Art Deco beaches, Cuban coffee and rooftop bars – compare stays from South Beach to Brickell and Coconut Grove.
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Miami and Miami Beach are separate cities facing each other across Biscayne Bay, and the choice between them shapes your trip. Miami Beach, on a barrier island, has the Art Deco hotels of South Beach and the big resorts of Mid-Beach. On the mainland, Downtown and Brickell form a high-rise business and dining hub, with Wynwood's street art, Little Havana and leafy Coconut Grove a short drive away.
Distances are bigger than they look and public transport is patchy outside the core, so decide early whether you will rent a car or rely on taxis, rideshares and the free trolleys. Look carefully at the total cost, as many Miami Beach hotels add a nightly resort fee and charge for parking. Use the search above to compare dates, as big events can change prices sharply from week to week.
Busiest monthsPeak season runs from December to April, when dry, warm weather draws visitors escaping northern winters. Art Basel Miami Beach in early December, Miami Music Week and the Ultra festival in March, spring break, the Miami Open tennis and the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in early May all push rates far higher.
Best valueJune to October is the low season, with hot, humid weather, afternoon storms and the risk of hurricanes, which is highest from August to October. Rates can be far lower, so choose flexible bookings and keep an eye on forecasts.
Based on typical seasonal hotel demand, not live prices. Run a search to see current prices for your dates.
South Beach covers the southern tip of Miami Beach, from the restaurants of South of Fifth to the pastel Art Deco hotels of Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue and the shops of Lincoln Road. You can walk to the sand, bars and clubs, and a car is not essential. Ocean Drive is loud late into the night, so quieter streets a few blocks back suit light sleepers.
North of South Beach, Collins Avenue is lined with large resort hotels, many with direct beach access, several pools and spas, alongside smaller properties further north in North Beach. The sand is less crowded and the atmosphere calmer, which suits families and couples. You will need taxis, buses or a car to reach South Beach's restaurants and nightlife.
Brickell is Miami's financial district, a cluster of glass towers with rooftop bars and some of the city's best restaurants, while Downtown has Bayside Marketplace, the Kaseya Center arena and the Pérez Art Museum. The free Metromover links the two, and Metrorail runs to the airport. There is no beach, but rooms often cost less than in South Beach and many have bay views.
South of Brickell, Coconut Grove is one of Miami's oldest neighbourhoods, with bayfront parks, marinas and a relaxed village centre, while Coral Gables has Mediterranean Revival architecture, the Biltmore and the Venetian Pool. Both are close to the airport and have a calmer, residential feel. They suit travellers with a car or those visiting friends and family rather than beach-focused trips.
The free MIA Mover links the terminal to the Miami Intermodal Center, where the Metrorail Orange Line runs to Downtown in about 15–20 minutes, with the free Metromover continuing to Brickell. Route 150 express buses run from there to Miami Beach. Taxis charge flat-rate zone fares to Miami Beach and take about 25–40 minutes to South Beach, depending on traffic.
Around 25 miles north of Downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a popular alternative with many low-cost and Caribbean routes. Driving to Miami Beach or Downtown takes roughly 40–60 minutes, more at rush hour. A shuttle bus links the terminals with the nearby Tri-Rail station, where commuter trains run south to Miami Airport station for Metrorail connections.
Choose South Beach if the beach, Art Deco architecture and nightlife are your priority, as you can walk to most of what you need. Brickell suits travellers who want restaurants, rooftop bars and city views with quick airport access, and it is often better value, but you will need a car, taxi or bus to reach the sand.
June to October usually brings the lowest rates. It is hot and humid with frequent afternoon storms, and it falls within the Atlantic hurricane season, so flexible bookings are wise. Winter and spring are the most expensive, especially during Art Basel, spring break and major sporting events.
Florida sales tax and Miami-Dade County tourist taxes apply to hotel stays, and Miami Beach adds its own resort tax, so taxes typically add well over 10% to the room rate. Many hotels also charge a nightly resort or destination fee plus parking, so compare the full price before booking.
Taxis charge flat-rate zone fares to Miami Beach and take about 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic, and rideshares are widely available. The cheapest option is the Route 150 express bus from the Miami Airport Metrorail station, reached on the free MIA Mover, which runs over the causeway to Miami Beach.
The season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Most visits are unaffected, and forecasts usually give several days' warning of a storm, but it makes sense to choose free cancellation rates, consider travel insurance and check official advisories before you travel.
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