Miami Travel Prep: Crucial Things to Know Before You Go
Tropical.
Lively.
Expensive.
Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Florida is a sunny place for shady people.’? It has some truth to it.
However, this blog isn’t about bashing the state or city that I live in. It’s the opposite.
There’s enough attention out there about the weird, crazy, and stupid things Floridians get caught doing.
Yet as a traveler, it’s my place to tell you what to look out for in Miami to have a great experience.
The more insider tips you have, the better you can navigate your trip and budget.
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10 Things You Need to Know Before Coming to Miami
1. Gratuity, aka Service Charge, is included in Tabs (in most places) -
18-22% is included and often appears as a Service Charge on the check.
A Service Charge is legally not a gratuity or tip, meaning the owner can disperse it as they see fit. That said, for most Servers, Bussers, Food Runners, and Bartenders, the Service Charge earnings are the bulk of their paycheck.
Ask or look before blindly adding another 20% gratuity, increasing your tip to 36-40%. It can add up if you eat and drink out 3x a day.
2. Booking Bundles are never what they seem.
I’m a sucker for a “good” deal. Like the saying goes though, you get what you pay for.
Not all travel bundles are built the same way, so read the fine print before booking online.
Often, a bundle price leaves out a ton of fees, deposits, and extras you pay for upon arrival, often blindsiding you.
Also, many pictures are catfish. especially in Miami. A decent-looking hotel room pictured online can be in a moldy old building with awful water pressure and paper-thin walls in a noisy area of town.
Spend time researching reviews on multiple sites. I find reviews are pretty accurate. Check the maps for the satellite location, and remember to read the fine print!
3. Car Rental Companies – Check Undisclosed Policies.
As a local, I’ve arranged car rental and hotel bookings for my family and friends visiting. That said, I’ve been scammed a few times myself, including by car rental companies and their insurance policies.
Some will make you pay extra for their (obscure) special coverage they know insurance companies don’t cover. Or they won’t take your insurance if it’s not one of the two companies they accept, so you must purchase theirs.
Also, I’ve found that the deposit they hold on your card can be twice as much as in other cities. It’s worth asking what amount they hold before booking.
Again, check the reviews. Read the fine print or call an agent ahead of arrival.
4. Hotel’s hidden fees and upsells –
Extra fees you may not expect include resort fees, resort tax, parking fees, amenity fees, towel fees, cleaning fees, extra guests (over two people they may charge for additional guests), etc.
Again, if your budget is set, it’s best to look into this before arriving and getting hit with hundreds of dollars in extra fees and taxes.
5. Method of Payment Varies –
Places may only take cash, or don’t accept Cash. Other places only accept certain plastic credit cards, while others don’t accept digital wallets or Apple Pay.
It’s worth noting that even if you’ve prepaid for services online, you still need to bring an accepted payment. Be ready for it all. And if something is free, it probably means giving a cash tip.
6. Avoid being Nickeled and Dimed –
Miami is not the hospitable South; it is transactional.
Everything here is a transaction from extra sauce to water.
Once I was told by a bartender they didn’t have tap water; the only option was an 8oz bottle of water that cost $10, $15 with taxes, fees, and service charges added on.
Tip: Hospitality businesses are required by law to provide their free drinking water to customers when requested.
Expect an upsell.
It could be disguised as a server doing you a favor, something you assumed was part of your order, or an add-on that costs an absurd amount. Just ask if you’re unsure to avoid arguing about charges on your bill after the fact.
7. It’s Expensive to Eat Here
If you do some traveling, you will notice that Miami prices are expensive. The food, the drinks, the groceries, the dining out, it adds up quickly!
Even as a local, we feel our pockets empty fast when we go out. Plan to include affordable options to eat to keep your budget in check.
8. Beach Chairs & Umbrellas cost –
If you are staying at a hotel that doesn’t include beach chairs, there is an option to rent from a city-contracted company that charges around $30 per chair and $30 per umbrella.
Be prepared to spend if you plan a day at the beach. You could bring your towel and lay in the sand, but it gets hot!
9. Parking is Limited in Urban Areas –
If you find parking, it’s about $4 an hour, or Valet is available for more. Also, there is heavy traffic in the beach areas (Miami Beach and Key Biscayne). It may be cheaper to use a car service app.
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10. Spanish is the #1 language in Miami – Unofficially
Unofficially - the US claims English is the official language of the entire country.
Although, 70% of the population is Hispanic, and the population is 25% Native English Speaking.
Many hospitality service workers, car service workers, and retail workers may not speak English well.
It helps to know a little Spanish. That said, I don’t speak fluently. I speak very little, but I get by okay. It helps to understand Spanish even if you don’t speak it.
Now you know how to keep your travel budget in check, here are ten reasons booking a trip to Miami is worth it.
To balance it out, here are 10 Reasons to Experience Beautiful Miami
1. Unique “American” city with Latin Roots and Influence
Back to our diverse demographics that make Miami, Miami. Latin culture flavors the city with restaurants, music, cafes, shops, and services.
The Latin culture in Miami is diverse and includes Cubans, Venezuelans, Peruvians, Argentinians, Colombians, Brazilians, DR (Dominican Republic), Puerto Rican, Spanish, Chileans, and more.
2. Happy Hour Galore
Since the COVID pandemic, I have noticed more and more restaurants in Miami offer a happy hour menu.
From tacos to Greek, Pizza to sports bars, Miami is full of Happy Hour deals. Check online for happy hour menus. It’s common for restaurants to only give the happy hour menu per request. If you know, you know (IYKYK).
And happy hour in Miami doesn’t always mean Monday-Thursday 4-6 pm. Some happy hours begin at 2 pm and go until 8 pm daily. Others offer a late-night happy hour menu.
It’s a great way to explore the city and save on dining.
Also, bottomless brunches are a thing here. And brunch doesn’t mean only Sundays. Many places offer it several if not every day of the week.
3. Affordable Rideshare Apps
Rideshare apps are reasonably priced compared to other cities, and reliable. It’s usually cheaper to use car service apps around town than to rent a car and pay for parking.
If you go on an out-of-town excursion, rent a car for that side trip only.
4. The Beaches and Ocean
Miami offers some of the best beaches in the country. When you come to Miami, you’ve got to experience the ocean beaches.
5. Nightlife
Miami could arguably be named the city that Doesn’t Sleep. Bars can stay open until 5 am and reopen at 10 am, and some clubs are open 24 hours.
Besides the late nights, the nightlife entertainment options are endless. From drag shows, karaoke, and burlesque to live music clubs featuring top DJs and artists, Miami will keep you entertained.
6. Free Trolley’s
The City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach offer Free Trolley Services to move around popular areas. Check out the city’s websites to find routes and stops.
7. Style
I enjoy seeing travelers getting stylish in Miami. It’s a place where you are encouraged to flaunt what you’ve got. Whether going to the beach or out to dinner, Miami is the place to get dressed.
It doesn’t compare to New York, for the weather alone. Miami is tropical with a style that is unique and minimal.
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8. Safe to Walk Around, Safe in General
Living in Miami Beach for almost ten years, I can say it is generally very safe. Safe to walk around during the day or evening.
9. Tropical Setting
Travelers are drawn to Miami Beach by the sun, beautiful tropical beaches, and nightlife.
Miami is the perfect blend of city life and resort life. The Miami Beach lifestyle is centered around enjoying the weather.
From outdoor shopping and restaurants to muscle beach and boardwalk bike rentals to the beaches and parks and outdoor entertainment, Miami Beach thrives on the tropical climate.
And let’s not forget boating. From fishing to yachting, Miami’s boat scene is one-of-a-kind.
10. Endless Entertainment:
I could write an entire blog on Miami’s entertainment and special events, but for now, I’ll highlight the crowd-drawing annual events of the year.
Art Basel
Miami Music Week (& Ultra)
Miami International Boat Show
Miami Swim Week
Beach Polo World Cup
Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix
South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)
Miami Beach Pride
FIFA World Cup 2026
There’s more entertainment and events, much more, throughout the year. It feels like there is always something going on here.
When I came as a traveler over 15 years ago for the first time, I fell in love with the beautiful tropical city. It’s a unique place that attracts unique people. It’s worth the visit!
Cheers to your Happy Travels and Happy Wallets.
