miami stop over

[boredsolicitor]

we are doing a big family holiday next summer to costa rica with my 2 dds 20 and 22 .
our flights are via Miami and i wondered how easy it would be to stay there a day or two? is it a massive visa / airport faff? we are in costa rica for nearly 3 weeks so can only really spend a day /night in miami and i'm not sure it's sensible to try and do this too but my dds are quite keen. anyone tried anything similar in the US recently? any tips gratefully recieved.

You will each need an ESTA regardless of whether you are transit passengers or decide to stay one night at a hotel. Only use the official US government website to apply for the ESTA documentation. You will also need to show the check in staff in the UK documented proof that you have all received the primary set of covid vaccinations; a booster is not needed to meet this requirement.

There are lots of hotels near the airport but if you do stay a day or so I would stay in the Downtown area of Miami around Bayside.

Miami is a vast and sometimes a disorganised hot mess of an airport (read airlinequality reviews and you will see what I mean) and you will need to allow hours of time (at least 3 hours) between your arrival into Miami and your departing flight to Costa Rica should you decide to only be in transit. I have stood in line for at least an hour each time at Immigration after a long walk from the jetway. That clock will start ticking on you the moment the plane from the UK lands.

that's very helpful thank you very much .

There's actually a hotel in the airport. Very convenient if having a layover.

I think you’d not manage much of anything in that time. I agree too with comments about immigration. We stood for 2 hours this summer as we transited. I’ve been to Miami a load of times as have family there, the airport is a nightmare.

thanks for the warnings - all helpful .

We spent two nights in Miami Beach this summer after four nights in Key West (flew in from NYC) and honestly had no problems.

The airport is actually reasonably close to South Beach. Given you’re going to need an ESTA to transfer anyway, I think it’s a good stop off - but anything less than two nights then it’s probably not worth it.

I certainly want to go back and spend a lot more time there. Two nights gave me a taster.