Business Offices: 09:00-5:00, Monday to Friday
Banks: 09:00-15:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00-17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00-18:00, every day
Museums: check individual museums for opening times

Miami is a relatively safe American city, but visitors should still exercise caution when they go out. Most of the crimes in the city are theft-related, so take extra care to safeguard your valuables. The beaches are favourite spots for thieves to lurk about, so it may be best to simply keep your valuables in the hotel safe.

Hurricanes are a real danger in this part of Florida. If you are visiting during hurricane season, which runs from June to November, stay aware of the weather conditions as things can become rather chaotic if a big one targets the Miami area.

The basic unit of currency in the United States is the US dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Bills come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins come in denominations of 1 (penny), 5 (nickel), 10 (dime), 25 (quarter) and 50 (half-dollar).

Although most businesses in America take credit cards and bank debit cards these days, it is still advised that you keep some cash on hand. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport and most large banks in the city, but it’s probably best to simply charge things on your credit card. Private currency exchange offices are not common in American cities, so if you need some cash it’s best to go to a bank, where you will get a better rate than at the airport.

ATMs are common in Miami and you may find that the rates for a cash advance are better with your debit card than at the bank. Cirrus and Plus are widely accepted and usually offer exceptional exchange rates.

Visitors arriving from outside the country must fill out a customs declaration form at the airport upon arrival. Non US residents may import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco, one litre of alcohol and gifts with a value up to $100. Meat products, seeds, plants and fruits are prohibited. For additional information, contact the US Customs Service (tel: +1 202 354 1000).

110V, 60Hz, all plugs are two-pronged.

Americans are not known for their strict etiquette and Miami in particular is one of the most relaxed cities in the country thanks to its languid tropical climate and beach boy attitude. However, there are a few social rules which you should be aware of. Most Americans will readily talk to you about any subject, but be careful when the topic turns towards politics or religion. Sensitive topics in Miami will likely revolve around the Cuban exile community and Fidel Castro.

The dress code in Miami is much more relaxed than in other American cities. The beach environment is conducive to wearing shorts, t-shirts and sandals nearly everywhere you go. Miami seems to take this to an extreme and you may be shocked by what you see (or don’t see) on the bodies of some of the locals. Smoking outdoors is acceptable, but be aware that most Americans now frown on the habit.

If you dine at a restaurant, wait until everyone at the table has been served before you eat. If a toast is offered, you should stop eating and wait until the toast is finished before resuming. There are no set rules for who will pay the bill at a restaurant. Unless specifically invited by someone to dinner, most people simply pay for their portion of the bill. Waiters are expected to be tipped between 15 and 20 per cent for their service. For groups of six or more, a 15 - 20 per cent gratuity is often added to the bill and no additional tip is necessary.

No specific vaccinations are required to visit the United States. However, it’s best to make sure you are up to date with your basic inoculations such as tetanus and hepatitis. Although the tap water is safe to drink, it’s always better to use bottled water since your body won’t be used to the local microbes.

If anything does happen during your visit, there are excellent medical facilities in Miami. Many of the staff and doctors are bilingual and can speak both English and Spanish. Visitors from other countries should check whether they are covered by their medical policy in the United States. If not, it’s wise to get some travel insurance to cover any unexpected hospital costs. If you simply feel ill, there are pharmacies located all over the city, many of which are open 24 hours.

Dade County Medical Association
Tel: +1 305 324 8717

Emergency services: 911

English is the main language in the United States, but much of Miami’s population is Latino, so it’s just as likely you’ll hear Spanish being spoken in the streets.

European Union nationals need to fill out a form requesting a visa at least 72 hours before they plan to travel to the US. You may need to show evidence of funds and an onward ticket. Canadians also require a passport to enter the US.

The Greater Miami Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is the best source for tourist information about the city and its attractions. The bureau can be found in downtown Miami at: 701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700 and contacted on: +1 305 539 3063