Miami enjoys warm temperatures year-round due to its subtropical climate. The rainy season is summer, which can experience thunderstorms on an almost daily basis and extremes of humidity. Hurricanes can also strike during this period. Average temperatures are in the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. Winters are generally sunny and dry, with temperatures averaging between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

British Consulate

German Consulate

Japanese Consulate

Mexican Consulate General

Business centers provide a range of services that include secretarial, translation/interpretation, and office services, including computer rentals, audio/visual equipment rentals, cellular phone rentals, copy and printing services, and temporary office space and staff.

Global Executive Services

Regus

Regus Business Centers

Coconut Grove Convention Center

Miami Beach Convention Center

Miami Convention Center

Hold Translations

Professional Translating Services

B & H Worldwide

Panama Courier

Esquire Express

All upper range and most medium priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. Outside hotels, cyber cafes are available including:

South Beach Internet Cafe

Kafka's Cyber Kafe

Passports valid for at least six months after arrival are required for all. In general, travelers visiting the U.S. are required visas. However, under the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Canada and Mexico do not need a visa but must carry proof of citizenship and identity.

Beginning October 26, 2004, all travelers, including children of any age, who want to travel visa free to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must have a Machine readable passport.

Duty free allowances are 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco, 1 liter of alcohol, and gifts worth up to $100. Meat products, seeds, plants, fruits, and hazardous goods are prohibited.

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

Emergency police, fire, and ambulance

For local calls, dial the seven digit telephone number. For long distance calls within the U.S., dial 1, then the three digit area code, then the seven digit number. For long distance calls outside the U.S., first dial 011 and the country code. Four special prefixes, "800," "888," "877," and "900," are not area codes but indicators of special services. "800," "888," and "877" are toll free calls. The "900" numbers charge you for the call and are often expensive. For collect calls or operator assisted calls, dial "0" instead of "1". For local directory assistance, dial 411. For long distance information, dial 1, and then the appropriate area code followed by 555 1212.

The most common public phone is the coin operated type. Telephone card phones are becoming increasingly common.

There are numerous cellular service providers in the U.S., including: Verizon Wireless, T Mobile, Cingular, AT&T Wireless, and Sprint PCS. Mobile phone numbers follow the regular telephone number convention, with the seven digit telephone number followed by the area code.

If you choose to bring your cellular phone into the U.S., be sure to check with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service.

Foreign currency must be exchanged to U.S. dollars. Money can be exchanged at banks and various foreign exchange services. Most restaurants, shops, and hotels will take travelers' checks and major credit cards. Travelers can also withdraw cash from ATMs.

The basic unit of U.S. currency is the dollar, which equals 100 cents. Coins are the copper penny (1 cent) and four silver coins: the nickel (5 cents), the dime (10 cents), the quarter (25 cents), and the half dollar (50 cents). Silver $1 coins and "golden" dollar coins also exist. Paper bills come in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

• Restaurants
15 to 20 percent of bill, none at fast food restaurants
• Bars
About US$1 per drink or 10% to 15% of drink prices
• Airport Skycap/Porter
US$1 per piece of luggage
• Taxis
10 percent of fare
• Hotel Bell Desk
US$1 per piece of luggage or per taxi summoned
• Hotel Housekeeping
US$1 per person per day
• Hotel Room Service
15 percent of bill
• Parking Attendant/Valet
15 percent of parking rate
• Haircare/Personal Services
20 percent of bill

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.

Greater Miami's sales tax is currently 6.5%, but tourist taxes can raise the total to as much as 12.5% on accommodations and 8.5% on meals.

110V AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the flat, two pin type.

Since distances in Greater Miami tend to be significant, cab fares are often extremely high. It is best to rent a car to explore the area. The taxi meter starts at US$1.10, and increases US$1.75 for each mile and 25 cents for every waiting minute.

The affordable and immaculate Metrorail runs from downtown Miami to Kendall (near Dadeland Mall), making stops along South Dixie Highway. The Metrorail also runs north to Hialeah. Although the Metrorail is a practical alternative to driving, it only reaches a limited number of destinations. The Metromover has two loops that circle downtown Miami, linking most major hotels, businesses, and shopping areas. Miami.Metrobus operates a comprehensive bus service. Fares are US$1.25 each way. A transfer from bus to bus, or from bus to Metrorail, costs US$0.25. A monthly Metropass, costing US$60, allows for unlimited travel on the Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover.

No specific immunizations are needed to enter the United States. For more information, contact the Center for Disease Control at 800 342 2437.

Astor Place Bar and Grill has a homey feel and specializes in Southwestern dishes made with fresh Florida produce. For divine seafood, visit Joe's Stone Crab, Miami Beach's oldest eating establishment, which opens only from October through May, and does not take reservations. For priceless views of the Miami River and downtown skyline, Big Fish is the place to go. Blue Door serves some of South Beach's most inventive American fusion cuisine. At 190 Restaurant, hipsters from all around the city meet for an arty meal without chichi. Restaurant-nightclub China Grill is one of South Beach's hottest spots. And for an unforgettable Miami experience, go to Versailles, another of Miami's culinary landmarks not without its own brand of Cuban kitsch.

Miami offers fabulous designer-fashion shopping. Caribbean and Latin American crafts and goods also make excellent gifts. Coral Gable's Miracle Mile has a solid concentration of boutiques, department stores and galleries. Artisan shops and traditional retail boutiques can be found at downtown's Bayside Marketplace. The boutiques in South Beach and Coconut Grove stock unusual items. Miami is also home to the world's largest outlet mall?Sawgrass Mills offers discount shopping in more than 270 stores.

Miami has many distinct neighborhoods. The Art Deco Historic District has more than 800 structures exemplifying this architectural style. The residential area of Coral Gables is fashioned in the Mediterranean style. Ocean Drive, in South Beach, is Miami's nightlife hub, offering a wide variety of bars, clubs and restaurants.

Miami's cultural offerings include the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and The Wolfsonian museum. The Miami Seaquarium puts the spotlight on marine animals, while a visit to the Dolphin Research Center allows you to explore the world of these fascinating creatures. Meanwhile, the cageless Miami Metrozoo is home to over 700 animals. Physics, sound and astronomy are some of the subjects you can learn about at the Miami Museum of Science & Space Transit Planetarium.

Fairchild Tropical Gardens offers beauty and calm, while Mallory Square in Key West is a good viewpoint to watch a sunset from. The view of South Florida from the Bill Baggs Florida State Recreation Area is spectacular in scope. Other popular Miami leisure activities are scuba diving and lounging by the Delano's pool.