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5 Ways To Save Money In Miami: Stretch Your Vacation Budget and Do More

If you’re planning a vacation to Miami, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic experience. With so much to do and see, your biggest problem will be narrowing your list of activities.

Even though Miami, South Beach in particular, has a reputation for being expensive, there are many ways to save money. Let’s take a look at five fool-proof ideas to stretch your vacation budget and do more while you’re here. 

Save on Reliable Transportation

One of the most significant expenses that many people incur while traveling is getting around. Uber and Lyft trips add up fast, and car rentals and parking, especially in crowded South Beach, are also quite costly.

Scooter Style has the perfect solution. You can rent an efficient and stylish scooter right in South Beach for a day or the duration of your stay. Not only is it very affordable, but you’ll also save on gas and save a lot of time by not sitting in traffic. And with the open air ride, you’ll get to see, feel, and smell all that our city has to offer! 

Speaking of transportation, be sure to look at flying into Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL). It isn’t much further than Miami International and often has better deals on domestic flights.

Book a Boutique Hotel

While the glamour of the Art Deco accommodations on Ocean Drive is appealing, you can save a boat-load of money by moving just a few blocks off the main drag. What’s more, some of these charming boutique hotels have better theming and customer service. 

Spend a Day on the Beach

There’s nothing more quintessentially South Beach than the beach itself. Be sure to spend a day, or part of several days, lounging in style on the sand. Enjoy free beach activities or just take in the entertainment of people-watching. Haulover Park, Lummus Park Beach, South Beach, South Pointe Park, and Surfside offer free beach access. 

Sample Food Trucks

Eating out is one of the other major expenses you incur while vacationing anywhere. With an abundance of delectable and unique dining opportunities (not to mention drinking opportunities), this can add up quickly.

One of the best ways to save money on food and drink is to eat at food trucks. There’s a serious food truck culture in the city, and some of the top restaurants in the area started as meager food trucks before establishing brick-and-mortar eateries. 

For specific spots, check out Eater Miami’s list of cheap eats around the city. 

Try Out Free Events

There are tons of free or low-cost events all the time in Miami. 

Enjoy complimentary yoga classes almost every day in Bayfront Park. Biscayne National Park is also home to mangrove forests, and there are coral reefs and uninhabited islands to explore in the area. 

If the art scene is more your style, the Coral Gables Museum has Twilight Fridays from 6-10pm on the first Friday of every month. Admission is free and there’s a cash bar and live music. For authentic Cuban culture, don’t miss the Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) on the third Friday of each month on Calle Ocho in Little Havana. A free music, arts, and culture festival, this event has been going strong for more than 20 years! 

Looking to live on the edge? Thrillist also has a guide to sneaking into some of the area’s poshest pools.

Of course, one of the best things to do in Miami is simply to see the city. From the vibrant downtown to the Art Deco oceanfront and everything in between, Miami is a sight to behold in and of itself. Remember, there’s no better way to do that than with a scooter rental from Scooter Style!