Skip to main content

8 Miami travel mistakes you should avoid

Want help planning your Miami vacation? Experts tell you which mistakes we make the most

An aerial view of the coast of Miami beach.
antoniocphoto/Unsplash

If you have a Miami trip on your Bingo card for the year, you are among the over three million visitors who also have that idea. From gorgeous art museums to all-inclusive hotel experiences to the ridiculous nightlife, Miami has a well-earned reputation as an amazing vacation spot.

Before you book that flight, pack up the car, or even think about overstuffing your suitcase, there are a few things we all do wrong when it comes to making our way down to Miami. With the help of a few veteran experts, know what mistakes to skip to make your time more enjoyable.

A view of a crowd at Miami Beach.
Marc Fanelli-Isla / Unsplash

It all starts before you leave

We all know packing for trips brings on the anxiety. We either pack way too much (why do we always bring double the amount of underwear needed?) or forget to bring our toothbrush.

Recommended Videos

Don’t leave your skin out to burn

Justin Albertynas, CEO at RatePunk, knows we pack all wrong. Yes, bring your swimwear, but he wants us all to remember to bring “biodegradable sunscreen and a hat to shield your face and head.” Nothing screams “tourist” like those first-day burns for all to see.

Don’t be afraid to spice up the wardrobe

Miami is all about being bright, so don’t stick out by wearing muted colors. Public Relations Manager and Media Relations Director at Simply Be Agency Hollie Boodram knows the local style, as she is a Miami transplant herself. While you don’t need to bring your whole closet, she says to opt for “bright colors, clothes for dinner, going out, and lots of beach options,” so you’re prepared for whatever activities you’ll do.

We all want to wear our new outfits and show off our style, but don’t make your feet hate you. Albertynas has a great reminder to bring those “comfortable walking shoes,” so you aren’t limping on blistered feet by day two.

Don’t bring everything from home

Travel Advisor and Product Manager at BusinessClass.com, Adeel Khan, says one of the biggest no-nos he sees is trying to bring it all. Everyone wants to be prepared on vacation, but things like a sun umbrella and beach chairs are a pain to lug back and forth. Khan urges us to “consider renting them on the beach to save space and money,” then you won’t even need to make room for that stuff in your car if you’re driving.

People riding bikes and walking along Miami Beach.
Juan Rojas / Unsplash

Know when to go

This one depends on what you’re looking for in your Miami trip, but research what’s going on when you’d like to go.

Don’t let the weather surprise you

Everyone wants their Miami travel to happen in the summer, but June to August are not great months for a visit. All of the experts agree that those months are too humid, too hot, and will make most people miserable if they aren’t used to it.

Not only will the sun get you, but you have to think about hurricane season. Albertynas feels people forget Miami sees hurricanes from June all the way through to September. We know that puts a damper on plans, but you don’t want to be stuck in the hotel the whole time, or possibly having to evacuate. Remember, safety first.

Don’t be clueless about events

There will be so many things to do in Miami. Boodlam knows you’ll be able to find something to do or an event to go to, no matter what week it is. But Hollie says it’s best to look up what is going on before you go. If you don’t like the younger crowd, or your group likes to turn in early, you will hate life staying at a Miami hotel during Spring Break.

Albertynas expands on that, saying it could be a mistake to go during large, popular events like the Grand Prix, as you’ll wind up paying way more for just about everything.

A view of part of a wall at Wynwood in Miami.
Sieuwert Otterloo/Unsplash

Stay safe out there, but get out there

From staying in the tourist traps to wandering into the sketchy areas to watching your money, pay attention to what you’re doing and where you’re going.

Don’t mishandle your money

Whatever money rules you have at home go out the window on vacation, but you should try to remember a few points. Adeel states that one of the biggest mistakes is “not bringing cash for parking,” but don’t take out too much. Research where you’re going and how much money you’ll need. You don’t want to be stuck in a bad area with more cash than you need to have.

Don’t forget to research where you’ll stay

As in all cities, there are places that get a little sketchy after dark. Boodram and Khan know areas like South Beach are popular, but have not-so-great hotels that could get you into questionable situations.

Hollie suggests “the city side like Brickell and Downtown” might be a bit more expensive, but you’ll be farther away from the crowds. Adeel offers places such as “Brickell, Coconut Grove, or Wynwood, which offer their own unique charm and attractions” as alternative spots to soak up the sights.

Don’t be afraid to get out there

Yes, Miami has everything you need, and you don’t have to leave the area. But you should. Adeel knows the beach is life, but to enjoy your trip to the fullest, get outside and check out “Coral Gables and the Design District for a more authentic Miami experience.”

Take a kayak tour to see stunning wildlife, snap all of the Instagram-worthy pics at the Wynwood Walls, or eat everything you can in Little Havana. Whatever you do on your visit to the Magic City, avoid the rookie mistakes and make sure you do it right.

Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
March’s best: Shows on Max that will keep you hooked
From new originals to the best shows in HBO history, these are great shows to stream on Max
Scene from Succession

HBO Max was one of the most popular streaming services in the world due to the volume and the quality of the shows and movies on the platform. You've probably noticed when you log into HBO Max that the platform has been replaced by Max. What does this mean? WarnerMedia and Discovery have merged all of their content into one convenient location. You can still enjoy all of the shows like Succession and The Sopranos that were available on HBO Max, and this new streaming service also includes the kinds of reality shows that were available on Discovery+. Essentially, the libraries of the two services have been merged.
As is the case for many young TV lovers, HBO was one of the places I checked first for great TV, and some of the shows on this list made me realize everything that TV was capable of. What's even better, though, is that Max always has another show on deck.
Whatever kind of show you're looking for, you're likely to find it on Max. From iconic dramas to some of the funniest comedies ever created, every show on this list is a must-watch, whether it's 30 years old or just came out this year. Here are the best Max shows.

The Wire (2002)

Read more
Looking for shows like Suits and Suits LA? Here are 8 top picks
These legal shows like Suits are funny and fascinating
Manuel Garcia-Rufo in The Lincoln Lawyer

When you take a look at the plot of Suits, it's a wonder it took so long for the legal series to explode into the phenomenon it stands as right now. The USA Network original series follows an exotic batch of professionals at a New York City firm as they backstab, fight, befriend, and intermingle in a quest for the ultimate legal success. The interpersonal relationships and unique characters make it one of the most relatable and intriguing legal shows of the last couple of decades. And for those who keep up with the tabloids, it starred Meghan Markle before she became known as the Duchess of Sussex.

Suits turned into the popular franchise we know it as in 2025 after benefiting from a move to Netflix. Its spinoff series, Suits LA, recently premiered on NBC and Peacock, but people may want something similar to the show outside of just this series. Don't worry because we have a nice collection of shows that share at least a genre, a character thread, or a setting with Suits. These are the best shows like Suits to watch right away.

Read more
Apple TV+ is releasing a Bono documentary that you can watch on the Vision Pro
You could already use the Vision Pro to watch some short-form content on Apple TV+
A logo for Apple's Bono documentary.

If you've ever wanted to have a totally immersive experience with the lead singer of U2, then you're in luck. Apple TV+ has announced that it will be releasing Bono: Stories of Surrender on May 30, and that it will be the first full-length feature film that you can watch in an immersive, 3D format on the Apple Vision Pro.

This documentary contains footage from Bono's 2022 stage show, which was inspired by his book Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story. Apple describes Stories of Surrender as a “bold and lyrical visual exploration of Bono’s one-man show." The doc will apparently mix together Bono's personal story with performances from the concert, which includes some of U2's most iconic hits.

Read more