10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Miami
What Not to Do in Miami on Your First Visit
These typical mistakes people make when visiting Miami can be easily avoided by just clearing up some of the common misconceptions surrounding this popular Floridian city. Be it an innocent bungle in the travel planning phase or just bad judgment that first-timers to the city often face, your time in Miami is better with such worries out of the way.
Miami draws travelers with its urban beauty, beautiful skyline, and gorgeous waterfronts bordering Biscayne Bay. Underneath all that lies a rich and artistic culture. And, like any culturally diverse place, a little basic knowledge will get you a long way. Here’s a list of mistakes to avoid so your first visit to Miami is smooth and enjoyable.
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Miami
- Taking a cheaper flight to Fort Lauderdale
- Thinking Miami and Miami Beach are the same
- Thinking South Beach is the only beach
- Packing only for the beach
- Visiting the Everglades in peak summer
- Failing to find alternate modes of transportation
- Falling for bar and restaurant scams
- Thinking people only speak English
- Missing out on Miami’s art and culture
- Missing out on Latin, Haitian, and Caribbean flavors
1. Taking a cheaper flight to Fort Lauderdale
Whatever you might save in money, you’ll lose in precious time
Ideale per: Coppie, Famiglie
The option of flying to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Broward County might be tempting as the airfare might seem cheaper than flying into Miami International Airport (MIA). You could also be considering that, if you land at FLL, getting to Downtown Miami is just a matter of half an hour’s driving south on the I-95 Express and I-95 S highways.
Mind though, you’ll be getting a cab, or a rideshare, which alone can take a considerable part of your budget. Then there’s the notorious traffic, which will then take a hefty part of your precious time. Land at MIA, and Downtown is just a 15-minute drive away and South Beach another 15 minutes east.
Taking a cheaper flight to Fort Lauderdale
2. Thinking Miami and Miami Beach are the same
They’re two distinct municipalities
Ideale per: Cibo, Vita notturna
Miami and Miami Beach are a little over 4 miles (or half an hour’s drive) apart. Many first-timers might not realize the distinction, especially if their impressions of the city were formed through watching Miami Vice, which had plenty of its episodes shot around South Beach. In reality, Miami Beach is distinct from the sprawling city of Miami in style, culture, and even cuisine.
Miami Beach and South Beach are certainly attractive for their trendier appeal and obvious coastal vibes, as well as great dining and nightlife. But if it’s the “larger package,” with great history, exciting art scene, and modern shopping, you’re after, then head for Miami and neighborhoods such as Little Havana, Wynwood, and Coconut Grove.
Thinking Miami and Miami Beach are the same
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3. Thinking South Beach is the only beach
There are many more miles of coast to enjoy
Ideale per: Avventure, Foto
South Beach, aka SoBe, is among Miami Beach’s most famous stretches of coastline but it’s not the only one. Other strips worth checking out include Mid-Beach and North Beach just up north, as well as a few beachfront parks and verdant state parks to escape the big city altogether.
You’ll find other great spots just across the Rickenbacker Causeway from Downtown Miami, too. There’s Virginia Key, with Hobie Island Beach Park offering beautiful downtown skylines, as well as the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park with its mile-long beach that’s a pleasure to hike. Head further south to Key Biscayne and spend a day in its two large parks that each treat you to fine, sheltered beaches, and even mangrove forests.
Thinking South Beach is the only beach
4. Packing only for the beach
There’s way more to Miami than just sun, sand, and surf
Ideale per: Coppie, Vita notturna, Acquisti
If your idea of Miami is that it’s all about the beach, the natural instinct is to pack accordingly and bring mainly swimwear and sandals. The problem is that, in doing so, you’re setting yourself up for some really uncomfortable times when you decide to explore the city itself.
For starters, most top Miami Beach clubs run a strict door policy. Furthermore, Downtown Miami and its surrounding neighborhoods all have their own share of dining, shopping, and nightlife scenes to offer. So, consider packing some chic eveningwear if you intend to visit the more upscale dining venues or clubs and casual streetwear to avoid exploring in your swimsuit and flip-flops.
Packing only for the beach
5. Visiting the Everglades in peak summer
If you don’t have a choice on timing, come prepared
Ideale per: Avventure, Coppie, Famiglie
If you want to bundle your visit with a trip to the Everglades around the summer months of June, July, and August, note that you’re visiting during prime mosquito season. If you’d rather avoid being eaten alive by bugs, December through April is a wonderful time to visit. The winter months bring warm temperatures, lower humidity, abundant sunshine to South Florida, and far less rain than the summer months.
If you decide to see the Everglades in summer, covering up in long sleeves and wearing DEET-based repellents greatly helps. Also, avoid setting out on tours in the early mornings and evenings as these are the times when the insects are most lively.
Visiting the Everglades in peak summer
6. Failing to find alternate modes of transportation
Metrorail, Metromover, Metrobus?
Ideale per: Budget, Coppie, Famiglie
Whatever mode of transportation you choose to use in Miami, it’s good to know about each of their downsides. While driving around Miami on your own can be very convenient, traffic conditions may not always be on your side. Fortunately, alternatives are available for getting around certain sections of the big city.
The elevated rail system known as Metrorail is useful for getting to particular sites of interest. You just need to study the line map to know which line to take. Downtown Miami’s free Metromover rail network connects to Metrorail at Government Center and Brickell. Metrobus buses are pretty convenient if you’re not in a hurry. If you’re not traveling on budget, hail a cab or use ride-sharing services.
Failing to find alternate modes of transportation
7. Falling for bar and restaurant scams
They’re more common than you might’ve thought
Ideale per: Cibo, Vita notturna
Ocean Drive is one of the best places to explore, with plenty of entertainment offerings to choose from, but there are more scams to look out for, too. When out and about in Miami Beach and its bars and restaurants areas, try to be well aware of what’s going on around you.
Most spots along busy roads seem eager to make a sale with their half-price discounts and 2-for-1 offers, sometimes with pushy hostesses ushering you in from the sidewalk. However, hidden conditions may apply, with extra charges eventually getting added to your bill. Avoid ordering food that wasn’t advertised with a discount because their prices might be blown out of proportion and your meal surprisingly expensive in the end.
Falling for bar and restaurant scams
8. Thinking people only speak English
Miami is a multicultural city
Ideale per: Coppie, Famiglie, Storia
Spanish is spoken by more than half of Miami’s population, partially because well over half of Miami’s residents were born outside the USA. That’s evident in cultural pockets like Little Havana, whose community is mostly made up of exiles who fled the Cuban Revolution back in the 1950s.
That’s not to say that you can’t get by with just English, but you’ll get further and even make new friends easier in Miami by knowing some handy Spanish phrases. Just bear that in mind when you order a rideshare and your driver happens to ask you where to go in an accent, or even in a different language.
Thinking people only speak English
9. Missing out on Miami’s art and culture
Each different neighborhood has its own unique offerings
Ideale per: Storia, Foto
Each Miami and Miami Beach neighborhood is so distinct, with its own history, characteristics, culture, and art scene. Among the must-visits is the arty district of Wynwood with its murals and Wynwood Walls. There’s also Little Havana with its Cuban culture and cuisine-filled Calle Ocho strip.
The Florida land boom of the Roaring Twenties brought some beautiful results in the luxurious and beautifully planned Coral Gables. This city was planned from the ground up and inspired by The City Beautiful Movement, heavily featuring Mediterranean Revival architectural styling. Don’t miss the upscale neighborhood of Coconut Grove, home to the waterfront Vizcaya Museum & Gardens as well as lush parks hugging the shoreline of Biscayne Bay.
Missing out on Miami’s art and culture
10. Missing out on Latin, Haitian, and Caribbean flavors
Miami is a melting pot with an ever-expanding dining scene
Ideale per: Coppie, Famiglie, Cibo
Miami has its fair share of celebrity chef establishments, but it has and always will be a melting pot of diverse cultures, including Latin, Caribbean, and Central and South American. That’s good news to those up for a culinary adventure, with a vast array of different eateries available throughout the city.
The dining scene down in Little Havana speaks for itself with its eclectic bars and restaurants offering Cuban sandwiches, mojitos, and Cuban espressos. Mexican restaurants dot Miami and South Beach. Little Haiti has streets lined with fruit stands and Creole restaurants, as well as quirky Caribbean-style dive bars. Be sure to explore beyond the usual offerings and try something new while in Miami.
Missing out on Latin, Haitian, and Caribbean flavors
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