The unit of currency used throughout the States is the US dollar which is divided into one hundred cents. The bills are in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 and each of these is green in colour depicting a different former US president. The coins used in the States are 1c (the penny), 5c (the nickel), 10c (the dime) and 25c (the quarter).

Climate

Florida has a semi-tropical climate which means that Miami enjoys a warm year round climate. The coldest months are between December and March but temperatures still average between 13 and 25 degrees Celsius. At all other times of the year temperatures only vary slightly with averages of between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius but between June and September humidity is high and thunder storms are a common occurrence but they do cool things down a little as does the sea breeze in the coastal region.

Time Zone

The US is divided into four time zones and Miami uses Eastern Standard Time (EST) which lies five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. Daylight saving time, when the clock moves one hour ahead of standard time, takes place from 1.00am on the first Sunday in April until 1.00am on the last Sunday in October.

Opening Hours

Opening hours for shops, offices and banks vary from city to city and from state to state. In general however, stores and shopping malls are usually open from between 10.00am and 9.00pm from Monday to Saturday and on Sundays from midday until 5.00pm. Offices open between 9.00am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday. Finally, banks are normally open from 9.00am to 3.00pm on weekdays and many now also open until lunch-time on Saturdays.

Electricity

The US uses 110 to 120 volts AC, 60 cycles. If you are using a European or an Australian appliance, you will need a 110-volt transformer and a plug adapter with two flat parallel pins. These adapters are difficult to find in the States so you are recommended to bring one with you.

Tax

There is no VAT in the US but every state, county and city reserves the right to levy its own local tax on all purchases, including hotel and restaurant bills, airline tickets etc. This sales tax ranges from 4% to10% and to avoid embarrassment when it comes to paying the bill, you should always check that a stated price includes tax.

Visa Requirements

Since August of last year, visitors to the States from most other countries need a visa of some description – stamp, sticker or insert – in their passport which will inform those checking it as to what exactly what your business in the country is. To obtain such a visa you need to contact the US Embassy in your native country. If you are travelling from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or Uruguay and are staying for less than ninety days (you will need to be able to prove this), you can waive US visas through the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. If you are staying for more than ninety days, you will need to obtain a visa to allow you to enter the country. Canadians need only proof of citizenship to cross the border.

Currency Exchange

Bringing foreign currency to the States is not recommended as foreign exchange bureaus are extremely rare and even changing it in banks is inconvenient. If you do need to change foreign cash, however, the best place to do so is in any exchange branch of Thomas Cook. These are usually located in the major cities but once you leave it is difficult to find them in the smaller towns. The situation is the same with traveller’s cheques. While they are widely accepted, this is only the case if they are denominated in US dollars. The three types of cheque which are most widely recognized are Visa, American Express and Thomas Cook. These are also the easiest to change. Most businesses will accept traveller’s cheques but you are better changing them in a bank. You will also need identification to do so.

The other much more convenient alternatives are either credit cards (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) or your regular bankcard from your home country. In the case of the latter, however, you do need to check that it is a member of either the Cirrus or Plus network and that the ATM you are using is too. This information is usually displayed clearly on the machine and chances are if you don’t see it, you can’t use your card there. With both credit and regular bankcards, you should be aware that you pay a minimum charge every time you withdraw cash and this fee can be anything up to $3.

Telephones

The US phone systems are divided into three digit area codes by city and/or region. In fact, in some cases there are even divisions within the same city. When you are calling an area code which differs from the area code you are calling from, you need to dial 1, followed by the thee digit area code (305 for Miami), followed by the local seven digit number. If you are in the same area code you just dial the local number. And, if you are calling the US from outside the country you dial 00, followed by 1, the area code and the local number.

When using public telephones in the US, a calling card is your most convenient and cheapest option. You should also try to get a card which tells you what call and connection fees you are paying. If you do use coins be aware that for long distance and international calls, you will be surprised at how quickly they are used up.

To make calls within the country, prepaid calling cards again are the best method. Phone rates are highest between 7.00am and 11.00pm. To make the cheapest calls, you need to wait until Saturday or Sunday or late at night, as these times offer the best rates.

Tourist Office

The visitor information centre is located at 420 Lincoln Road and it opens between 9.00am and 6.00pm from Monday to Friday and 10.00am and 4.00pm on Saturday and Sunday. There is also an information booth at 401 Biscayne Boulevard which opens daily between 10.00am and 6.30pm.

Tipping

Because the income tax on tip earning service staff is based on money they should have received in tips, they may well have to pay tax on a tip that they never actually received. So, even if you never tip, you should feel bad enough about taking money out of people’s pockets, to do so while you are in the States.

As a general rule you should tip waiters and waitresses between fifteen and twenty percent of the bill, bartenders should receive between ten and fifteen percent, hairdressers, barbers and taxi drivers between fifteen and twenty percent. When it comes to luggage you should tip $1 dollar per bag and $2 to $3 if you have a lot of luggage. You should also leave $1 per day in your room for the chambermaids.

Public Holidays

It is worth noting what the public holidays are before you travel to a country as the majority of businesses, banks and shops usually shut for the day. In the US they take place on January 1st and 15th, February 19th, May 28th, July 4th, September 3rd, October 8th, November 11th and 29th and December 25th. It is a good idea to check the particular area too as certain towns and cities also shut down during special events.

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Music and dance clubs playing a vast and varied selection of sounds, comedy clubs, theatre opera and of course the movies – you really have it all to choose from so all you have to do is decide. Well, it is recommended that you stock up on energy too as you are certainly going to need it. With the majority of clubs staying open until 5.00am every night, it is something that takes quite a bit of getting used to for those of you who have traveled from less fortunate social scenes.

And in a city where there’s so much going on you are probably wondering how you are going to keep up with everything. Well, fear not. There are numerous excellent sources which provide up to the minute details on all things entertaining in Miami. Check out the Weekend section of the Miami Herald on Fridays or the Lively Arts section of the same paper on Sundays for reviews and listings. The New Times, a free weekly magazine which comes out every Thursday is also very informative for those of you who are into the arts. Finally, to find out what’s going on among Miami’s vibrant gay community try to get your hands on David, Miamigo or Scoop which are widely available coming up to the weekend.

Finally, if you’re curious as to where the particularly hot spots are located look no further than the Art Deco District and CocoWalk in Coconut Grove among others. But, the reality for those of you staying in South Beach is that there is absolutely no need to go so far afield. You will have ample venues within minutes of your hostel but remember that regardless of the establishment or the location the legal drinking age in the state of Florida is 21 and this is strictly enforced at all times.

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But, as everyone knows, Miami’s principal allure lies in its world-renowned beaches. Miami Beach, South Beach, Haulover Beach, Mid-Beach – well you get the picture. There are lots of them, each one more impressive than the next. And, where there are beaches there are water sports so take advantage of the wonderful fishing, diving, surfing, snorkeling, water skiing and sailing facilities on offer.

And for the land lovers among you why not hike it or bike it through some of the most picturesque sea and landscapes that the US has to offer. Those of you feeling a little lazy or who have simply spent too much time partying can always take the easy way out by boarding one of the many cruise boats on offer so don’t worry – we make it almost too easy.

Add to this the fascinating Art Deco district, the excellent shopping facilities and the endless glimpses at millionaire’s mansions and you’ll soon see what makes it such a memorable destination.

Deep in the reeds

Within less than an hour drive of Downtown Miami you will find the Everglades National Park – a subtropical wetlands home to an abundance of wildlife, most notably the feared alligator. On day tours you get to see the creatures up close and personal and from one of the famous airboats on the River of Grass.

Attractions in Miami

Art Deco Historic District & Welcome Centre

1001 Ocean Drive, Miami, USA

This is definitely one thing you don’t want to miss during your stay in Miami. A collection of over eight hundred buildings in an area which is less than a square mile, the Art Deco district is one of the most visited in the city. Begin your tour at the Welcome Centre where you can avail of a guided tour or you own audiotape tour.

American Police Hall of Fame & Museum

3801 Biscayne Road, Miami, USA

Home to over ten thousand items of police equipment including Florida’s infamous electric chair, ‘Old Sparky’. Also features some artifacts from movies made in the region including the car from Blade Runner. Quite an interesting place to while away an afternoon.

Spanish Monastery

16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Miami, USA

This building was originally built in Segovia in Spain in the twelfth century but was bought by the American businessman, William Randolph Hearst who had it completely dismantled and shipped to the states. Once the pieces arrived stateside it was reconstructed and is now the oldest building in the western hemisphere.

Miami Seaquarium

4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, Miami, USA

Renowned all over the world this marine wild life park really brings the ocean to life. With amazing killer whale, dolphin and sea lion shows the most famous sea creature in the aquarium is the TV dolphin star – Flipper. A really enjoyable attraction for the young and old.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, USA

The former home of the famous American industrialist, James Deering, this villa built in 1916 in the Italian Renaissance style consists of over thirty rooms containing the antiques and artefacts which he gathered during his travels. Also has ten acres of amazing gardens which provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Miami city life.

Monkey Jungle

4805 SW 216th Street, Miami, USA

Now here is a wildlife park with a difference where the monkeys themselves roam free and the human visitors are behind bars – so to speak. This is the perfect opportunity to see the animals at their most entertaining while you stroll up and down the enclosed paths throughout the sanctuary.

The Venetian Pool

2701 De Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables, Miami, USA

Formed from a coral quarry back in 1923 this pool is included in the National Register of Historic Places and received a major revamp in 1989. Featuring two waterfalls, coral caves and grottos as well as a natural lagoon this was once the playground of the movie stars but is now frequented by locals and tourists alike.

The Holocaust Memorial

1933-45 Meridian Avenue, Miami, USA

Conceived and created by the holocaust survivors living in the region, this memorial was officially opened in 1990 and consists of eleven areas including a meditation garden, numerous sculptures and a memorial wall. Admission is free and it’s open from 9.00am until 9.00pm daily so it is well worth a visit.

Wolfsonian Museum of Modern Art & Design

1001 Washington Avenue, Miami, USA

Part of the Florida International University, this museum is located right in the heart of the historic part of Miami beach and houses over seventy thousand objects dating from the modern era (1885 – 1945). Focusing on how art reflects human experience some of the permanent displays include collections of Russian political propaganda and London subway signs.

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Those of you travelling to the city by air will arrive in Miami International which is about seven miles northwest of downtown. The #7 bus runs directly into downtown while others also make some stops in this region. As well as this there is a minibus, the Super Shuttle as well as an excellent taxi service which will take you there in half the time but will cost you about $25. Finally, you can avail of the Tri-Rail service which runs from the airport to Palm Beach every hour during peak time and every two hours during off-peak times. This is located about half a mile from the main terminal but a free shuttle bus leaves for the station twenty minutes before train departures. All Amtrack services to Miami arrive at 8303 Northwest 37th Avenue and from here you take Bus L to reach downtown while the Greyhound services arrive at Miami Station which is located at 4111 Northwest 27th Street.

Getting Around
Because Miami is a sprawling city, the reality is that for most journeys you will have to avail of the public transport system. The mainstay of this is the city’s buses and a one way fare to any destination will cost you $1.25. If you know you have to change when boarding you will need to ask for a transfer when buying your ticket and this will cost you an additional $0.25. Be prepared to spend quite some time a bus stops, however, and if your journey is not too long you should probably consider taking a taxi.

As well as the bus service there is an extensive rail system in operation. Metrorail is Miami’s high speed elevated system which runs the north south route between downtown and the southern suburbs. Costing $1.25 per journey it operates between 6.00am and midnight daily. This isn’t particularly useful to tourists, however, as the trains mainly serve locations which would not appeal to them. The other system is Metromover which many visitors use to travel to Bayside. It also passes most of the city’s major attractions and shopping districts so is quite popular among tourists. This service also operates between 6.00am and 12.00am and costs $0.25.

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In 1960 the arrival of hordes of Cuban refugees meant that Miami became a bilingual city and in the decades that followed the host of Latino and other immigrants which settled in the city ensured that Miami earned its position as one of the most international cities on the planet. This trait is visible the instant you arrive in the city and is what makes it such a special place to visit. Its eclectic mix of cultures makes it one of the most vibrant and colourful destinations you could ever choose. Add to this its wonderful semi tropical climate and endless stretches of white sandy beaches and the host of attractions and entertainment on offer and what more could you ask for?

In 1996 Miami celebrated its centennial amidst singing, dancing and a mass fireworks display. It has seen a great deal of change in the hundred years since it was founded but as a visitor to the city you will see that all of these developments and transitions have done nothing to hinder its popularity as a major tourist resort.

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