Trips to Miami

INTRODUCTION TO MIAMI

Miami - the birthplace of suntan lotion and home to beautiful subtropical beaches, the hottest parties and multicultural cuisine. What was formally a mangrove swamp is now a grand, cosmopolitan city that has to be seen to be believed.

FAST FACTS
Airport: Miami International
Time from airport to city: 15-25 minutes
Taxi from airport: $22 - $32
Public Transport Types: Metrorail, Metrobus, Trirail, taxi/uber.
Standard Metrobus single journey cost: $2.65
Standard Metrorail single journey cost: $2
Average taxi rate: $1.60/mile

ABOUT CONTIKI
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Go for a stroll at Miami beach boardwalk

After a swim at the beach, you can stroll for hours along Miami's famous boardwalk, taking in the iconic palm trees and grandiose hotels. There are showers to wash off the sand and salt from crevices, as well as benches to sit and watch the crowds go by. As you get into the territory of 14th Street, bustling restaurants and bars will start to tempt you with tasty fare and cold drinks.
Check out little Havana

Little Havana is the hub for Miami's Cuban community, and the area is always buzzing with funky music and Latin vibes. Locals can be seen playing dominoes in the shaded public squares, and Spanish is primarily spoken, so download a language app on your phone and get practising! The authentic Cuban food and cigars are massive drawcards.
Go shopping on Lincoln Road

This is one of those rare places where you can let it all hang out in a bikini or board-shorts while you peruse the restaurants and boutique fashion outlets. It's also one of the best places in the city to do some people watching – coincidence? It's a street that exudes energy, options and exuberance.
Party on Ocean Drive

It can be pricey, but Ocean Drive is the epitome of Miami grandeur. Smartly dressed partygoers pose in front of expensive cars while the staff of bars and restaurants entice newcomers into their establishments. It's a recipe for a wild night out, but also a worthy spot for a stroll and an ice cream on a sunny afternoon.
Learn to surf at Surfside Beach

Despite the common assumption that Miami is a touchstone for surfing, the beaches rarely attract much swell. If you're a learner, Surfside Beach can be a good spot to learn how to tame the froth. And even if barrels aren't really your thing, Surfside Beach is an epic place to enjoy some sun and avoid the crowds that dominate South Beach and Ocean Drive.

Things to do in Miami

SOUTH BEACH

Whether you're there for sunshine and swimming, food and wine or just a good night out, South Beach has the vibes. People burst into this grand and glamorous world both to see it and to be seen. From the beach gym to the swathe of white powdery sand to the iconic hotels, South Beach is everything you've seen in the movies and come to expect from South Florida.
ART DECO HISTORIC DISTRICT

The Art Deco period was an interesting time for architecture and this historical district in South Beach provides a rare insight into those days. Viewing these buildings invokes scenes of America's roaring 1920s, a time that was characterised by post-war prosperity and excess. The buildings are distinguishable by their attractive, multi-coloured facades; a particularly beautiful vista around sunset.
PETER LIK'S GALLERY

Peter Lik's permanent solo gallery space is a fixture of Miami's Lincoln Road, a small but well-established venue showcasing some of his large format photography. The artist has a deep interest in nature scenes and takes great care with how he represents light. Visitors are guaranteed an eyeful of stupendous colour and scope. While the works aren't cheap, it's free to visit.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

While it may seem peculiar that a Holocaust memorial has been erected in sunny Miami, many Jews fled to the city during the World War Two period. Miami has one of the biggest Jewish populations in the USA and the memorial is an ode to their stories of migration. The memorial itself is grand and moving, and volunteers provide free tours. It's a solemn experience, but an interesting one.
MIAMI BEACH BOTANICAL GARDEN

With koi ponds, monarch butterflies and a range of exotic plants, Miami's botanical gardens are a horticulturalist's dream. It's free to enter and can be a nice place to enjoy some respite from the city's fast paced atmosphere. Many of the plants start to bloom in April.