As well as being a town that is alive with plenty of Latin and Caribbean flavor, not to mention one of the best nightlife spots in the US, Miami is often considered one of the most luxurious cities to stay in as a tourist. Sure, there are events like the Miami Boat Show that only reinforce that stereotype, but the truth is that there's a lot more to do in the town than you might think, even if you don't have a huge budget. Here, we're going to look at a few tips on how you can enjoy more of the Magic City for less with these cost-cutting tips.
Fly in (Slightly Less) Style
If you're flying into Miami, then that is your first opportunity to shave some dollars off your budget or the trip. Miami International is undoubtedly the more popular and often the more convenient airport, but the average flight to MIA can be significantly more expensive than flying to Fort Lauderdale, often with price differences in three-figure ranges. However, the smaller of the two airports in Fort Lauderdale doesn't have as many transport links, so it's recommended that you use it if you are already planning to hire a car to use in and around the city. Of course, your best bet with flights is to either book well in advance or to get as close to the day you want to leave as possible to see if there are enough vacancies in a flight for the price to start plummeting.
Don't Buy Everything at the Beach
It's all too easy, as a tourist, to go to the store that's nearest to you for all of the seaside essentials that you need. From sunscreen to swimsuits, you will easily be able to find them at the beaches of Miami. However, you're always going to be paying a premium. The same goes for your must-pack items like toothpaste, aspirin, flip-flops, and other toiletries. Most of the stores near your hotel are going to be charging a premium on them. While it might not seem like a lot to pay a couple of dollars extra for a bottle of sunscreen, those charges can start to add up over the course of a few days to make a bigger dent in your budget than you might expect.
Visit in the Summer
Could it possibly be right that Miami is cheaper in the summer than the rest of the year? This is most certainly the case as, unlike most other tourist cities in the US, summer is actually the off-season. The slow season begins in June and runs up to early October, with winter being the most popular time to visit simply because more people are looking to escape the glum fall and winter weather. Just don't visit the Everglades if you're going in the summer, the humidity and sheer amount of bugs can really ruin your experience of the National Park.
Be Smart With Your Accommodation
You might think that being too overzealous in hunting savings while looking for accommodation might end up biting you in the rear, and that can be true. If you're only looking for the very cheapest spots, you're not likely to get much of the red carpet treatment. However, that doesn't mean that your only options are luxury coastal hotels or cheap hostels. There is a huge range of hotels in Miami; and often, by simply being a little open to staying just out of the main hub locations, you can find affordable ones that offer a decent standard of accommodation. You just need to browse a few sites to find the best deals rather than going for the first option that comes your way.
You Don't Need a Car to Get Around
One of the best things about Miami is that if you're near South Beach or Downtown Miami, so much of the city's best attractions are within walking distance. There's a lot more that's going to be within cycling distance, as well. Citi Bikes can be a fantastic replacement for a rental car. For one, they're a lot cheaper. Miami is a city that is extremely bicycle-friendly, too, with over a hundred stops for Citi Bikes throughout. These bicycles are available at any time of day as well so long as you can pay, and it only costs up to $24 to use one for the entire day.
Enjoy the Beaches
Perhaps you don't need to be told this already, but Miami has a slew of fantastic beaches, the vast majority of which are completely free to enjoy. Of course, if you want to rent some watersports equipment or stop for a drink at any of the beachside bars, then that's going to have to get calculated into the budget. However, a lot of the beaches have enough free entertainment to offer that this doesn't need to be considered a crucial part of any vacation, whether you're looking to lounge under the sun of South Beach or to enjoy a walk along the natural beauty of Crandon Park.
Take a Pass at the City
If you do want to go around and see some of the major attractions such as the Flamingo Gardens, Ripley's Believe It or Not, airboat tours, and more, then you may not benefit from paying for each of these attractions individually. Rather, there are a few different passes that can help you see a lot more of Miami without having to pay the full price for each of the individual attractions. These Miami city sightseeing passes offer different deals on different combinations of attractions, so it's important to pick and choose carefully which best suits your wants on your trip. Of course, if there's only one premium attraction you want to see, it's likely to be cheaper to skip the pass as the passes are best designed for those who want a full itinerary.
Travel a Little Farther for Your Meals
Just like the hotels, Miami does have a plethora of very expensive restaurants. If you're staying at South Beach, for instance, then you can expect to be paying a premium on any meals that you eat. However, Miami has over 5,000 restaurants; and not all of them are that expensive. However, that doesn't mean that the rest of them are all of a lower quality either. It's easy to accidentally get some sub-par eats in the city, but some of the more budget-friendly restaurants in Miami can be easily found with foodie guides found online.
Discover Art and Culture Deals
Miami is also a city of museums, galleries, and art. Such a rich blend of cultures is always going to prompt an equally rich creative scene. There are a lot of fairly inconsequential museums that might not be worth paying for, but could have a few interesting things to see when they open up for free. There are a lot of museums and galleries that hold free days; and throughout May, a lot of the museums work together to give you one free admission for every paid admission. There are almost always good art and culture promotions on, so do a little sleuthing to see what's available on the days you're planning to make the trip.
Miami can be an exorbitantly expensive city in which to spend even a few days. However, hopefully, the tips above show that this doesn't have to be the case. A little forward thinking and opportunistic deal-spotting can do you a lot of good.
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