Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

The seat of Miami-Dade County, this South Florida metropolis ranks as one of the state's largest urban areas. Miami proper covers just over 55 square miles, more than a third of which is water. Its population exceeds 400,000, while the metropolitan landscape burgeons with 5,425,000 residents.

Thanks to a thriving seaport and airport – along with proximity to the Caribbean and South and Central America – Miami attracts a booming international business. Many corporations locate their offices for Latin American operations here, and many global banks maintain branches in the city as well. Well-known businesses that call Miami home include Burger King, FedEx, Exxon and Sony.

Sales tax in Miami is incurred at a rate of 7%. Lodging taxes vary in the county from 9.5-12.5%.

Weather

Miami's subtropical climate means that winter warmth and summer heat are a given, along with abundant humidity. However, the Gulf Stream tempers weather year-round, keeping temperature extremes largely in check. Curiously enough, the weather can vary dramatically in Miami, depending on where you are. At one place, the sun blazes; at another, rain descends. Summer visitors should definitely pack clothing appropriate to the changing climate, along with plenty of heavy-duty sunscreen. It's easy to forget that cities closer to the tropics get much stronger rays than northern towns do – employ precautionary measures to ward off painful burns.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Miami's primary airport, a major hub for American Airlines, is Miami International (MIA), located just a few miles west of Downtown. Fort Lauderdale International, about 26 miles north, also handles local travel, often at more competitive prices.

Transportation from the airport into the city is available via taxi or shuttle. (Make arrangements outside of baggage claim on the ground floor, day or night.) Prices depend on where you're going, although many standard destinations will set you back approximately $20. To certain places, however, flat-fee billing is standard: to the Port of Miami you'll lay down $9 (shuttle) or $21 (taxi); to Fort Lauderdale International, it's $23 (shuttle) and $66 (taxi). A regional alternative, the Tri-Rail system, connects Miami, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Its fares are based on zones and typically run less than $10 roundtrip.

Making Your Way

Sprawling Miami is not really a pedestrian-friendly city unless you're in compact South Beach or downtown Coconut Grove. Public transportation is not well-developed either and may not be the best choice if you're on a tight schedule. Its components include the Metrorail system, which links downtown to communities south, and the Metromover, which makes a downtown-only circuit. Both of these elevated trains run daily from 6am to midnight; the former costs $1.25 per ride while the latter is free. Buses are an unhurried option that can be employed as necessary. However, taxis and rental cars are your best bet for speed and efficiency – just be prepared to deal with parking meters and garages if you keep your own wheels.

News & Views

For print coverage of news, politics and culture, check out the Miami Herald, the reputable, local newspaper. It offers a broad overview of city-specific and national happenings, along with weekly information on entertainment offerings. New Times, a free independent publication, takes food, culture and nightlife as its goals.

Quirks & Curiosities

Miami's name is derived from a Native American word meaning "sweet water," referring to the Miami River.

As anyone who has seen national news can verify, Florida is America's punching bag when it comes to hurricanes. Miami, exposed as it is, is unfortunately a recipient as well. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and many of the most damaging storms strike during autumn. Visitors should be aware of the possibility of evacuation with these storms and take every measure to ensure their own safety.

In addition to being a capital of finance, trade and tourism, Miami also boasts the world's largest port for cruise ships. Millions of passengers embark for exotic destinations from the Port of Miami each year, while countless tons of cargo simultaneously make their way into the country.

In the late '60s and early '70s, during his tenure as President, Richard Nixon owned property, complete with floating heli-pad, on Key Biscayne. In the midst of the Watergate scandal, Nixon often sought refuge on the island. It's even said that plans for the Democratic headquarters break-in were agreed to here. In summer 2004, Nixon's 'Winter White House' was torn down and replaced by a new residence.

Getting Your Bearings

As carefully as you plan a trip, you can never hope to know a city like locals do. That's why CVBs are such a great resource. While many branches are accessible to visitors, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau doesn't offer walk-in service. To tap into their bank of knowledge, you'll have to call in advance and receive information by mail. Ask for recommendations on lodging, dining and local attractions.

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
701 Brickell Ave, Ste. 2700
Miami, FL 33131
305-539-3000 – phone
888-766-4264 – toll-free
800-933-8448 – toll-free
305-539-3113 – fax

Necessities - Post Offices

It's usually not too difficult to spot a drop box when you're out and about, but if you need to conduct more serious postal business, it's not always that easy. In Miami, a number of post offices are convenient to travelers and residents. They include:

Brickell
1101 Brickell Ave, Ste G0
305-377-9124
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Metro Postal Store
200 S Biscayne Blvd, Ste 600-A
305-374-0319
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Flagler
500 NW 2nd Ave
305-373-7562
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-1:30pm

Shenandoah (Coral Gables)
1800 Coral Way
305-856-8215
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat 8am-2pm

Miami Beach
1300 Washington Ave
305-672-2447
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-2pm

Ocean View
445 W 40th St
305-538-2708
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-2pm

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1-2 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).