Tips to stay safe in Miami Beach for the first time
Tips to stay safe in Miami Beach for the first time
Here’s the truth: Most of us love warm friends and warm food. Well, it turns out we love warm weather too. And that’s one of the reasons Miami consistently ranks among the top travel destinations in the United States. It’s not a tired, overused cliché. Corresponding Trip Advisor, Miami, the global travel destination, is the 8th most popular travel destination in the US. This emerges from the Travelers Choice Awards 2022.
Of course, it can’t just be the weather. Miami has some beautiful beaches – with breathtaking views that many would die for. One of them is Miami Beach, which is known for its breathtaking views, entertainment atmosphere and several exciting water sports activities. But Miami has a dubious reputation as a hotbed for drugs and crime. Rightly or wrongly, that reputation rubs off on Miami’s other travel gems, including Miami Beach. But does this really reflect the true picture?
Is Miami Beach really safe for travelers?
That’s the truth. While Miami Beach can feel safe, perception and reality don’t always align. Granted, you almost never meet a purse or pickpocket face-to-face. According to statistics, however, Miami Beach is tipping the pendulum on the uncertain side. This is acc Neighborhood Boy Scouts, an American web-based platform that provides comprehensive security analysis. Corresponding neighborhood scouts, Miami Beach’s crime index is 1 – the lowest in a ranking system that ranges from 1 to 100 on the safety scale. For comparison, Miami City itself has a crime index of 10. Still way low – but 10 times better than Miami Beach. The crime rate in Miami Beach is 69.80 per 1,000 people. On the other hand, the crime rate in Miami City is 35.7 per 1,000.
However, if you look at the data, 88% of crimes in Miami Beach are related to property crimes. These are things like burglary, vehicle theft or theft defined as “unlawful dispossession of property owned by another (other than motor vehicles)”. Violent crime, which is 8 per 1,000 residents (or 1 in 124 cases), accounts for about 12% of all Miami Beach crime statistics. How secure is that? Well, the Sunshine State’s violent crime statistic is 3.87 per 1,000. That’s about 1 in 258. The national average is 3.96 per 1,000 — or 1 in 252. Therefore, the likelihood of being a victim of a violent crime is the same as anywhere in Florida in Miami Beach, but about double the national rate Average. How do we make sense of all this? We say that visiting Miami Beach requires some caution, not frenetic hypervigilance.
Related: 10 Life Saving Tips Travelers Should Know.
Safest Areas in Miami Beach
Miami Beach has 29 boroughs. Of these, Neighborhood Boy Scouts ranks La Gorce as the safest. Located in North Beach, a quieter, more bohemian part of Miami Beach, La Gorce is a gated community where safety-conscious travelers will find virtually nothing to raise their risky antennas. It hugs the pristine shores of Biscayne Bay and is just north of Indian Creek. For those who prefer the louder, busier atmosphere of South Beach, La Gorce is only about four miles away. Dining and lodging abound, especially on Collins Avenue — if you’re looking to spend a night or two in Miami’s haunted travel gem. For an exclusive dining and lodging experience right on Collins Avenue, this offers FontainebleauOnce frequented by celebrities like Elvis Presley and Bob Hope, it offers fairytale luxury and breathtaking views.
Aside from La Gorce, the following neighborhoods complete the ranking of the ten safest neighborhoods in Miami Beach: Fisher Island, Bayshore, Nautilus, Oceanfront North, Oceanfront South, Belle Isle, Oceanfront Northeast, Biscayne Point and the Isle of Normandy.
Related: How safe is Honolulu? Here are some safety tips for beginners
More tips to stay safe in Miami Beach
Miami’s North Beach, unlike the more popular South Beach, and its lower counterpart, a scorching travel attraction — are both places to enjoy — without constantly looking over your shoulder. Because of this, a few tips may come in handy. For example, you should avoid Ocean Drive, i.e. after dark. The same goes for Washington Avenue. On the other hand, Lincoln Road is usually safer. And while it’s okay to admire the scenes around you, it’s important to be aware and mindful their own immediate surroundings. Also, visitors are better off not giving their cash away — when paying for items from vendors. It is taboo to leave personal items such as handbags or backpacks unattended. Instead, valuables should be deposited in a safe at the hotel reception.
That’s not all. Visitors should not accept free stuff from strangers, even though it may seem rude. Also, the roads down there can be risky with lots of near misses. So, you should be careful when crossing the streets.
While safety levels in Miami Beach aren’t off the charts, a few safety tips can secure a vacation from any potential hazard.