Miami

The local latin population is mostly Cuban (http://imakoopedia.org/en/article/Cuba) exiles (which have now become second and third generation locals,) with South Americans from various countries gaining ground. There is also a large Haitian (http://imakoopedia.org/en/article/Haiti) community as well, and many signs and public announcements are in English (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language), Spanish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language) and Creole (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creole_language#Haitian_Creole).

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Talk

Miami has a huge Latin American population, and Spanish is a language often used for day-to-day discourse in many places, although English is the language of preference, especially when dealing with businesses and government. Spanglish, a mixture of english and spanish, is a somewhat common occurance, with bilingual locals switching between English and Spanish mid-sentence.

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Get In

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By plane

Miami has one primary airport, Miami International Airport (MIA) (http://www.miami-airport.com/), located in the north center of the city. Depending on flights, it may be easier and/or cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) (http://www.fll.net/) and drive (45 minutes south) into Miami proper.

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By car

Miami has two primary expressways, SR826 (known as the Palmetto Expressway to the locals), which encircles the city and runs North-South and northward becomes East-West and joins to I-95. The other major one is SR836 (also known as the Dolphin), which runs East-West along Miami International Airport and joins the Florida Turnpike Expressway. Interstate 95 (I-95) runs North-South along the East side of the city through downtown after which it becomes State Road US1 (http://www.us-highways.com/flus.htm) on its way to South Miami, Homestead and the Florida Keys. The Florida Turnpike runs North-South along the west side of the city, connecting Miami to Orlando and points North as well as leading to US1, through Homestead and into the Florida Keys.

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Get around

Buses are available, but often slow and inconvenient. Schedules and routes are available from the Miami-Dade Transit (http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit/) website or by calling (305) 770-3131. Taxis (http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&safe=off&q=taxi&near=Miami,+FL&oi=localr) are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place. Car rentals (http://www.google.com/local?sc=1&q=car+rental&near=Miami%2C+FL&btnG=Google+Search) are the most convenient for of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.

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See

Miami Metro Zoo (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/Parks/metrozoo.htm)
Gold Coast Railroad Museum (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/railroad.htm) (next to the Zoo)
Fairchild Tropical Gardens (Botanic Gardens) (http://www.ftg.org/)
Miami Seaquarium (http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/index.htm)
Parrot Jungle
Charles Deering Estate (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/Parks/deering.htm)
Coral Gables
Miami Beach (South Beach/SoBe)
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (http://www.fairchildgarden.org/)
Matheson Hammock Marina (http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/parks/Parks/matheson_marina.htm)

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Do

Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition (http://www.fairexpo.com/fair/fairmain.htm)
Tropical Park Equestrian Center (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/Parks/equestrian.htm)
Eco-Adventure Tours (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/ecoadventures.htm)
Canoe Trips (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/prog_canoetrips.htm)
Kayaking and Snorkeling (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/prog_kayaking.htm)
Bike Tours (http://www.metro-dade.com/Parks/prog_biketours.htm)

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Learn

Miami-Dade Community College (http://www.mdcc.edu/college_wide/)
Barry University (http://www.barry.edu/)
Florida International University (http://www.fiu.edu/)
University of Miami (http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/)

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Work

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Buy

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Eat

Many international cuisines are to be found, with a heavy leaning towards latin foods, particularly Cuban cuisine. Cuban cuisine to try: a sandwhich cubano (Cuban sandwich), and a cafecito (literally: little coffee, but compares to a strong, sweet expresso.)

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Drink

Most of the drinking nightlife is centered around South Beach or Coconut Grove. "Cuba Libre" is a popular drink, known to the rest of the world as plain old "Rum and Coke".

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Sleep

Miami is a tourist town and has many hotels, located mostly around the airport area and along Miami Beach. High season (fewer rooms, higher prices,) is during the winter months of November through February, with Summer being the low season. There hostels throughout the city.

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