Miami travel guide
United States
A city of Art Deco hotels, Cuban coffee windows and turquoise water, where Spanish is heard as often as English. Miami mixes beach days with serious art, music and Latin American food.
Essentials
- Language
- English and Spanish, both very widely spoken
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Plugs
- Type A and B, 120 V
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: around 18 to 20 percent at restaurants, though many places in Miami Beach add a service charge, so check the bill before tipping again.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $85-135, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $230-380, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Miami
- South Beach: pastel Art Deco buildings, a wide sandy beach and busy nightlife on the barrier island.
- Little Havana: Cuban cafés, cigar shops and domino games along Calle Ocho.
- Wynwood: warehouse walls covered in murals, galleries, breweries and restaurants.
Getting around Miami
Metrorail and buses take an EASY Card, and the Metromover loop around downtown and Brickell is free. Buses link the mainland to Miami Beach, though many visitors use rideshares for longer trips.
Best time to visit Miami
December to April, the dry season; June to November is hot, humid and hurricane season.
Top things to do in Miami
- Walk the Art Deco Historic District around Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue in the early morning light
- Tour Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an early 20th-century villa on Biscayne Bay
- Watch the domino players at Máximo Gómez Park on Calle Ocho, then stop for a Cuban coffee
- See the murals at the Wynwood Walls and the streets around them
- Visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami and sit on its shaded terrace over the bay
What to eat in Miami
- Cuban sandwich: roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed in Cuban bread
- Cafecito: a small, strong, sweet Cuban espresso, often shared in tiny cups
- Croquetas: fried croquettes of ham or chicken, sold by the dozen at bakeries
- Stone crab claws: served cold with mustard sauce, in season from mid-October to May
Day trips from Miami
- Everglades National Park: sawgrass marsh, alligators and wading birds, about an hour to Shark Valley by car
- Key Largo: snorkelling and glass-bottom boats over the coral reef at John Pennekamp state park, about 90 minutes by car
- Fort Lauderdale: canals, beaches and a long promenade, about 30 to 45 minutes by Brightline train
Local etiquette
A little Spanish, even just 'gracias', is warmly received. Dress for the heat but cover up away from the beach, as swimwear is not welcome in most shops and restaurants.
Staying connected
Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs from the major US carriers are easy to buy, and Wi-Fi is standard in cafés, hotels and many beachfront bars.
Staying safe
Rip currents can be strong, so swim near a lifeguard stand and check the warning flags. During hurricane season, keep an eye on forecasts and follow local advice if a storm is approaching.
A local tip
Order a cafecito from a walk-up ventanita window in the morning, standing at the counter as locals do.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Miami on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Miami for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Miami, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Miami
- What currency is used in Miami?
- Miami uses the US dollar (USD).
- What is the emergency number in Miami?
- In Miami, call 911.
- When is the best time to visit Miami?
- December to April, the dry season; June to November is hot, humid and hurricane season.
- How much does a day in Miami cost?
- Roughly $85-135 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $230-380 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Miami?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Miami without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.