Miami Beach, USA

Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Adult utopia with sun, shops, art and great food
Miami Beach, USA

Likes: Beautiful people, pristine beaches, and great nightlife
Dislikes: Can be crowded and expensive in high season
Many Travelers? Huge Tourist Crowds

Miami’s South Beach ("SoBe") is the superlative social scene with great beach action, restaurants, epic nightlife, shopping and an abundance of spas. It’s a place that’s full of “the beautiful people,” so bring your confidence as well as your cash.

While Miami Beach may be a party town, there are other aspects to enjoy while vacationing in the area. There are a multitude of golf courses, some 80 wrecks for scuba divers to explore, and there are walking tours for checking-out the abundant art-deco architecture. A half hour away is the Hard Rock Seminole casino in Hollywood, if you'd like to do a little gambling.

Miami Beach can be expensive, but the budget minded traveler who doesn’t mind staying north of the action and is willing to hang out at the beach with a picnic lunch can certainly enjoy the abounding activities. If daytime holds more charm for you, there are many frugal attractions that are worthy of anyone’s time. Downtown Miami is a short ride away (buses are available) with museums, parks, gardens and some very eclectic neighborhoods like Little Havana, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

Children are welcome in Miami Beach but they would have much more fun at Disneyworld in Orlando. When the fancy hotels here say they are family friendly, they’re thinking of your dog.

There are some trade-offs to consider when planning when to come to Miami. Temperatures are very comfortable from December through April, though this is also when it’s most crowded. From June through September it can be hot, which is fine if you want to lay on the beach, but a little uncomfortable if you’re playing golf or doing something active. Hurricane season runs from June through November, but whether that will be a problem is luck-of-the-draw. Weather is great in March and April, but at that time the town fills up with revelers on Spring Break, and while it's great if that's what you're there for, if you're not up for chugging beer and being surrounded by those who are, then you may want to come some other time, Be certain to check the convention calendar if you are somewhat reluctant to share the venue with rappers, models or whatever group is in town.

Miami Beach itself is safe, though you need to use common sense and not leave your valuables unattended. There are some very dicey areas nearby, so whether in a car or on foot, stay on the beaten track, especially at night.

A visit of anywhere from a weekend or a week is about right, depending on your wallet, your work schedule, and how much sun or partying you can handle.

---