-class chefs and their fusion experiments to family-run holes-in-the-wall serving up specialties from around the globe. And one cannot leave town before trying the deliciously refreshing local dessert: Key Lime pie.

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Andiamo! Brick Oven Pizza

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Mandolin Aegean Bistro

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Carpaccio Restaurant

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Joe's Stone Crab

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Smith & Wollensky

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Tony Chan’s Water Club

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Matador Room

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Michael's Genuine

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Zuma

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NIU Kitchen

Cafes

Coffee culture in Miami is eclectic, and it draws on European, American, and Caribbean influences. The coffee here is best enjoyed outside in the refreshing breeze of the city while admiring the scenery and passers-by. Take an espresso by the sands of South Beach, a cappuccino in Coral Gables, or a cortadito in the heart of Little Havana.

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Imperial Moto Café

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Suite Habana Cafe

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Nikki Beach Miami

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Vice City Bean

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Rosetta Bakery

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Eternity Coffee Roasters

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Lemoni Cafe

Friends at a bar in Miami, Florida bbernard/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Miami's nightlife offers much more than the alluring and extravagant VIP nightclubs of South Beach. Locals and tourists alike are drawn to the Latin dance clubs of Española Way and the sophisticated martini bars in the Design District.

In addition to laid-back bars for post-sun bathing drinks, the live music scene offers a plethora of options, including bars featuring jazz, flamenco, or salsa. With just a bit of effort, one can also discover poetry slams, world-class theaters, and art performances to elevate their evenings.

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Do Not Sit On The Furniture

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Mango's Tropical Cafe

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SHOTS Miami

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Ball & Chain

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Liv

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MO Bar & Lounge

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Living Room

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Broken Shaker

Shopping

Whether you prefer outdoor shopping in a breezy environment, browsing megamalls with air-conditioned comfort, or exploring department stores, there are plenty of options to choose from in Miami.

If you're looking for unique and stylish home decor, furniture, or art, the Design District and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach are the places to be. Meanwhile, Bal Harbour is the go-to spot for high-end designer boutiques, and Bayside Marketplace offers a classic shopping experience with popular chain stores. For a more exotic shopping experience, be sure to check out Little Havana or Española Way on Sunday afternoons.

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Bayside Marketplace

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Miami Design District

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Lincoln Road

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Downtown Miami

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Miami Fair Trade Marketplace

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Dolphin Mall

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Books & Books

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Aventura Mall

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Sawgrass Mills

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TASCHEN Store

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Bal Harbour Village

Tourist Information

Passport / Visa

Citizens of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Kingdom of Brunei can visit the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa (as well as citizens of Andorra, Lichtenstein, Monaco and San Marino). Citizens of these countries must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling. All other travelers must obtain a visa before visiting the United States. International travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the country.

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Website: www.estausivisit.com

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Frequently Asked Questions about Miami (FAQs)

- What is the best time to visit Miami?

As Miami has a long and beautiful season of summer all year long, deciding on when to visit Miami mainly depends on what you are looking for and what you expect: while spring is ideal for enjoying outdoor activities and venues, the summer gets quite hot and somewhat deserted – keep in mind that these seasons have the highest threat of hurricanes.

During the fall, Miami comes to life again with its many events, such as the Miami Art Week, while the winter attracts most visitors with its ever-lasting sunshine and many events and adventures that are yet to come.

- Is Miami safe?

Overall, Miami is a safe city for tourists. However, like most U.S. large cities, Miami does have a few safety issues, especially regarding drugs, gangs, and crime. But visitors shouldn’t worry about that since the most dangerous areas, such as Overtown, Model City, Downtown, Little Haiti, and Allapattah are not ordinarily on tourists’ itineraries.

Pickpocketing can be an issue, so do not look too vulnerable and always use common sense when exploring the city.

- Is Miami worth a visit?

Yes, definitely! Miami is worth a visit not only for its year-round pleasantly warm weather, pristine beaches, and energetic nightlife but also for its astonishingly rich cultural life.

- Does Miami get hurricanes?

Yes. Southeast Florida, where Miami is situated along with West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, is very susceptible to hurricanes. Hurricane season in Florida usually occurs between August through late October.

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Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International Airport (MIA), located about 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Miami, is one of the busiest airports in the world. An Info-Center can be found on level 2 in Concourse E, which also hosts a bank, post office, pharmacy, baggage storage, ATMs, and several car rental companies.

Before planning routes to and from the city, ask your hotel reception whether they offer a shuttle service from and to the airport. For leaving the airport, taxis are available just outside the baggage claim, and there is also a 24-hour ‘Super Shuttle’ van service at the very same spot, while bus services link the airport to all areas of Miami-Dade County. The ‘Tri-Rail’ train can be reached at the Airport Station just east of the airport.

Address: Miami International Airport, Miami

Email:

Phone: +1 305 876 7000

Website: www.miami-airport.com

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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport (FLL)

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is located 40 kilometers from downtown Miami, and yellow cab taxis are available on demand at all times. In general, the four terminals in the Fort Lauderdale Airport also offer the same amenities as Miami International Airport. At the transportation podium located outside the baggage area on the lower level at the curb of each terminal, you can find rate comparison charts posted on the wall.

While Feeder buses take you from the airport terminals to the Tri-Rail commuter train to Miami, there is also a car rental centre with many of the major car rental companies.

Address: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale

Email:

Phone: +1 954 359 1200

Website: www.broward.org/airport/Pages/default.aspx

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Public Transport

Despite the popularity of driving or taking a cab, Miami still provides ample opportunities for public transportation.

The Metromover is an excellent way of moving around in downtown Miami. It is free and runs from 5 am until midnight seven days a week.

The Metrorail runs from the north to the south of Miami across downtown and operates every day from 5 am until midnight. Easy Tickets can be purchased at any Metrorail station.

The Metrobus service covers all of the Greater Miami areas, and several buses operate 24/7. Fares can be paid with small change either on board the bus, or before entering the Metrorail – in addition, the EASY Card can be bought in certain specified outlets across the city and loaded with money or for a period of time.

The South Beach Local is the cheapest and most scenic way to travel along South Beach. The route covers the Art Deco District, making stops at more than 20 points of interest. The bus travels along Washington and West Avenues, from South Pointe to 17th Street and the Convention Center, with service running every 10-15 minutes from 8 am until 1 am on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10 am until 1 am on Sundays and holidays.

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Website: www.miamidade.gov/global/transportation/home.page

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Taxi

Cabs can be hailed from the street but are also found at several taxi stands. Make sure to take a licensed one, and the easiest way to check is by spotting the words "taxi", "cab" or "taxicab" displayed on both sides of the car, as well as the driver's license and rate card inside the car. Here are a couple of licensed cab companies in Miami:

Miami Taxi Services
+1 786 309 8805

Taxi Miami Hotels Area Cab
+1 786 366 6111

Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, are another option for getting around in Miami.

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Post

Post offices can be found across the whole city: while smaller shops and kiosks sometimes offer selected services only, the United States Postal Service (USPS) and Miami Postal Service (MPS) offices serve in every district and for every need.

Address: USPS, 2200 Northwest 72nd Avenue, Miami

Email:

Phone: +1 800 275 8777

Website: www.usps.com

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Pharmacy

Pharmacies can be found across the whole city, and they are normally marked by individual logos. A quite known pharmacy chain is Walgreens, and a central venue can be found at:

1845 Alton Road, Miami Beach
Opening hours: 7am-midnight
+1 305 531 8868

But there are other chains and shops of varying size and with different opening hours:

CVS Pharmacy
690 Northwest 57th Avenue, Miami
Opening hours: 24/7
+1 305 264 3485

VH Pharmacy
1000 Southwest 1st Street, Miami
+1 305 324 8777
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat 8:30am–2pm

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Website: www.walgreens.com

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Telephone

Country Code: +1
Area Code: 305

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Electricity

120 V, 60 Hz, A/B

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