Want to be a smart tourist in Miami? We have compiled a list of common mistakes that tourists make when visiting Miami so that you can successfully dodge them, stick to your travel budget, and come back with the most beautiful memories of Miami (and a tan too!)
Don’t have time? Here is a cheat sheet for you!
- Ignoring the map of Miami: You must have knowledge about all the neighborhoods of Miami before planning your itineraries.
- Flying into the wrong airport: Choosing Fort Lauderdale Airport instead of Miami International can be cheaper, but later on, pretty heavy on your wallet.
- Forgetting about the hurricane season between June and November: Don’t get drenched in the thunderstorms and heavy rain that frequent Miami.
- Not planning your trip during shoulder season: Shoulder season in Miami can help you save money and avoid crowds.
- Choosing the wrong accommodation: Picking the wrong area to stay in Miami can affect your budget and experience.
- Missing the unwritten rules of Miami: Ignoring local customs like tipping, safety, and using travel adapters can cause inconveniences.
- Not using apps to make their traveling journey easy: Not using apps like Uber, Yelp, or Google Maps can make your travel more difficult and expensive.
- Forgetting to check what is open in Miami during shoulder season: Some attractions and restaurants close during Miami’s off-season, so check ahead.
- Being too much of a tourist in Miami: Focusing too much on tourist activities can make you miss out on Miami’s hidden gems and local experiences.
- Underestimating how expensive shopping in Miami can be: Shopping at airports and expensive shops can blow your budget, so explore affordable options like Bayside Marketplace.
- Falling for the Bayside marketplace tourist traps: Overspending on boat rides and parking at Bayside can harm your travel budget if you’re not careful.
- Not knowing that nightclubs are pricey: Miami’s nightlife is expensive, so plan to save with happy hours and guest lists.
- Under packing (only bringing clothes for the beach!): Only packing beachwear leaves you unprepared for Miami’s formal dining, cultural spots, and shopping scenes.
13 Common Mistakes That Tourists In Miami Make
1. Ignoring The Map Of Miami
You might be thinking, who does that, right? But if you want to make your Miami trip successful, you must know the map by heart. It will keep you safe, help you plan the perfect itinerary, and offer knowledge about the distances and routes of the city.
For example, Downtown Miami is filled with skyscrapers, Miami Beach has the most beautiful beaches, South Beach has the Ocean Drive and Art Deco District, Lincoln Road Mall is full of restaurants and stores, and Bayside Marketplace, Little Havana, and Cuban District, all neighborhoods of Miami have distinct personalities.
You should cluster these spots and plan every day properly as a tourist to avoid fatigue and travel anxiety.
2. Flying Into The Wrong Airport
Miami International Airport is only 6 miles away from Downtown Miami. But many tourists make the mistake of taking a cheaper flight to Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport. The latter is 25 miles away from Downtown Miami!
The airfare to Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport is cheaper than Miami International Airport, which tempts many tourists. But if you land at Miami International Airport, downtown is just half an hour’s drive away. But if you land at Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport, it will take you about an hour to reach downtown Miami, and since you will be getting an Uber or a cab, imagine the dent it will make on your budget right on the first day!
3. Forgetting About The Hurricane Season Between June And November
Miami is filled with sunshine throughout the year. However, the tropical climate goes hand in hand with the monsoon climate, which brings a great amount of rain. Rain showers and thunderstorms are more frequent in Miami than in New York City or Seattle.
Rain, summer, winter, and spring – all seasons create a different environment in Miami, which influences the nightlife scene, beach parties, shopping, dining, and every other activity. So, before you travel, don’t forget to check the weather forecast to pack appropriate clothing and plan your trip accordingly.
4. Not Planning Your Trip During Shoulder Season
The best time to visit Miami is the warm months of March to May. Why? Because the peak travel season will come to an end. Many tourists are tempted to arrive in Miami in summer when the concerts, beach parties, and festivities are in full swing, but it isn’t until they arrive in The Magic City that they realize how crowded and cramped it gets during this season.
In spring, the crowds are diluted, and prices of hotels and other attractions drop. From June to September, Miami gets the cheapest for tourists. But even if the hurricane season arrives in July, there will be plenty of food, art, and culture-related activities in Miami to keep you entertained indoors.
Make sure you are visiting all the attractions in Miami early in the morning, ideally early in the week as well, to escape the bustling crowds.
5. Choosing The Wrong Accommodation
First-time travelers to Miami can stay in Downtown. That is where the best hotels are. However, plenty of accommodations besides hotels are spread throughout Miami, such as backpacker-friendly hostels, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals.
So, if you are after the beach, choose South Beach. If you are on a budget, Miami Beach is your best bet. For the coolest bars and boutiques, Brickell comes on top as the best place to stay in Miami. When traveling with family and kids, you have to be even more careful with your accommodation. In this case, Key Biscayne and Coconut Grove will keep your whole fam happy.
6. Missing The Unwritten Rules Of Miami
This is especially true for international tourists who often overlook unwritten rules in Miami. Don’t worry. We have listed them down for your ease;
- Before visiting Miami, make sure that you pack your universal travel adapter.
- All the major attractions in Miami have public restrooms, such as parks and beaches.
- Free WIFI hotspots are available almost everywhere.
- Wake up and explore the city early in the morning to escape the crowd.
- Keep your belongings safe and use common sense to keep yourself safe in Miami.
- Tipping is common in Miami, something you must do in hotels, bars, and restaurants.
7. Not Using Apps To Make Their Traveling Journey Easy
There are plenty of mobile apps that will make your Miami visit a breeze. Yet many tourists think that they can do just well without them.
One such app is Miami-Dade Transit Tracker, which will give you practical information on the train, bus, and car systems. Groupon is an awesome app for saving some bucks with promo codes and getting alerts for dining deals. Yelp and Tripadvisor will tell you which restaurants, museums, and hotels are best for visiting, and Uber or Lyft will help you get around the city while Apple Maps or Google Maps makes it easy to navigate routes, especially if you plan to walk around Miami.
8. Forgetting To Check What Is Open In Miami During Shoulder Season
We have been raving about how cheap and less crowded shoulder season in Miami is, but there is a reason why it is an off-season. Most tourists expect the same level of vibrancy and thrill in Miami during shoulder season. However, one major downside of shoulder season in Miami is that many restaurants, attractions, and hotels close off till the next year.
Off-season also has much stricter rules than peak travel season. For example, amplified music and inflatable devices might not be allowed on the beach. March, April, and May bring Spring Break to Miami, which means that the bars, clubs, and streets are filled with college students who are enjoying their vacations.
9. Being Too Much Of A Tourist In Miami
Yes, being too much of a tourist is a real thing. Miami has some of the coolest resorts and hotels, and many people make the mistake of relaxing and lounging in them all day long. If you are in Miami, go out there! Walk among the Wynwood Walls, immerse in art at Superblue, have a drink at rooftop pools, and enjoy Cuban flavors in Little Havana.
Talk with the locals. Wander off the beaten paths and explore all the things that you have heard about Miami. Be aware of the tourist traps, but don’t forget to deviate a little from the strict rules of your travel guidebook as well.
10. Underestimating How Expensive Shopping In Miami Can Be
Don’t try to buy souvenirs at airports or expensive stops throughout Miami.
But if you want to shop for souvenirs within your budget, check out Bayside Marketplace! They have plenty of shops where souvenirs are sold at reasonable prices. If you are buying in bulk or taking some time to browse through all the shops, you can get your souvenirs at even better rates. Also, there is no harm in asking for a discount!
11. Falling For The Bayside Marketplace Tourist Traps!
Getting quite excited and hyped up in Bayside Marketplace is normal. We get it. There are so many shops, boat rides, local artists, and beautiful locations. But if you are not careful, you can say goodbye to your calculated travel budget.
For example, the boat rides are hella expensive! If you are not taking an Uber and parking your car instead, it is more than $10 per hour (don’t lose your ticket; otherwise, you will be paying $50!) However, you can make the most out of your trip on a budget, of course, by taking the Metro Mover, searching for coupons for the boat rides, and enjoying the happy hours and other deals at the food spots.
12. Not Knowing That Nightclubs Are Pricey!
You come to Miami for its nightlife, romantic getaways, or to celebrate a special occasion, like a birthday! Of course, you will have the most famous spots like Nikki Beach, Clevelander, and Sexy Fish on your list. But order one drink, and you will realize how expensive they are! Unless you want to spend 30 bucks on a single cocktail, go to these nightclubs with a plan in mind.
Getting on the guest list might be tough, but you can always keep an eye on free drinks events, happy hours, and discount deals, or get a table to have a better time with your whole group of friends (and also to split the bill!)
13. Under Packing (Only Bringing Clothes For The Beach!)
Miami isn’t only made up of beaches. Though the tropical vibes, sand, and sun are the first things that come to mind when you think of Miami, go easy on packing sandals, swimwear, and hats. If you do so, you will find yourself short of formal clothes that you will need if you wish to explore the museums, aquariums, and art galleries.
For starters, Miami has a decent selection of beach clubs and stunning neighborhoods that have plenty of shopping and dining scenes. So, packing some of those dresses and chic evening outfits is better than stuffing your bags with nothing but flip-flops and swimsuits.
