Best time to visit Miami

Miami has two seasons: a dry, warm winter from November to April that is the reason the city exists as a resort, and a hot, humid, stormy summer that overlaps with hurricane season from 1 June to 30 November. Winter is peak season, with the highest prices from Art Basel in the first week of December through spring break in March. Late April to May and October are the value windows, with warm beach weather and manageable prices. July to September are cheap for a reason: daily thunderstorms, heavy humidity and the small but real chance of a hurricane.

The sea is swimmable all year, from about 24 °C in February to 30 °C in August. Three things to know: South Beach, Wynwood and the Design District are far apart and the Metromover only covers downtown, so budget for rides; the big hotel pools and beaches are busiest at weekends with locals; and hurricane-season bookings should be refundable. For the best balance of weather and price, take the second half of April or November outside Thanksgiving week.