Welcome to Miami, the vibrant city on the sunny coast of Florida. Whatever your reason for visiting Miami, planning your trip requires some financial planning. It may not be the most exciting aspect of travel preparation, but it is necessary for a worry-free trip. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the costs of staying in Miami, from accommodations to meals and everything in between. We provide insight into what you can expect in terms of expenses and provide useful tips for saving!
Are you thinking of following our footsteps and renting a camper(van) with friends, your partner or with your whole family? Then ask free of charge and without obligation submit a quote to Travelhome from ANWB. They have both campervans and full-fledged family campers on offer.
- Large selection, low prices
- Independent or Customized
- Expert advice from specialists
- Full quote with no hidden costs
Cost of accommodations
We'll start with this topic because it's an essential aspect of any travel planning.
Hostel prices: A bed in a shared dormitory can be found from USD 70 per night. A private room costs approximately USD 90 per night. Free Wi-Fi is usually standard.
Budget hotel prices: Budget two-star hotel rooms range between 110-150 USD. You can then expect Wi-Fi, a television and air conditioning to be included.
airbnb: There are plenty of Airbnb options in Miami. Private rooms cost approximately USD 75 per night, while an entire apartment costs an average of USD 180 per night. Make sure you book well in advance to get a good deal, as they often book up quickly. You will often find that there is little available if you book at the last minute.
Tip: Always check the additional costs at Airbnb carefully. Sometimes it seems cheap, but after all the extra costs (cleaning, taxes, service charges, etc.) it ends up being just as expensive or more expensive than a hotel.
Costs of food and drinks
By knowing the average costs for meals and drinks, you can determine where you want to spend your budget.
Street Food: Miami offers food in many price ranges. Pizza slices can be found on the street for as little as 5 USD. There are plenty of street vendors offering quick meals around 6-10 USD.
Mid-range restaurants: In a mid-range restaurant you can find a main course for 12-20 USD, including vegetarian options. A dinner for two people with drinks usually costs around 80-100 USD on average.
Tip:: it Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza restaurant is the highest rated Pizza restaurant in Miami. Recommended!
drink: A beer costs about 8 USD, a cup of coffee 5 USD, a bottle of water 2 USD and a glass of wine 15 USD.
Add tip
No one talks about it, but one of the things that makes Miami and the US in general so expensive is the constant expectation of tips. In the United States the minimum wage is not what we are used to in the Netherlands. You simply cannot make ends meet in the catering industry or passenger transport, and that is common knowledge. That's why you are expected to tip 20% as standard. It's kind of an unwritten rule in this country.
When you pay for something in a fast food restaurant and you see the bill on the screen, the screen defaults to whether you want to tip 18, 20 or 23%. This also works the same way with an Uber or taxi. Tipping is not the first thing you think of when budgeting for a trip... In the US you certainly should, because 20% can take up a significant portion of your budget. You need food and transportation almost every day.
Tax not included
Another silent killer for your wallet are taxes, also known as VAT. This taxes are often not included in the price you see. In the Netherlands we are used to the price in the store, at a eatery or restaurant including VAT. In the US this is often different. So make sure that the prices you see correspond to what you ultimately have to pay.
Tips to save money
Okay, now you know that Miami can drain your wallet in a short time. It's expensive and you can run out of money very quickly if you're not careful. Small expenses in particular can add up unnoticed. Bottled water, a beer, a quick bite to eat, a taxi, and yes, those tips and taxes that are not included can really add up. Still, there are many ways to enjoy Miami without it costing you a fortune.
- Free Museums – In the Miami Design District you will find the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), where admission is free. However, it is wise to reserve a ticket online in advance. There is also art to see around the museum. Furthermore, the Lowe Art Museum in Coral Gables offers free admission.
Other museums offer certain days with free admission. So check your favorite museum's website to see when these days are.
- Cheap (and healthy) food – It is a typical Dutch custom; we often just made our own sandwiches for lunch. Complete packed lunches were in our bags when we hit the road again! Buy fruit, bread, cheese, chicken fillet, snack peppers and cherry tomatoes at supermarkets such as Walmart, Aldi, and so on, and make your own ultimate healthy sandwich.
It is not only much cheaper, but also much healthier, because what they say is true: almost everything you buy on the street or in a restaurant in America is fried, fried, salty, sweet and fatty.
With this 'cut-and-paste notebook' you will discover Miami, Miami Beach and the Florida Keys like a real local! Discover Miami and the Florida Keys through four inspiring and cool mini magazines.
Packed with photos, tips, hotspots and information in a handy A6 travel guide. The perfect gift for yourself or to give away!
- Packed with photos
- Countless tips & hotspots
- No shipping costs through publisher
- Miami: Go City Explorer Pass – With this pass you can save on various activities in and around Miami. Choose a pass for 1 to 5 days and make a selection of activities you want to undertake. Examples of activities include the Big Bus (hop-on, hop-off), an airboat tour in the Everglades and bicycle rental.
- couchsurf – Accommodations are expensive in Miami and there aren't many options for a budget traveler. Use a hospitality website like Couchsurfing to stay with the locals for free.
- Bring a water bottle – Miami's tap water is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. The water here has a slightly different taste than in the Netherlands, with a slight hint of chlorine. If that bothers you, you can use a LifeStraw! Lifestraw is my favorite brand because their bottles have built-in filters to make sure your water is always clean and safe. They cost about 40 euros and are here for sale.
Read up Wereldreizigers.nl more about Miami and the surrounding area!
- Miami | General and practical information
- Miami | 19x the most beautiful places + things to do
- Street Art in Wynwood, Miami | Roadtrip USA (14)
- The Florida Keys | dolphin watching and island hopping
- Kennedy Space Center + rocket launch | Our experience
- Everglades | Airboats, alligators and other wildlife
Are you thinking of following our footsteps and renting a camper(van) with friends, your partner or with your whole family? Then ask free of charge and without obligation submit a quote to Travelhome from ANWB. They have both campervans and full-fledged family campers on offer.
- Large selection, low prices
- Independent or Customized
- Expert advice from specialists
- Full quote with no hidden costs
Plan your vacation to America here
- Camper rental You can book this in combination with a tour Travelhome.
- Tours and Fly & drives compare to TUI, Americaplus, sawadee en Djoser.
- Flight tickets for America you book with TUI, KLM en Skyscanner.
- Rental cars : Sunnycars, Alamo en rental cars.
- Tours and Activities in America you book via GetYourGuide.
- Campsites in National Parks you book on RECREATION.gov.
- Travel insurance for America you will find at Allianz.
- Hotels & Resorts in America you can book with a discount Booking.com.
- SIM cards : USAsim en International sim.
- Parking at the airport you can arrange via Parkos, park care of iParking.
- travel items (suitcases, bags, world plugs, etc. can be ordered at Bol.com.
Conclusion
A destination like Miami presents some challenges when it comes to budget management. But with a little budgeting and smart choices, you can still enjoy everything Miami has to offer without breaking the bank. Ultimately, it's all about creating unforgettable memories!
