Miami
South Beach is the rare famous beach that over-delivers: genuinely wide white sand and warm Atlantic water, backed by the pastel Art Deco district that turns every street corner into a film set.
- Best forBeach lovers · Nightlife · Groups of friends
- In June29°C · 23 rainy days · sea 30°C
- Ideal stayA long weekend, or a week with day trips
- Approx. flying time~5h 05m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyUSDUS dollar
- LanguageEnglish
- Local time06:115h behind the UK
- PlugsType A / BBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+1
Why go
South Beach does what famous beaches rarely manage: genuinely wide white sand and warm Atlantic water, backed by a pastel Art Deco district dense enough to turn every street corner into a film set. Miami's culture has caught up with its looks in recent years, with Wynwood's mural-covered warehouses, serious art museums and Little Havana's cafecito windows giving the city substance beyond the tan lines and the nightlife.
Winter is the season to visit, dry and sunny with temperatures around twenty-five degrees while much of the northern hemisphere shivers, though summer brings cheaper rates for those who can handle the humidity and occasional storm. A long weekend covers South Beach and one or two neighbourhoods; a week allows day trips to the Everglades or the Florida Keys. It suits groups of friends and couples more than a quiet family retreat.
- Ideal stay
- A long weekend, or a week with day trips
- The vibe
- Glamorous, sun-drenched, energetic
From our guides
Culture has caught up with the tan lines — Wynwood's murals, the Pérez museum, Little Havana's cafecito windows. Winter is the season: dry, sunny, twenty-five degrees while Europe defrosts.
Featured in Ten city breaks with a seriously good beach attached
Things to do
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South Beach and Ocean Drive
A wide stretch of white sand backed by pastel Art Deco hotels, at its liveliest along the promenade in the early evening.
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Wynwood Walls
An outdoor gallery of large-scale murals in a former warehouse district, now surrounded by galleries, shops and restaurants.
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Little Havana
A Cuban American neighbourhood centred on Calle Ocho, with cafecito windows, cigar shops and domino games in the local park.
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Pérez Art Museum Miami
A waterfront contemporary art museum with hanging gardens and sweeping views over Biscayne Bay from its shaded terraces.
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Everglades day trip
Airboat tours and walking trails a short drive inland reach alligators, wading birds and sawgrass wetland unlike anywhere else in the country.
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Key Biscayne
A quieter island beach south of downtown, reached by causeway, with a historic lighthouse and calmer sand than South Beach.
Getting there
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Fly to
Miami (MIA)
Nearest airport to Miami, about 10km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Miami Beach
About 25 to 35 minutes by taxi or ride-hail from Miami International (MIA) over the causeway to South Beach; the Metrorail and a bus combination is cheaper but slower.
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On the ground
Getting around
South Beach is walkable and cyclable along the Art Deco district and the beach path, but Wynwood, Little Havana and the Perez museum are best reached by ride-hail.
Public transport: Patchy: Metrorail, the free Metromover downtown and beach buses help, but Miami is built around driving.
Flights
Los Angeles Miami, Florida, USA
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Roughly 5h 05m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 24°C in January to 30°C in August. Driest January to March; wettest in August, with rain on about 25 days. The sea is warmest in July at around 32°C, coolest at 23°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
June29° · rain 23 days · sea 30°Warm and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Deco boutique hotels and big beachfront resorts on the sand, condo-style rentals up Collins, and business towers downtown. Resort fees and paid parking are near-universal.
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Best base overall
South Beach, around Ocean Drive and Collins
Art deco hotels, the widest sand and everything on foot. Ocean Drive itself is loud, aggressive with touts and pricey, so a block or two back is usually better value and better sleep.
Find stays in South Beach, around Ocean Drive and Collins -
Best with children
Mid-Beach and North Beach
Quieter stretches up Collins Avenue with bigger resort pools, easier parking and a calmer beach. You will drive or take the bus for nightlife and museums.
Find stays in Mid-Beach and North Beach -
Best value
Brickell and Downtown
Across the causeway, with high-rise hotels often cheaper than the beach and good metro links to Wynwood. There is no beach here, which is the whole trade.
Find stays in Brickell and Downtown -
Best for nightlife
Wynwood and the Design District
Murals, breweries and the best bars, with hotel supply now catching up. It is industrial and empties late at night, so plan how you get back.
Find stays in Wynwood and the Design District
Worth knowing before you book: Art Basel in December, spring break in March and big race or festival weekends triple rates, and most beach hotels charge a daily resort fee on top.
Search everything else in Miami Beach by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Timing
- Winter, roughly November to April, is dry, sunny and the most comfortable season; summer brings high humidity and afternoon storms.
- Getting around
- A car is useful for reaching the Everglades or Keys, but South Beach, Wynwood and Little Havana are each walkable on their own.
- Sun protection
- The Florida sun is strong year-round; reapply sunscreen regularly, especially given the reflective white sand.
- Hurricanes
- The Atlantic hurricane season runs June to November, peaking around September; check forecasts if travelling during these months.
- Nightlife
- Dress codes and cover charges apply at many South Beach clubs; some venues have a minimum age well above eighteen.
Similar places
Further afield
Key West
Florida, USA · 211km away →
Universal Orlando
Florida, USA · 321km away →
Volcano Bay
Orlando, USA · 325km away →
Havana
Cuba · 366km away →
Cancún & Tulum
Mexico · 849km away →
Jamaica
892km away →Elsewhere in the USA
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Miami?
Daytime highs run from about 24°C in January to 30°C in August. Driest January to March; wettest in August, with rain on about 25 days. The sea is warmest in July at around 32°C, coolest at 23°C.
How long should I spend in Miami?
Our suggestion: a long weekend, or a week with day trips.
How do I get to Miami?
About 25 to 35 minutes by taxi or ride-hail from Miami International (MIA) over the causeway to South Beach; the Metrorail and a bus combination is cheaper but slower.
Do I need a car in Miami?
No. Patchy: Metrorail, the free Metromover downtown and beach buses help, but Miami is built around driving.
What currency and language are used in Miami?
Currency: US dollar (USD). Language: English. Plugs: type A and B.
Who is Miami best for?
Best for beach lovers, nightlife and groups of friends. In a phrase: glamorous, sun-drenched, energetic.