Miami Beach, the perfect place for visitors looking for fun, sun and beach.
Located on the south-eastern tip of Florida, Miami is cosmopolitan, artistic, seductive and festive. Over the years, the city has grown from a swamp to a vast metropolis. Known as the Magic City, Miami can be both glamorous and urban with its colourful, quaint and original neighbourhoods and intense nightlife. A multilingual and multicultural melting pot, a city of art, design and architectural daring, Miami reveals itself every day as one of America's most exciting creative centres.
Ocean Drive at sunset
- © Sean Pavone / ShutterstockCruising, art and culture, beaches, gastronomy, nightlife, parks, outdoor activities, shopping, wellness, Miami clearly has all the ingredients to please. It also perfectly assumes its role as a city of show-offs, parties and body worship. And these are not clichés! The voluptuous city boasts beautiful white sandy beaches, palm-studded lanes and beautiful hilltop hotels with exceptional views. It's a sight to behold, and for good reason - its landscape has often been used as a backdrop for films.
As you walk around Miami, the city reveals a more aesthetic, artistic and cultural soul. At the cutting edge of contemporary art and design, it is full of art galleries and museums (MoCA, Bass Museum of Art). It also boasts beautiful designer hotels and prestigious shows. The city's exotic image with its colourful neighbourhoods: Little Havana, Little Haiti, Coconut Grove.
Art Deco in all its splendor in one of Miami's neighborhoods
- © Richard Goldberg / ShutterstockMiami is alive 24 hours a day, with restaurants and cafes bustling all day and clubs to dance the night away. It's impossible to get bored!
You can go shopping on Lincoln Road Mall, rent a boat and sail around Miami Bay, or just relax on the beautiful beaches. The ocean side is undoubtedly one of the city's assets. Clean, beautiful and long, the beaches are great for jogging, sunbathing, picnicking, playing, swimming or working out... in short, it's "the place to be in Miami".
Children playing in the Miami Beach ice cream museum
- © Yailen / ShutterstockMiami is also a perfect stopover for families with children. The Miami Children's Museum is a children's paradise with several interactive and bilingual galleries. Other attractions not to be missed: Monkey Jungle, Jungle Island, Miami Metrozoo and Miami Seaquarium.
The blue sky is reflected in the calm waters of the Everglades, while tourists are on the lookout for alligators.
- © allouphoto / ShutterstockAround Miami, other landscapes can be seen, wilder, far from the beaten track. You can escape the hectic city to two national parks: the Everglades and the Biscayne National Park, accessible by boat. More lazy and zen, the Keys (from Key Largo to Key West) allow you to stroll while following the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway.
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There are many flights to Miami from the UK. From London, it takes an average of eight hours to fly, with or without a stopover, depending on the airline you choose. From Miami International Airport, it takes about 40 minutes to get to South Beach and 25 minutes to get to the centre.
For accommodation, there is something for everyone and for all budgets: flats, hotels, hostels, motels, boats... The ideal area is South Beach, which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the Art Deco district and enjoy the beaches. The best thing to do is to book as early as possible.
To enter the United States, there are three types of visas: tourist, work and study. In the case of a tourist trip as a UK citizen, you will need a valid biometric or electronic passport as well as an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) before boarding. This application is made online and the decision is made within 72 hours of registration. The ESTA costs £18 (to be paid by credit card on the website) and is valid for two years.
Note that to travel to the United States, each member of a family must have their own passport, including babies and children.
The official currency in Miami is the US dollar. There are ATMs everywhere in Miami, but all cash withdrawals incur a surcharge of about £2,5. However, the best way to limit bank charges is to pay directly with your credit card. The exchange rate applied at the time of payment will be that of the moment.
You should also be aware that tipping is common in the United States. Thus, prices in shops, hotels, restaurants, parks (except museums) are often tax free. This tax varies from more than 10% in the hotel industry and in the sales and food sector. Many tourism professionals also depend on tips, such as guides, luggage handlers (£0.8 per piece of luggage), cleaners (about £4 for a weekend), waiters (15% to 20% depending on the service), taxi drivers, etc.
The months of October through May offer mild weather for exploring Miami. It rains less, the sun is out (with an average temperature of 30°C in October) and the humidity is bearable to enjoy the beaches and all the neighbourhoods. Although it is possible to go during the summer (June to September), the season is prone to hurricanes, storms and high rainfall, not to mention the humidity which is a burden at this time.
Miami, like any large American city, is still safe to visit, however, you should be careful and avoid some dangerous areas at night. The Liberty City area (northwest of the city) is one of the most undesirable areas with a high crime rate due to drug trafficking and gangs. Another area to avoid is Overtown (northwest of downtown), which is known for its gun violence. Finally, Little Haiti (presence of gangs and mafia networks) and Little Havana (tourists are advised to stay away from the tourist areas) should also be avoided at night.
The emergency number is 911.
It is well known that the American health system is not free. Even the smallest problem can turn into a financial disaster. The minimum amount for a basic medical consultation is about £245 and a simple sprained ankle costs several thousand dollars. It is recommended that you take out insurance with minimal coverage.
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