10 Tips for Greener Travel In Miami

Enjoy your Miami vacation without any green guilt by considering some eco-friendly travel suggestions. Below are 10 tips for greener travel in Miami.

1. Think reusable. Use stainless steel water bottles, snack containers, zippered snack bags and other reusable products to stay hydrated and eat healthy snacks.
2. Buy green gear. Invest in eco-friendly travel gear such as refillable BPA-free containers for shampoos and lotions, solar-powered device chargers, reusable water bottles and bamboo travel blankets.
3. Choose a car or train instead of a plane. Consider driving or using public transportation when traveling to Miami. Air travel is now the fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Rent a hybrid or biofueled car. Public transportation is the greenest choice, but if you rent a vehicle, get it from the major car rental companies that offer eco-friendly vehicles.
5. Lighten up your luggage. Simplify your family vacation by packing lighter. The weight of your suitcase impacts the amount of fuel burned and carbon emissions released during your trip.
6. Eat locally and sustainably. Seek out and dine at eco-friendly restaurants near your Miami hotel.
7. Skip the souvenirs. Forget about loading up your suitcases with soon to be forgotten souvenirs. Use your camera or smartphone to capture family memories by taking pictures at each place you visit.
8. Time your sunscreen. Buy a biodegradable, natural brand of sunscreen and apply it at least 30 minutes before you hit the beach. If you put it on just before diving in, even many of the waterproof varieties will come off and add to coastal pollution.
9. Be conscientious during your vacation. Reuse your room sheets and towels while staying at your hotel in Miami. Turn off the lights and set the air conditioning to a higher temperature when you leave your hotel room.
10. Recycle it. Make sure to use recycling bins that are becoming increasingly more common throughout South Florida for bottles, aluminum, plastic and paper.

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Choice Hotels in Miami

Comfort Suites Miami Hotel is proud to be a part of Choice Hotels. Stay with Choice Hotels and experience the perfect Miami vacation of your dreams.

Choice Hotels International is one of the largest hotel companies in the world, currently franchising more than 6,300 hotels in 35 countries. Choice-branded properties offer business and leisure travelers with high-value accommodation options in the economy, mid-scale and upscale price ranges.

Our hotels in Miami are always close to where you want to be. You can count on us for friendly service and excellent value. With our Choice Privileges rewards program, you will also ensure that your trip is as rewarding as possible.

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Top Ten Mistakes When Traveling to Miami or Kendall

1. Arriving Without a Place To Stay
Book your Miami hotel in advance – at least for the first night. You will need a place to put your suitcases down when you arrive. Wandering around jetlagged and desperate for a place to rest is never fun.

2. Forgetting About Transportation
Make sure you plan your trip from the airport to your Miami or Kendall hotel in advance. Cabs can be very expensive during Miami’s peak season, so do your research on options for public transportation.

3. Misplacing Your Passport
Spending your vacation tracking down consulates and misplaced documents is a waste of time. Make 2 copies of your passport, leave one copy at home with a friend or family member and keep the other copy in your luggage. If, for any reason, your passport is lost or stolen, just take your copy to your consulate so they can trace your passport number, cancel the original passport and give you a new one.

4. Traveling Without Medical Insurance
Being prepared for any accidents during your Miami vacation is important. Make sure you have appropriate medical coverage in case you need it.

5. Not Checking Your Roaming Fees
Using your cell phone in another state without an appropriate service plan could be surprisingly expensive. Contact your service provider to inquire about any extra service fees.

6. Forgetting to Call Your Credit Card Company
Give your credit card company a heads-up that you’ll be traveling or they may suspect fraud and suspend your credit card until you’ve confirmed purchases during your vacation.

7. Sticking To Tourist Traps
Inquire with local residents or the staff of your hotel in Miami for suggestions on the best local attractions, restaurants and events.

8. Not Using a Travel Agent
You can find sales and flight discounts when booking your flight to Miami through an agent. Don’t settle for regular rates. Discounts are usually available for those who seek them.

9. Making Changes to Your Flight Reservations
Postponing your departure date is one of the most common mistakes that travelers can make. Flight changes are available but usually at high costs.

10. Over Packing
Arriving at the airport with overweight suitcases can bust your travel budget even before you take off. Most airlines allow one bag for free, but you could be charged up to $100.00 for every additional piece of luggage or overweight bag.

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Suggestions for Booking Your Miami Hotel

Miami is an exceptional city any time of year. The beaches are as inviting in December as they are in July, and the weekend nightlife rocks all year long! The question of when to book your hotel in Miami is really based on the type of vacation you desire. You can choose the energy of peak season with tourism at its high and usually perfect winter weather, or you can choose low season for the most inexpensive fares and emptier beaches.

Typically, when Northern American states get cold, Miami tourism heats up. The peak season spans from January through April. Come to Miami during the peak season, and you'll find the city and its beaches packed to the max. If your Miami vacation plans must be during these peak months, make sure to book ahead of time and also expect high hotel costs, long waits, and crowded beaches. June through September is the low season, but Miami still gets many tourists during the summer.

Weather Information

Miami has warm weather all year long; highs are usually in the 70s and 80s. Humidity is at its worse in the summer months and can be quite irritating, especially to travelers that are used to dry heat. June has the least desirable weather, as it usually sees the most rainfall.

Florida is located within the hurricane belt, so Miami is at risk for hurricanes and tropical storms from June 1 to November 30. Prepare for travel during these months by purchasing travel insurance that covers you in the event of a hurricane.  Also keep a close watch on the weather forecast prior to your departure.

When to Save

You will find the least expensive rates for a Miami hotel during the low-season summer months, and weekdays are usually cheaper than weekends. In the peak season, you may find small price breaks by traveling midweek rather than on the weekend.

Dining and attraction prices are not so dependant on the seasons, but occasionally you'll find summer coupons that are not available during winter months. Hotels near Miami Zoo and other popular hot spots usually offer summer discounts directly associated with their nearest attractions, so you may want to seek them out.

When to Book

Many hotels in Miami sell out in advance on winter weekends, while in the summer, many hotels even post hopeful "Vacancy" signs in order to attract more business. The best rule of thumb is to book your vacation in Miami as far in advance as possible, especially if you have a specific vacation budget in mind. You will probably find many hotel discounts in the summer, but it's very important to book several months in advance for winter travel. Room prices rise as Miami hotels fill up, so the earlier you book, the cheaper the room rate you'll pay.

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