Miami is the destination chosen by many Brazilians who are visiting the United States for the first time. It's no surprise, as the city offers a pleasant climate all year round, beaches, attractions and great outlets for shopping.
Even though it is a very popular trip and there are lots of tips about it on the internet, it is important to pay attention to some points when putting together an itinerary. Staying in the wrong region and wasting hours getting to the tourist attractions, for example, can make the adventure a bit difficult. less cool, especially in times when the dollar is high, when time is expensive very money.
To prevent this from happening to you, I wrote this post with all What you need to know to plan a trip to Miami. They range from basic tips on when to go and documentation, to where to stay, how to get around the city, the best tours and shopping!
How to plan a trip to Miami
When to go
Temperatures in Miami tend to be high throughout the year, with averages of more than 20ºC even in winter. Therefore, any time of year is ideal for visiting, especially for those escaping the cold.
The high season in the region, when prices are highest, occurs during the busiest months.ice cream“, between November and April.
In summer, thermometers reach more than 30ºC, ideal climate for those who want to enjoy the beaches and get a tan. July and August, however, are school holidays, and it is common to see a greater number of tourists walking through the city's streets. If you are traveling in the middle of the year, try to go in June or at the end of the season.
How long to stay
It is possible to see the city's main attractions in three days, or even in two with a well-planned itinerary. To enjoy things calmly, I recommend reserving five days, so you can enjoy places like Miami Beach and Little Havana without rushing.
If your objective is to shop, it is ideal to book at least a morning and afternoon for this purpose.
Currency
The currency in the United States is the US dollar. The best option is to exchange the real for dollars here in Brazil, as the exchange rate is more advantageous than exchanging it there.
You can also take your international credit card or purchase one travel money, prepaid card. In the first case, remember that the dollar you will pay is that of the day of the payment of the invoice, and that it is necessary to add the IOF value.
Documentation
The first step to planning a trip to Miami is taking care of the documentation. It takes a valid passport within the period of the trip (it's ok if it expires in the month following your return, for example) and a american visa.
The passport application must be made through the Federal Police website. Currently the cost is R$257,25 and the validity is 10 years. After filling in your details and paying the fee, you need to schedule a day to deliver your documents, take a photo and register your fingerprints at one of the agencies that handle this process. Delivery time is usually six working days.
The visa must be requested from the American embassy.. The category for tourism is B2, and is usually the main option for those visiting the country for leisure. To begin the procedures, you must fill out form DS-160 online and pay the fee of US$160. Next, you need to schedule a visit to the CASV (Visa Applicant Service Center), where they will collect your data, and then an interview at the consulate. All information about the visa is available in Portuguese on the embassy's website.
The yellow fever vaccine not required to enter the United States, however it may be a good idea to get vaccinated if you are going to connect in countries like Colombia or Panama. Although it is not mandatory for those who are not leaving the airport, an emergency may occur, such as a flight delay or cancellation, and this way you have the possibility of passing through immigration and going to a hotel to rest.
Airline tickets
Miami airport is the Miami International Airport (MIA), and currently only the airlines LATAM, Avianca and American Airlines fly directly from Brazil.
When planning a trip to Miami, if prices are too expensive, you can try to find cheaper tickets to nearby airports, such as Fort Lauderdale or even Orlando. In the second case, it takes almost four hours on the road to get to Miami, so remember to include this time in your itinerary.
You can also opt for connecting flights, usually with a stopover in Panama City or Bogotá. They take longer, but I've already gotten great prices, especially with Copa Airlines.
Guest Experience
First of all, it is necessary to understand that what Brazilians consider to be Miami actually consists of two different cities: City of Miami e Miami Beach. The second, where the famous beaches with blue waters and clear sand are located, is divided between the southern, central and northern parts.
The best area to stay is in South Miami Beach. This is where the tourist area is located, with several restaurants, malls open air, shops and hotels. Prices vary according to the property category and time of year, but there are several options from the most luxurious to hostels. For more economical accommodation, I recommend Washington Park Hotel: Moderately priced by Miami standards, especially for being four stars. The place has a swimming pool, gym and parking, as well as offering free internet for guests. The rooms have a flat-screen TV, and a night costs around US$215. Booking rating: 8,0.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not mandatory to visit Miami, but I always recommend that my readers get one, especially when going to the United States. Unlike Brazil, where there is a public health system, there a quick emergency consultation to get an antibiotic prescription can cost hundreds of dollars.
With insurance you are protected in the event of any medical accident, and most companies already take care of all the procedures before you even arrive at the hospital, meaning you don't have to pay a penny. There is also reimbursement for medicines, and coverage for other problems such as lost luggage, flight delays or cancellations.
I recommend getting a quote from Seguros Promo. The company compares prices among major insurers, and offers plans that cost just R$9 per day for international destinations! Payment can be made in up to 12 installments on your credit card, and using the code “ALYSSAPRADO5″ You still get a discount on your purchase!
Transport
When planning a trip to Miami, it's important to consider how you will get around the city. If you have space in your budget, the best option is to rent a car, as the tourist attractions are far from each other. Choosing to drive will also help when shopping, as it is not easy to get to the outlets like Sawgrass Mills using public transportation.
The good news is that the daily rates are not that expensive, and I was able to find cars in the economy category for less than R$150 per day. To get the best prices, I like to use Rentcars, which compares prices from the best rental companies in the world! Another advantage of using the company is that you can pay in reais, in installments and without charging IOF.
If you don't want to drive for any reason, whether it's to save money or don't have a license, no problem! It is possible to get to know the city using public transport and apps private driver like Uber or Lyft. I gave all the tips in the post about visiting Miami without a car.
What to do in Miami
Miami offers attractions for all types of travelers, from those who enjoy nature to those who prefer cultural programs or shopping.
Some of the best-known tourist attractions are Wynwood Walls, one "street museum” with several graffiti works and the neighborhood Little Havana, made up of the Cuban population and which showcases the country's culture in establishments in the region.
Em Miami Beach, in addition to the beach that stretches along the entire island, there is also the Lincoln Road, a kind of open-air shopping mall with famous restaurants and shops. The best sunset in the region is at South Pointe Park.
If you have little time in the city or want a guide who speaks Portuguese, I suggest hiring the tour guided by WePlann. It passes through some of the city's most famous spots and includes transportation between them!
Purchases
The United States is a shopping paradise, and it's easy to find great prices on electronics, clothing, and other items. I already wrote a guide here on the blog about the best stores in the country, I recommend reading it!
In Miami there is no shortage of opportunities to find discounts and good promotions. In addition to the famous Dolphin Mall, you can also drive just under an hour to Sawgrass Mills, better o which I have visited to date.
In the city, the best options are Lincoln Road, with stores such as Zara, Forever XXI, H&M, Lush and Ulta. For bargains, it's also worth visiting Fifth & Alton, a shopping mall on Fifth Avenue that has a ROSS and a Tj Maxx.
Anyone who wants to do luxury shopping should go to North Miami Beach, at the Bal Harbor Shops, with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermès.
And that's it, now you can plan a trip to Miami! If you have questions about how to create your budget, There's a blog post with tips and a free spreadsheet to help you.
Got any questions? Do you have any other tips about the city? Let's talk in the comments! 🙂
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