Tips for Solo Travel in Miami

Mini Break
Whether you're heading for Miami, Florida to enjoy world cuisine and stroll through numerous stores, or just sunbathe, on a tour to this bustling Florida town it is almost impossible to be bored. Although activities to do, food to eat or places to stay are not lacking, a few measures are necessary to ensure a pleasant and safe solo vacation.
 

What is the typical cost of a vacation to Miami?

 
Hotels in Miami are not inexpensive, but the money you pay generally includes an upmarket atmosphere and exquisite design. Hotel rooms in downtown Miami range in price from $140 to $300 per night. Hotel rooms in South Beach range in price from $90 to $280. Hotel rooms in Miami Beach cost from $100 to $380 per night. South Miami hotels are by far the cheapest, ranging from $60 to $140 per night.
 
If you're staying in a hostel, that's $60 or less a night for a shared dorm. Because you're traveling alone, all you need is a bed to sleep in. Get out there and mingle!
 

Freehand Hostel Miami, FL. | © Angeles Almuna Photography. 

The fact that there are so many food trucks in Miami is a plus. Because Miami is a Latin city, expect to see a lot of street cuisine from Colombia, Venezuela, and Cuba, among other places. A drink in a downtown club is around $17, a beer is about $6, and coffee is about $5. It is fair to assume that you will spend between $180 and $240 every day.
 

Safety

 
Safety should be the goal, regardless of where you are solo traveling. Miami is at the top of America's "Worst Cities of Crime" list, with a large number of robberies and burglaries. Take caution when and about to protect valuables. Leave the fantastic jewelry and your wallet, passport, and other essential documents at home and secure them in a concealed wallet instead than in the bag or rear pockets. A little good judgment goes a long way like elsewhere in the world; don't travel alone by night, avoid entering into automobiles or strangers' homes, and avoid large wads of cash in public.
 

Accommodations

 
Think of the hotel as a home base when visiting Miami - a secure place to rest after viewing the attractions. Select a well-situated hotel with acceptable services on-site. Crime rates differ in each neighborhood and thus keep a safer experience in the more touristic regions.
 
Districts such as Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, Sunny Islands, Bal Harbour, Aventura, and Coral Gables are relatively secure areas. Search one of these areas when reserving accommodation. Try booking a room with a balcony opening onto the pool, or a hotel offering a nightclub or other facilities at home.


200 Alhambra Cir, Coral Gables, FL. | © Armando Ching San. 


Transportation

 
The method of transportation used in Miami reflects the level of danger and adventure that the tourist is willing to accept. According to some drivers, activities that would be illegal in other cities, such as running yellow lights, chatting on the phone while driving, and speeding, are all OK in Miami. With public transit limited in comparison to other large metropolises, driving is the most practical method to get about.
 
The Metrorail system in Miami allows you to go straight from Miami International Airport to Coconut Grove, South Miami, and other parts of town. It is possible to go about by rail and cab if you are staying near the shore. As is usually the case, safety comes first: try to arrive during daytime hours to avoid being lost or stuck in the evening.
 

What to do

 
Now it's time to unwind, which Miami does with style. Staying at South Beach or other seaside locales provides access to an unlimited number of nightclubs, spas, and beaches, as well as a multitude of restaurants serving all sorts of foreign cuisine.
 
A vacation to Miami should involve a visit to the Mandarin Oriental's spa, which provides a full line of world-renowned Asian spa treatments, according to the single travel blog Single-Minded Women. There are plenty of other spas in the region prepared to throw out the red carpet for a single visitor.
 
Check out the Wynwood Walls and art galleries, with its busy streets and indoor/outdoor galleries, you'll be surrounded by people all the time. Art complexes are often located near pubs and cafés with low-stress outside sitting.


South Beach, Miami Beach, FL. | © Christopher Alvarenga.

Miami is a mishmash of styles and aesthetics, and different sorts of tourists will appreciate its adaptability. Miami is a fantastic location for single travelers, whether coming for a night or a week.