Whether you’re visiting Miami for the first time or the 100th, if you want to make the most of your trip it’s important to know these top 15 places in the city. This guide will show you how to vacation in Miami using public transportation, great restaurants, and cultural hotspots that locals frequent.

Vacationing in Miami is a great idea. This city is full of luxurious hotels, extravagant night clubs and a ton of beautiful women and men. There are many places you can vacation in, but Miami is one the best. The nightlife, restaurants and people make this city very desirable for your next vacation. How to vacation in Miami is something that many people wonder about. In this post, we’ll be answering the question and describing just what you can do to have an amazing time during your vacations.

If you’re looking for a fun city to visit, you may find what you’re looking for by planning a vacation in Miami. This exciting city features amazing weather, incredible attractions, and a number of ways for tourists to enjoy themselves.

Navigate the city like a local with these essential Miami travel tips

Miami can be a tough coconut to crack. From over-hyped clubs to overcrowded beaches and overpriced Miami restaurants, it’s not hard to fall prey to this city’s ocean of underwhelming and frankly unwelcome trappings. Even the most seasoned local isn’t immune from accidentally parking in a tow-away zone, double-tipping on the bill or suffering through a truly terrible tasting menu. Still, every visitor should know a few key bits of information before a trip to Miami. Follow our tips and in no time you’ll be sipping cocktails at the best bars in Miami, dancing at the best South Beach clubs and posting selfies with all the cool art you saw at Miami’s best museums. Act like a local; have fun like a tourist.

How To Vacation In Miami

RECOMMENDED: The best Miami attractions

Essential Miami travel tips

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1. Our little coffees pack a big punch

Down in Little Havana—and everywhere in Miami, really—you’ll find Cuban coffee. But proceed with caution. Despite its adorable size, the cafecito packs a serious caffeine punch. One (or even half of one if you’re not a coffee drinker) will do the trick.

Photograph: Dan Vidal

2. We’re a late-night city

Planning on going clubbing? Be warned: if you show up at one of Miami’s major nightclubs at 11pm, it might just be you and the bartenders. Many Miami clubs don’t get going till well after midnight. And in the 24-hour district, at clubs such as Space, headlining DJs often won’t go on until 3am.

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3. Sunscreen, baby

Wear it! Love it! Never leave the house without it—especially if you happen to be from one of those climates with an actual winter. The Florida sun is no joke and getting scorched on your very first beach day is a good way to ruin the rest of your trip and look like a lobster in all your vacation pics.

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4. On that note, hydrate

Drinking tons of water is not just your favorite celeb’s secret skincare hack. Combined with Miami’s intense heat and humidity, partying and even just a day full of Miami sightseeing is a recipe for dehydration. Avoid a dangerous situation by drinking plenty of H2O and other fluids gradually throughout the day.

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5. Embrace Spanglish

Occasionally, you’ll walk into a business or climb into an Uber where English is not an option. Relax. In Miami, people are used to using gestures and Spanglish to communicate when language won’t cut it. Don’t get flustered. We’re the Latin capital of America—embrace it.

Photograph: Luis Gomez

6. It’s not all about the beach

While South Beach remains the hottest tourist spot in Miami, there’s plenty to see over the bridge. If you came to Miami and didn’t see Wynwood, Brickell, Design District, Little Havana or Coconut Grove—you need to come back and fix that.

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7. Art is everywhere

And, it’s free if you know where to look. Walk or bike around Wynwood to check out some world-class murals and remember that admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Design District is always free. On the first full weekend of the month, Bank of American cardholders get in free to the Bass, Pérez Art Museum, HistoryMiami and others.

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8. Public transit is lacking

Unlike so many of the world’s top cities, it’s not so easy to get around with a metro pass in Miami. The public transit system is small and disjointed, especially considering the sprawl of the city, so you’ll most likely want to rideshare or rent a car most places. Brickell’s Metromover is an adorable if silly mode of transportation that loops through Downtown with some pretty neat views if you’re in the area.

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9. Book reservations when you can

Even in the slower summer months, it’s harder than ever to get into Miami’s most popular restaurants and clubs. Especially now that we’ve finally been included in the famed Michelin Guide, you’ll want to reserve in advance whenever you can. Of course, you don’t need reservations to score a delicious Cubano from a ventanita, and some spots, like Joe’s and Mandolin, will always be tough to book ahead.

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10. Stay off major roads during rush hour

This is an obvious one for locals, but it’s easy to forget when you’re on vacation. Rush hour during the Miami work week (from around 4pm to 7pm on major highways, bridges and roads like Biscayne Boulevard and North Miami Avenue) is real, and it’s best to plan your commute around it.

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11. The thing about Ocean Drive

Ocean Drive is great for its sights, people watching and beaches—but it’s probably best to eat and drink elsewhere. The popular strip’s dining establishments (especially in the South Beach area) tend to be high on price and low on quality. Except for at Palace, where the rowdy weekend drag brunch is not to be missed.

Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Jason Hargrove

12. Miami greetings are up close and personal

Many folks in the 305 will greet you with a kiss on the cheek—not a handshake. It’s a Latin thing and can sometimes catch a gringo with personal space issues off guard. Just follow the other person’s lead and you’ll be fine.

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13. Check before you tip

It is not rare for places in Miami—especially on Miami Beach and even Wynwood—to include a 15 or 18 percent tip on your tab. Most ethical establishments will warn you as they hand you your check. But the shadier spots will leave it up to you to double-check that you’re not leaving a 40 percent tip.

Photograph: Courtesy Citi Bike

14. Bike with caution

Miami is now pretty rife with Citi Bike stations and other rentable wheels. It can be a great way to cruise around on a nice day (check out Key Biscayne or Lummus Park for some prime riding) but take note: We are not the most bike-friendly city. Cars are pushy, infrastructure is lacking and accidents happen. Use the bike lanes (where they exist) and don’t place too much trust in motorists to make the right decision.

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15. A word on parking

Parking is expensive, especially in high-traffic areas like South Beach, Wynwood and Brickell. In Miami Beach, street parking is $4/hour, so we advise finding the nearest lot where parking will run you anywhere from $1/hour to a $20 flat fee for the day. In Brickell and Downtown, it works the other way around with metered parking costing less than a parking garage. Be warned: some private lots will boot your car if you exceed your limit.

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16. Leave the Styrofoam at home

The material was officially banned from Miami-Dade public parks (including our beaches) in the summer of 2017. In Miami Beach, it’s technically illegal for restaurants to even use Styrofoam when serving customers. So remember when packing that picnic. If you get caught breaking the ban, you could get fined.