Miami Travel Mistakes

How do you avoid Miami travel mistakes?

As spring break officially passes and the summer begins, I notice an influx of crowds and popularity in Miami, Florida. Though I have lived here all my life, I had not realized what an exciting and tremendous tourist destination this city is. Not only is it located in the state with the most fun attractions, but it is also rated highly on the list of cities to visit in all of the United States.

However, where there is a chance for a perfect trip, there is also a chance for it to all go wrong. Just like any other location around the world, you want to be aware of what to and what not to do to ensure a positive experience. There are many mistakes Miami travelers make that seemingly ruin their vacation. I love this city and I don’t want you to be a part of those who don’t see the beauty and magic of it. To ensure your trip goes smoothly, here are Miami travel mistakes to avoid. 

Driving 

The first Miami travel mistake you want to avoid is driving. Driving in Miami is unlike driving anywhere else in the United States. I like to joke that Miami is a country of its own, with its own laws, customs, and governing system. This is seen most on the highways and roads, where no one seems to understand how to drive safely and what the rules of the road are. It is very common to see cars driving on the sidewalk to get in front of another car, cars stopping in the middle of the highway and reversing to get to their exit during rush hour, and cars zipping through lanes like in an action movie. 

If you are unfamiliar with driving in Miami, don’t do it. It is a headache for the locals, it will be even more of a headache if you aren’t used to it. Driving around during your Miami vacation causes so much avoidable stress and will cause you to be late and lost anywhere you go. It is better not to engage in it at all. 

Relying on Public Transportation

If you are thinking you will take public transportation instead of driving, think again. The second travel mistake you want to avoid in Miami is relying on public transportation. Don’t get me wrong, the city of Miami has excellent public transportation. There are buses, trolleys, a Metrorail, and even a brand new Brightline train. The public transportation is usually on time and pretty reliable.

The problem is that it can be very confusing for tourists. There is no one bus that takes you from one site to another. There are several different lines and most of them don’t connect with each other. This means having to take two or three different bus lines to get to your destination. That is if you can even find a way from one to the other at all. Unless you know exactly where you are going and what bus route will take you there, it is best not to assume that public transportation can take you to all attractions. 

So what do you do instead? For both the issue of public transportation and driving, the solution is Lyft, Uber, bikes, and taxis. Uber and Lyft dominate the entirety of Miami. In such a large city, you can order a ride and have it pick you up in less than a minute. The best way to travel around in Miami without having to worry about confusing routes and crazy drivers is simply utilizing ride shares. 

Not watching your budget

Next on the Miami travel mistakes you want to avoid is not watching your budget. As you have seen in famous films and television shows, people come to Miami and blow money, shop, and drive expensive cars. This is the one moment where film and television match reality. Miami is like the Monaco of the United States. In the most touristy parts of the city, you’ll find both tourists and locals in supercars filled with Cartier bags and luxury items and on their way to expensive restaurants. When you are surrounded by the glitz and glamor, it can be easy to be consumed by it.

If you don’t pay attention to your pocket and where you are spending your time, it is easy for a simple dinner to turn into a $500 dinner. Then if you are hitting the shopping malls looking for luxury items, you will certainly find it, and it will drain your pocket. The same goes for bars, clubs, parking, and essentially everything in Miami. Everything can add up and has a tendency to be very expensive. You want to be aware of where you’re eating, what you are spending your money on, and stick to a budget you set before you get there. 

Only speaking English

Another big mistake many tourists make when traveling to Miami is solely speaking English. Yes, I know Miami is located in the United States, but as everyone on social media likes to joke, Miami really isn’t part of the United States. It is an entity of its own and you should respect how things are done in the city. Brush up on your Spanish and don’t snap or get angry if someone does not understand you. It is incredibly common for locals in Miami to only speak Spanish and not understand much English. How could this be, you ask? It is because Spanish is considered the first language in Miami, while English is more secondary. English is common in franchises and businesses, but most family-run stores, the best restaurants, and locals on the street only speak Spanish and assume that you do too. 

Be respectful and brush up on the bit of Spanish you learned back in your day, that is all you’ll need. Learn a few phrases that can help you and the person you are talking to. If you need directions, learn how to say right and left, please, and thank you, and where is the bathroom; basic phrases for emergency situations. 

Leaving a mess

The last of Miami travel mistakes you want to avoid is leaving a mess. Can you imagine inviting someone over to a party, having them leave a complete mess, and then they leave without cleaning up after themselves? That would hurt, wouldn’t it? Someone will have to clean it up, or your house will lose its value. If that would hurt you, why would you do it to someone else, even if that someone else is a city? Year after year, Miami invites boatloads of tourists over to enjoy the beautiful city. After the party is over, they leave glass bottles on our streets, plastic in our oceans, and tons of trash on our sands.

Please don’t do this. It is disrespectful to the locals who have to live there and the city workers who have to clean it up. Above all, it gives tourists a really bad rep. The best way to avoid this is by simply cleaning up after yourself. If you are traveling to the beach, pick up your trash. All you have to do is walk three paces in any direction and you’ll find a trash can. If you are visiting a nice area, don’t litter or throw trash out on the street. Be respectful to Miami and Miami will love you back. 

Now You Are Ready for Miami

All together, Miami is a wonderful travel destination and there are so many ways to enjoy it to the fullest. Though the trip seems perfect and can’t possibly go wrong, know there are quite a few ways a Miami trip can take a turn for the worst. Now that you are aware of these Miami travel mistakes, you can take the action needed to avoid them, such as setting a budget, planning your transportation, and brushing up on your Spanish. With everything in mind, your Miami trip is sure to be the best! Enjoy your time in the city!

Finally ready to take that trip? Here are the Best Things to do in Miami!