Explore Miami
Plan Your Trip to Miami: Best of Miami Tourism
Essential Miami
How to Spend a Perfect Day in Miami's Little Havana
Cafe Versailles365Begin with a jolt of Cuban coffee. You’ll find plenty of ventanitas, extensions to coffee shops providing quick access to caffeine, and Cuban pastries like guava and cheese. Cafe Versailles is a frequent pitstop for politicians and celebrities, and for a good reason: there’s strong coffee, flaky pastries, and an atmosphere thick with cultural pride. Cuban coffee is typically made with heaps of sugar, so be sure to request yours “sin azucar” for no sugar, or, like I do, “con poca azucar,” if you like it a little bit sweet.
Maximo Gómez Park5Cigars are big in Cuban culture, so it’s no surprise to find a string of cigar shops in Little Havana. El Titan de Bronze offers a variety of premium cigars. Another favorite is Cuba Tobacco Cigar Co., a family-owned business founded by Don Bello in Las Villas, Cuba in 1896. After stocking up, head to Maximo Gomez Park (Domino Park to locals), the meeting spot for heated rounds of domino playing and conversation.
Sanguich De Miami140For lunch, nothing beats a Cuban sandwich (roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard) on a hot-pressed Cuban baguette. My go-to spot is Sanguich de Miami because everything—right down to the pickles— is made from scratch.
Azucar Ice Cream Factory460For dessert, head to Azucar Ice Cream Company. Flavors are not only exceptional, they’re a crash course in Cuban culinary culture. My favorite is Abuela Maria—an addictive blend of guava paste, cream cheese, and crumbled cookies. Cafe con leche and platano maduro (sweet plantain) hit the spot as well.
Tower Theater19I take my ice cream for a stroll to check out the area’s street murals portraying everything from the Cuban flag to “Queen of Salsa” Celia Cruz. They’re a good lead in to the area’s thriving art scene. Visit The Futurama Building, which houses 12 galleries, and check out Tower Theater, a historic movie house once used to help immigrants learn English that now serves as a cultural hub.
La Carreta1,222After my art tour, I’ve usually built up an appetite again, which is important since Cuban cuisine is tasty and arrives in portions fit for a growing teenage boy. At La Carreta, dishes are piled high with meat classics like vaca frita (crisply cooked shredded beef) and my choice, picadillo (ground beef cooked with raisins and olives) paired with sweet plantains, rice, and black beans.
Ball & Chain639Dinner and dancing more your thing? Ball & Chain, a staple since 1930, can’t be beat—there’s live music playing all day and night that will literally make it impossible not to move your feet. And trust me, you don’t want to leave without trying the classic rum and mint mojito.
Browse collections
Bring the kids
Drinks with a view
Spot the street art
All about Cuban culture
Miami on a dime
If you're feeling fancy-ish
Let the music take you
Deep dive on Art Deco
On the water
When you’ve just gotta dance
More ways to get on Florida beach time
Miami Travel Guide
Travelers' pro tips or experiencing Miami
Chris O
The Metromover and Miami Trolley are free transportation options, and serve some of the most popular parts of town.
Chris O
DO expect many more people to speak fluent Spanish than in most parts of America. DON'T assume they're foreigners just because they do!
TheLifeofT
While flip flops can be worn almost anywhere in Miami, if you are heading to a more upscale place, keep in mind that many have a dress code, especially for men. Call ahead.
ebone28
Any restaurant on South Beach has at least 18% gratuity included.
Mel_Medd
Miami is a "must visit" vacation spot. We've got everything you need; from luxurious places to those untouched historic sites. Miami is for those seeking adventure, or for the ones who would like to relax by the beach with a drink in hand. Miami welcomes everyone - with any kind of budget.
TheLifeofT
Miami is known for its warm and sunny weather, which makes it the ideal city for spending time outdoors. From white sand beaches to green parks and tropical gardens, there is an abundance of opportunities to enjoy time outside for those who want to relax, as well as those wanting to try more adventurous activities.
Chris O
From the most sophisticated upscale restaurants to the humblest of down-home haunts – with a whole lot of Latin sabor in between – there's something delicious for every palate in this sizzling hot town!
waxlady
Miami has a vibrant multicultural contemporary art scene. It hosts one of the most important art fairs yearly. It's filled with incredible museums, restaurants, and beaches.
What is the best way to get there?
flying
Miami International Airport is located around 10 miles west of South Beach. Driving or taking a taxi is typically the preferred way to get into town, but you can also take the Miami Beach Airport Flyer Bus number 150 to Miami Beach or the Metrorail directly to the Government Center station in Downtown Miami.
For more information check out the Metrobus routes and schedules as well as the Metrorail.
train
Amtrak's Silver Service line operates two trains a day between Miami and New York City, Washington, D.C., and other cities along the Eastern Seaboard.
bus
Greyhound, Megabus and others offer low-cost bus services to Miami from as far as New Jersey.
driving
Drivers usually approach Miami off the I-95 when coming from the north or the I-75 from the Midwest. Note that Miami drivers are known for being aggressive.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Miami from overseas, use the State Department’s Visa Wizard to see if you need a visa.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Miami is from around mid-February through May. The weather is pleasantly warm but the sweltering heat of summer has not yet set in. Average highs are from 80-87 °F (26-30 C) in the spring.
June through the end of November is hurricane season and high season is from late November through early April.
Get around
bus
Metrobus, Miami’s local bus system, has an extensive route system but, confusingly, each route runs on a different schedule. Fares must be paid with exact change or with an Easy Card (available for purchase from Metrorail stations and some stores). If you have to make a transfer, unless you have an Easy Card, you'll have to pay the fare again.
miami trolley
The Trolley is a free bus service that runs between Miami, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Little Havana, Coral Gables and more.
For more information, see here.
miami beach trolley
The city of Miami Beach has its own trolley service. Trolleys arrive every 10-15 minutes.
For more information, see here.
metrorail
The Metrorail is an elevated rail system serving Miami and surrounding cities. It connects many areas of tourist interest, including downtown Miami, Miami International Airport, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Lowe Art Museum, Miami Museum of Science, and more.
For more information, see here.
taxis
Taxis are plentiful, though expensive. You typically have to call ahead.
driving
Unless you are planning to stay in one area, renting a car is your best bet for getting around. Note that the causeways have automatic tolls so ask about hiring a SunPass or expect to receive a bill in the mail.
On the ground
What is the timezone?
Eastern Time Zone
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in the United States is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. The plug has two flat parallel pins.
What is the currency?
The U.S. Dollar
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
Is it easy to find a bank?
Yes.
How much do I tip?
Bartender
$1 a drink or $2 for a more labor-intensive cocktail
Restaurant
18-20%
Buffet
$1-$2 per person
Dealer
$1-$5 per session or 2-5% of your winnings
Bellman
$1 to 3 per bag
Housekeeper
$2-$3 per night
Taxi/rideshare
15-20%
Shuttle driver
$1-$2 per person
Tour guide
10-20%
Are there local customs I should know?
Drinking
The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21 years old. It’s illegal to drink in public spaces, including the beach.
Beach etiquette
Locals take the beach seriously so avoid making faux pas by respecting people’s space on the beach.
Beach safety
Don't go to a beach that is displaying a purple flag. This indicates that jellyfish, stingrays or other dangerous critters are in the water.
Greetings
Due to the strong Latin influence, locals typically greet one another with a kiss on the cheek.
Start late
Miami is a late-night city with clubs not really getting going until after midnight. Take your time: stretch out dinner and enjoy some cocktails before heading out for the night.
Respect the doormen
Dress to impress and be polite, not pushy when waiting in line to get inside a club. Note that clubs rarely admit large groups of men (with the exception of gay clubs).
Language
Spanish is used in day-to-day life in Miami. It pays to learn at least a few words.
Walking
Walk to the right of the sidewalk and step off to the side of the sidewalk if you want to stop to check your phone, look up directions, or want to take in a view.
Public transport
Allow others to disembark before boarding, don’t take up more than one seat, and stand to offer seating to pregnant women or someone with a disability.
Spitting
Spitting is considered rude in any public setting.
Find more information about local customs and etiquette in the United States generally here.
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Miami, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Miami include:
- Miami is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Miami:
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Miami between September and November, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between December and February.