Travel Guide - Miami, Florida

Anyone planning a trip to Miami can expect a vacation filled with a variety of entertainment, beaches, shopping, water activities, golfing, and nightlife, so no matter what their interests are, they'll have no trouble finding activities to suit them. When making plans to travel to Miami, knowing the average temperatures throughout the year can help you to determine the best time to plan your visit, depending on what you'd like to do while you're there.

No matter what time of year you decide to travel to Miami, there are numerous activities to enjoy. One of the busiest times for Miami Florida vacations is during the summer, when the sun is hot, beaches are busy, and the water is cool. The beaches in Miami, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, provide plenty of wave activity for surfing enthusiasts, jet skiers, and windsurfers, as well as white sandy beaches for sunbathers. Some of the beaches in Miami allow topless sunbathing, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring the kids. These include Surfside and Lummus Beach. Temperatures during June, July, and August typically range from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a high level of humidity.

Miami travel is also popular during the summer months for those interested in outdoor activities off the busier beaches. Canoeing and kayaking, bird-watching, and camping on the nearby barrier islands of Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key in Biscayne National Park are alternatives to sunning on local beaches, such as Virginia Key Beach, that are likely to attract more visitors.

Miami Florida vacations during the autumn season provide opportunities for sightseeing at the historic Art Deco district in the most favorable seasonal conditions. The moderate temperatures stay in the mid-80s and cool off in the evening, which allows travelers very pleasant weather to enjoy the walking tours of the district and other outdoor activities such as game of golf at the Doral Golf Resort or Indian Creek Country Club.

In the spring, Miami travel is most popular among college students on spring break. Many will be in Fort Lauderdale, but many more venture to the South Beach area of Miami for the number of nightclubs and restaurants. If you don't mind the younger crowd, spring is an excellent time of year to plan a trip to Miami as the city is abloom with a variety of flowers and other plants, and the temperatures remain moderate during the day, again staying in the 80s and dropping slightly at night. The spring season runs from March through May, with the rainy season beginning in late May or early June and continuing through November; if you travel during this season, expect afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

For those planning a winter trip to Miami, you can expect the temperatures to range from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, making the winter a very popular time of year for Miami travel, particularly among those visitors who live in northern areas with much colder winter weather. January and February tend to be colder than December, with the possibility of frost and very little chance of rain.

Anyone planning Miami Florida vacations should be aware of the hurricane season, which begins June 1 and ends November 30 with August and September being the most active months for potential storms. Many tourists travel to Florida during this time with no interruption to their plans, but vacationers should keep in mind the possibility of a storm when making their reservations for flights or accommodations if they're visiting during the height of the hurricane season.