Calling Codes

The area code for Greater Miami is 305. The area code for Fort Lauderdale and Broward County is 954.

For local numbers dial the seven-digit telephone number. For long-distance calls within the U.S., dial 1, then the area code, then the seven-digit number. For long-distance calls outside the U.S., it is usually necessary to dial 011 and the country code, any local codes, then the telephone number. (When calling parts of the Caribbean, however, it is necessary to dial 1, plus the area code and telephone number).

Dial 0 to get the operator. Dial 411 for directory assistance.

Electricity is 110V AC, 60Hz in the United States. Plugs are of the flat, two-pin type. Be aware that this voltage is half as much as in most European and Asian countries, so visitors from those countries will need a plug adapter and a power transformer to operate their appliances.

Dial 911 in cases of emergency.

Fire: 305-596-8600
Medical: 305-274-3174 or 305-358-4357
Police: 305-876-7373

Fax machines and modem hook-ups are readily available at hotels (in business centers and sometimes in individual rooms) and at facilities such as copy centers, secretarial service centers, etc.

The local language in Miami is standard American English. However, Spanish, in its various Latin American dialects, is widely spoken throughout the city, especially in the multi-ethnic enclaves of Little Havana and Hialeah.

It is customary to be greeted in Spanish by salespeople and by restaurant workers in most parts of town. In such cases, visitors should answer in English and specify that they do not speak Spanish. The great majority of Miami's Latino population, especially in tourist areas, speaks perfect English, even tho ugh some prefer to use their native Spanish.

Spanish-speaking visitors to Miami will find themselves right at home in this most Latin American of U.S. cities.

New Year's Day: January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day: Third Monday in February
Easter Sunday: mid-March or early April
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day: December 25

Miami lies in the Eastern Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus five hours). During the spring and summer months, Miami, like all of Florida, observes Daylight Savings Time.

Australia: Citizens of Australia must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Canada: Citizens of Canada need proof of citizenship for entry into the United States. This can be either a birth certificate with a raised seal or a voter registration card with a photo ID. A driver's license is not enough. Canadian citizens under 16 need notarized permission from both parents.

France:Citizens of France must have a valid passport to enter the United States if th ey are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Germany: Citizens of Germany must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Ireland: Citizens of Ireland must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Japan: Citizens of Japan must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

United Kingdom: U.K. citizens must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

There are occasional cold spells from December through February, so visitors should always bring a sweater or light coat during those months. In summer, a raincoat and umbrella almost always come in handy.

In sun-drenched Miami, dress is generally casual, and shorts and T-shirts are the norm throughout the city. South Beach's nightclubs are the one notable exception to the generally relaxed attitude. In order to get into most of the high-profile night spots, clubgoers need to wear sleek, stylish clothing.

Miami's subtropical climate ensures pleasantly warm temperatures throughout the year. Winter is the dry season, with clear blue skies and bright sunshine, and temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees. Summer is the rainy season, with high humidity, and sometimes daily thundershowers. Hurricanes are also a possibility. In summer, temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s.

In March, Miami hosts the festive Carnaval Miami, and from late May to mid-June, the city celebrates its Latin heritage with the International Hispanic Theater Festival. Bayfront Park takes on a Caribbean identity in August with the Annual Miami Reggae Festival. On New Year's Eve, the entire city comes together for the Orange Bowl Parade, a blowout featuring folkloric dancing, floats, and a fireworks salute. Visitors wishing to attend any of the above events should make their travel plans well in advance.