You’ll need more than a bathing suit if you’re coming to Miami. From clubwear to hair care, here’s all you’ll need in your suitcase.
There’s a certain excitement to packing a suitcase for Miami. As you carefully fold your swimsuit and place sunscreen on top, that giddy anticipation of warm weather and carefree afternoons on the beach starts to seep in. But there’s more to Miami than sunbathing, and if you want to truly dive into the city, you’ll need to pack more than a beach bag. Here’s a look at what to pack for your Miami vacation, for both day and night adventures.
Miami is a fashionable city, to be sure. And while you don’t exactly need to be walking down the street in Fendi shorts and a $300 T-shirt, most places will expect you to dress nicely. Some people assume because the weather is warm, a pair of shorts and flip-flops will be all they’ll need for the week. This only works if your plans don’t involve much other than going to the pool. If you want to check out Miami’s world-class restaurants, cultural attractions, and nightlife, you’ll need stuff that’s at least business casual. The city isn’t overly formal like you might find in the northeast. But a general sense of style will go a long way.
If you know you sweat a lot, you’re going to be changing clothes multiple times a day. Forget about traveling with just a carry-on. For locals, showering and changing clothes two to three times daily is just a part of life.
Even in the colder months, Miami gets hot and is always humid. If you come from a similarly hot and humid environment like Texas, Central America, or Southeast Asia, dress like you would at home. If you come from more temperate or seasonal areas, understand Miami’s heat is no joke.
Pack lots of breathable fabrics like linen, especially pants and long-sleeved shirts. You also will want to pack a change of clothes or two for each day, as during the summer you may sweat enough that it’s necessary. Hats are a wise idea for sun protection, especially ones with wide brims or ones made of Alpaca wool.
Clubs in Miami are notoriously discriminatory about who they let inside, and if you’re planning to hit spots like LIV and Story, pack your fashion A-game. For ladies, that means cocktail dresses at a minimum. An evening gown might be overkill, but you’ll need to dress fancier than you would for the office. For gentlemen, a suit will do just fine, though a fashionable collared shirt and slacks – or even designer jeans – is acceptable too.
That said, if you’re not planning on sampling the club scene, you don’t need to dress up too much. Even the nicest restaurants in Miami don’t require jackets or dresses, and while you can’t show up in ripped jeans if you have on clean pants and a collar you should be fine.
Flip flops are an absolute must in Miami, as they serve as both beach shoes and quick-drying footwear in the case of a sudden thunderstorm. Pack at least one pair of running shoes or cross trainers, as areas like Miami Beach and Wynwood require a good deal of walking. You’d be well served to pack a pair of dress shoes too, as many of Miami’s nicer cocktail bars and restaurants won’t let you in if you’re wearing regular gym shoes. Fashion sneakers, however, are typically OK.
The only people who don’t pack a swimsuit for a Miami trip are coming for business, though they probably pack one just in case. Bring two, or maybe even three swimsuits, as you may well find yourself on a boat all day, then changing for an evening pool party after. You won’t find any mountains or boulders in Miami, so the only sports-related gear you’ll need are tennis shoes for runs and gym time. If you’re diving, most shops have masks, fins, and snorkels you can rent alongside the full complement of dive gear.
Traditional sunscreens get in the water and block the sun from the reef, which can cause even further damage. Also, try and apply at least an hour before getting in the water.
Obviously, you’ll want to pack any medications you have if you’re coming to Miami. And as the city hasn’t had much of a malaria problem since the 1920s, you won’t need any extra shots to come here either. You will, however, want to pack copious amounts of insect repellent, as bugs can get nasty, especially during summer. And especially around sunset.
Sunscreen is also a must, even for people with darker complexions. Miami is hundreds of miles farther south than America’s other big beach city in LA, and even further south from other major US Metros. That means the sun is a lot stronger here, and if you don’t protect your skin you’ll end up looking roughly the color of tomato sauce. This is even more common during summer, so SPF 45 or higher is strongly recommended.
Men with short hair probably never even notice, but the humidity in Miami wreaks havoc on hairstyles. Normally cooperative hair all of a sudden takes on a life of its own, and what was once a well-behaved head of hair is now flying out in all directions. Ladies and men with longer hair may want to look into packing an anti-frizz or anti-humidity spray, which won’t solve the problem completely but can at least keep it under control.
Moisturizer is always a good idea, though the humidity doesn’t make it as necessary as it might be in drier climates. Aloe, however, can be a vacation saver if you end up with a sunburn.
Sweaters. Even if the temperature dips below 60ºF and you see locals walking around like they’re in arctic Canada, you really never need a sweater in Miami. You also won’t need anything wool, or fabrics that don’t breathe.
Boots won’t do much for you in South Florida, even in the winter. Nor will leggings, or anything that adds warmth to your wardrobe. The weather doesn’t cool off at night like it does in California or Arizona, so you won’t need a light jacket unless you visit during a “cold spell,” which means temps in the 60s.
