A melting pot of cultures with a strong Hispanic influence, Miami is the essential stopover during a stay in Florida. Shopping, luxury hotels, art and nature all in one city, to the delight of visitors. Here's why you should go visit Miami!
Miami, art in the street
Seen in many American films, the Art Deco-style buildings that line the city's streets have made it famous. Rightly, the promenade along South Beach would not be missed under any circumstances. This district is the nerve center of the city and its buildings with atypical shapes and flamboyant colors are certainly not foreign to it. South Beach is also home to Miami's best beaches and hence attracts hip young people, trendy restaurants and nightclubs. That's why we recommend this neighborhood.
Art Deco atmosphere in Miami
Heavenly stay in Miami
You will quickly realize that the aquatic element is omnipresent in Miami. A huge archipelago of islands, the Keys, surround the city. Among the most famous, Key Biscayne is located at the gates of the city and offers beaches and paradisiacal landscapes. The place is ideally visited in the evening to enjoy the entertainment of its marina and the many restaurants, bars and clubs present.
Key West
The ideal destination for shopping
If you decide to head to Miami for shopping, you won't be disappointed. Besides the (very) large shopping centers, the city is full of great shopping avenues, including Coconut Walk in the Coconut Grove district. Chic boutiques meet there, making the district very pleasant and dynamic.
Miami downtown
Enjoy the Latin American beat
More unusual, the district of Coral Gables can be visited on weekends preferably, to taste, on Sunday morning, one of the best brunches in Miami at the Biltmore Hotel. Do not miss Little Havana, the land of welcome for Cuban emigrants. The dancing, the food and the ambiance of this Caribbean island await you for an exotic getaway.
A little history • A boom in two stages
Miami, one of the major economic poles of the United States, only really took off very recently, at the start of the 1920th century. Allowing alcohol and gambling during the Prohibition period - in the 1976s - the city experienced a real demographic boom. The coming to power of Fidel Castro in Cuba - in XNUMX - and the wave of immigration that followed allowed Miami to continue its development.
Visit the famous swamps
Lovers of nature, flora and fauna will not spend their vacation in Miami without a trip to Everglades National Park. This marshy region, the symbol of Florida, can be explored on foot, by car or with the help of motor boats. The park is home to several protected species such as the American crocodile, the Florida panther or the Caribbean manatee (a kind of seal). This single argument should be able to answer the question “why go to Miami?”.
Alligator in the Everglades
Multiple hosting solutions
Be careful, Miami is a huge city. To visit it serenely, it is better to choose your hotel carefully. Whichever flight you take, you will arrive at the international airport located not far from the city center. But it is advisable to approach the seaside towards Ocean Drive, to easily enjoy the charms of the city. A magnificent place, facing the sea, where you will be spoiled for choice when choosing your hotel, even if you leave at the last minute!
Ocean drive at night
Practical information about Miami
That's it, you no longer wonder why to go to Miami? Did these arguments finally convince you? To make your stay a success, we provide you with practical information and tips.
Miami and Beaches: the city's tourist office
Address :
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700
Miami, FL 33131 USA
Discount card
The Go Miami card gives access to many tourist attractions including several cruise packages, museums and theme parks. The card can be purchased by the day or for a period of up to 7 days, and gives unlimited access to the desired visits.
Money and change
The American currency is the US Dollar.
Passport and visa
Reinforced since the attacks of September 11, the formalities for entering the United States are now very strict. You must be in possession of a valid electronic passport issued before October 26, 2005. It is not necessary to obtain a Visa, but a new law appeared on January 12, 2009. This now makes it compulsory the request for an electronic travel authorization before departure. This request can be made online, at least 72 hours before departure.
The electronic travel authorization request can be made on the ESTA website.
Climate
Miami enjoys a very sunny climate all year round. Average temperatures in winter rarely drop below 17 °. In summer, great heat, up to 30 °, awaits you, but the season is also very rainy.
Be careful, the tropical climate of the region is conducive to hurricanes. The maximum risk is during the months of August and September.
Also watch out for mosquitoes which swarm due to the hot and humid climate.
Transports
Getting to Miami: the international airport is located to the west of the city, approximately 12 km from the city center. The Paris - Miami trip lasts around 9:30 am.
Getting around Miami: the city is crisscrossed by many buses and has several metro lines. Enough, in any case, to move easily to the various interesting places in Miami.
There is a transport card for foreign visitors, called the 7-Day Visitor Passport, which allows unlimited access to public transport for a week.
