Miami Starter Pack

Miami International Airport (MIA) is the main hub, about 25 minutes from downtown.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), about 45 minutes north, is often cheaper and worth comparing.

Uber, Lyft and taxis all operate from both airports.

Brightline high-speed rail connects Miami to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

Driving in from elsewhere in Florida is straightforward via I-95 or the Florida Turnpike.

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) covers short tourist/business visits up to 90 days for eligible nationalities.

Everyone else needs a B-1/B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate before traveling.

Working legally requires a separate visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2) — Miami sees a lot of E-2 treaty investors from Latin America.

The US has no digital nomad visa — working remotely for a foreign employer on a tourist visa is legally unsettled, so talk to an immigration attorney before assuming it's fine.

A Social Security Number requires work authorization; it is not available just for living here.

Check current rules at cbp.gov and uscis.gov before you travel — visa policy changes.

Tropical climate — hot and humid most of the year, with a wet and dry season rather than four seasons.

Hurricane season runs June through November, peaking August-October.

Summer afternoons bring near-daily thunderstorms — plan outdoor plans for the morning.

Winter (Dec-Feb) is the most pleasant stretch: warm, dry, low humidity by local standards.

Have a hurricane plan (supplies, evacuation route) before your first storm season, even if you don't need it.

Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)

211 — free, confidential community and health services referral line, available across the US

Many Florida cities also run a 311 non-emergency line for city services — check miamidade.gov for the current number.

Save 911 to your phone and know your building's hurricane evacuation zone.

Metromover: free automated people-mover loop around downtown and Brickell.

Metrorail connects downtown to parts of the suburbs but has limited coverage.

Miami is fairly car-dependent outside the urban core — many residents own a car.

Brickell, downtown and Miami Beach are walkable; most of the rest of the metro area is not.

Uber and Lyft are widely used and generally reliable.

Major carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, plus prepaid options like Mint Mobile and Visible.

Prepaid SIMs are sold at carrier stores, Walmart, Target and most pharmacies.

Home internet: AT&T Fiber and Comcast Xfinity are the two main options in most of the metro.

Miami has a growing coworking scene, especially in Brickell and Wynwood.

Coffee shop WiFi is easy to find throughout the central neighborhoods.

Currency: US Dollar (USD).

Major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) all have a heavy presence.

Miami is also a major hub for international and private banking, given its Latin American ties.

A Social Security Number is usually needed to open an account; some banks accept an ITIN as an alternative for non-residents.

Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere.

Wise is a popular option for moving money internationally.

Brickell: Miami's financial district, high-rise condos, very walkable, lively nightlife.

Coral Gables: leafy, upscale, Mediterranean architecture, more residential.

Wynwood: street art and galleries, has grown fast, popular with young professionals.

Coconut Grove: laid-back, tree-lined, near the water.

Little Havana: historic Cuban-American neighborhood, central location, more affordable.

Rent has climbed sharply since 2020 — compare several neighborhoods before signing a lease.

Cuban food is everywhere — cafecito, croquetas and a classic Cuban sandwich are a good introduction.

Miami's food scene reflects deep ties across Latin America and the Caribbean, not just Cuba.

Wynwood and the Design District both have dense, upscale dining options.

Spanish is spoken as commonly as English in many parts of the city — it's genuinely a bilingual city.

South Beach: the classic Miami beach, Art Deco district right behind it.

Key Biscayne: quieter, family-friendly, good for a day trip from downtown.

Crandon Park is a local favorite for a calmer beach day away from South Beach crowds.

The Everglades are less than an hour away for a completely different kind of day trip.

Wynwood Walls for street art, plus the surrounding gallery district.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: an early-1900s estate on Biscayne Bay, worth a slow afternoon.

Art Basel Miami Beach (December) is a major international event that reshapes the city for a week.

Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix has become a fixture on the local calendar each spring.

Miami Heat (NBA), Miami Dolphins (NFL), Miami Marlins (MLB) and Inter Miami CF (MLS) all play locally.

Beach volleyball, running and cycling along the beach path are part of daily life here.

Outdoor fitness culture is strong year-round given the climate.

Watersports — paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing — are easy to pick up thanks to the coastline.

Take hurricane season seriously — sign up for county alerts and know your evacuation zone.

A car makes life much easier outside the walkable core neighborhoods.

Cost of living has risen sharply in recent years, especially housing — budget accordingly.

Sun protection matters year-round given the intensity of the Florida sun.

Tipping norms follow the rest of the US: 18-20% at restaurants is standard.