Miami Travel FAQ

The drier, sunnier stretch from roughly November to April is the classic window, with lower humidity and little rain, but it is also high season with the highest hotel prices. May through October is hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and it overlaps with hurricane season. Shoulder months like November or April often balance decent weather with softer prices. Whatever the month, expect heat and strong sun year-round, so plan outdoor tours for morning or late afternoon.

Four to six days covers Miami and Miami Beach without rushing, with a day or two left for one excursion such as the Everglades or the Florida Keys. Three days is workable if you stick to Downtown, Brickell, Wynwood and South Beach and skip day trips entirely. Adding both the Everglades and Key West comfortably needs seven to nine days, since Key West alone is a long day from Miami. Fewer than three days means picking either the city or the beach, not both in depth.

Miami Beach, especially South Beach or Mid-Beach, suits travelers who want walkable beach access, Art Deco streets and nightlife right outside the hotel. Downtown, Brickell or Wynwood in Miami proper suit travelers focused on museums, dining, Little Havana and business, with a short drive or rideshare to the sand. Traffic across the causeways (MacArthur, Venetian, Rickenbacker) can add 20 to 40 minutes at peak times, so staying near what you'll do most avoids repeated crossings. Budget travelers often find slightly better rates inland in Miami than beachfront in South Beach.

A common split for a week-long trip is three to four days in Miami and Miami Beach, one full day for the Everglades, and two to three days for the Keys since Key West alone is roughly a 3.5 to 4-hour drive one way from Miami. The Everglades work well as a single day trip because Shark Valley or the Homestead entrance are both under an hour from the city. The Keys reward an overnight stay in Islamorada, Marathon or Key West rather than a rushed round trip. Bahamas day trips are a separate, optional add-on that need a passport and a full day.

Yes, but expect daytime heat and humidity plus near-daily afternoon thunderstorms roughly from May to October, so plan beach and pool time for morning and outdoor tours around the storms. Summer also falls inside Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30), with the highest storm risk from August to October. On the upside, hotel rates and tour prices are noticeably lower than the November-to-April high season, and crowds thin out. Travelers sensitive to heat or storm disruption should favor winter or the shoulder months instead.

A taxi or rideshare from MIA to South Beach typically runs $30-$45 and takes 25-40 minutes depending on traffic, since there is no direct rail link to the beach. Public transit means a Metrobus or Metrorail connection plus a transfer, which is cheaper but can take over an hour with luggage. Airport shuttle vans are a mid-price option, often $20-$25 per person but with multiple stops. Renting a car makes sense only if you plan multiple day trips outside the city, since parking in South Beach is expensive and often scarce.

Miami International Airport (MIA) sits closest to Downtown Miami and South Beach, so it suits trips centered on the city. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), about 30 miles north, often has cheaper fares, especially on low-cost carriers, and works well if your trip also covers Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach. Choosing FLL for a Miami-only trip adds roughly 40-60 minutes of driving each way compared to MIA. Compare total cost including the extra transfer time before deciding based on airfare alone.

Yes, MIA connects to the Metrorail Orange Line via the free Miami Intermodal Center people mover called the MIA Mover, then a Metrorail ride of about 20-25 minutes reaches Downtown stations such as Government Center. A one-way Metrorail fare is a few dollars, far cheaper than a $25-$35 taxi or rideshare. From Downtown, the free Metromover then covers Brickell and the central business district on foot-free loops. This combination is a reliable budget option if you are traveling light, but it is less practical with heavy luggage or a late-night arrival.

PortMiami sits a short 10-15 minute rideshare or taxi ride from Downtown Miami and Brickell, typically $15-$25, and about 20-30 minutes from South Beach. To MIA, expect a 20-30 minute ride costing roughly $25-$35 depending on traffic and cruise-day surge pricing. There is no direct rail line to the port, so taxis, rideshare apps or a hotel shuttle are the practical options. Cruise turnaround days bring heavy traffic around the port, so budget extra time on embarkation or debarkation mornings.

Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA, which is an online travel authorization, not a visa, applied for only through the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Travelers from countries outside that program need a B-2 tourist visa obtained through a US embassy or consulate before departure. An ESTA covers tourism and business visits but does not guarantee entry, which is decided by a border officer on arrival. Always confirm your country's status before booking, since program membership can change.

Apply only at the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, since third-party sites often charge inflated fees for the same free-to-process application. Most approvals come back within minutes to 72 hours, but the official guidance is to apply at least 72 hours before travel to leave room for delays or a request for more information. An approved ESTA is generally valid for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple visits. Double-check name, passport number and travel dates before submitting, since errors can require a new application.

The official ESTA fee is a modest amount, currently around $21 per applicant, paid only on the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov site. It is typically valid for up to two years from approval or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever happens first, allowing multiple short trips within that window. Each visit under ESTA is generally capped at 90 days, and it cannot be extended from inside the country. Websites offering ESTA processing for $50-$100 or more are third-party services charging a markup, not the government fee.

Travelers who have visited certain countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, generally cannot use ESTA and must instead apply for a regular B-2 visa at a US embassy or consulate. This rule applies regardless of the purpose of that earlier visit, including tourism. The B-2 visa process takes longer, often several weeks to months depending on the embassy, so factor this in well before booking flights to Miami. There is no fast-track workaround at the border for this restriction.

An ESTA-authorized stay is capped at 90 days per visit, regardless of how long the ESTA itself remains valid for future trips. This 90-day limit cannot be extended or renewed from inside the country under the Visa Waiver Program. Leaving the country, including a short trip to the Bahamas, does not automatically reset a fresh 90 days on re-entry, and a border officer can question a pattern of frequent short exits and re-entries. Travelers needing more than 90 continuous days should apply for a B-2 visa instead.

For a trip confined to Miami Beach, Downtown, Brickell and Wynwood, rideshare, Metrorail and the free Metromover cover most needs without a car. A car becomes worth it once you add day trips to the Everglades, the Florida Keys, Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach, since those areas have limited or no public transit. Parking in South Beach and Downtown is expensive, often $20-$40 a day at hotels, which offsets some rental savings. A practical middle ground is renting a car only for the days you leave the city.

Yes, the Metromover, the elevated people-mover loop through Downtown, Brickell and the Omni area, is completely free with no fare card needed. It runs frequently, generally every few minutes, and is a convenient way to move between Bayfront Park, Brickell City Centre and the Kaseya Center without a car or rideshare. It does not reach South Beach, Wynwood or the airport, so it only replaces short car or walking trips within its loop. Combine it with Metrorail, which does have a fare, for longer trips including to the airport.

Most South Florida expressways and causeways use electronic tolling with no cash booths, read by SunPass transponders or license-plate cameras. Rental companies typically enroll the car automatically and bill tolls afterward to your card, often with an added daily service fee of $4-$15 on top of the toll itself. Renting or buying a personal SunPass transponder before the trip usually costs less per toll if you plan heavy driving. Confirm your specific rental company's toll billing policy before pickup to avoid surprise charges.

Yes, Brightline is a fast, comfortable rail option connecting Downtown Miami to Fort Lauderdale in about 30 minutes and to West Palm Beach in under an hour, avoiding I-95 traffic. Fares vary by class and demand, generally in the $10-$40 one-way range depending on how far ahead you book. It's a strong choice for a day trip focused on Las Olas or Worth Avenue without renting a car. It does not serve the Everglades or the Keys, so those excursions still need a car, tour bus or organized tour.

No, Miami Beach is a legally separate city from Miami, sitting on its own barrier island across Biscayne Bay and connected to the mainland by causeways such as the MacArthur and Venetian. They share a metro area and are often mentioned together, but they have different city governments, addresses and, at times, different local rules such as beach curfews. This distinction matters for navigation, since a Miami address will not be in Miami Beach and vice versa. Locals and tour operators generally treat them as clearly separate destinations, not neighborhoods of one city.

It's a protected historic district centered on Ocean Drive and nearby streets in South Beach, holding one of the largest concentrations of 1930s-1940s Art Deco architecture in the world, with pastel facades and geometric detailing. Self-guided walks or a 60-90 minute guided architecture tour, often $25-$45 per person, are the common ways to see it. Lummus Park and South Pointe Park bookend the area, making it easy to combine with beach time. Early morning or early evening light gives the best photos and avoids the midday heat and heaviest foot traffic.

Calle Ocho is the main strip, lined with Cuban coffee windows, cigar shops and live music, and Domino Park is a well-known spot to watch locals play dominoes. Food tours here, often $50-$75 per person, are a popular way to sample Cuban coffee, pastelitos and mojitos in one outing. Friday nights bring Viernes Culturales, a street festival with music and art vendors on the last Friday of most months. Two to three hours covers the core stretch on foot, more if you linger over food stops.

Yes, beyond the Wynwood Walls murals the neighborhood has a dense cluster of breweries, galleries and restaurants that work well for an evening out regardless of art interest. Wynwood Walls itself has an entry fee, typically around $10-$16, while the surrounding street murals outside the gated area are free to view. It gets busiest and liveliest on weekend evenings, with a younger nightlife crowd. If street art specifically isn't the draw, treat it as a food-and-drink neighborhood and budget two to three hours.

North Beach and Mid-Beach are generally quieter and better suited to families, with calmer stretches of sand and fewer bars than South Beach.

South Beach, particularly the Ocean Drive stretch, is the nightlife-focused area with beach clubs, bars and late crowds, especially in high season and around events like Miami Music Week.

Key Biscayne, with Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, is a short drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway and often recommended for a calmer, more nature-oriented beach day. Parking is limited and can cost $10-$30 at the more popular beaches, so arriving early helps.

Yes, both the Shark Valley entrance and the Homestead entrance near Florida City are under an hour's drive from Miami, making a day trip straightforward. A half-day tram or airboat tour plus drive time comfortably fits into 5-7 hours round trip. Shark Valley suits a tram tour and short walks to see alligators, while Everglades City on the west side suits airboat tours through the mangroves. Bring sun protection and insect repellent, since shade is limited and mosquitoes can be heavy, especially in the wet season from roughly May to October.

The National Park Service entrance fee applies to everyone regardless of residency, typically around $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass at the time of visiting, with no separate non-resident surcharge. An annual pass covering multiple national parks is available for frequent visitors at a higher upfront cost. Shark Valley has its own separate tram tour fee on top of the park entrance fee, usually in the $30-$35 range per adult. Prices and fee structures do change periodically, so it's worth checking the official National Park Service page before arrival rather than assuming a fixed number.

Most commercial airboat operators run just outside the official Everglades National Park boundary, commonly near Everglades City or along US-41, because airboats are restricted or banned inside much of the protected park itself to limit wildlife disturbance.

Inside the park at Shark Valley, the standard wildlife-viewing option is a guided tram tour or biking the loop trail instead. Both experiences show alligators and wading birds, but airboat tours are faster-paced and louder, while tram or walking tours are quieter and slower.

Confirm with the specific operator whether their route is inside or outside the park boundary before booking.

Yes, the Everglades is one of the few places in the world where American alligators and American crocodiles coexist, since it's a mix of freshwater and brackish coastal habitat. Alligators are far more commonly spotted, especially along the Anhinga Trail near Flamingo and around Shark Valley's canal. Crocodiles are shier and concentrated more in brackish areas near the coast, such as around Flamingo, and sightings are less guaranteed. Never approach or feed either animal, and keep the recommended distance posted by park rangers.

About 95% of Biscayne National Park is water, so the main ways to experience it are a boat tour, guided snorkeling or diving trip, or paddling by kayak, all typically booked through authorized concessioners near Homestead. The visitor center on the mainland has a short accessible boardwalk and exhibits but very limited land-based sightseeing beyond that. Snorkeling trips to the offshore reefs and keys usually run a half day, in the $60-$100 range per person. Weather and wind conditions can cancel boat trips with little notice, so build flexibility into that day of the itinerary.

Key West sits roughly 160 miles from Miami along the Overseas Highway (US-1), and the drive typically takes about 3.5 to 4 hours each way without stops. Traffic through the Keys can slow considerably on weekends and holidays, since much of the route is a single lane each direction. Many visitors break up the drive with stops in Islamorada or Marathon, crossing the Seven Mile Bridge along the way. Flying is an alternative for time-pressed travelers, with a short flight available from Miami to Key West.

A day trip from Miami is possible but demanding, since roughly 7-8 hours go to driving alone, leaving only a few hours in Key West itself, typically enough for Duval Street, Mallory Square and the Southernmost Point but little else. An overnight stay lets you catch sunset at Mallory Square, visit the Hemingway Home properly and enjoy the town without a return-drive deadline. Organized day-trip tours by van or bus exist and remove the driving stress but still involve a long day. For a first visit, one night in Key West is generally worth the extra cost over a rushed day trip.

Dry Tortugas National Park, home to Fort Jefferson, is reachable only by boat or seaplane from Key West, about 70 miles further west, since there is no road access. A daily ferry departs Key West and takes roughly 2.5 hours each way, with round-trip tickets typically in the $200-$220 range including breakfast and lunch. Seaplane transport is faster, around 40 minutes each way, but considerably more expensive, often $400-$700 or more per person. Because it departs from Key West, not Miami, this trip effectively requires an overnight stay in Key West rather than a same-day Miami departure.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is the most accessible and popular snorkeling spot, with boat trips to the reef typically running $50-$80 per person for a half day. Islamorada and the area around Bahia Honda State Park also offer good reef access with generally clearer water than closer to the mainland. Visibility and coral health vary by season and recent weather, with calmer summer mornings often better than windy winter days. Reef conditions have been affected by bleaching events in recent years, so expect variable coral color rather than postcard-perfect reefs everywhere.

The Overseas Highway (US-1) is largely a two-lane road for much of its length through the Keys, so passing is limited and traffic backs up quickly behind slow vehicles, especially on weekends. The Seven Mile Bridge, near Marathon and Bahia Honda, is a genuine highlight with open water views on both sides, and the older parallel bridge nearby is partly preserved for walking and cycling. Fuel up before long stretches, since gas stations thin out between the larger Keys towns. Plan for the full drive to take longer than GPS estimates suggest, especially in high season traffic.

Yes, high-speed ferries and day-cruise operators run from the Miami area to Bimini or, less commonly, to Grand Bahama near Freeport, with crossing times typically around 2-3 hours each way by fast ferry. A day trip usually means an early departure and a late return, with just a few hours actually on the islands. Prices for these day trips vary widely, often in the $150-$250 range per person depending on the operator and package. Weather and sea conditions can delay or cancel crossings, so avoid booking a same-day return flight right after a Bahamas day trip.

Yes, a valid passport is required for any trip to the Bahamas, including a same-day cruise or ferry, since it is international travel regardless of how short the visit is. An ESTA or US visa alone does not cover entry to the Bahamas; it only governs entry to the United States. Check that your passport has enough validity remaining, since the Bahamas and the ferry operator may require a minimum number of months before expiration. Leaving passports at the hotel and trying to travel on a driver's license alone will result in denied boarding.

No, a short trip to the Bahamas does not automatically reset the 90-day ESTA clock; the 90 days refers to the length of a single authorized stay, not a rolling allowance that refreshes with each border crossing.

A border officer can, and sometimes does, question travelers who leave briefly and re-enter repeatedly, viewing it as an attempt to extend a stay beyond what ESTA allows. There is no fixed rule guaranteeing re-entry after a Bahamas day trip if your original 90 days is nearly used up.

Anyone needing more time in the US should look at a B-2 visa rather than relying on short international trips to reset the clock.

Tipping is expected in Miami as throughout the US, with restaurant service typically tipped 18-20% of the pre-tax bill for good service. Bartenders generally expect $1-$2 per drink or 15-20% on a tab, and taxi or rideshare drivers commonly get 10-15% or a rounded-up fare. Hotel staff such as bellhops and housekeeping are usually tipped a few dollars per bag or per day. Skipping tips entirely is considered a real shortfall in service norms here, not just a cultural preference, so budget it into your daily spending.

Many restaurants, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Ocean Drive in South Beach, automatically add an 18-20% service charge or gratuity to the bill, sometimes for large groups or sometimes for all tables. This is a way to guarantee staff income given high seasonal turnover and heavy tourist traffic, and it should be printed clearly on the check or menu. Always check the bill before adding an extra tip on top, since double-tipping is a common visitor mistake. If a service charge is unclear, it's reasonable to ask the server directly whether gratuity is already included.

No, displayed prices for tours, attractions, restaurants and most goods are generally shown before sales tax, which is added at checkout. Miami-Dade County's sales tax is 7%, combining the Florida state rate with a local surtax. This applies to meals, retail purchases and most paid activities, though hotel stays carry additional lodging-specific taxes on top. Budget an extra 7% or more beyond the advertised price for anything purchased locally.

Beyond the 7% Miami-Dade sales tax, hotels add a separate lodging or tourist development tax, which combined with sales tax commonly pushes total hotel taxes to somewhere around 13-14% depending on the exact area.

Many properties, especially in Miami Beach, also charge a mandatory daily resort fee, often $25-$45 per night, covering things like Wi-Fi, pool access or beach chairs whether you use them or not. These fees are usually disclosed only in the fine print or at checkout, not in the headline nightly rate.

Always check the total-with-taxes-and-fees price before comparing hotels by their advertised rate alone.

A budget traveler can manage on roughly $100-$150 a day covering a hostel or budget hotel, casual meals, public transit and one modest paid activity. A mid-range daily budget, covering a standard hotel, sit-down meals and a paid tour or two, typically runs $250-$400 per day per person. Luxury stays in South Beach or Brickell, fine dining and private tours or boat charters can push well past $500-$700 a day. Remember to layer in the roughly 7% sales tax, higher hotel taxes, resort fees and tipping on top of any headline prices when planning.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs officially from June 1 to November 30, as defined by NOAA, covering all of South Florida including Miami. The highest-risk stretch within that window is typically August through October, when storm activity peaks. Outside those months, from December through May, direct hurricane risk is essentially off the table. Even without a direct hit, a nearby storm can bring heavy rain, flight delays or beach closures during the peak months.

Not necessarily, since most days even within the June-to-November season pass with no storm impact, and prices are typically lower than the winter high season.

The real risk is a specific storm forecast disrupting flights, tours or requiring evacuation with only a few days' notice, so travel insurance covering trip interruption is worth considering for trips booked in this window.

Monitoring NOAA and local weather alerts in the week before and during the trip is the practical approach rather than avoiding the season outright. Travelers with zero flexibility for cancellation or rebooking may prefer the lower-risk November-to-May stretch instead.

Miami's wet season runs roughly May through October, with frequent but often short afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day rain. A typical pattern is sunny mornings followed by an hour or two of heavy rain in the afternoon, then clearing skies again. Humidity is high throughout this period, making the heat feel more intense than the temperature alone suggests. Scheduling outdoor tours, boat trips or beach time for the morning hours generally avoids the worst of the afternoon storms.

Winter, roughly November through April, brings drier air, more sunshine and lower humidity than the summer months, with daytime highs commonly in the mid-70s to low-80s Fahrenheit. Rain is far less frequent than in the wet season, making it the more reliable window for outdoor plans and boat excursions. It's also peak tourist season, so expect higher hotel prices and busier attractions, particularly around the winter holidays. Evenings can feel noticeably cooler, so a light layer is worth packing even though days stay warm.

Miami's main tourist zones, including South Beach, Downtown, Brickell and Wynwood, are generally safe for visitors who take standard city precautions, such as watching belongings on the beach and avoiding poorly lit areas late at night.

Petty theft, such as unattended bags or phones on the beach, is the most common issue rather than violent crime against tourists. Rideshare apps are widely used and generally a safer late-night option than walking long distances alone.

As in any major US city, checking current area-specific advice for the neighborhoods you'll actually visit is more useful than a single blanket safety rating.

Miami sun is intense year-round, and the subtropical UV index is regularly high even on days that don't feel scorching, so sunscreen reapplied every couple of hours is essential rather than optional. Midday hours, roughly 11am to 3pm, carry the strongest sun and heat, making mornings and late afternoons better for walking tours or outdoor excursions. Hydration matters more than in temperate climates, since humidity slows how effectively sweat cools the body. Light, breathable clothing and a hat help, and heat-related illness is a real risk for visitors unused to combined heat and humidity.

Rip currents can occur at Miami-area beaches, particularly during windy conditions or near piers and jetties, and lifeguard-flagged beaches post color-coded warning flags that should be checked before swimming. If caught in a rip current, swimming parallel to shore rather than directly against it is the standard advice to escape safely.

Jellyfish, including occasional Portuguese man o' war, can appear seasonally, especially after storms or strong onshore winds, and lifeguards typically post warnings or close swimming when sightings are frequent.

Swimming near a staffed lifeguard tower, rather than an unguarded stretch, is the simplest way to reduce risk from both hazards.

Dial 911 for police, fire or medical emergencies anywhere in Miami and the surrounding area, as throughout the United States.

US healthcare is not free for visitors and can be extremely expensive without coverage, so travel health insurance is strongly advisable since neither an ESTA nor a US visa includes any medical coverage.

Emergency room visits or ambulance rides can run into the thousands of dollars without insurance, even for relatively minor treatment. Confirm before the trip that your policy covers the US specifically, since some travel plans exclude it or price it separately from other destinations.

Yes, Miami offers a good mix of beach time, Zoo Miami, Jungle Island and calmer beaches like Key Biscayne's Crandon Park that suit families with younger children.

South Beach's Ocean Drive nightlife strip is less kid-oriented, so families often prefer basing themselves in Mid-Beach, North Beach or Key Biscayne instead.

The heat and strong sun mean outdoor time is best scheduled for mornings, with midday reserved for indoor museums like Frost Science or downtime at the pool. Many boat tours and excursions have minimum age or height requirements, so check specifics before booking with younger kids.

Airboat tours are generally fine for children above a minimum age or weight set by each operator, often around 4-6 years old, due to noise levels and required hearing protection.

The Shark Valley tram tour is a calmer, quieter alternative better suited to very young children or anyone sensitive to loud engines. Heat, sun exposure and limited shade are bigger practical concerns than the wildlife itself, so water, hats and sunscreen matter more than usual.

Alligator sightings are common and generally viewed from a safe distance, but children should be kept close and supervised at all boardwalks and viewing areas.

Zoo Miami and Jungle Island both offer several hours of kid-focused wildlife viewing without requiring a car trip out of the city. Frost Science, with its planetarium and aquarium, works well as an air-conditioned midday break from the heat. Crandon Park on Key Biscayne offers a calmer, more spread-out beach setting than the busier stretches of South Beach, better suited to smaller children. For a splash of local culture without a long walk, Bayside Marketplace near Downtown combines shopping, dining and bay views in one easy stop.

There's no single official accessibility rating for Miami or Miami Beach as a whole, and this guide doesn't invent one. What's confirmed: the Metromover is free and elevated, avoiding street-level walking between Downtown, Brickell and Omni, and ride-hailing apps cover most trips where walking or driving yourself would be hard. For any specific site, check directly with that museum, park or dock before you go.

It is an annual contemporary art fair week centred on Miami Beach that spills into Wynwood and the Design District, drawing large crowds in late autumn or early winter. Hotel rates spike, rooms sell out weeks ahead, and popular tours and restaurants fill fast, so anyone visiting during that week needs to book well in advance and check the fair's official site for exact dates and tickets.

Yes. Bimini and Grand Bahama (Freeport) are sovereign Bahamian territory, so a day trip requires a passport and clears immigration on both sides. The hours spent there also count toward the 90-day limit of a US Visa Waiver Program stay under ESTA — the crossing does not reset that clock.

South Beach is the famous, free, public option with Ocean Drive and Lummus Park behind it, but it is also the most crowded. North Beach and Mid-Beach are quieter stretches of the same barrier island, and Key Biscayne, reached by the Rickenbacker Causeway, offers calmer water at Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

There is no single best month: the dry season (roughly November to April) is sunnier, cooler and less humid but the most expensive and crowded, while the wet season (roughly May to October) is hotter, more humid and prone to short afternoon storms, with lower prices. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, peaking August to October.

Bimini is closer, so the crossing is shorter and the beach and sandbar time longer; Grand Bahama (Freeport) is a bigger island with more organized shore excursions but a longer run each way. Both require a passport and can be cancelled by rough seas, and either way, time spent in the Bahamas counts against the 90-day ESTA limit.

It's a narrated sightseeing boat tour, usually 1 to 1.5 hours, that leaves from the marina at Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami and loops through Biscayne Bay past Brickell's skyline, Star Island and celebrity homes on Millionaire's Row. It has nothing to do with Biscayne National Park near Homestead, which is a separate protected area reached from a different marina.

No. About 95% of Biscayne National Park is open bay, coral reef and barrier islands, so there is no road network inside it. The only landward access is the Dante Fascell Visitor Center near Homestead; everything past the shoreline is reached by boat, snorkel or kayak.

Yes for the northbound corridor: Brightline connects downtown Miami to Fort Lauderdale in about 30 minutes and to West Palm Beach in around an hour, with no driving and no tolls. It suits day trips and one-way transfers better than round-trip sightseeing that needs a car at the far end.

Little Havana, along Calle Ocho near Domino Park, has the city's densest cluster of budget Cuban cafes and lunch counters, with full plates and cafecitos well under $15. Add Miami-Dade County's 7% sales tax and an 18-20% tip on top of every menu price.

Yes for weather: late December sits in the dry season, so sun is likely and there is no hurricane risk, since the Atlantic hurricane season ends November 30. It is also peak tourist season, so hotel rates rise and popular tours and restaurants sell out; booking several weeks ahead matters more than at almost any other time of year.

Little Havana, centred on Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), is the neighbourhood for Cuban food in Miami — cafeterias, cigar shops and Domino Park, a short walk or short ride from Downtown and Brickell. It is a separate, walkable neighbourhood with its own identity, not a Downtown extension.

Wild bottlenose dolphins turn up on boat trips across Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys and coastal waterways, while manatees are most often seen in calmer canals, marinas and spring-fed waters in the cooler months. No operator can guarantee a sighting of either animal on a wild-water tour.

About 160 miles (255 km) one way on US-1 and the Overseas Highway, which takes 3.5 to 4 hours without stops, longer with traffic. The stretch from Key Largo to Key West alone is 113 miles and crosses 42 bridges.

Both cover the same distance: about 160 miles and 3.5 to 4 hours each way from Miami. Driving lets you stop in Islamorada or Marathon on your own schedule; an organised bus or SUV tour removes the driving but not the hours in the vehicle, and most run as a long single day rather than an overnight.

Dry Tortugas National Park has no road access. The only ways in are the official park ferry, a seaplane, a private boat or an authorized charter from Key West, about 70 miles away. Entry costs $15 per person (free for age 15 and under), on top of the ferry or flight fare, and popular dates sell out weeks ahead.

Travellers from the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries need an ESTA, not a visa: an online travel authorisation from esta.cbp.dhs.gov, valid for stays of up to 90 days. Everyone else needs a B-2 visitor visa, applied for at a US embassy or consulate before departure.

No. Airboats are banned on almost all of Everglades National Park's protected water. Nearly every airboat ride is run by a private operator on land bordering the park, mainly along the Tamiami Trail or near Everglades City, not inside the entrance gates at Shark Valley or Homestead.

Airboat tours run on private, non-park waterways near the Tamiami Trail or Everglades City, because airboats are banned in most of Everglades National Park. Shark Valley is inside the park: a 15-mile loop road covered by tram, bicycle, or on foot, with an observation tower. Many day-trippers from Miami book an airboat ride and then drive on to Shark Valley the same morning.

Yes. Shark Valley, the park's main northern entrance on the Tamiami Trail, is about 40 minutes west of Downtown Miami. A half-day covers the 15-mile tram loop and observation tower; a full day leaves room for a private airboat ride nearby, since airboats are not allowed inside most of the park itself.