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This would set the scene for the rest
of our trip. On Calle Ocho you can also
check out how Cuban cigars are made
at one of the local cigar shops. We just
wandered in and had a look at all the
impressive cigar rolling and the slightly
intimidating atmosphere. After our visit
to Little Havana, I’m convinced that
no Miami itinerary would be complete
without a trip to Calle Ocho.Visit the Art District and the Wynwood
Walls
We were done with the Calle Ocho at
this point. No more the wiser on Cuban-
American relations or really anything
about the Calle Ocho other than a
coconut market and that you can buy
fresh rolled cigars there. It was time for
me to redeem myself, so I insisted that
since Wynwood wasn’t too far away that
we check that out next.
A 10-minute cab drive later and
we were hopping out on to the black
pavement, the midday sun beating down,
and warehouses around us. I was in
doubt in my mind, but I had to prove
to her that my trusty Lonely Planet
wouldn’t let us down.
This time, it didn’t. The Wynwood
District really is the place to experience
the arts. It is home, of course, to Art
Basel, and is chocked full of galleriesheart of Calle Ocho.” She was a bit taken
aback by our request, but drove us there
anyway. ˆWell, this is where it begins,”
she told us. “You girls be careful here.”
So here we were, on Calle Ocho at
about noon on a Saturday afternoon.
It was hot. Hotter than I ever would
have imagined since the dry California
heat never prepared me for crippling
humidity. My friend was a bit nervous. I
encouraged her this would be so worth it.
It was going to be great!
Except most places were closed. We
walked around aimlessly until I spotted
other tourists drinking from a coconut.
We could do that, too. I scouted the
location, which led us to Los Pinarenos
Fruteria, a family-run market. Inside the
open market, fans raged to cool under
the sweltering humidity. Los Pinarenos
Fruteria is a great place to cool down, sip
a coconut and chat with the locals.
Los Pinarenos Fruteria turns out to
be something of a Miami establishment.
A trip to Little Havana wouldn’t be
complete without stopping by here, so do
yourself a favor and check it out. After
milling around the area, we came across
a souvenir shop selling what would
be one of the highlights of our trip—a
Pitbull world tour shirt. It was then that
we came to a realization: Pitbull is the
crown jewel of Miami.MIAMI IS DIFFERENT FROM
any other US city I’ve ever visited. It felt
more like we stepped foot into a Latin
American country than we were visiting
another American destination.
One of my best friends and I decided
to meet “halfway” between Amsterdam
and San Francisco. With neither of us in
the mood for a city trip to NYC or Boston
we figured Miami would be the next best
bet. Neither of us really had much of
an idea of what to expect about Miami,
except that it would be awesome.
We stayed in South Beach during
our first three nights in Miami, figuring
that was the most obvious option. If
you’re looking for what to do in Miami
(and I hope a storm is not part of your
visit!) check out my tips below to plan an
incredible visit.
Visit Little Havana & Calle Ocho
On our first morning in Miami, I
convinced my friend to go to Calle Ocho
with me. She was pretty skeptical, and
for good reasons. But Lonely Planet
recommended it. And, of course, it is
the name of a Pitbull song, so it had
to be cool. It was supposed to be Little
Havana, a cultural haven where we
would be engrossed in Cuban culture.
Straight after breakfast we hopped in
a cab and told the driver “take us to the