How to indulge in guiltless fun in Miami

Miami, Florida, United States. Visited on 3 – 5 April 2025.

From San Juan, Puerto Rico, I flew to Miami in Florida, USA, drawn by its sun, style, and sea.

I walked a short distance from where I stayed to Little Havana. Thirty percent of Miami’s population is of Cuban origin. Upon arrival, I asked a passerby to confirm if I had indeed arrived. Holding up his cigar, he replied, “See? Yes, you are in Little Havana”. Instead of plain business-like buildings, street art flourishes here. The perennial sun illuminates the walls, creating a radiant and energetic neighborhood.

Next, I headed to the most picturesque scenes from Miami’s postcards: Miami Beach, divided into North, Mid and South Beach. It is wide and covered in bleached-white sand, complemented by a vibrant turquoise sea, with curtains of white crests rolling ashore. Brightly painted lifeguard houses, each uniquely designed, sit on different sections of the beach, resembling cute little cupcakes crafted by sugar artists. Separated by a thin green belt, a broad boardwalk allows cyclists and strollers to enjoy the sea and the beach side by side.

Wynwood is another part of Miami that showcases its flamboyant character. The streets are lined with low-rise buildings with concrete walls adorned with bold and bright murals. As I was taking a photo of a mural from across a quiet street, a car stopped in the middle of the road to let me finish the shot unobstructed – they are proud of it. Truly, a city of colors that brightens everyone’s day.

From Wynwood, I unconsciously drifted to Midtown, a trendy shopping area. Here, capitalism triumphs, materialism quietly applauded. I roamed the streets wearing shorts and sandals, saddled with my cheap backpack – looking out of place but not looked down upon.

The Miami Design District is a high-end shopping area with architecturally distinct low boutique shops, unlike the tall, glossy glass towers of high-end shopping streets in megacities. Luxury brands are anchored here, attracting young girls dressed in high fashion, and luxury cars parading their wealth along the streets.

If I had tons of money, I could immerse myself in opulence here. Even without much, I could still enjoy what this city offers – sunlit beaches, bold culture, and a taste of tropical indulgence in the US.

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Click the link below to start from stop 1:

See the unique natural wonders of Oman in 10 days

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Itinerary for this trip:

Oman Muscat->Dimmah Sinkhole->Wadi Shab->Sur->Ras Al Hadd->Ras Aal Jinz->Al Wasil->Wahid Bani Khalid->Nizwa->Jebel Shams->Iraq Baghdad->Kurdistan Erbil-> Kurdistan Sulaymaniyah->Karbala->Najaf->Babylon->Tunisia Tunis->Sousse->Kairouan->Monastir->El Jem->Carthage->Italy Sicily Palermo->Sicily Syracuse->Sicily Catania->Malta->Madrid->Dominican Republic Punta Cana->Les Terrenas->Santo Domingo->Puerto Rico->Miami