May 22, 2005

Curious George, Miami Edition: Three friends and I will experience an 8 hour layover at the Miami Int'l Airport on our way to Peru next Sunday, from 3-11pm. Prime time to get out of the place, but where to go or what to do?

When it's all considered, it's really more like 5 hours, as we'll have to get our bags from one flight and do the whole rigorous security and re-check-in for the international flight. What's around there that we could easily get to, via puiblic transport or taxi? Even a nice long movie and a non-airport meal would be great. Is the 'port close to downtown or other easy-to-access destinations? Thanks in advance, fellow simians!

  • Miami International Airport is not located in downtown Miami, it's a little west. If you're willing to spring for a taxi downtown is not too far. My recommendation? Skip downtown Miami, because it kind of sucks. Go to South Beach. It's very accessible by taxi (the freeway near the airport turns into one of the causeways to the beach if you go east about 10 miles or so), and if four people are splitting cab fare it won't be too pricey. Check out Lincoln Road (I suggest lunch at Balans, I just had lunch there and it's goooood). Lincoln Road is a great people-watching location, it's very gay-friendly, has some cool free art galleries and gives you a good feel for life on the beach. The ocean is only a couple of blocks east of there if you want to put your toes in the sand for a bit. I'm currently couch-surfing in Miami (moved out of my house in Fort Lauderdale and am waiting for the end of the school year before I make a more permanent move), and I worked in Miami Beach for almost 5 years. If you want further suggestions, feel free to email me at the address in my profile.
  • Where in Peru are you headed? The Squid spent some time there a few years back. Mainly in Cusco.....
  • Yeah, I've got 5 days in Cusco with all the likely trimmings. THen, off to Puno and Titicaca, through Bolivia. The Miami thing is really trite compared to all that, but I can't just chill at the 'port for 8 hours... What were your opinions of Cusco?