Miami Travel Guide 2026: South Beach, Art Deco, Little Havana, Costs, ESTA Rules & Tips

Miami is America's tropical gateway, a vibrant city of turquoise water, white sand, pastel Art Deco buildings and Latin rhythms. Located at the southeastern tip of Florida, it's often called the "Capital of Latin America" because of its large Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian and Caribbean communities, which give the city its unique culture, cuisine and music. Miami Beach, on a barrier island across Biscayne Bay, is home to world-famous South Beach, with its lively Ocean Drive, nightlife and the Art Deco Historic District. On the mainland, explore the street art of Wynwood, the Cuban flavours of Little Havana, the skyscrapers of Brickell, the Italian Renaissance-style Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and world-class art at Art Basel Miami Beach. Beyond the city lie the Everglades and the road trip through the Florida Keys to Key West. This Miami travel guide covers the best time to visit, top places, where to stay, how to get there and around, travel costs, entry rules (including ESTA) and practical tips.

Best Time to Visit Miami

Miami has a tropical climate, warm all year.

Winter and spring (December–April): The best time to visit, with sunny days of about 24–28°C, low humidity and little rain. It's peak season, with high prices, especially around Christmas, New Year, spring break and major events.

Summer (May–October): Hot (often above 32°C) and humid, with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Hotel prices drop.

Hurricane season (June–November): Most storms occur from August to October. Monitor forecasts, consider travel insurance and follow official instructions if a storm approaches.

Events:

• Art Basel Miami Beach (early December): One of the world's leading art fairs.
• Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival (March).
• Miami Open tennis (March).
• Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix (spring).
• Calle Ocho Music Festival (March): A huge Latin street party.

Top Places to Visit in Miami

1. South Beach

Miami's most famous beach, with wide sand, turquoise water and colourful lifeguard towers. Lummus Park runs alongside, and South Pointe Park at the southern tip is great for sunsets and watching cruise ships.

Booking tip: Book tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the queues. Book South Beach on GetYourGuide

2. Art Deco Historic District and Ocean Drive

The world's largest collection of Art Deco architecture, with more than 800 buildings from the 1920s–1940s. Take a guided walking tour from the Art Deco Welcome Center, and stroll along Ocean Drive, especially beautiful when the neon lights come on at night.

Booking tip: Book tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the queues. Book Art Deco Historic District and Ocean Drive on GetYourGuide

3. Wynwood Walls

An outdoor museum of colourful murals by world-famous street artists, surrounded by galleries, breweries, cafés and shops in the Wynwood Arts District.

Booking tip: Book tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the queues. Book Wynwood Walls on GetYourGuide

4. Little Havana

The heart of Miami's Cuban community. Walk along Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), watch older men play dominoes at Máximo Gómez Park, try a cafecito and a Cuban sandwich, and enjoy live salsa music.

Booking tip: Book tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the queues. Book Little Havana on GetYourGuide

5. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

An early 20th-century Italian Renaissance-style villa on Biscayne Bay, with lavish interiors and formal gardens.

Booking tip: Book tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the queues. Book Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on GetYourGuide

6. Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

A museum of modern and contemporary art with hanging gardens and views over the bay, next to the Frost Science Museum in Museum Park.

Booking tip: Book tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the queues. Book Pérez Art Museum Miami on GetYourGuide

7. Brickell and Downtown

Miami's financial district, with gleaming skyscrapers, rooftop bars and restaurants. Visit Bayside Marketplace and take a boat tour of Biscayne Bay to see celebrity homes on Star Island.

Booking tip: Book tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the queues. Book Brickell and Downtown on GetYourGuide

Also worth visiting: Lincoln Road Mall, the Design District, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and the Venetian Pool, Key Biscayne with Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and Zoo Miami.

Beyond Miami

• Everglades National Park: Airboat rides, alligators and wildlife, about 1 hour away. International visitors aged 16+ now pay a US$100 surcharge per person on top of the standard entrance fee at Everglades and several other top national parks; airboat tours outside the park boundaries are run by private operators.
• Florida Keys and Key West: A spectacular drive on the Overseas Highway, about 3.5–4 hours to Key West.
• Fort Lauderdale: Beaches and canals, about 45 minutes north.
• Biscayne National Park: Coral reefs and islands, mostly underwater.

Suggested 4-Day Miami Itinerary

Day 1: South Beach, Art Deco walking tour, Ocean Drive and sunset at South Pointe Park.

Day 2: Wynwood Walls, the Design District and Little Havana in the evening for salsa.

Day 3: Vizcaya, Coconut Grove, Brickell and a Biscayne Bay boat tour.

Day 4: Day trip to the Everglades or Key West.

Miami Food Scene

Try a Cuban sandwich, croquetas, pastelitos, cafecito and café con leche, stone crab claws (in season from mid-October to May), ceviche, arepas, key lime pie and fresh seafood. Miami's restaurant scene includes Latin, Caribbean and fine dining, with many trendy spots in Wynwood and Brickell.

Practical Planning Notes

Miami is spread out, so group sights by area: Miami Beach, Downtown/Brickell, Wynwood/Design District and Little Havana/Coral Gables. Traffic can be heavy, especially on causeways and bridges. Beaches are free, but parking in Miami Beach is expensive. During spring break, Miami Beach may impose curfews, parking restrictions and other measures; check local announcements. Respect beach rules, including alcohol bans on many beaches.

Where to Stay in Miami

• South Beach: Art Deco hotels, beaches and nightlife.
• Mid-Beach and North Beach: Luxury resorts and quieter beaches.
• Brickell and Downtown: Modern high-rise hotels, restaurants and business district.
• Wynwood and Design District: Boutique hotels and creative atmosphere.
• Coconut Grove and Coral Gables: Leafy, upscale neighbourhoods.
• Key Biscayne: Quiet island resorts.

Compare hotel prices and availability in Miami here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Miami

Miami International Airport (MIA) is a major hub for flights to Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean. Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), about 45 minutes north, often has cheaper flights. Search and compare cheap flights to Miami to find the best fares.

Airport Transfers

• Metrorail: Connects MIA with Downtown and Brickell.
• Buses: Express buses run to Miami Beach.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps.

By Train

Brightline high-speed trains connect Miami with Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

Getting Around

• Car hire: Useful for day trips; parking can be costly.
• Metrorail and Metromover: The Metromover in Downtown and Brickell is free.
• Miami Beach trolleys: Free local trolleys.
• Ride-hailing apps: Convenient and widely used.
• Bikes and scooters: Popular in Miami Beach.

Travel Costs in Miami

The US uses the US dollar (USD / $). Prices usually exclude sales tax, and tips are extra. Many restaurants in Miami Beach automatically add a service charge, so check your bill.

Visa Rules

• ESTA (Visa Waiver Program): Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA. The fee has been US$40 since 30 September 2025, and an ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires. Apply only through the official website or app. A proposal to make social media history mandatory on ESTA forms has been published; check whether it's in force when you apply.
• Visitor visa (B-1/B-2): Required for other nationalities. US law also introduced a US$250 "visa integrity fee" for nonimmigrant visas; check the US State Department for whether and how it is being collected.
• Canadians: Generally don't need a visa or ESTA for tourism.
• Restrictions: Entry restrictions apply to citizens of some countries. Check the US State Department website.

Local Tips for Miami

• Check for automatic service charges before tipping.
• Use strong sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
• Watch beach flags: Rip currents can be dangerous.
• Spanish is widely spoken: A few phrases go a long way.
• Staying connected: A travel eSIM is a cheap alternative to roaming. Get your USA eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Everglades airboat tours.
• Key West day trips.
• Art Deco walking tours.
• Little Havana food tours.
• Biscayne Bay boat tours.

Browse and book the best tours in Miami here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Miami

When is the best time to visit Miami?
December to April, when it's sunny, dry and less humid.

When is hurricane season in Miami?
From June to November, with the peak from August to October.

How far is Key West from Miami?
About 3.5–4 hours by car along the Overseas Highway.

Is there a fee to visit the Everglades?
Yes. There's a standard entrance fee, and international visitors aged 16+ pay an extra US$100 per person.

Do I need an ESTA to visit Miami?
Yes, if you're from a Visa Waiver Program country. The fee is US$40.

Miami combines world-famous beaches, Art Deco architecture, Latin culture and vibrant art. Whether you're relaxing on South Beach, sipping cafecito in Little Havana or spotting alligators in the Everglades, Miami offers sunshine and energy all year round.