What's the best time to visit Miami?
The best time to visit Miami is between December and April — the blissful dry season with mild highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. This is the perfect time to kick back or snorkel on South Beach, stroll the boardwalk, dine at upscale to funky eateries downtown and in Little Havana, or find a little serenity in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park or Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Miami is the glamorous hub of South Florida with glittering white sand beaches, luxury shops, vibrant nightlife, international gastronomy scene, and upscale to funky neighborhoods. It’s a fantastic city to visit, but you’ll find that some months are better than others in the Magic City.
Miami’s subtropical climate means there’s a cooler dry season and a warmer rainy season. Fluctuating tourism makes crowds larger or smaller (and prices lower or higher) during certain months. You’ll find cultural festivals and events happening more often during specific periods, too.
If you want to plan your trip during the best time to visit Miami, this guide will help you figure out the perfect travel dates. Choose from the overall best, cheapest, and least busy time to visit Miami along with seeing the worst months to visit the city.
We’ll give you a good idea of what to expect in Miami year-round — weather, cost, crowds, things to do, and more. See when Miami will offer everything you’re looking for below!
Overall Best Time to Visit Miami
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The best time to visit Miami is between December and April. These peak season months see bigger crowds, but they boast the best weather, most events and activities, and ideal opportunities to explore Miami’s diverse neighborhoods.
The weather in Miami is especially nice this time of year with limited rain and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. While water temperatures are a bit cooler (ranging from 70-79°F), it’s still pleasant for swimming and hanging out at the beaches.
- December: 65-77°F; 4-5 rainy days
- January: 63-76°F; 4-5 rainy days
- February: 64-77°F; 4-5 rainy days
- March: 67-79°F; 6 rainy days
- April: 70-82°F; 6-7 rainy days
You’ll be here during the balmy dry season, so rain won’t derail your beach plans as often as during the rainy season. And if you want to sidestep the biggest crowds, you can always come during January, February, or April — one of the least busy months of the year in Miami.
December (Christmas) and March (Spring Break) see the most visitors, so be aware of this if you’re up in the air on your travel dates. March and April see weather that’s more summer-like with 12+ hours of sunlight, warmer temperatures, and a few rainy days.
This is the prime time for snorkeling at Sunny Isles Beach with 2 miles of pristine, white sand and bright blue water. There may be a concert happening at Samson Oceanfront Park, too! Surfside Beach is nearby with a less-busy shoreline and tons of cafes and shops in walking distance.
Downtown Miami is a great area to explore this time of year. You’ll find coffee shops for a quick pick-me-up, like ALL DAY, and art galleries and museums from Mana Contemporary to Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) with its own restaurant in Maurice A. Ferré Park.
Check out North Beach with all the waterfront amenities you could want, including concessions, and bands playing at the North Beach Bandshell. South Beach is classic Miami with Art Deco vibes and the chance to watch cruise ships coming in and out of the nearby port.
At the furthest point of South Beach, you’ll find a surprisingly quiet and secluded stretch of sand in front of South Pointe Park. Even on the busiest days, this part of the beach is calm and serene with no high rises behind you — just greenery.
Take a trip to Everglades National Park. Just over 30 minutes from Miami, the Everglades is teeming with wetland wildlife between December and March when the weather is dry.
Alligators, birds, turtles, and otters are just a few examples of what you can see. You can even take an airboat tour for a more exciting experience through the wetlands!
Go dancing in Miami when things are lively and vibrant! You can choose from popular spots like Blackbird Ordinary with live bands and DJs or head to a dance club like E11EVEN that’s open 24/7.
Peak season does mean prices are higher around Miami for hotels and flight prices also rise this time of year. Looking at data from Google Hotels and Skyscanner, here’s what we found about how much it costs to go to Miami between December and April:
- December: $246/night; flights from $174
- January: $330/night; flights from $176
- February: $323/night; flights from $156
- March: $349/night; flights from $176
- April: $327/night; flights from $257
It’s not cheap, but December does offer a break from the peak season prices as things only begin to ramp up toward the end of the month. March is the most expensive month to visit, while January, February, and April see in-between prices.
One of our favorite parts of visiting Miami between December and April is the number of cool events that are taking place around the city. You’ll be able to attend some of the following:
- Rolling Loud Miami (Dec) is a hip-hop festival and concert event over the weekend in mid-December with major acts and names in the industry performing with food and drinks at Hard Rock Stadium
- Christmas Lights (Dec) include NightGarden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park, Downtown Miami Holiday Lighting Event, Winter Festival and Berry Bright Nights at the Berry Farm, and Luminosa at Jungle Island
- King Mango Strut Parade (Dec/Jan) is one of Miami’s funnest events that’s heavy on satire with participants donning weird costumes, funky floats, and holding comedy and music performances
- South Beach Jazz Festival (early Jan) brings 18+ jazz performances to the city with funky and smooth music at venues and galleries around the city with panel discussions, food, drinks, and more
- Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show (Feb) is the biggest boat show in the world with over 1,000 vendors and exhibits, concerts, yacht showcases, and more at 6 venues
- Coconut Grove Arts Festival (mid-Feb) in boho Coconut Grove brings hundreds of local and international artists together with food booths and culinary demos, pop-up shops, crafts and handmade goods, and more
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival (late Feb) is South Beach’s most anticipated event with 4 days of fine dining and wines, upscale to diner-style grub, Food Network meet and greets, and chef-hosted dinners in South Beach
- Carnaval Miami (Feb/Mar) features an array of Carnaval events ahead of Lent, like Carnaval on the Mile with food vendors, art and craft booths, live music on 3 stages, and the Calle Ocho Music Festival
- Coconut Grove Food & Wine Festival (mid-Mar) brings Bahamian culture to Coconut Grove with live music, a Junkanoo parade and party, traditional food, and tropical drinks
- Ultra Music Festival (late Mar) is the lynchpin of Miami Music Week with tons of EDM acts participating in this massive event in Bayfront Park downtown
- Miami International Film Festival (Apr) sees screenings of international films across genres at venues around Miami Beach, from the Bandshell to PAMM
- Miami Beach Pride (Apr) features pride parades, pageants, night-time festivals, concerts, food, and drinks to spots like Pride Park, Ocean Drive, and Lummus Park
With everything from Carnaval and music festivals to famous food and wine events, Miami is lively from December to April with the best weather you could ask for. It’s definitely the best time to visit if you can swing the higher prices and larger crowds!
Cheapest Time to Visit Miami
Colorful rooster and artwork on Calle Ocho in historic Little Havana, Miami in Dec. ’16/Fotoluminate LLC/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Miami is between May and September. These months see the lowest prices on hotels and airfare in Miami, with June and August offering the overall cheapest prices for an affordable Miami trip.
There are some superficial problems with visiting Miami during the cheapest months, namely the wetter weather, the hurricane season, and the hot temperatures. But in between the rain, conditions are good for beach days and spending time on the water:
- May: 74-85°F; 10-11 rainy days
- June: 77-88°F; 17 rainy days
- July: 78-89°F; 17-18 rainy days
- August: 78-89°F; 18-19 rainy days
- September: 77-88°F; 17 rainy days
This period sees 12-13+ hours of sunlight each day, so you’ll enjoy longer daylight hours to pack more activities and beach time into your trip. That’s nice, because you might find that an hour or two of each afternoon is eaten up with sudden downpours or thunderstorms.
June is the wettest month of the year in Miami, seeing about 6.3″ of rainfall throughout the month on average. September and August follow with 5.2″-5.6″ during each month. As far as hurricanes and tropical storms go, they’re more likely during this part of the year.
Mid-August through mid-October is the most active period for hurricanes and tropical storms, so it’s important to keep an eye on the forecast and have a safety plan in case a hurricane appears that it will make landfall while you’re vacationing in Miami.
Downtown, you can visit the Freedom Tower (it lights up at night) and tour inside to learn about Cuban immigrant history, catch some live music or great views of Biscayne Bay at Bay Park, visit the Frost Museum of Science, and hit Fooq’s for Mediterranean grub.
Check out the Miami Beach Botanical Garden anytime this season — a true tropical paradise right here in the city. Trees, flowers, tropical plants, shops, eateries, and enchanting pathways through the greenery and color make this a fabulous spot for a peak season visit.
If you’re taking a family vacation, make time to visit the Miami Children’s Museum. Different zones, like sensory, construction, art, wellness, and cruise ship control center will captivate kid’s imaginations at this museum on Miami’s Watson Island.
Stroll the Miami Beach Boardwalk this time of year. It runs from Nikki Beach to Indian Beach Park with a huge array of cafes, shops, and hotels along the way. Rent a bike or walk, stopping at the beach to admire the views or build a sandcastle.
Head up to Sugar, a rooftop bar on top of EAST Miami, for some truly incredible sunset and city views. Asian-themed drinks and food complete the experience as you experience the beauty of the beach and skyline.
Considering this is the cheapest time to visit Miami, you can expect some really budget-friendly prices on both flights and hotels this time of year. Google Hotels and Skyscanner data helped us determine how much it costs to visit Miami from May to September:
- May: $170/night; flights from $35
- June: $158/night; flights from $35
- July: $174/night; flights from $43
- August: $161/night; flights from $46
- September: $171/night; flights from $45
June is the cheapest month of the year to visit Miami with August in a close second place (plus, the great deals at trendy eateries during Miami Spice Restaurant Month in August make it an even better deal).
May, July, and September are similarly affordable. You could pay as little as $1,140 to spend a 7-day trip in Miami with airfare in June!
With fun annual events to look forward to between May and September, you’ll never be bored in Miami — even if your outdoor plans get rained out or you’re getting sick of the beach. Here’s what’s on this time of year:
- Redland International Orchid Festival (mid-May) at Fruit & Spice Park is an enchanting time as you explore educational and floral booths centered around tropical orchids with international food booths
- American Black Film Festival (Jun) brings Black cinema and TV to Miami Beach with cross-genre screenings, awards, and conversations with filmmakers during this 5-day event
- International Ballet Festival of Miami (Jul) celebrates the art of ballet with international dancers performing from top ballet companies with exhibits, screenings, workshops, and master classes
- Miami Spice Restaurant Month (Aug) offers rare discounts and specials at some of the best restaurants and bars around the city with 3-course meals offered at discounted prices so you can try more eateries without spending more
- Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance Festival (Aug) features parties, performances, speakers, kid’s activities, and more centering around Afrocuban dance, fusion styles, drumming, timba, and other styles like belly dance in the Koubek Center
- Miami International Auto Show (Aug-Sept) is one of the world’s biggest with a million-plus square feet of international vehicles showcased at the Miami Beach Convention Center over 10 days with test drives, previews, famous cars, and more
You can’t beat May through September if you want to pay less for your trip to Miami. You’ll have to deal with more rain, the potential for hurricanes, and some crowds, but it’s hot and can be nice for the beach or exploring indoor attractions.
Least Busy Time to Visit Miami
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The least busy time to visit Miami is between April and June. This is when crowds deteriorate as the peak season wraps up and the rainier hurricane season takes hold of Miami, making beach plans a bit more uncertain.
April, May, and June see the transition from the balmy dry season to the stormy hurricane season with more rain. April is still pretty dry, but May and June bring 10-17 days with at least some rainfall:
- April: 70-82°F; 6-7 rainy days
- May: 74-85°F; 10-11 rainy days
- June: 77-88°F; 17 rainy days
June is the wettest month of the year in Miami with an average of 6+ inches of rainfall throughout the month. May isn’t quite as wet and sees milder temperatures, while April is great across the board with highs in the low 80s, minimal rain, and still boasts 12+ hours of sunlight.
Head to Little Havana to seek out the best Cuban sandwich you’ll ever taste on Calle Ocho (between SW 21st Ave. and SW 10th Ave.) and check out some cool bars and markets. Cigars, salsa music, Cuban coffee, and delicious desserts can all be found in this stretch of Little Havana.
On the third Friday of every month, Viernes Culturales block parties in Little Havana give you an immersive taste of this Cuban hub with live music, food booths, dancing, and art.
Check out the rugged mountain biking trails, hiking trails, and food trucks set up in Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. You’ll find a historic railroad, giant sandcastle, and historic markers in the park to explore, too.
Head to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park if you’re looking for a quieter beach from April to June with a cool lighthouse. You can tour the Cape Florida Lighthouse, go fishing, swim or snorkel in the calm water, and bring a picnic to enjoy under a shaded pavilion.
There’s a clothing-optional beach overlooking Biscayne Bay at the northern end of Haulover Beach. It’s worth noting whether it’s a spot you want to avoid with kids or somewhere you’re excited to add to your itinerary!
This time of year is all over the place when it comes to cost. April is the most expensive month to visit Miami, but June is the cheapest of the year. May lies somewhere in the middle, so plan your travel dates carefully if you’re on a budget:
- April: $327/night; flights from $257
- May: $170/night; flights from $35
- June: $158/night; flights from $35
This pricing information comes from Google Hotels and Skyscanner and only represents average hotel nightly rates and the lowest airfare deals we were able to find for each month.
Events like the Miami International Film Festival (Apr), Miami Beach Pride (Apr), Redland International Orchid Festival (mid-May), and American Black Film Festival (Jun) are cool options if you’re looking for more things to do between April and June.
June, when you’ll pay an average of just $158/night for hotels and can find round trip flights to Miami for as little as $35, represents the best overall option if you want smaller crowds and lower prices.
But don’t forget about the downsides of June: lots of rain and the start of hurricane season. May is a better in-between option with prices almost as low as June, but less rain and milder temperatures.
Worst Time to Visit Miami
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Mid-August to late October is the worst time to visit Miami. These months are hot, rainy, and represent the peak of the hurricane season with increased chances of bad storms.
While Miami is a year-round destination, mid-August to late October isn’t it if you’re looking for the best time to visit. The weather is the hottest, wettest, and stormiest of the year. This is peak hurricane season in Miami (and most of Florida).
- August: 78-89°F; 18-19 rainy days
- September: 77-88°F; 17 rainy days
- October: 74-85°F; 11 rainy days
You could see a total of 5.2″ to 5.6″ of rainfall during each month, especially in September (the wettest month of the year). While rain isn’t constant and doesn’t usually last all day, it can throw a serious wrench into beach plans, boating, or outdoor activities.
With highs approaching 90°F, being outside isn’t all that great in Miami this time of year, anyway. You might be able to make it work by hanging out on the beautiful beaches.
Frequent dips will be necessary to cool you off, but that’s tough when the ocean temperature is nearly as hot as the air — 84°F to 87°F. Swimming in the ocean can feel a bit like getting into a bowl of warm soup this time of year.
This is a great time to explore the Wynwood Arts District to discover some of the city’s best breweries, bars, and trendy restaurants along with street art and cool shops that will help you spend an interesting afternoon enjoying Miami’s local spots.
Lummus Park nearby has volleyball courts, bike paths, walking trails, a horse stable, and historic sites like Fort Dallas and the Wagner House (the oldest in Miami) you can tour.
In the bohemian Coconut Grove neighborhood, you’ll find the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The waterfront Villa Vizcaya mansion dates back to 1916 and now houses cool historic finds, art, and well-manicured gardens that are especially lush this time of year.
The upside to August through October is the lower cost. August is one of the cheapest months to visit Miami overall, while September and October also see prices that are well below what you’ll pay during the drier peak season in winter.
- August: $161/night; flights from $46
- September: $171/night; flights from $45
- October: $252/night; flights from $54
Just look at those flight prices! It’s possible to score great deals on airfare to Miami between August and September, but travel insurance is a must. With the potential for dangerous hurricanes this time of year, you might find yourself needing to cancel your trip suddenly.
Events like Miami Spice Restaurant Month, Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance Festival, and the Miami International Auto Show take place in August, but you can also look forward to these festivals in October:
- Miami Carnival Parade (Oct) brings all the Carnival fun of Brazil to Miami-Dade Fairgrounds with a lively J’ouvert, costume contests, extravagant floats, performing bands, and a lively Carnival Village with crafts and food booths
- South Beach Seafood Festival (Oct) welcomes stone crab season with nightly events like fine seafood dining at Joe’s Stone Crab, Crabs, Slabs, and Cabs at Hide Tide, a VIP Chef Showdown, and a beachfront fest on Saturday with pop-up cafes and food trucks
August through October poses a lot of weather risks and it’s too hot to be enjoyable. You’re better off waiting until November or December, when the weather is drier and milder, or coming ahead of the peak hurricane season anytime from April to early June.
Miami by Month: What to Expect
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Miami is a year-round destination with tropical weather that’s never too cold for a visit, but it does see different weather, costs, crowds, and seasonal events throughout the year. Here’s what you can expect month-to-month in the Magic City.
January
Dry, mild January sees highs in the upper 70s with 4-5 rainy days. It’s a great month to check out the South Beach Jazz Festival or antique and car shows, historic home tours, and concerts during Art Deco Weekend in the Art Deco Historic District on Ocean Drive. You’ll pay around $330/night for hotels and upwards of $176 for round trip flights.
February
February is a great month to visit with dry weather and highs in the upper 70s. So much happens this month: the Miami International Boat Show, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Calle Ocho Music Festival, and Carnaval Miami. With hotels around $323/night and flights from $156, it’s a bit cheaper than January.
March
March is crowded as the peak month of the busy winter season (Spring Break), but it boasts excellent weather with 6 rainy days and highs around 79°F. The water is warm, the Coconut Grove Food & Wine Festival, and the Ultra Music Festival happen this month. You’ll pay an average of $349/night for hotels and $176+ for round trip flights.
April
April is one of our favorite months in Miami as one of the best and least busy of the year. It’s pricey, with hotels averaging $327/night and flights starting at $257 round trip, but the weather is nice with highs around 82°F and 6-7 rainy days. Enjoy 12+ hours of sunlight and events like the Miami International Film Festival and Miami Beach Pride Parade this month.
May
As one of the cheapest and least busy months to visit Miami, May sees hotel prices around $170/night and flights starting at just $35 round trip. It’s just ahead of the hurricane season with 10-11 rainy days and highs around 85°F, so the weather is good for the most part. Check out the Redland International Orchid Festival mid-month at Fruit & Spice Park!
June
June is the cheapest and one of the least busy months to visit Miami overall with flights as low as $35 round trip and hotels averaging just $158/night. That’s because it marks the start of the hurricane season and sees up to 17 rainy days with hot highs around 88°F. The American Black Film Festival takes place this month over 5 days.
July
Hot July sees daily highs around 89°F with up to 18 rainy days — the hurricane season is raging this month, so it’s one of the cheapest months to visit. You’ll pay around $174/night for hotels and $43+ for round trip flights. Beaches are your best bet on hot, dry days and museums and shopping can occupy you on a rainy day. Check out the International Ballet Festival this month.
August
Also one of the cheapest months to visit (and one of the worst), August sees highs around 89°F with up to 19 rainy days. It’s the start of the peak hurricane season and hotels drop to $161/night with flights from $46. Events like the Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance Festival, Miami International Auto Show, and Miami Restaurant Month happen in August.
September
You can score great deals in September with hotels averaging $171/night and flights from $45, but know that it’s hot and one of the peak months of the hurricane season. You could see up to 17 rainy days this month with highs around 88°F, so you’ll want to hang out indoors or squeeze in some pool and beach time when it’s dry.
October
October is one of the worst months to visit Miami because it’s an active month for hurricanes and storms. There are about 11 rainy days in October with highs around 85°F. Cool events like the Miami Carnival Parade and South Beach Seafood Festival take place this month. You’ll pay around $252/night for hotels or $54+ for round trip flights.
November
November is an under-rated month to visit Miami with mild weather (highs around 80°F) and 5-6 rainy days. It’s got some cool events, like NightGarden lights at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Miami Book Fair, and hotels are priced moderately around $270/night. Flights are cheap, starting at just $60 round trip this month.
December
December is one of the best months to visit Miami, but it does see bigger crowds around Christmas. Highs around 77°F, 4-5 rainy days, and events like Rolling Loud Miami, Christmas lights and festivals, and the comical King Mango Strut Parade take place this month. You’ll pay about $246/night for your hotel and upwards of $174 for a round trip flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Need a little more information before you start planning your Miami travel dates? Here are questions other travelers had related to the best time to visit Miami.
What is the best month to go to Miami?
April is the best month to go to Miami overall. It’s dry and warm with highs around 82°F, so it’s just right for spending the day at beaches like Sunny Isles or South Beach. It’s also one of the least busy months in Miami so you won’t deal with crowds! Events like Miami Beach Pride Parade and Miami International Film Festival take place in April.
What is the cheapest month to go to Miami?
June is the cheapest month to go to Miami overall with hotels averaging just $158/night and round trip flights as low as $35. You won’t find a more affordable month in Miami, and while June is a rainy month that starts the hurricane season, highs around 88°F make for nice beach days.
What month is hurricane season in Miami?
June to November is hurricane season in Miami (and the rest of the Atlantic region). The month of June is when more rainfall and potential for tropical storms and hurricanes increases in Miami. But it’s not until mid-August to late October that the risk for hurricanes making landfall really increases for Miami.
What is the best weather in Miami?
February offers the best weather in Miami with highs around 77°F (a little warmer than December and January) and 4-5 rainy days. It’s one of the driest months of the year and less busy than December and March, plus it offers tons of events from Carnaval celebrations to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
What is the rainy month in Miami?
June is the rainiest month in Miami with the highest average monthly rainfall total (around 6.3”). June sees up to 17 rainy days. While July and August technically have more days with rainfall (up to 19), they see less rain overall than the wet month of June that marks the start of hurricane season.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Miami Overall?
The best time to visit Miami is between December and April. These months are the best part of the dry season with mild temperatures, tons of festivals and events, and perfect conditions for the beach, outdoor activities, and enjoying Miami’s vibrant culture.
Come between May and September if you’re looking for the cheapest prices. These months, especially June and August, see the lowest prices of the year on hotels and airfare.
April, May, and June are the least busy months to visit with smaller crowds following the December-March peak season. But mid-August through late October are the worst months to visit as the peak hurricane season with heavy rain and cloudy skies.
Miami really is the Magic City — it’s brimming with cultural interest in galleries, diverse neighborhoods, trendy eateries, and museums. Add the idyllic beaches and year-round warm weather to the mix, and it’s clear why Miami is so popular to visit.
If you can schedule your trip between December and April, you’ll be so glad you did and get to experience Miami in its balmy, blissful prime.