Miami in July

It’s no secret that Miami is one of the most bustling and attractive cities in Florida. There is no lack of beaches, activities, nightlife, or restaurants, and there is always something happening that will cater to all ages. There are some downsides during this month, but it is hard to beat a summer vacation in Miami.

July is ideal for visitors who are trying to experience the vibrance of the city of Miami, without breaking the bank. ‘Slow season’ causes prices and crowds to be lower than average.

However, there are occasional downsides to Miami in July. That’s why we have bundled together all our best tips and tricks from our Florida residents to make sure your vacation is stress-free and more than enjoyable!

Is July a Good Time to Visit Miami?

While the weather can be unpredictable or unreliable, July is a very good time to visit Miami if you are trying to avoid large crowds and expensive prices. This month, visitors can have a relaxing trip without having to worry about prices or wait times.

Weather

Miami Beach before a hurricane

July is the real beginning of the hottest and most humid season of the year in Miami. Temperatures will be hot and muggy, getting worse as the month goes on.

In Miami, the average high temperature in July is 89°F (32°C). It is the middle of the wet season with more frequent rainfall. The weather is hot and humid. Hurricanes are possible in July, and there is an average of 4.5-5.6 inches of rain.

July in Miami | Average High Temperatures:

  • Early July: 89°F (32°C)
  • Mid-July: 89°F (32 °C)
  • Late July: 89°F (32°C)
Rainfall
Surfers on Miami Beach are not bothered by the upcoming rain.

July is in the middle of the rainy season, as well as hurricane season. You should expect frequent showers most days in Miami. Since the city is right on the water, the breeze from the ocean keeps a lot of the storms away and tends to be just a passing shower in the afternoons.

Miami typically sees an average of 4.5-5.6 inches of rainfall during the month of July. The rainfall tends to decrease a little as the month goes on by about an inch. Keep in mind, that hurricanes can bring unpredictable showers at any time of the season.

Can it rain the whole day? Never say never in Florida. While it is unlikely to rain longer than a couple of hours, there is a potential that the entire afternoon and evening can be wet and rainy. We wouldn’t ever expect rain all day every day, but it’s good to know the potential is there.

Heat/Humidity

July is typically the hottest month of the year in the sunshine state, and with Miami’s southern location, it can be hard to beat the heat.

During the morning hours, the temperatures are lower, but the humidity is at its highest at 86%. The afternoon tends to have the hottest temperatures but lower humidity levels averaging around 63%.

Is it too hot? Some say, don’t visit Miami in July if you can’t stand the heat and humidity. However, the breezes off the ocean keep the intense heat inland, and not on the coast of Miami. That means temperatures in the high 90s are unlikely in South Beach or Miami Beach during July.

It is necessary to stay hydrated throughout the day and use sunscreen when being outside for a longer time. We suggest bringing a refillable water bottle during your trip.

Daily Weather Progression

Temperatures and the chance of rainfall increase as a day in July goes on

Typical daily temperature progression:

  • Early Morning (6 AM): 81°F
  • Early Afternoon (1 PM): 88°F
  • Evening (10 PM): 82°F

Mornings are typically sunny and have humidity levels.

Evenings: It is eventually cooling off in the later evening and at night, with a light breeze present from the coastline.

Water Temperature

Miami Beach surfing

July brings some of the warmest water temperatures of the year to Miami’s coastline. The average ocean temperature during the month is 86 degrees Fahrenheit which is perfect for swimming and other water activities.

While boating is a popular activity in the southern tip of Florida, be cautious and pay attention. Warm waters are the main component of tropical storms, and Miami is always the first place in Florida for those unpleasant weather conditions.

What to Pack | What to Wear

For a July morning in Miami at the beach, wear your bathing suit, cover-up, and sandals. Tank top or t-shirt and shorts in the afternoon. Be sure to keep a poncho or rain jacket for rain showers. Evenings are great for sundresses or cargo shorts, with a light sweater for breezy nights.

Clothing/packing list for July:

  • Sandals
  • Shorts
  • Tanks & Cut-offs
  • T-shirts & V-necks
  • Raincoat or Poncho
  • Sundresses
  • Bathing Suit/Swim Trunks
  • Bathing Suit Cover Up
  • Loose-fit clothing

Tip: It is best to avoid tight-fitted clothing, and pack loose-fit or flowy items for the month of July.

Additional items to pack:

  • Sunscreen
  • Umbrella
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Bug Spray
  • Water Bottle -stay hydrated!
  • Small backpack or fanny pack
  • Water shoes

Restaurant tip: When staying in Miami, if you are someone who gets cold easily, we suggest keeping a sweater or light jacket handy for most indoor restaurants. In general, their air conditioners are on full blast.

Headache: Whenever we go to Miami, we always bring some medicine for a headache. The weather in Florida is very hot, and if you aren’t used to that kind of weather, it could be a problem when you go on vacation there.

Rates

Avalon Hotel: Miami Beach – South Beach. A unique hotel and the best location: 1-minute walk to the beach. Check more details here: Avalon Hotel (via booking.com)

The rates in Miami in July are going to be a bit lower in July due to it being the slow season in the city. You can expect lower than average rates. However, it always depends on the hotel, location, and other factors.

💡 The start of the month may have higher rates compared to the rest of the month due to the celebration of Independence Day and a more increase in demand.

Depending on your preference and budget, you can find hostels starting at around $50 a night. Staying in an Airbnb starts around $167 a night (depending on the size), hotels average $80-$180 a night, and full home vacation rentals start at an average of $340 per night and go up from there.

5 Best Cheap Hotels in Miami

You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for spending a night in Miami. There are many excellent budget hotels welcoming visitors. We have put together a list of great but not too expensive hotels (see below). If you can’t find one now, make sure to bookmark the top hotels in Miami with a price match guarantee by booking.com.

  1. The New Hotel (Location: North Beach/Miami Beach): This is a hidden gem! Honestly, we don’t think you can find a cheaper one which is that good and so close to the beach. The rates per night start from ~ $120. The owner Joyce is a really lovely and super helpful lady. You will definitely love this one.
  2. Marriott Vacation Club Pulse (Location: South Beach): What a hotel and location for that price! If you can spend a little more (from ~180 USD), choose this one! An affordable oceanfront hotel located in the heart of South Beach and in the middle of everything. Lovely rooms, great beds, and bathroom, amazing staff. A+++ for everything, including the cleanliness.
  3. Circa 39 Hotel (Location: Miami Beach): Another beautiful boutique hotel with amazingly friendly staff and excellent rooms. The location is just perfect, as you can walk to Miami Beach within 3-4 minutes. One amazing detail: They offer free beach chairs and umbrellas. Ask the staff at the hut and they set it up for you on the beach!
  4. El Paseo Hotel (Location: South Beach): You easily walk to South Beach in 1-2 minutes from this hotel, which is awesome and will save you a lot of time! Additionally, there are amazing restaurants downstairs and it’s safe in the evenings. The rooms are super clean, the beds are great (you will sleep well!), and the staff is very friendly.
  5. Life House (Location: Little Havana): An amazing place to experience Cuba’s atmosphere in Miami: Little Havana (Google Maps Location). The hotel is very close to Main Street, with a lovely rooftop bar, and very friendly and helpful staff. We highly recommend this one for one or two nights.

Crowds

Miami is one of the most attractive cities in Florida and will always be somewhat crowded due to its popularity. Regardless, crowds in July tend to taper off a bit, as a lot of visitors prefer inland Florida.

July will have a lot of celebrations at the start of the month due to The 4th of July, and crowds will be a lot higher during this time. While it is summertime, it is Miamis’ “slow season.” Beaches tend to not be as crowded this month due to unpredictable weather, and restaurants and nightlife crowds are significantly lower.

Beach crowds: Always remember, it is Florida, so beaches are always going to be somewhat crowded. If relaxing on the beach is what you are most looking forward to on your vacation, the crowds tend to die down in the late afternoon hours. Additionally, the beach area is huge and you can always find a spot where you sit without crowds.

Places to Visit / Things to Do in July

July is not prime time for events, openings, and parties but there’s always something going on and Miami is a city where it is hard to ever be bored.

Between the various beaches, museums, restaurants, and shops, visitors have a never-ending list of things to do in Miami in July. Remember to take advantage of this time of year, with July bringing lower rates and crowds for a lot of attractions in the area.

Beaches

You can’t call a July trip to Miami complete without spending a day, or three, at the beach. Miami brings some of the warmest waters and most gorgeous coastlines in all of Florida. Depending on which type of beach you prefer, Miami has various different options for travelers. The two most popular beaches in the Miami area are South Beach and Miami Beach.

💡 Avoiding Beach Crowds: It depends on the location, the day of the week, and the weather, but in general, the beach is less crowded north of 23 street.

South Beach: This is one of the most popular beaches in the country and is loaded with restaurants, attractions, shops, and sights. It is a very welcoming, energetic, and trendy/upbeat city, so visitors shouldn’t be surprised by anything. It is known for its thriving nightlife and abundance of bars and clubs on the strip.

Miami Beach: For visitors wanting a more relaxing and peaceful vibe on the beach, head north to Miami Beach. Ideal for travelers who are wanting to enjoy their time in Miami, without all the craziness and upbeat energy that comes along with South Beach.

Airplane or Heli Tours

You will love this flight in July!! It’s an incredible journey to view Miami and Miami Beach from a breathtaking bird’s eye view. We did this one three so far!

Review from a customer: ‘Just excellent, the special pilot, brings confidence, humor, and experience. Felipe, the guide, is more than attentive and willing to coordinate everything perfectly and adjust to the client 100%. An unforgettable experience and more than recommended.’

You will see from above (it’s jaw-dropping):

  • South Beach, North Beach, and Haulover Beach
  • Biscayne Bay and its famous lighthouse
  • Colorful Boca Chita and Elliot keys
  • The Miami Seaquarium
  • The Bayside cruise port
  • Skyscrapers of downtown Miami
  • Islands with celebrity homes
  • The Art Deco District and Ocean Drive
  • The incredible Everglades
  • The Vizcaya Mansion and Gardens
  • The Miami Marlins Stadium
  • The Hard Rock Casino
  • Stunning Cayo Brickell
  • The Venetian canal and islands
  • Stiltsville homes hovering above the water
Everglades

Everglades National Park is just a short 30-mile drive west of downtown Miami. In July, the Everglades is generally hot, with an average high of 91°F (32.7°C) and an average low of 74°F (23.4°C).

It is the middle of the rainy season and visitors should expect frequent showers most afternoons. Mornings and evenings will be the best time to spot animals due to rising water levels in the afternoons. That’s why we recommend a tour from Miami which starts at 9 AM:

Boat Tours

The city of Miami, especially Biscayne Bay, is filled with various different boat tour opportunities for everyone. Depending on your budget and interest, there is definitely something for you. If boats aren’t your thing, jet skis (South Beach Jet Ski Rental) are also available as an alternative.

You can also float by Millionaire Row and Celebrity Island for views of some of the most beautiful homes in all of Miami, owned by famous celebrities such as Shaquille O’Neal and P.Diddy. We highly recommend checking out this tour for a must-do activity in July:

There are also sunset tours, city tours, and boat tours all over the area of Biscayne Bay. Sunset tours are great for group trips, and a superb way to end a July evening of exploring:

Water Sports

The abundance of water sports available in Miami is unmatched. You can take part in kayaking/canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, kitesurfing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and jet skiing all over the city of Miami.

Since Florida has some of the bluest waters in the state, Key Largo Marine Sanctuary has some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the country.

Great for beginners, and seasoned SUP lovers as well, Crandon Park has calm waters and little distractions, and ideal conditions for stand-up paddleboarding.

Wynwood Arts District

A personal favorite activity of ours is the Wynwood Arts District. This outdoor street museum is filled with street art, graffiti, and art installments that are unique, beautiful, and historical as well. There are guided tours available if you are interested in learning about the history.

It is also the ideal place to get the perfect new profile picture as there are dozens of backdrops available for social media lovers.

Little Havana

This is a ‘must see’ if you are a lover of food. Little Havana offers a little taste of Cuba right in the middle of Miami. It is a very walkable neighborhood and there are guided walking tours daily as well.

While you are here, don’t forget to stop by Versailles restaurant; Miami’s most popular Cuban restaurant dating back to 1971.

Museums

Miami has a museum for every type of traveler. The city is home to history, science, art, and interactive museums for visitors of all ages. These are great activities for rainy days in July.

If you are a lover of music, head downtown to the Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday evenings for live music. If history is more your cup of tea, you may enjoy the Vizcaya museum and gardens, with history and facts dating back to the 19th century, and beautiful views. Additionally, and great for kids, The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is not only a museum but also a planetarium and aquarium.

Bayside Marketplace

Located in the heart of downtown, the Bayside Marketplace is another one of our personal favorite places to spend an afternoon. Located on the Bay close to Miami’s port, visitors can enjoy an afternoon of shopping and snacking at the various stores and cafes at the marketplace. This is an ideal place to grab any last-minute gifts or souvenirs!