Miami Is America's Most International City
Miami doesn't feel like America. It feels like a Caribbean-Latin fusion city that happens to be on the US mainland. The majority of residents speak Spanish. The architecture is Art Deco pastel. The nightlife runs until sunrise. The food is Cuban, Peruvian, Haitian, Colombian, and everything in between.
For UK visitors, Miami offers genuine exoticism — something most American cities can't claim. It's simultaneously glamorous, gritty, culturally rich, and absolutely hedonistic. The beach is right there, the Everglades are 45 minutes away, and the Florida Keys extend like a broken motorway into the Caribbean Sea.
Where to Stay
South Beach
The classic Miami experience. Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive, the beach is literally across the road, restaurants and bars everywhere. Expensive but iconic. Walk everywhere.
Brickell
Miami's financial district, now packed with rooftop bars and excellent restaurants. Modern high-rises, walkable, good metro access. Less touristy than South Beach.
Wynwood
The arts district. Murals everywhere, galleries, craft breweries, excellent nightlife. More local, more interesting than South Beach. Uber to the beach in 15 minutes.
Coconut Grove
Miami's oldest neighbourhood. Waterfront, marina, leafy streets, relaxed. Great for a more chilled-out base.
The Must-Do Experiences
South Beach & Art Deco Walking Tour
Walk Ocean Drive in the morning before the heat hits. The pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings are one of the most photographed streetscapes in America. Then swim. The water is warm. The sand is white. This is real.
Everglades Airboat Tour
45 minutes from Miami. Board an airboat that skims across the swamp at 50mph while an alligator watches you from 10 feet away. This is one of the most exhilarating experiences in Florida. Half-day tours are about £40-60. Book with a reputable operator.
Little Havana (Calle Ocho)
Walk along Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street). Get a cafecito (Cuban espresso — tiny, powerful, sweet) from Versailles Restaurant. Watch older Cuban men play dominoes in Máximo Gómez Park. Eat a Cuban sandwich (pressed ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard on Cuban bread). This is Havana without the visa.
Key West Day Trip
Drive the Overseas Highway — a 113-mile road that crosses the ocean on 42 bridges, connecting the Florida Keys like a string of pearls. Key West itself is the end of the road: Ernest Hemingway's house, sunset at Mallory Square, rum cocktails, conch fritters, and a gloriously quirky atmosphere. The drive alone is one of America's greatest road trips.
Wynwood Walls
An outdoor museum of street art in the Wynwood arts district. The murals are extraordinary — curated, large-scale works by international artists. Walk the surrounding blocks for more galleries, boutiques, and some of Miami's best restaurants. Free.
Water Sports
Miami Beach: jet ski hire (£50/30 mins), paddleboarding (£25/hr), parasailing (£60-80), kayaking through the mangroves in Key Biscayne. At least one afternoon on the water is essential.
Food & Drink
What to Eat
- Cuban sandwich — The real one. From Versailles, Sanguich de Miami, or any Cuban bakery. £4-6.
- Stone crab claws — In season (October–May). Joe's Stone Crab is legendary (and legendary queues). Alternatively, any good seafood restaurant.
- Ceviche — Miami's Peruvian community makes extraordinary ceviche. CVI.CHE 105 downtown.
- Arepas — Venezuelan corn cakes stuffed with various fillings. Find them in Doral or any Latin food spot.
- Key lime pie — Florida's official state pie. Tangy, creamy, with a Graham cracker crust. Available everywhere.
Where to Drink
- Broken Shaker — Craft cocktail bar at the Freehand Miami hostel. Consistently rated one of America's best bars.
- Ball & Chain — Little Havana institution. Live salsa music, mojitos, cigars on the patio. The authentic Miami experience.
- Wynwood Brewing Company — Miami's first craft brewery. In the heart of Wynwood.
- Rooftop bars — Sugar (Brickell), Juvia (South Beach), Area 31 (Downtown).
Getting Around
Uber/Lyft Are Essential
Miami's public transport is limited. Uber and Lyft are cheap and readily available. South Beach to Wynwood is about £8-12. Airport to South Beach is £15-25.
The Metromover (Free)
A free elevated train that loops through Downtown and Brickell. Useful if you're staying in those areas. Omni Loop, Brickell Loop, and Inner Loop.
Renting a Car
Essential for the Everglades, the Keys, or any day trip. Rental from Miami Airport is straightforward. Parking in South Beach is painful — street meters and garages fill up fast. Budget £15-25/day for parking.
Day Trips from Miami
| Destination | Distance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Key West | 3.5 hrs | Overseas Highway, Hemingway's house, sunset at Mallory Square |
| Everglades National Park | 45 mins | Airboat tours, alligators, kayaking through mangroves |
| Fort Lauderdale | 30 mins | Beautiful beach, Las Olas Boulevard, more relaxed than Miami |
| The Bahamas | 3 hrs by ferry | Fast ferry to Nassau/Bimini — day trip to the Caribbean |
| Naples / Marco Island | 2 hrs | Gulf of Mexico beaches, quieter, Ten Thousand Islands |
Budget Snapshot
| Item | Approximate Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Heathrow → MIA (return) | £400-750 |
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | £130-220 |
| Everglades airboat tour | £40-60 |
| Cuban sandwich | £4-6 |
| Key West day trip (fuel + food) | £60-80 |
| Craft cocktail | £10-14 |
| Week total (budget) | £1,300-1,800 |
| Week total (comfortable) | £2,200-3,500 |
Insider Tips
- Summers are brutal. June-September is hot (35°C+), humid, and prone to afternoon thunderstorms. November–April is the ideal season — warm, dry, and gorgeous.
- Learn three Spanish phrases. "Hola," "gracias," and "cafecito por favor." Miami is >70% Hispanic. Spanish goes a long way.
- South Beach is for tourists. Brickell is for locals. If you want the real Miami nightlife and food scene, go where the locals go.
- Book Everglades tours for the morning. Wildlife is more active early, temperatures are cooler, and afternoon storms are less likely.
- Dress code exists. Miami nightclubs enforce dress codes strictly. No shorts, no flip-flops, no trainers. Bring smart-casual evening clothes.