Got a layover in Miami? Chances are that you're passing through for that budget flight to Fort Lauderdale and just want to experience a few things are that truly Miami.
While I'm not a local in Miami, I got in touch with my close friend that lives there to put things into perspective before recommending what to do, where to eat and where to stay.
I'll share practical tips like how to move around Miami on public transport. Having stayed at Miami Beach area, I'll share the lodging I stayed at and the budget-friendly food I got nearby.
Since we're on a budget, there's not too many things we can do in Miami for free, but there's the beach we'll check out!
Let's figure out how to move around Miami and do as the locals do.
The Miami Vibe
This is what I experienced in Miami for my short stay:
- 🇷🇺 Saw many Russians and foreigners in general
- 🇪🇸 The Hispanic population is massive
- 👙 Lots of people showing off their beach body
- 💉 The city of vices lives up to its name
- 🏝️ Feels like a massively beefed up version of Tulum
Florida Airport Tips
- TSA stops operating at midnight in case you want to pass through for your early flight.
- Access to the MetroBus is available at the third floor of terminals.
- Airports in Florida have free water fountains and bathrooms available.
- Fort Lauderdale Airport has public transport to Miami Beach, Central Miami and Miami Airport.
- While there are a handful of food stalls in the terminals, the better ones are after TSA check in.
Florida Public Transport Explained
One of the easiest ways to get around is by simply using Google Maps to track the bus routes live. They were very accurate for me and I got from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Central Miami and Miami Beach this way.
I highly recommend getting a chip while you're there. I signed up for the T-Mobile 1-month plan for $21.00 USD that included 5GB data which was totally worth it.
The price for the Metro Bus is $2.00 USD (sometimes $2.25) depending on rush hour from my experience.
Metro Bus is paid in $1 bills, coins or using a bus card. The bus service offers no change for larger bills so keep this in mind. The run is also very slow - especially on peak hours when people go to work or get home.
Besides the Metro Bus (Miami-Dade & BCT), there is a Metro Mover which is free and traverses central, north and south Miami. Yes, it's absolutely free.
These are the main public transport options around Florida:
Where To Eat
Where can you eat for under $15 USD? While there aren't many street food vendors in Miami like you would find in Latin America, there are plenty of tiny shops selling food from Hispanic countries like Cuba. Sandwiches and wraps are the most affordable meal in Miami Beach.
Cuba Cafe
Cuba Cafe was recommended to me by the front desk worker at a local hostel. It's a relatively tiny stall with a handful of offerings including: a coffee menu, breakfast menu, sandwiches, smoothies and fresh juices.
The prices average between $10.00 USD and $16.00 for most of the items. An Americano starts at $2.25 only for a small one. I tried the Hummus Avocado Classic Sandwich which was a hefty meal.
While I was there, one of the ladies working there needed some help fixing their table which I managed to fix. As a thank you I got a free coffee!
La Sandwicherie
La Sandwicherie, a tiny hole in the wall, was also recommended to me by a local. It's like a huge inbuilt food cart with only a few chairs. The menu is all sandwiches with the Italian sandwich being the crowd favorite.
The two gentlemen working there are extremely efficient serving delicious and fresh sandwiches. I ordered the hummus sandwich with avocado topping that cost $11.00 USD. They have a little tart sauce to go along with the sandwich as well.
Convenience Stores
Little convenience stores like Ocean 11 Market sell pre-made lunches like wraps and pasta for under $10.00 USD. This is perfect for budget travelers that don't want to go to a café or restaurant.
From the looks of it, the food is fresh. I didn't try one this time around, but it looked perfect for a quick meal. If you search convenience stores in Google Maps, you'll find other store chains as well.
Aventura Mall
Aventura Mall is centrally located and just north of Miami Beach. It has a food court where you can get reasonably priced dishes under $15 USD. There's also a Five Guys branch here if you fancy a burger.
I went with the Asian food stall that gave me a massive plate of food for $15 USD since I was starving. Other cuisines like Jamaican and Mediterranean were also available. The bus stops at Aventura Mall from the Fort Lauderdale Airport, so that's very convenient.
From Aventura Mall, you can also get to Miami Beach. It's a 2-hour ride, but it only costs $2.00 USD.
Where to Stay
It's possible to find hostels under $50 USD but only in Miami Beach really. Miami's average hotel price is around $75 USD a night after tax. The cheapest stays are hostels located in Miami Beach for $20—$40 USD. I highly recommend booking in advance.
Viajero Hostel
Viajero Hostel is the perfect hostel for your stay in Miami Beach. Honestly, it felt like a shared hotel. It's centrally located only 2 blocks away from the beach with many cafés and restaurants nearby. It's also relatively near where the bus stops.
The price for the 6-bedroom dorm was only $41.00 USD inclusive of the local tax and the tourist tax. The 10-bedroom is even cheaper, but it sells out quickly, so I recommend booking in advance especially if you plan to stay on a weekend.
The workers greeted me with a warm welcome, and I got booked in within a few minutes despite it being a walk-in. Actually, you can give drop them a message on Whatsapp where they are responsive as well.
The hostel includes all the important commodities like: free water, free coffee/tea, shared lobby, and even a pool with a lounge area.
One of the most impressive qualities was the cleanliness. The 6-bedroom dorm I stayed in was pristine. The bed was extremely comfortable, and it even had a wall outlet, night light and a privacy curtain. There was even storage area underneath my bed.
If you're into group activities, they also have a Whatsapp group where they do things like going to the beach and playing volleyball and relax of course.
I highly recommend this hostel if you're deciding among the hostels in Hostel World.
The Airport
Staying at the airport overnight might not be everyone's first choice, but it's free! Having spent two days sleeping at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, I can share some practical tips. Did you know there's a website dedicated to sleeping in airports?
Airports are not very comfortable, honestly. But if you have an early flight, it makes sense to check in the day before and avoid paying for a hotel.
The best place to sleep at airports is normally the corner of the terminals where they are likely chairs without seat handles. The light might also be dimmer here, and it might be less noisy. These factors are very important if you actually want to get some sleep.
If you want to be safer sleeping at an airport, you can pass TSA a day before. Just remember TSA closes at midnight. If you have to check in bags, you also won't be able to cross TSA since bags can only be checked a few hours before.
Is Miami Beach Worth It?
Here's a fair warning: I'm not a beach guy whatsoever. I live in Belize and I still don't really like the beach, but lots of people do, so here's what I think.
Miami Beach is really nice to look at with its white sandy beach that stretches out quite a bit, but the shoreline is average in my opinion. A local I met told me that the beach in Miami is mostly artificial. Regardless, it's pretty to look at.
I'm also not a big fan of sunbathing but if that's your thing, this is where you do it. The sun is scorching hot in Miami Beach. I think you can't even walk barefoot for a few seconds without getting burned. Sunscreen and a hat is a definite requirement if you don't want to get burned.
Here's what the beach really looks like.
Prices To Expect
The prices below are inclusive of tax.
| Product/Service | Details | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Hostel | Shared Dorm | $40.00 |
| Midrange Airbnb | 2 persons | $90.00 |
| Luxury Hotel | 2 persons | $500.00 |
| Coffee | Americano | $4.00 |
| Street Food | Wraps | $12.00 |
| Regular Restaurant | Local Dish | 20.00 |
| Gourmet Restaurant | Italian Dish | $50.00 |
| Bus Fare | Per Person | $2.00 |
| Bike Rental | 24 Hours | $24.00 |
Final Thoughts
Miami is relatively expensive and the easiest way to save money is to find cheap accommodation. You can also save a bit by choosing to eat from food stalls instead of pricey restaurants.
The front desk workers at the hostel I stayed gave me excellent recommendations nearby, and I found convenience stores to have everything you need for a good lunch meal.
Lastly, moving around Miami is actually not too difficult. The buses are slow, but being trackable on Google Maps makes it so convenient to schedule trips throughout the day.
About Author
Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.
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