USA – Miami, Everglades and Key West Stopover
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
On arrival in Miami, you’ll pick up your rental car for the duration of your stay and head to your hotel just a short drive away in Miami Beach.
Miami Beach is one of the USA’s most famous resorts with a nine-mile promenade, Art Deco buildings, pulsating nightlife and miles of pristine sandy beaches.
Relax at your beachfront hotel or head out to explore Miami Beach’s cultural highlights, including the former Versace mansion Casa Casuarina, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Art Deco district centred around Ocean Drive before checking out the restaurants and nightlife.
Spend the morning taking in the beautiful views and turquoise waters of Miami Beach before making the two-hour drive in the afternoon to Everglades National Park. One of the USA’s greatest wildernesses, the Everglades are the largest subtropical wetlands in North America with diverse landscapes inhabited by alligators, crocodiles and abundant birdlife—and you’ll be staying at a lodge inside the nature
preserve. There’s a reliable restaurant on-site and a convenience store in case you don’t fancy grabbing any supplies along the way. Stop by the friendly visitor centre to find out all the different ways you can explore this natural area during your stay.
Start your morning on your balcony taking in the incredibly peaceful environs with a cup of coffee and make time to explore the incredible surroundings.
There are various ways to explore the Everglades. An airboat ride is an exhilarating experience, allowing you to cover more distance, while hiking and kayaking are also popular – just go with a park guide as they offer excursions throughout the day.
Highlights of the park include Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, which has the largest old-growth cypress forest in North America, the 15-mile Tram Loop from Shark Valley Visitor Centre, and the 0.8-mile Anhinga Trail on a raised walkway over sawgrass marsh to safely view alligators and other wildlife.
After breakfast make the 3-hour drive over to the beautiful island town of Key West in the Florida Keys. Key West is famous for its spectacular sunsets, gingerbread-style mansions, colourful conch houses, Bohemian community and vibrant local scene.
You’ll be staying at a luxurious waterfront resort which offers a peaceful and scenic retreat as well as delightful Caribbean-inspired dining.
Explore the stunning surroundings of Key West today. Your hotel offers kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling and a free bike to explore the surrounding area, or you can head into town by foot.
Visit author Ernest Hemingway’s former home, now a museum, and check out some of Hemingway’s old haunts in the evening, including his favourite bar Sloppy Joe’s. Included in your stay is a trip to see the famous Key West sunset on a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise, accompanied by a glass of champagne.
Drive back to Miami International Airport to drop off your rental car and continue on your journey to your next destination.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
On this 6-day itinerary, you’ll get to soak up the excitement of Miami Beach, stay in one of the USA’s best wildlife preserves in the Everglades, and take one of the world’s most scenic drives through the Florida Keys to end your stay in the spectacular Key West – all giving you no less than Florida’s finest.
Click here to discover more about Miami, Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys.
From Miami International Airport you can fly to Mexico City, Cancun, Merida, Guatemala City, Belize, San Salvador, Managua, Liberia, San Jose, Panama City, Cartagena, Bogota, Quito and Lima.
Please note: this itinerary is only available to book as an as add-on or extension to our holidays in Latin America and cannot be booked on its own. If you are interested in a holiday to North America, please visit our sister brand, Journeyscape.
Sophie Barber
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
Rental car of your choosing for the duration of your trip.
- Accommodation
The accommodation on this holiday consists of historic and luxury hotels as well as a national park lodge.
- Meals
Not included.
- Guides
Certain tours and guided experiences are included with this holiday. Please see Included Excursions.
- Summary of Nights
Miami 1; Everglades National Park 2; Key West 2.
- Climate
The best time to visit Florida is from early November to early May with the clearest skies, most sunshine and most comfortable temperatures, averaging 17-28°C in south Florida. Christmas, spring break and Easter are always the busy tourist periods. June to September is the hottest, rainiest period with temperatures over 30°C, often oppressive humidity, regular storms and overcast conditions. August to October is peak hurricane season with at times windy conditions and occasional strong storms.
- Clothing and Special Equipement
The sun is very strong in southern Florida so wear plenty of sunscreen and a sunhat, avoid the midday sun and keep hydrated on hot days.
- Visas
You will require an ESTA to visit the USA.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Papagaio
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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