A febrile, glamorous melting pot with a hint of danger.
It used to be called 'God's Waiting Room' because of the many octogenarians eking out their last moments by the pool. Today the old folks mingle with fashion designers, bikini models and Cuban émigrés, and the city that once had the highest murder rate in the US attracts millions of tourists.
Greater Miami is a melting pot that would make America's founders swell with pride. Half the population is Hispanic, giving the city an international outlook that feels rare in the USA. For the casual visitor this means a city spiced with Latin American food, language, music, politics and spirit.
Restrictions on airline carry-on baggage are in place throughout the US. For details check the Transport Security Administration website.
severity: Mid-level alert
376,815
Name: US Dollar
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Essential: English
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Download the free Getting Started chapter or buy individual chapters from our Miami & the Keys guide, in our online Shop.
› Go to the Miami & the Keys download page.
article by Adam Karlin, April 2008
Chilled Cristal with the VIPs or cheap beers in a graffitied loft? It's time to choose your Miami poison. Read the full article ›
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