The Place for Government Per Diem Rate Hotels

City Overview

Government travelers will be spoilt for choice when looking for federal per diem rate hotels in Miami.

Miami is almost more Latin American than simply American - famed for its sunny weather, savoir faire, legendary party scene and super-cool South Beach style.

Miami and its neighbouring city Miami Beach are cities of emotion, colour and texture. Much of Miami's appeal is due to its diverse neighbourhoods, which range from towering skyscrapers in downtown Miami (the commercial heart of the city) to Little Havana, home to the Cuban community. Meanwhile, the Port of Miami is the world's largest cruise port.

Miami Beach is world-renowned for its 'gold coast' hotel strip, palatial properties and exceptional outdoor recreational facilities. Its glamorous, see-and-be-seen South Beach neighbourhood is instantly recognizable, with its candy-coloured art deco buildings set against a pure South Florida backdrop of cloudless skies, dazzling blue ocean, pale sandy beaches and swaying palm trees.
Thanks to its warm weather year-round, both cities share one ethos: life here is not about work but plenty of play.

Getting Around

Airport

Flights to Miami are offered by a number of different airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic. Mimai flights from the UK take less than nine hours. As it's a year round destination, it can be tricky to bag cheap flights to Miami, but if you travel during the off-peak summer months, when it is hot and humid, you may be able to find a bargain.

Miami International Airport (MIA)
Tel: (305) 876 7000.
Website: www.miami-airport.com

Located 11km (7 miles) northwest of the city, Miami International Airport has a central terminal in the shape of a horseshoe, with seven concourses (A-G). For easy access to any of the concourses, there is a moving walkway on Level 3. The new South Terminal (concourses H-J) is now open and the North Terminal is scheduled to open in 2011, adding 100 international gates and 30 domestic gates to overall capacity.

Airport facilities
Throughout the terminal, there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, snack bars, gift and duty-free shops, pharmacies, post office, newspaper stands, unisex hairstyling salon and foreign currency exchange booths. Car hire firms include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National. There are five Tourist Information Centers (the main one, at level 2 of Concourse E, is open 0600-2200), a full-service bank (concourse B, level 4, and concourse J) and several ATMs (including concourse C and G, level 2).

Transport to the city
Some hotels provide a free minibus or limousine service from the airport. Alternatively, the best value for money option is the SuperShuttle (tel: (305) 871 2000; www.supershuttle.com). Minivans depart from the lower level of the terminal outside baggage claim, with 24-hour service to points as far north as Palm Beach and to some of the Lower Keyes. On average, Miami destinations cost US$15-25 one way.

Approximate flight times to Miami
From London is 8 hours 30 minutes; from New York is 3 hours; from Los Angeles is 5 hours; from Toronto is 3 hours 45 minutes and from Sydney is 18 hours.

Trains

Rail Services

Miami's main Amtrak rail terminal is located at 8303 NW 37th Avenue (tel: (305) 835 1221). The station has very basic facilities, including a checked baggage service, an enclosed waiting area, payphones and vending machines.
 

Rail Operators
Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) is the national railway provider offering comfortable trains and a reliable, efficient services to cities throughout the USA and Canada. Amtrak's Silver Meteor and Silver Star trains operate up the Atlantic coast from Miami to New York City.

Connections
From Orlando - 5 hours; Jacksonville - 8 hours 30 minutes; New York City - 29 hours.

By Road

When it comes to driving in Miami, bear in mind that Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits range from 24kph (15mph) to 72kph (45mph) in the city, 88kph (55mph) on most state highways and 88-112kph (55-70mph) on interstates and the Florida Turnpike. Speeding fines are hefty. All drivers must be over 16 years and are required to hold a current driving licence. The State of Florida recognises valid driver's licences from the USA and other countries, as well as International Driving Permits. Visitors who plan on driving should have Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) as part of their standard travel insurance.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) (tel: (305) 661 6131 or 1 800 222 1333; www.aaa.com) provides information and road maps and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).

Routes to the city
The I-95 is the major north-south expressway, providing access into Miami from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It runs through downtown Miami and into US-1 (also called Dixie Highway), which continues south to Key West. Another toll-paying expressway, the Florida Turnpike, heads southwards from Orlando and central Florida to the Golden Glades Interchange in the north. The major east-west expressway to downtown Miami is State Road 836 (Dolphin Expressway), connecting Florida's Turnpike in the west with the I-95 and Miami Beach (via the I-395) in the east.

Driving times to the city
From Fort Lauderdale - 1 hour; Palm Beach - 2 hours; Key West - 3 hours 30 minutes; Orlando - 5 hours.

Coach services
Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates three main coach stations in Miami: at 4111 NW 27th Street, near the airport; at 1012 NW First Avenue near Bayside, downtown Miami; and at 16000 NW Seventh Avenue in North Miami. Greyhound operates direct links to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Key West, as well as long distance destinations such as New Orleans, Washington DC and New York.

By Water

The Dante B Fascell Port of Miami (tel: (305) 347 4800; www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/portofmiami), under the authority of Miami-Dade County Seaport Department is the world's busiest cruise port. Near Bayside Marketplace, the port is home to 18 cruise ships and its terminal has smart facilities such as VIP lounges and an outdoor observation deck.

Ferry services
Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are among several cruise liners operating from the port.

Transport to the city
The Seaport Shuttle operates between the cruise ship terminals and downtown. Bus 3, 16, 93, 95, C or S goes from Bayside (Biscayne Boulevard) to downtown Miami.

Local Transport

Public Transport

Getting around Greater Miami can be difficult due to the size of the city. Nevertheless, Miami-Dade Transit Service (MDT) (tel: (305) 770 3131; www.miamidade.gov/transit) provides a variety of useful public transport options, including Metrorail, Metrobus and Metromover.

The Metrorail (tel: (305) 770 3131; www.miamidade.gov/transit/metrorail.asp) is the longest elevated rapid transit system in America. At 34km (21 miles), it runs from Kendall northwards through South Miami, Coral Gables, downtown Miami and then northwest to the Hialeah district. There are 22 stations and the entire journey takes 42 minutes. Trains run approximately every 10-20 minutes and more frequently at peak hours. Exact change only is placed in the slot at the entrance turnstiles.

The trains connect to the Metrobus and Tri-Rail. Transfers to the Metrobus, at the Government Center station or Brickell station, must be purchased at the original boarding station.

Metrobus (tel: (305) 770 3131; www.miamidade.gov/transit/metrobus.asp) operates a comprehensive bus service with 94 routes, some running 24 hours. Blue and green bus-stop signs list the routes and destinations. Exact change is required.

Downtown Miami is served by the futuristic, driverless Metromover (tel: (305) 770 3131; www.miamidade.gov/transit/metromover.asp), an elevated, three-loop, fully automated monorail. It operates daily from about 0500 to midnight, with the outer Loop serving Brickell and Omni operating as one continuous loop from about 1900 until midnight. The Metromover is free to all travellers. It is safe, air-conditioned and it also provides unparalleled views.

The South Beach Local makes getting around South Beach a breeze (tel: (305) 770 3131; www.miamidade.gov/transit). The bus runs every 10-15 minutes and is very cheap.

A monthly Metropass allows for unlimited travel on the Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover. This pass is available for purchase from the Transit Information Center on the second level of the Government Center Metrorail station, online and at designated outlets.

The 7-Day Visitor Passport (www.miamidade.gov/transit/passtokens.asp) enables tourists to select seven consecutive days of unlimited rides on the Metrobus and Metrorail. Buy the pass from the airport (Mercado Miami store, Concourse F), Welcome Centers and other select locations.

Taxis

Taxis are plentiful but it is not the norm to hail one in the street. They are easily available from taxi stands outside most hotels and shopping malls, although it is more common to telephone for one.

Firms include Metro Taxi Co (tel: (305) 888 8888), Aventura Taxi (tel: (305) 599 9999), Coral Gables City Taxi (tel: (305) 444 4242), South Miami-Dade Taxi (tel: (305) 242 7117) and Yellow Cabs (tel: (305) 444 4444). A 15-20% tip is expected.

Driving in the City

Greater Miami comprises 30 municipalities but Miami is divided into quadrants. Flagler Street runs east-west, thus dividing the city into north and south sections, while Miami Avenue runs north-south, splitting the city into east and west sections. Most Miami addresses refer to these quadrants.

Greater Miami traffic can be terrible; cars can come to an absolute standstill along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue in South Beach during weekday rush hour and weekend nights.

There is plenty of metered parking available in Miami but not elsewhere. Visitors should check displayed information for rates and hours of operation. The average rates for parking meters range from US$0.75 to US$1.50 per hour. Some newer meters accept Visa and Mastercard as well as cash. On weekends, parking garages fill up with shoppers during the day and clubbers during the night. Further information on locations of car parks, hours and rates is available from the Miami Parking System, 190 NE Third Street (tel: (305) 373 6789; www.miamiparking.com).

Car Hire

Hiring a car is relatively straightforward. Drivers must be over 25 years old, possess a valid national driving licence and a credit card to hold a deposit of at least US$500. When arranging car hire, visitors should enquire about an all-inclusive rate and ask how this compares to the regular daily rate. An all-inclusive rate should include all taxes, airport fees and car-handling fees. CWD (also known as LDW), which makes the hire company, rather than the driver, responsible for damage to the car, and SLI (supplementary liability insurance), also sometimes called top-up liability insurance or EP (extended protection), increases third-party liability coverage. All-inclusive rates may also include a tank of petrol and additional drivers. There is usually an extra charge for child seats.

Major providers include Alamo (tel: (305) 633 6076; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (305) 341 0936; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (305) 871 3053; www.drivebudget.com), Hertz (tel: (305) 871 0300; www.hertz.com), Interamerican (tel: (305) 635 3060; www.interamerican.com), and Thrifty (tel: (877) 871 5051; www.thrifty.com).

Bicycle Hire

Most hire outlets are in bike-friendly Miami Beach. They include the Miami Beach Bicycle Center, 601 Fifth Street (tel: (305) 674 0150; www.bikemiamibeach.com) and Mangrove Cycles, 260 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne (tel: (305) 361 5555; www.mangrovecycles.com). Miami occasionally holds car-free, bike-and-stroll days in and around downtown Miami, Brickell and the Miami River. Look out for details in the local press.

General Information

Location

Florida, USA.

Time zone

GMT - 5 (Eastern Standard Time).

Electricity

110-115 volts AC, 60Hz; flat two- or three-prong plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures

19.5°C (67°F).

Average July temperatures

28.5°C (83°F).

Annual rainfall

1,425mm (56.1 inches).

Things to do

Sightseeing Overview

Miami has long been a premier tourist destination, acclaimed for its physical beauty and its excellent climate.

Surprisingly, however, it had more humble beginnings. Located on the far south coast of Florida, between a mangrove swamp and a barrier reef, the city was founded 100 years ago, when a tycoon called Henry Flagler extended his railroad to carry citrus fruits from the frost-free south. After WWII and Fidel Castro’s seizing of Cuban power in 1959, waves of Cuban refugees arrived and established Miami as the Latin capital of the USA. This cultural climate inspired residents of other Latin American countries to emigrate, and now Spanish is spoken as pervasively here as English.

Today, visitors are attracted to Miami’s fabled white-sand beaches, clear blue waters; architectural elegance; Spanish culture and Ocean Drive boulevard fringed by the city’s trendiest sidewalk boutiques, bars and restaurants.

Tourist Information

Greater Miami and the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau
Suite 2700, 701 Brickell Avenue
Tel: (305) 539 3000.
Website: www.miamiandbeaches.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1800.

Downtown Miami Welcome Center
174 East Flagler Street
Tel: (305) 379 7070.
Website: www.downtownmiami.com

Miami Beach Visitor Information Center
510 Lincoln Road
Tel: (305) 674 1414.
Website: www.miamibeach.org

Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce
2820 McFarlane Road
Tel: (305) 444 7270.
Website: www.coconutgrove.com

Passes

The Miami Visitor Pass offers up to 15% discount at 66 participating businesses and tour operators (www.miamibeach411.com/discount_card.htm). The Go Miami Card grants admission to over 35 attractions, activities, and tours. Cards range from one to seven day passes (www.gomiamicard.com).

Attractions

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
This magnificent 33-hectare (83-acre) botanical garden is located just south of Coconut Grove. It contains extensive collections of rare tropical plants, a 1,440-sq-m (16,000-sq-ft) conservatory, 11 lakes and lily ponds, and a rainforest exhibit, set among a waterfall and stream. A variety of educational programmes and narrated tram tours are available.
10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables
Tel: (305) 667 1651.
Website: www.fairchildgarden.org
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya is a beautiful Italian Renaissance-style palace set in four hectares (10 acres) of picturesque formal gardens, south of downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay. Built as a winter residence for the Chicago industrialist James Deering in 1916, the mansion is modelled on neo-classical designs and its 70 rooms are filled with antique furnishings spanning the 15th to 19th centuries. Tours are available.
3251 South Miami Avenue, Coconut Grove
Tel: (305) 250 9133.
Website: www.vizcayamuseum.org
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.

Restaurants

Expensive

A Fish Called Avalon
In the heart of South Beach's art deco district, this streetside patio restaurant is ideal for people-watching along bustling, palm-lined Ocean Drive. Latin-Caribbean music adds to the festive and romantic atmosphere. Fresh seafood is delivered daily and the award-winning dishes often feature sensuous, tropical textures and flavours. Try the Caribbean spice grilled grouper or the Florida snapper au poivre with mango relish.

700 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Tel: (305) 532 1727.
Website: www.afishcalledavalon.com 

Baleen Miami
Cross a small bridge from Coconut Grove to the private Grove Isle for Miami's most romantic dining experience. Whimsical monkeys, flaming torches and candlelit elegance add to the exotic atmosphere and food. Enjoy innovative and masterful seafood dishes at intimate al fresco tables overlooking Biscayne Bay, or bask in oriental elegance amid chandeliers of hanging monkeys, candlelight and billowing gauze drapes. This is a real treasure hidden away on its own secluded island.

Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, 4 Grove Island Drive
Tel: (305) 857 5007.
Website: www.groveisle.com

Chef Allen's
Chef Allen's is an ideal restaurant for a special occasion. Chef-owner Allen Susser is counted among America's most respected chefs, celebrated for his innovative ‘Floribbean Palm Tree' cuisine. The stylish art deco restaurant, with its contemporary artwork, fresh flowers and pink neon lighting, surrounds a glass-enclosed kitchen. Here, you can watch Allen create masterpieces from his nightly changing menu, such as conch ceviche; wild Florida shrimps and grits brulee; or Niman Ranch skirt steak. Dinner only.

19088 North East 29th Avenue, Aventura
Tel: (305) 935 2900.
Website: www.chefallens.com

Joe's Stone Crabs
From humble origins as a beachside seafood stand in 1913, Joe's Stone Crab is today a veritable Miami institution, made famous by its copious quantities of stone crab claws - Florida's greatest seafood delicacy - served with their signature mustard sauce. The menu also offers other seafood dishes, steaks, ribs and chicken, accompanied by such sides as coleslaw and hash browns. The restaurant is only open during stone crab season (mid October-mid May).

11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
Tel: (305) 673 0365
Website: www.joesstonecrab.com

Morada Bay Beach Café
Experience the laid-back atmosphere of the Keys and a perfect tropical sunset at the romantic Morada Bay beach cafe, with its wide shady verandahs and plantation-style shutters. Sit barefoot at tables, sipping exotic cocktails while the children play on the white sandy beach. The American-Caribbean menu offers some of the best seafood in the Keys. The renowned monthly full moon parties draw revellers from far and wide to enjoy the live bands on the beach, DJ, firewalkers and jugglers.

81600 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
Tel: (305) 664 0604.
Website: www.moradabay-restaurant.com

Nikki Beach
The restaurant and champagne Bar at Nikki Beach is a hip and trendy spot for Miami's beautiful people on South Beach's southernmost tip. Dine on caviar and lobster while sipping champagne in this exotic utopia, where celebs and models pursue the hedonistic lifestyle. Dishes on the world-cuisine menu, featuring fresh seafood and tropical flavours, are truly a work of art.

1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Tel: (305) 538 1111.
Website: www.nikkibeach.com/miami

Prezzo Restaurant and Martini Bar
Elegant black-and-white decor, a piano bar and nightly entertainment create a lively yet intimate atmosphere for casual dining. Located in North Miami's Aventura district, Prezzo's menu has a distinctly Mediterranean flavour. After tantalising choices of seafood, roast duck or mouth-watering steak, the perfect signature dessert is the caramelised crème brulée with fresh berries. Diners can then adjourn to the outdoor patio for a high-end cigar or hookah.

18831 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura
Tel: (305) 931 5775.
Website: www.prezzofl.com

Romeo's Cafe
This elegant and intimate restaurant (with room for just 28 people) is a hidden gem at the heart of Coral Gables, serving sublime North Italian cuisine to discerning diners. There is no fixed menu. Instead, chef Romeo Majano greets each table and discusses each patron's tastes and food preferences before creating their own personal individual six course meal (three at lunch). The exquisite dishes are accompanied by an impressive wine list of primarily Italian and American vintages. Reservations essential.

2257 SW 22nd Street (Coral Way), Coral Gables
Tel: (305) 859 2228
Website: www.romeoscafe.com

Wish
Wish is one of South Beach's culinary hotspots, located in The Hotel - an art deco boutique hotel with interiors by fashion designer Todd Oldham. Executive chef Marco Ferraro's menus of seasonal Mediterranean-inspired cuisine cleverly blend comfort with sophistication. The unusual outdoor-indoor restaurant provides a choice of alfresco dining in a lush tropical garden setting or in the colourful, cosy Persian-inspired restaurant.

The Hotel, 801 Collins Avenue, South Beach
Tel: (305) 674 9474.
Website: www.wishrestaurant.com

Moderate

Aaria
The stylish lounge bar of the ultra-luxurious Acqualina Resort, Aaria offers both indoor and outdoor dining overlooking tropical gardens to the turquoise Atlantic beyond. Delectable fresh Mediterranean-influenced filled flatbreads, tapas dishes and salads, are served alfresco on the verandah. There are also complimentary delicacies for those sipping at the 6m (20ft) bar and, for dinner, a sushi menu.

17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach
Tel: (305) 918 8000.
Website: www.acqualinaresort.com

Cascade Restaurant
Expect casual poolside dining at the 61-hectare (150-acre) Biltmore Hotel estate. The restaurant overlooks the largest pool in the US, surrounded by rows of statues, palms, waterfalls and Italianate buildings. The menu focuses on fresh seafood, Caribbean dishes and healthy, organic spa cuisine. Highlights include the Caribbean-style bisque, Florida stone crabs and char-grilled churrasco steaks.

Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables
Tel: (305) 445 1926.
Website: www.biltmorehotel.com

Cheap

Johnny Rockets
South Beach's pastel-coloured art deco buildings provide a suitably frivolous backdrop for this classic diner, one of the most popular breakfast venues in the district, with hearty portions served on the pavement terrace in full view of all the film-star wannabes, supermodels, tourists, joggers and rollerbladers cruising Ocean Drive. The rest of the day, old-time favourites, including hamburgers, hot dogs, milk shakes, ice cream sodas and hot fudge sundaes, are on offer.

728 Ocean Drive, South Beach
Tel: (305) 538 2115.
Website: www.johnnyrockets.com

Little Havana
Proof positive that there is authentic Cuban food outside Calle Ocho, witness Little Havana in North Miami, a friendly, popular choice with locals. Open daily for lunch and supper, enjoy such menu items as lobster-stuffed yucca pastry or the masas de puerco, a tender, crispy fried pork dish that is a favourite among patrons.

12727 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami
Tel: (305) 899 9069.
Website: www.littlehavanarestaurant.com

News Café
A cult address - as it is the place where Gianni Versace drank his last cup of coffee shortly before he was murdered on his own doorstep just two blocks away. This trendy, European-style café of minimalist decor is one of South Beach's coolest hangouts, open 24 hours a day. The menu boasts everything from eggs Benedict to bagels and ice cream sundaes.

800 Ocean Drive, South Beach
Tel: (305) 538 6397.
Website: www.newscafe.com

Shorty's Bar-B-Q
Located in a log cabin in South Miami and decorated with mounted boar and caribou heads, saddles and cowboy hats, this barbecue house is a veritable institution. The informal, fun menu is served at long wooden picnic tables, with specialities including barbecued ribs (slow-cooked over hickory logs and smothered in Shorty's own spicy barbecue sauce) accompanied by fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob and chilled, thirst-quenching beers.

9200 South Dixie Highway, South Miami
Tel: (305) 670 7732.
Website: www.shortys.com

Big Pink
At the heart of the South Beach hustle, this upscale, modern diner and sports bar serves classic all-American fare to a young, hip crowd. Living up to its name, everything is pink - the bar stools, the lamps, the Plexiglas tables... even the menu, which consists predominantly of pizzas, burgers, pasta and salads, all served in hearty, value-for-money portions. The real speciality here, however, is the TV dinner - a six-compartment metal tray loaded with satisfying comfort food.

157 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Tel: (305) 532 4700.
Website: www.bigpinkrestaurant.com

Night Life

Miami never sleeps. The main nightlife scene in Miami is around South Beach where neon-lit, art deco buildings provide a suitable backdrop to hedonistic crowds. Bars close around 0100 and nightclubs around 0600. The minimum age for admission to all clubs in Miami Beach (including South Beach) is 21 years, the minimum drinking age in Florida. It is advisable to carry ID and dress codes often require chic attire.

Check out the New Times (www.miaminewtimes.com) or the Friday section of the Miami Herald for listings.

Bars

BED
This watering hole is named from the abbreviation for beverages, entertainment and dining, but also offers pillow-covered king-size beds in place of tables and chairs. A stylish Miami nightspot.
929 Washington Avenue
Tel: (305) 532 9070.
Website: www.bedmiami.com

Tantra
Sensual Tantra sparked a genre of Miami resto-lounges, proffering a top-notch meal in an exotic setting (grass flooring and Turkish tobacco hookahs) that transforms into a nightclub where the DJ spins Middle Eastern fusion music.
1445 Pennsylvania Avenue
Tel: (305) 672 4765.
Website: www.tantra-restaurant.com

The Laundry Bar
For a real change of pace, try The Laundry Bar, in a league of its own in the Miami nightlife scene. Its motto is ‘where your clothes get washed while you get sloshed,' and it offers full bar and dance floor as well as wash/dry/fold and dry-cleaning services.
721 North Lincoln Lane, Miami Beach

Larios on the Beach
Also known as SoBe Bongos Cafe, Larios on the Beach is owned by singer Gloria Estefan, and serves lethal after-dinner mojitos (fresh mint, sugar and rum cocktails) alongside nightly funky Cuban music.
820 Ocean Drive
Tel: (305) 532 9577.

Clubs

Nikki Beach
Legendary Nikki Beach is an international brand with a loyal Miami following. Located right on a glorious stretch of silica, it has an indoor/outdoor dance floor, fabulous cabanas and lounges which attracts a young, supermodel crowd.
1 Ocean Drive
TeL (305) 538 1111.
Website: www.nikkibeach.com/miami

Mansion
Usher and Paris Hilton have been spotted in Mansion, an old movie house and now a massive Miami clubbing venue reminiscent of New York's Studio 54.
235 Washington Avenue
Tel: (305) 695 8411.
Website: www.mansionmiami.com

Cameo
Cameo is considered a cut above the rest on South Beach when it comes to nightlife in Miami, with world-class DJs, outstanding live concerts and a VIP clientele.
1445 Washington Avenue
Tel: (786) 235 5800.
Website: www.cameomiami.com

Mynt Lounge
Actors, models and pop stars frequent the futuristic Mynt Lounge for its cool music and outrageously expensive drinks.
1921 Collins Avenue
Tel: (305) 532 0727.
Website: www.myntlounge.com

Live Music

Kaffe Krystal
For the latest Latin rhythms, try Kaffe Krystal, which has a large dancefloor and hosts live bands and DJs playing authentic salsa music.
10855 SW 72nd Street, Miami

Mango's Tropical Café
This has flamboyant South Beach salsa with dancing on the tables and in the street.
900 Ocean Drive
Tel: (305) 673 4422.
Website: www.mangostropicalcafe.com

Jazid
This upmarket jazz club offers live jazz and blues nightly.
1342 Washington Avenue
Tel: (305) 673 9372.
Website: www.jazid.net

Shopping

Shopping in Miami abounds with opportunities, with a broad assortment of sophisticated malls to small specialist boutiques.

Shopping centres
Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, is one of the most popular malls, featuring Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Sears, JC Penney and over 200 smaller shops. Bal Harbour, 9700 Collins Avenue, is renowned for its high-end designer boutiques, such as Gucci and Tiffany.

Sawgrass Mills, 12801 West Sunrise Boulevard, in Fort Lauderdale, is the world's largest outlet mall with more than 350 discounted brand-name stores.

Key areas
Miracle Mile in Coral Gables has quality galleries, boutiques and department stores, while the 6.4-hectare (16-acre) waterfront Bayside Marketplace, in downtown Miami, offers an unusual mix of retail shops and local artisan stalls.

Other key areas include the funky boutiques of South Beach (most notably the Lincoln Road shopping district), The Gallery at CocoWalk and the exclusive Streets of Mayfair shopping centres in Coconut Grove and the numerous malls scattered about Greater Miami.

A stretch of Collins Avenue, between Sixth and Eighth Streets, in South Beach, has a handful of local boutiques and medium-price chain stores like Banana Republic and Urban Outfitters.

Shopping hours
For chic interiors and objects for the home, nothing surpasses the Miami Design District where high-end décor and furniture shops are open to the public.

Tax information
Sales taxes are 7% on all goods - and there is no system for claiming this back. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Events

Deco Weekend
January
Festival for the preservation and celebration of art deco.
South Beach.
Website: www.artdecoweekend.com

FedEx Orange Bowl
January
Two of the top US football teams compete for Orange Bowl title.
Pro Player Stadium
Website: www.orangebowl.com

Coconut Grove Arts Festival
February
This multimedia arts event takes place over President's Day weekend.
Coconut Grove
Website: www.coconutgroveartsfest.com

Annual Homestead Championship Rodeo
January
Seven-event rodeo.
Homestead
Website: www.homesteadrodeo.com

Miami International Film Festival
February
A 10-day festival featuring Hollywood and international independent films and celebrity parties.
Various venues
Website: www.miamifilmfestival.com

Calle Ocho Festival
March
The largest, one-day, Cuban-American festival and street party in America.
Little Havana
Website: www.carnimvalmiami.com/calle8

Acura Miami Race Week
March
Major international sailing regatta.
Key Biscayne and Miami Beach
Website: www.premiere-racing.com

Miami Beach Dance Festival
April
Contemporary and traditional dance performances.
Byron-Carlyle Theatre, Miami Beach
Website: www.floridadanceassociation.org

Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival
June
Three-day Caribbean entertainment and food festival taking place in the first weekend in June.
Coconut Grove
Website: www.goombayfestivalcoconutgrove.com

Fourth of July
July
Rides, parade, food stalls and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.
Bayfront Park and Key Biscayne

Hispanic Heritage Festival
October
The oldest Hispanic cultural festival in America, with food fair and entertainment for a month, leading up to a street party called Festival of the Americas.
Various venues

Festival Miami
October
Four-week international music festival featuring world premieres, concerts, chamber music and jazz.
Various venues
Website: www.music.miami.edu/festivalmiami

Carnaval Miami
October
A nine-day festival, with parades, parties and multi-ethnic entertainment.
Little Havana
Website: www.miamicarnival.net

Junior Orange Bowl Festival
October-January
The world's largest arts, culture and sports festival for youth; an accompanying parade takes place between Christmas and New Year.
Various venues
Website: www.jrorangebowl.com

King Mango Strut Parade
December
A quarter-century old tradition, this Boxing Day parade parodies traditional holiday parades and spoofs national figures and current events.
Coconut Grove
Website: www.kingmangostrut.org

History & Culture

Culture in Miami is very much alive and kicking. The local newspapers are a good way for visitors to find out what is on: the New Times (www.miaminewtimes.com) or the Friday edition of the Miami Herald are best. An excellent online events calendar (http://miami.nightguide.com) also gives daily listings of special events.

Tickets can be bought at the various venues or from Ticketmaster (tel: (305) 358 5885; www.ticketmaster.com).

Music
Broward Centre for the Performing Arts
The Florida Grand Opera is undergoing a renaissance, entertaining audiences with its repertoire of well-loved classics and lesser-known works, at the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts.

201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
Tel: (954) 462 0222.
Website: www.browardcenter.org.

Lincoln Theatre
The New World Symphony, America's unique orchestral academy, plays from late September to early May in the historic Lincoln Theatre. The only symphony orchestra of its kind in the world, the New World Symphony has been training gifted graduates for careers in music since 1987.

541 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
Tel: (305) 673 3331.

Gusman Center for the Performing Arts
The historic Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, a renovated 1920s movie palace, now stages a huge variety of arts events, including the annual Miami Film Festival.

174 East Flagler Street
Tel: (305) 372 0925.
Website: www.gusmancenter.org

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Concert Association of Florida, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and the New World Symphony, with three separate performance facilities to present ballet, opera, theatre and symphonic music.

1300 Biscayne Boulevard
Tel: (305) 949 6722.
Website: www.arshtcenter.org

Theatre
Jackie Gleason Theatre of the Performing Arts
The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theatre of the Performing Arts is Miami Beach's top artistic venue, showcasing Broadway shows, concerts and dance from the Florida Philharmonic, the Miami City Ballet, the Concert Association of Florida and other celebrated productions.

1700 Washington Avenue
Tel: (305) 673 7300.
Website: www.fillmoremb.com

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