As Will Smith once said, “Party in the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach till the break of dawn.” Welcome to Miami! A beautiful & bustling town in the heart of South Florida, Miami is the 6th most populated city in the US. Just east of the Everglades, it has some of the best beaches, nightlife, & cuisine in the country.

While you may want to a get rental car to explore the further reaches of Miami, within downtown there are other easier options. The Metrobus is one easy option but can take long depending on traffic. The Metrorail & Metromover is pretty efficient choice. The rail runs until 11pm on weekdays & is only $2.25 each way, while the Mover is solely in downtown & totally free. Taking Lyfts around town is also super easy & always available.

A little over seven miles from the heart of Miami, Miami International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, so taxis & Lyfts are always available. A Lyft usually costs about $20-25 & takes 30-40 minutes. You can also take the Airport Flyer bus for $2.35 but it takes a little longer & runs every 30 minutes. Another frequently used airport option is Ft. Lauderdale because it gets almost as many flights but is more removed from the traffic of Miami International. Lyfts usually cost $30-40 & takes about 45-55 minutes from there to downtown Miami.

Miami’s history is a rich one. Once inhabited by Native American tribes, the city was claimed by Spain in 1566 - the influence of which is still heavily seen. It would be ceded to the US in 1821 & in 1959 many Cuban refugees would flee to Miami when Fidel Castro rose to power, influencing the makeup of this diverse city. Today it’s the 3rd largest population & only majority Spanish speaking city in the US, often nicknamed “Little Havana” for its food, culture & fashion.

Miami is a city that once you visit, it’s hard to ever leave. Home to dozens of beautiful beaches, exhilarating night life & the best Latin cuisine in the US. The culture & history of the people pulse through the very streets. The clubs are pumping, the music scene is thriving, the art is peeping around every corner. During the days you’ll lay out by the pool or relax on the beach. You’ll eat well & explore local gems & at night you’ll dance until the sun comes up. A perfect place to live out the extremes - extreme excitement, extreme relaxation & everything in between.

Miami has a tropical monsoon climate. The wet season begins in June & runs until mid-October with high humidity. Hurricane season is from June through November. Never fear though - residents will happily tell you that the coldest days average mid 60s & a nice summer day average is in the low 90’s.

While in Miami, be sure to start your day with a cortadito, a popular espresso beverage favored by residents & tourist alike. Of course, a cuban sandwich is an absolute must; ham, pork, mustard, swiss & a pickle on cuban bread. If you prefer a sweet dough bread with all the same ingredients of a cuban, order a medianoche. You also can’t leave without a pastelito - a pastry (often guava & cheese) that sounds crazy but will blow your mind.

When in Miami, do as the locals do. Cigars are notably a best seller & we recommend Little Havana’s Calle Ocho (8th street) which is lined with cigar stores. Art Deco posters, alligator taxidermy, & Miami spices such as the infamous “Mojo” are all great souvenirs to bring Miami back home with you.

Miami screams Havana - casual clothing, linens, & light & bright colors to fight the sun. During the night, people will dress to impress, ready to dance the night away at one of the many famous salsa night clubs.

Although Miami is a beautiful city to explore & get lost in, it can get quite humid & be witness to a scorching sun. Be prepared to pack accordingly, grab those sunglasses, & don’t forget the sunblock & a big hat!