Miami? Miami and ?

[Chocbuttonsandredwine]

Still looking for a holiday for next year for my 40th. Had settled in Costa Rica but for some reason Miami has popped into my head. It’s going to be February.

I’ve never been and literally know nothing …. Although I see there’s the Siuth beach food and wine festival on which sounds amazing.

Also thinking It might be good to twin centre and combine with a week somewhere else/./ Jamaica/Barbados/don’t know.

Has anyone any ideas/experience?

Miami is just across from the Bahamas? You could get a ferry over or a short flight?

Or maybe you could drive down the Florida Keys to Key West. It’s one of my favourite places & so much fun!

A cruise from Miami to some Caribbean island?

Miami is a bit of a hellhole.

I'd stick with Costa Rica or go down to Buenos Aires if you want a big city.

I'd do the Florida Keys. If you've got more time I'd do a road trip in some of the neighbouring states, but depends on the kind of holiday you're after really.

We went to Miami, DisneyWorld (you may prefer to skip this bit!), Naples, the Everglades and the Florida Keys. One of my favourite holidays!

And Key West! I've done it twice (although not for a long time now) fabulous holidays.

I loved Miami. The food is fantastic and the culture in Little Havana (I recommend doing a walking food & culture tour there) is great. It’s a real different side of the US. I recommend Byblos as a place to eat (sort of Lebanese- ish Meze type food). You don’t need to do more than a few days though. It’s just over the water from Cuba or the Bahamas if you fancy that? Loads of cruise ships go from Miami over that way, or you can fly, obvs.

@LynneBenfield I wouldn't go to Cuba if wanting to go to US, I believe it impacts the ability to get an ESTA without applying for a visa (fairly recently change I believe)

I love Miami and have been there several times in Jan/Feb - great time of year to be there. But with current awful exchange rate it will be very expensive. In your position I’d go on to either Costa Rica or Panama. But what do you actually want to do on holiday? Miami and Costa Rica/Panama would be completely different experiences.

Thanks. Some really helpful information there.

inthink the problem is I don’t know, but really need to get skates on and book something/

maybe Cista Rica…. Have courage of convictions

Miami wouldn't be my choice in Florida, the Keys and the gulf coast are nicer.

What do you want from a holiday? Sun? Adventure? City stuff?

Sun, beaches, wine, cool things to see/do, chill, nice hotels.

I've done Miami and Florida keys - was fun. Some of the smaller keys are lovely.

Are you travelling alone?

Earlier this year I went to a Miami and then on a cruise to The Virgin Islands and Bahamas. I really enjoyed it.

Ugh I'd avoid Miami! Spent a night there on my honeymoon en route to Belize and hated it.

One night? Quite the expert then?

@NormaTheWife no do and I

We visited Miami post cruise a few years ago and we LOVED it. It ended up being the highlight of the holiday. We stayed in South Beach in one of the art deco hotels. Heaven. Cruising from Miami again in January and have booked a few nights at the Keys which has always been on my wish list. Driving down to Key West, staying there then a couple of nights in key Largo before flying home. Next time we plan to visit the Everglades and the Gulf Coast. I can recommend a cruise out of Miami as you can visit lots of places then plan to return to the ones you loved. We are going to Costa Rica and Panama amongst other places next time.

i know it’s a personal choice but I didn’t really like Miami. I found it very expensive and a bit of a millionaires playground. We stayed for 2 nights before going a cruise and our hotel concierge told us you can only make it in Miami if your rich or hot, so I was ruled out straight away. 😂

However we did do a 3 night Royal Caribbean Bahamas cruise and loved it so would definitely do more cruising. If I had to fly into Miami again to get the cruise a 1 night stay the night before would do.

I adore Miami.
I also very much enjoyed Costa Rica.

Costa Rica was animals and jungles and pleasant plain food.

Miami is an American city experience although with a strong Latin feel. So art, architecture and food. With lots of opportunities for shopping and beaches.

I enjoy the Keys for a more chilled holiday but they don't have the wildlife of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica functions on the dollar for tourists so will be expensive for Brits ( as the USA will be)

Calm down, Miami has its issues and also has a lot of nice areas, not sure why you need to make such a sweeping generic statement.

Combining Miami with Florida Keys or Key West is a fun trip, or if OP wants can visit Barbados etc as well.

Thought this was a baby names thread for a minute 😅

Hope you have an amazing holiday.

Lots of people have been to Miami and has a good time. I can find you people who have visited London or any city in the world and had a bad time, it doesn’t mean it will apply to everyone.

there are so many factors that could have caused you having a bad one night in Miami which will not apply to others.

Love Miami - we’ve been a few times, South Beach is great, and there are some lovely hotels and restaurants.

From there it’s an easy drive down to the Keys, or across to Naples/Marco Island etc. Or go on a cruise - sail away from Miami is wonderful