10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Miami
By dispelling some of the prevalent myths about this well-known Florida city, these usual blunders tourists make in Miami can be easily avoided. Your time in Miami will be better if you can put those anxieties to rest, whether it was a simple mistake made during the planning stage of your trip or just poor judgment, which newcomers to the city frequently experience.
Miami is well known for its metropolitan attractiveness, which includes a stunning skyline and picturesque waterfronts that border Biscayne Bay. All of that conceals a vibrant and creative culture. Like in any place with a diverse population, having some fundamental information will also help you get along well. This is a list of errors to avoid in order to have a smooth and happy first visit to Miami.
1. Taking a cheaper flight to Fort Lauderdale
Any money you may save will be offset by the loss of valuable time.
At first glance, traveling into Miami International Airport may appear more expensive than flying into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Broward County (MIA). You might also take into account the fact that, if you arrive at FLL, Downtown Miami can be reached by taking the I-95 Express and I-95 S highways for 30 minutes in the south.
But, keep in mind that you’ll likely use an Uber or a cab, both of which might significantly deplete your money. Then there is the dreaded traffic, which will eat up a significant amount of your valuable time. South Beach is another fifteen minutes to the east of Downtown if you arrive at MIA.
2 Thinking Miami and Miami Beach are the same
These are two separate municipalities.
Less than 4 miles (or a 30-minute trip) separate Miami from Miami Beach. Many first-timers might not be aware of the contrast, particularly if they acquired an opinion of the city after seeing Miami Vice, many of which scenes were filmed in South Beach. The enormous metropolis of Miami is very different from Miami Beach in terms of style, culture, and even cuisine.
The obvious coastal vibes and trendier allure of Miami Beach and South Beach, as well as the fantastic food and nightlife, make them very appealing. Yet, if you’re looking for the “bigger package”—cool history, artistic vibes, and even modern shopping—you should visit Miami and neighborhoods like Little Havana, Wynwood, and Coconut Grove.
3 Thinking South Beach is the only beach
Miami offers much more than just surf, beach, and sun.
South Beach, also known as SoBe, is one of Miami Beach’s most well-known stretches of shoreline thanks to its pastel Art Deco architecture and streets dotted with upscale restaurants and nightclubs. Yet, if you want to completely escape the city vibe, Miami Beach’s other strips, Mid-Beach and North Beach, to the north, as well as a few oceanfront parks and lush state parks, are also worth checking out.
The fantastic locations that are right across the Rickenbacker Causeway from Downtown Miami are also worth considering. Virginia Key has stunning views of the city skylines from Hobie Island Beach Park and the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, both of which have miles of beach that are enjoyable to trek on. Key Biscayne, located further south, has two sizable parks that each offer beautiful, protected beaches and even mangrove woods.
4 Packing only for the beach
Miami offers much more than just surf, beach, and sun.
If your conception of Miami is that it’s all about the beaches, your natural inclination is to pack heavily in terms of sandals and swimsuits. The issue is that by doing this, you’re putting yourself in a situation where exploring the city itself could be really uncomfortable.
To begin with, the majority of upscale Miami Beach clubs have a rigid door policy. Furthermore, there are plenty of food, shopping, and nightlife options in Downtown Miami and the neighborhoods nearby. You will thus need to at the very least think about bringing some elegant evening attire so that you won’t be traveling or sightseeing in just your bikini and flip-flops.
5 Visiting the Everglades in peak summer
If you can’t choose the timing, be ready to go.
It is tempting to travel to Miami and Miami Beach in the summer to see the classic beach sceneries. Nevertheless, keep in mind that you’re traveling in the height of mosquito season if you want to combine your trip with a trip to the Everglades in the months of June, July, and August.
The best time to go is from December through April if you want to avoid being eaten alive by bugs. In any event, wearing long sleeves and applying repellents with DEET are very helpful. Moreover, it’s best to avoid going on tours in the early morning and late at night because these are when the insects are most active.
6 Not knowing alternative modes of transport
Metrorail, Metromover, Metrobus?
You should be aware of the drawbacks of any means of transportation you utilize in Miami. Although it can be incredibly handy to drive on your own throughout Miami, the traffic situation might not always be favorable. Fortunately, there are other options for travelling about some areas of the enormous city.
First, there is the elevated rail network known as Metrorail, which is practical for traveling to specific tourist destinations. You must first determine whether it can take you where you wish to go. Moreover, there is the Metromover in Downtown Miami, which is free and links to Metrorail at Government Center and Brickell. Buses operated by Metrobus are quite practical, however they are not known for keeping to their schedules.
7 Falling for bar and restaurant scams
These occur more frequently than you might imagine.
Try to be mindful of your surroundings when you’re out and about in Miami Beach, especially along the renowned Ocean Drive with its bars and restaurants. It’s undoubtedly one of the best areas to explore, with a wide variety of options for day and nighttime entertainment, but because it’s a popular tourist destination, there are also more frauds to watch out for.
With their half-price discounts and 2-for-1 deals, most businesses along such routes appear to be quite eager to close a deal, and sometimes pushy hostesses will entice you inside from the sidewalk. Yet, there may be unstated terms that eventually result in additional fees being charged to your bill.
8 Thinking people only speak English
Miami is a multicultural city
More than half of the people in Miami speak Spanish, which is mainly due to the fact that the majority of them were born outside of the United States. It is clear in cultural hotspots like Little Havana, where the majority of the population is made up of exiles who left Cuba during the 1950s Revolution.
Although while you may get by in Miami without knowing any Spanish, you’ll advance more quickly and even find it simpler to make new acquaintances. Remember that the next time you order a rideshare and the driver asks you for directions with an accent or even a foreign language.
9 Missing out on Miami’s art and culture
Every neighborhood has its own distinctive offerings.
The urban sprawl and contemporary pleasures of Downtown Miami and Miami Beach are not all there is to them. That’s due, at least in part, to how distinctively different each neighborhood is, each with its own history and features. The artistic neighborhood of Wynwood, with its murals and Wynwood Walls, is one of the must-see places. There is also Little Havana, which has a Calle Ocho strip that is rich in Cuban culture and cuisine.
The magnificent and masterfully constructed Coral Gables is one of the stunning outcomes of the Florida property boom of the Roaring Twenties. The City Beautiful Movement served as inspiration for the design of this metropolis, which heavily incorporated Mediterranean Revival architectural elements.
10 Missing out on Latin, Haitian, and Caribbean flavours
Miami has its fair number of restaurants run by famous chefs, but it has always been and will continue to be a mingling place for many different cultures, including Latin, Caribbean, Central, and South American. That’s excellent news for food enthusiasts because the city is home to a wide variety of unique restaurants.
With its colorful pubs and eateries serving Cuban sandwiches, mojitos, and Cuban espressos, Little Havana’s eating scene speaks for itself. Miami and South Beach are dotted with Mexican eateries. Streets of Little Haiti are lined with fruit stalls, Creole restaurants, and eccentric dive pubs in the Caribbean style. While visiting Miami, it’s a good idea to venture outside of the city’s typical attractions and try something new.