Money

1. Currency Exchange

Miami city has many places where tourist can go and exchange currency legally. The first is the Miami International Airport. There are six forex booths at the airport.

The other prominent currency exchange locations in Miami are:

Abbott Foreign Money Exchange

Location: 230 Ne First Street

Miami FL 33132

Phone: (305) 374-2336

American Express

Location: 100 S Biscayne Boulevard

Miami FL 33131

Phone: (305) 358-7350

Consolidated Group International

Location: 80 Biscayne Boulevard

Miami FL 33132

Phone: (305) 377-1940

Forex Consulting Corporation

Location: 2150 Sw 22nd Street

Miami FL 33145

Phone: (305) 857-9575

Intercredit Incorporated

Location: 286 Nw 29th Street

Miami FL 33127

Phone: (305) 576-2252

Lafise Corporation

Location: 701 Brickell Avenue Suite 1460

Miami FL 33131

Phone: (305) 374-6001

2. Telecommunications

The area code for Miami is 305. When making a call to a Miami number from within the city limits, just dial the local seven-digit number.

When calling Miami from outside the city limits, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Dial the digit ‘1'

2. Dial the Miami area code ‘305'

3. Dial the seven-digit local number (eg: 1234567)

When calling Miami from outside the United States of America, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Dial ‘00'

2. Dial the digit ‘1'

3. Dial the Miami area code ‘305'

4. Dial the seven-digit local number (eg: 7654321)

The same convention is reversed when calling from Miami to other places in the country or the world. Dial the digit ‘1' followed by the area code for calls outside the city and for international calls from Miami follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Dial ‘00'

2. Dial the country's international code

3. Dial the destination's area code

4. Dial the local number

The cheapest way to make calls in the United States is to use pre-paid calling cards, which are easily available at gas stations and most general stores. The cheapest times to call are late at night or on weekends.

3. Cab Fares

The general rate for cab travel is $2.15 per mile. The only fixed rate is for journeys to the Miami Airport form the center of the city, which amounts to $24. Make sure the meter reading before the journey starts is $1.5. The price per mile applies irrespective of the number of people traveling in the cab. Waiting charges are extra.

Cab fares for popular destinations like the barrier islands of Miami are pre-determined by the cab companies and the charge is the same irrespective of the pick-up point.

4. Currency Exchange Rates

1 USD In USD

Australian Dollar 1.32873 0.752598

Brazilian Real 2.1835 0.45798

British Pound 0.542564 1.8431

Canadian Dollar 1.1339 0.881912

Chinese Yuan 7.9911 0.125139

Danish Krone 5.8485 0.170984

Euro 0.784068 1.2754

Hong Kong Dollar 7.773 0.12865

Indian Rupee 46.01 0.0217344

Japanese Yen 114.15 0.0087604

Malaysian Ringgit 3.65 0.273973

Mexican Peso 10.994 0.0909587

New Zealand Dollar 1.62681 0.6147

Norwegian Kroner 6.2563 0.159839

Singapore Dollar 1.578 0.633714

South African Rand 7.1205 0.14044

South Korean Won 946.6 0.00105641

Sri Lanka Rupee 103.93 0.00962186

Swedish Krona 7.1824 0.139229

Swiss Franc 1.2286 0.813935

Taiwan Dollar 32.45 0.0308166

Thai Baht 37.81 0.026448

Venezuelan Bolivar 2144.6 0.000466287

Note: The aforementioned values are subject to change. Please contact the FOREX department of banks to obtain up-to-date rates.

5. Taxes

Sales Tax: 7 %

This is applicable on all consumer articles besides medicines, items of worship and raw food articles. This tax is added to the final bill and is not included in the price tags of products.

Hotel Tax: 12.5 % of room cost

This too is not indicated with the price of the room but is included in the final bill.

6. Tipping

Unlike other destinations in the United States, Miami includes tips in the restaurant bills. Please check on the same before paying the extra cash.

Taxi drivers expect 15% - 20% of the fare as a tip. Bellhops deserve somewhere in the range of $1 - $3 for each bag they carry. A tip of up to five dollars should suffice for all other service persons.