Can You Go to Miami on a Budget?
Often called the “Magic City,” Miami is known for lots of things: its beautiful beaches, breathtaking skyline, vibrant nightlife and eclectic food scene, to name a few. It is not, however, known for being a particularly cheap place to visit. Factoring in flight prices, hotels, restaurants and activities, it’s easy to find yourself shelling out thousands of dollars on a single trip.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the magic of Miami without spending a fortune. As long as you’ve got an open mind, a bathing suit and some sunscreen, there are plenty of affordable activities to enjoy in the city. Here, we cover the basics of visiting Miami on a budget, from flights to bites to sights.
Getting There
First, you’ll want to pick the right time to visit Miami for the lowest rates on flights. According to Cheapflights.com, some of the least expensive months to book a Miami vacation are September and January, while some of the most expensive are April and May (due in part to the flocks of spring break visitors during those months). In many cases, you can save some cash by taking a train to Miami — but keep in mind that this will lengthen your travel time exponentially. Whichever mode of travel you choose, the earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket will likely be.
Where to Stay
While hotel pricing can vary depending on the time of year that you decide to visit, there are quite a few accommodations you can find in Miami for budget-friendly rates. You can snag a room at upscale hotels like CitizenM Miami Worldcenter and Berkeley Park MGallery for around $200 per night, and you can find rooms at hotel chains such as Holiday Inn, Days Inn and Best Western for even less than that. We also recommend checking out the Hampton Inn & Suites, Aloft Miami, the Vagabond Hotel Miami or the Element for more great prices and deals. As with flights, the earlier you book your hotel, the better your chances are of getting an affordable rate.
Where to Eat
Miami is rife with tasty yet budget-friendly food across a range of cuisines. For a quintessential Miami food experience, head to Calle Ocho in Little Havana, where you’ll find everything from $4 al pastor tacos at The Taco Stand to $5 burgers at El Rey De Las Fritas. In the mood for pizza? You can get an enormous pepperoni slice for under $8 at Casola’s Pizzeria. Swing by La Sandwicherie for a made-to-order, French-style sandwich on the crispiest baguette. And you can grab a few drinks on the low by taking advantage of happy hour specials at bars like Sweet Liberty, Baia Beach Club and Salty Flame.
What to Do
There’s nothing like spending a day relaxing on one of the many beaches Miami has to offer — and it just so happens to be a low-cost activity, to boot. Grab your swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen and a towel and kick back on the sands of the South Beach shoreline. Art aficionados can take advantage of the free admission at the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Lowe Art Museum, as well as free entry at events like the South Miami Art Festival. You can catch views of the sunset and Miami’s expansive skyline at green spaces such as South Pointe Park and Bayfront Park. And be sure to take a walk down Ocean Drive to take in the stunning architecture of the Art Deco Historic District.
