Travel Tips | Miami (Eng.)

TRAVEL TIPS

OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES SHOPPING COMPRAS WHERE ONDETO FICAR STAY WHERE ONDE COMER TO EAT

OVERVIEW OVERVIEW Known as the “Magic City”, Miami is one of the

rical architecture to trying the delicacies of

world’s leading tourist destinations. Located

award-winning restaurants, the tourist will

in Florida, it is the second most populous city

always be immersed in an environment that

in the state (with about 400 thousand inhabi-

seems to have been made to both entertain

tants), second only to Jacksonville. The warm

and inspire.

weather throughout the year and its famous pristine beaches attract tourists from many

However, perhaps one of the best things to

different places.

do in Miami is relax and chill out. After all, its beaches are an invitation to a deserved relaxa-

The most difficult part of planning your vaca-

tion or multiple activities snorkeling, kayaking,

tion in Miami is deciding what to do, what to

Stand Up Paddling (SUP), windsurfing or

see and where to go. Boasting on options for

fishing. Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, the city

activities, areas to explore and attractions to

is home to the only underwater national park

enjoy, you can always find something new for

in the country, Biscayne National Park, where

all personalities and ages. Miami offers every

you can swim next to bright coral reefs and

imaginable activity: from exploring the histo-

admire the marine beauty.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MIAMI

Art and culture enthusiasts find in Miami a

As opposed to what many people may think,

destination full of great surprises. The beautiful

Miami and Miami Beach are two separated

buildings in pastel colors of the Art Deco Histo-

cities. Although both belong to the Miami-

ric District are already a unique attraction. In

Dade County and are located near each other,

North Miami, there are spectacular collections

Miami Beach has an area of 39km² and can be

of modern and contemporary art and design.

divided into South Beach, Mid-Beach (Miami

The visitors get attracted to the beautiful ballet

Beach Central) and North Beach. Miami, on the

performances, opera, symphonic concerts and

other hand, is quite a populous city with seve-

even nightly exhibitions in art galleries.

ral regions, including Downtown Miami, Brickell and Wynwood. Miami covers a total area of

When it comes to providing entertainment,

143 km², from which 50 km² are comprised by

Miami is definitely proud of having one of the

water.

most famous nightlife environments of the United States. It is indeed unique! From Latin to

Because it is located near Cuba, Miami concen-

house music, including live concerts, the best

trates a large community of Cuban exiles,

places to go are in South Beach and Down-

mainly in the region known as Little Hava-

town Miami.

na Due to its warm weather; the city receives

to March) is dry and mild, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 23ºC. During the spring (from March to July), temperatures range from 22ºC to 30ºC. As in the fall (September to December), thermometers range from 26ºC to 31ºC.

TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE As Miami is located in an extensive area and offers a variety of leisure activities, the best option for getting around the city is to rent a car. However, public transportation is very efficient when it comes to moving around the downtown area.

Metromover The best alternative for visiting the city’s tourist attractions. Aside from being entirely free of charge, the wagons are very comfortable, fast and count on an air conditioning many American tourists who find in it a place to “escape” the snow and colder temperatures.

Since the ‘20s, tourism became the city’s main source of income.

In addition to English, Spanish is also widely spoken in the area due to the large number of Americans who have Cuban, Puerto Rican and Mexican origins. Miami is also home to a large Jewish colony.

As it has a tropical weather, most of the year is hot and humid. In the summer (from June to September), it gets extremely hot and the temperatures vary between from 28ºC to 29ºC, on average, and it can reach 38ºC in the warmer days. Winter (from December

system. Visitors can visit the main tourist spots, such as the AmericanAirlines Arena, the Museum Park, and the Arsht Center. The tours are near Downtown Miami and Brickell.

Metrorail A great option for those who want to know other areas of the city. The main destinations of the Metromover system include the AmericanAirlines Arena, the Bayside Marketplace, Miami-Dade College and the Miami-Dade County School Board. Tickets can be purchased at the stations or online.

Metrobus The best option to visit the more remote areas in Miami and neighboring districts such as Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Homestead, Fort

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Lauderdale and the Florida Keys. The buses

There are dozens of these stations, scatte-

enables connections with both Metrorail and

red across Miami Beach, Surfside, Bay Harbor

Metromover. On the bus signs, you can find

Islands and Miami.

information on the main stops and the final stop. The ticket can be purchased at the time

Car

of the trip (it is recommended that you have

Even though signaling is a positive feature of

spare bills and coins, since there are no chan-

our roads, there are stretches of highways and

ge options), either in specific stations or onli-

expressways that may confuse the tourists.

ne. Some lines operate 24 hours a day, but it

Therefore, renting a car, including a GPS devi-

is advisable to check the routes and operating

ce, is recommended. In Miami, all parking spots

hours beforehand.

are charged, even those on the streets. Some of them accept credit cards and prepaid cards.

Bicycle The best option for moving around in Miami

Tip

Beach. The Decobike is the 24/7 hours a day

Tourists can download the Miami-Dade Transit

bicycle rental. The tourists select for how long

Tracker and the Miami Trolley apps, available

they will need the bike - from 30 min to 24h

for iPhone and Android, which help in getting

- inserts their credit card, select the bike and

around the city.

then they just need to return it in any station.

ATTRACTIONS Cosmopolitan and tropical, Miami offers attractions for every taste. With several beaches, numerous places to go shopping, a busy nightlife and rich culture and art; it is common for tourists to get confused with so many leisure options.

Known as the American Riviera, South Beach is one of the city’s most iconic landscapes. The sea, colored by shades of light blue, and the white sands are an invitation for diving. It is worth contemplating the Ocean Drive horizon while riding a bike or walking along the beach.

At night, the place bubbles with the various

clubs and trendy restaurants. Those who enjoy a busy nightlife must also know Downtown Miami, with several nightclubs for every taste.

The Architects’ Paradise, South Beach also has beautiful buildings in Art Deco style. After a day at the beach, you will not regret visiting the Art Deco Welcome Center on Ocean Drive, a museum that gathers architectural relics from the ‘30s.

Those looking for a quieter and less crowded beach should visit the Mid-Beach, North Beach and Surfside areas, ideal for relaxing. The turquoise-colored sea of Bal Harbour Beach, the northern end of the main stretch of the beach in Miami Beach, is also a great option for those looking for relaxation. At the end of

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MIAMI

the day, the tip is to enjoy dining in one of the elegant bistros along the waterfront.

Another must-visit is the Biscayne National Park, the only underwater national park in the USA. There, tourists are able to ride on a glass bottom boat and admire some marine animals, and swim around colorful coral reefs. Another place worth visiting is the Crandon Park, located in Key Biscayne. With beaches, a tennis center, a golf course and a nature preservation center, it is a great option to spend the day on a family trip.

For those traveling with children, you must visit the Miami Zoo, home to about two thousand animals, including various species from South America. Also for those who love animals, it is impossible not to swim with the dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium or not to laugh at the hilarious monkeys from Monkey Jungle.

For the visitors who appreciate art and culture, it is mandatory to visit Wynwood, a

Located in Downtown Miami, on the shores of Biscayne Bay, the AmericanAirlines Arena is one of the biggest gymnasiums in the city.

The official basketball matches and the best

neighborhood counting on more than 70 art

concerts, shows and events happen here. It

galleries. Museums such as the Miami Art

also hosts the matches of the Miami Heat, an

Museum, the Lowe Art Museum and the

American basketball team, for the NBA.

Museum of Contemporary Art are home to amazing collections of antique, modern and

Another place that hosts major events is the

contemporary art and design. Once a month,

Museum Park. Formerly called the Bicenten-

the galleries promote art exhibitions at night.

nial Park, it is also located in Downtown Miami and covers an area of 130,000 square meters.

Miami also attracts artists from all around the world to the Art Basel Miami Beach, a major

With a capacity for 45,000 people, it hosts the major events in the city, such as the Ultra

art fair that brings works and collectors of

Music Festival, for example, and countless rock

various nationalities. To watch the great dance,

concerts. From there, one can also take boat

comedy and acting performances, tourists

trips around the Biscayne Bay.

cannot miss visiting the Arsht Center.

As for those who want to know a little bit of Cuba without leaving Miami, Little Havana

SHOPPING Known as the shopping heaven, it is almost impossible to leave Miami without feeling your suitcase a little bit heavier. Many tourists even take an extra trolley bag when they go to the malls and outlets, in order to store their purchased items as they shop. Even only in few hours inside the airport, it is easy to find yourself carrying many bags. With such a variety of shops as the 10-Dollar Boutique, the Hudson on News, Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Sunglass Hut, and Tech on the Go, Michael Kors the options for the visitor to buy electronics, sunglasses, handbags and clothing are never-ending.

With a view to Biscayne Bay, the Bayside will make the tourists feel like they are on the

Marketplace is home to over 150 stores with

Caribbean island. With colorful streets, restau-

the best American brands. It is a great place

rants and Cuban cigar shops, the place charms

to buy souvenirs and mementos from the

its visitors with the rich Latin culture. Usually,

trip because the kiosks sell local crafts, jewel-

the best day to visit the location is on Fridays,

ry, leather goods and gifts from all around the

when there is an art and cultural event called

world. With a beautiful view to the sea, Baysi-

Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays). Little

de is also the boarding point for many water

Havana is also home to several art galleries

tours in Miami.

and Cuban souvenir shops.

Those who enjoy an alternative clothing style It is impossible to talk about Miami without

should visit the Design District, north of Miami.

mentioning its amazing and vibrant nightli-

In an area of over 10,000 square meters, visi-

fe. Considered one of the best nightlife scena-

tors will find second-hand items, clothes,

rios in the United States, you can have fun

accessories, objects and goods from past deca-

until the sun is up at the bars, nightclubs and

des. The site also concentrates art, furniture

the trendiest parties in the planet, such as the

and home decor items galleries.

Louis Bar Lounge, Mokai and SET. In order to avoid long lines, please follow our tip, which is

Those who enjoy shopping outdoors must go

contacting the venues prior to your visit, and

to Lincoln Road, in Miami Beach. With its stre-

putting your name on the list.

ets closed for the circulation of cars, the loca-

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MIAMI

tion becomes an excellent shopping spot.

In the United States, the Sales Tax varies accor-

There is a fair called the Green Market, famous

ding to each state. In Florida, the Sales Tax

for selling organic products such as vegetables

ranges from 6% to 7%. Therefore all of the

and fruits, and typical farm products such as

tourist’s purchases, including hotel daily fees

honey, cheese and juice. There is also the Anti-

and car rental have their value increased by

que and Collectible Market, which happens

6%. Unlike other countries in Latin America and

from time to time and it offers the tourist

Europe, in the US the taxes are refunded only

numerous crafts, vintage products, paintings, a

in some states. This refund is also known as

variety of clothes and accessories.

VAT (Value Added Tax).

To get rid of taxes and fees, the best option is

Currency and Tax

to purchase at the Dufry Group Stores. Check

The currency is the US Dollar and is represen-

here the list of countries that count on Duty

ted as US$. The most common bills are those

Free shops.

of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars and the coins are 25 cents (quarter), 10 (dime), 5 (nickel), 1 (penny). It is hard to find 50 cents or 1-dollar coins. Credit cards are accepted as long as they are linked to the international banking system.

WHERE TO STAY The type of accommodation depends on the purpose of the trip and the profile of the visitor. Miami offers several options for business travelers, those who travel with their families and friends, or those who are on a budget.

Since it is a very popular tourist destination, we advise you to book in advance.

Miami Beach With an area of 39 km², from which 19.5 km² are bathed in water, Miami Beach is a great

Airport area Ideal for those traveling on a budget. Here the tourist will find hotels with great cost/benefit. As it is not a central area, renting a car is essential if you want to move around with ease, as the public transportation falls short in this area.

Coconut Grove Is a good option for those who want to see the city on foot. Here, you can find many restaurants and cafes. However, if you want to go to the farther areas in Miami, you must rent a car.

place for those who want to relax and enjoy

WHERE TO EAT

the beautiful beaches within the area. South Beach is the busiest area, with an intense nightlife and consisting of many hotel-boutiques with Art Deco architecture. One of the advantages of staying in this area is that you can do almost everything on foot or by bike.

However, it is not recommended for those looking to save money. Bal Harbour, for instance, which is located in North Miami Beach, is ideal for those looking for comfort, elegance and sophistication. With accommodations with a view to the beach, visitors find luxury hotels, spas and first class resorts.

Downtown Miami/Brickell In view of being a commercial area, this location receives many people traveling on business. In this area, the tourist will have options of hotels from large networks with more affordable prices, but which also offer a beautiful view, as well as great restaurants and shops.

At a 15-minute distance from South Beach, Downtown Miami has cheaper options and accommodations close to the beach.

The cultural diversity and the influence of neighbors from Caribe, Central America and South America made Miami cuisine extremely rich. The Cuban cuisine is one of the most typical in the city, but you can also find restaurants with traditional food from countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Argentina.

Little Havana gathers the main Cuban restaurants, considered by many visitors as the best in Miami. Anyone looking for a typical Cuban dinner, to have lunch in involved by the Latin beat or for a delicious breakfast, finds some delicious options in this neighborhood.

You can also enjoy Haiti and Dominican Republic cuisines in the Greater Miami restaurants.

In Little Haiti, tourists find the authentic flavor of Haitian food. You should try the diri kole ak PWA (rice and beans), Poul (chicken) and goat meat.

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Those looking for a luxurious dinner by the sea will find excellent options in Bal Harbour. Coral Gables is the ideal place for a family lunch.

Coconut Grove attracts visitors with its laid-back bars and restaurants along the waterfront.

A delicious dinner, surrounded by a luxurious green landscape facing the sea turns every trip into something even more charming.

The eclectic Miami Beach offers several options to spend a quiet day on the beach and elegant restaurants to have dinner in the evening. Downtown Miami has the ideal places for business lunch meetings and happy hours, accompanied by delicious cocktails.

With golf courses and several places to shop for famous brands, Coral Gables has been an area much sought after by tourists who are looking for a luxurious vacation. In the area, there are also options for Italian restaurants and outdoor cafes. Besides the shopping, the Design District is also known for its irresistible concept restaurants. In this neighborhood, tourists can also find trendy cafes and street bars.

Very popular, Asian cuisine is also a hit in Miami. With its great variety, it is easy to find options of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. The irresistible sushi fishes are always fresh and the slices are really thin. Be sure to try the international beers.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

1 305 911

COUNTRY CODE CITY CODE POLICE

FIRE DEPT

+1 305 673-7111 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

+1 305 513 7700 Miami International Airport

+1 305 876-7000 INFORMAÇÕES TURÍSTICAS

+1 305 673-7400