It's got the climate and beaches of a tropical island, but with a glamorous edge that's 100% USA. Welcome to the land of neon nightlife, million dollar yachts, and two cops named Crocket and Tubbs.

But Miami is not all looks and no action. Far from it. Whether you've come for the sun, sea and surf, or its wild after dark pursuits, you won't be disappointed. The beaches are miles of sparkling sands and crystal clear seas. The shops are packed with designer togs. And there's a cafe culture to rival any European city. Throw in some museums, manor houses and wildlife parks for a summer you'll never forget.

Of course, trips to Miami aren't complete without sampling the nightlife. You'll find bustling clubs and bars pumping out Latin-infused grooves with basslines like an LA earthquake. But if you really want to hit the city in style, lounges are where it's at. The high-life haunts of Mynt, Pearl and Skybar promote cocktails and intimacy rather than shots and shouting.

Miami residents are always looking for a great way to beat the heat and there's no better way to do that than take a dip in the pool! If you aren't fortunate enough to have a pool in your backyard, Miami offers a number of public swimming pools that are accessible to residents for a nominal fee.

So if you're looking for summer for non stop action with a touch of pizzazz, roll up the sleeves on your pastel suit and slip on your wicker shoes – it's Miami, baby!

Miami is the centre of Latin Culture, and is the commercial gateway to Latin America.

It offers all the amenities of a large prosperous city, as well as excellent Oceanside climate of warm winters and moderate summers.

There are many excellent restaurants and a full schedule of Theatre, museum exhibits and concerts. Professional sports events and unrivalled water recreation are also among Miami’s attractions.

Culture: As home to the Florida Grand Opera, the New World Symphony and the Jackie Gleason Theatre of the performing arts, Miami’s cultural life is very much alive and kicking. The local newspapers are a great way to find out what is on log onto:
http://www.miaminewtimes.com
http://www.miami.nightguide.com

Tickets can be bought at the various venues or from Ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.com

Metrorail is a 21-mile elevated rail system that serves Downtown Miami and extends west to Hialeah and south to Kendall, with stops approximately every mile.

Metromover features individual motorized cars that run atop a 4.4-mile elevated track looping around Downtown Miami and to the Brickell and Omni business districts.

Metrobus, offers more than 60 routes in Miami-Dade County. Tri-Rail is a commuter rail system with 15 stations throughout Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. To learn more about public transportation in Miami-Dade County, please visit:
http://go.miamidade.gov/

Go4Less recommends you find a job and housing before you go. Here are some websites that will help you with the search,

Jobs
http://www.jobs.net/Florida-Miami.htm
http://miami.employmentguide.com/
http://miami.jobs.com/
http://www.miamirecruiter.com/

Here are some websites to help with your Accommodation arrangements.
http://miami.apartments.com/
http://www.apartmentsearch.com/apartments/Florida/Miami/
http://miami.condo.com/
http://www.forleasebyowner.com/
http://miami.craigslist.org/apa/
http://www.roommates4you.com/us/FL/Miami-roommates/

Sunny Isles Beach

Offshore Powerboat Challenge Weekend - Power boat racers from around the country convene on Sunny Isles Beach in mid-June for a number of exciting contests. Call (305) 947-0606 for more information.

Miami Spa Month - During the months of July and August the famous luxury spas and resorts of Miami and Miami Beach offer specials on their beauty and pampering sessions, sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Call (305) 539-3000 for more information.

America's Birthday Bash - Bayfront Park in downtown Miami hosts a 4th of July celebration featuring fireworks, kids' activities, food and beverages, presented by the Bayfront Park Management Trust. Call (305) 358-7550 for more information.

4th of July Miami Beach - Live music and fireworks take place near the sand at Collins Avenue near 72nd Street. Call (305) 539-3063 for more information.

MFA Exhibition – Exhibition featuring works from Graduating University of Miami Master of Fine Arts students.
http://www.miami.edu/lowe/

Jazz at MOCA – The popular Jazz at MOCA series presents free outdoor concerts on the last Friday of every month.
http://www.mocanomi.org/events/jazz.htm

Brazilian Film Festival – Showcases more than 40 acclaimed Brazilian films and presents international guests including directors, producers and actors.
http://www.brazilianfilmfestival.com

South Beach is the quintessential Miami hot spot. From shopping to partying, this area of Miami Beach is well-known for being a trendy locale. With the clear blue waters and unique art deco landscape, you can simply take a weekend to rejuvenate in your own backyard!

Zoo Miami is fast becoming one of the best zoos in the nation. Its climate allows it to keep a wide variety of animals from Asia, Australia and Africa like no other zoo in the country. One of the first free-range zoos in the country, the exhibits are entirely cageless. Animals are grouped according to their geographic territory and animals that live together peacefully in the wild are placed in exhibits together.

Jungle Island offers visitors a fun, educational opportunity to get an up-close look at tropical birds in replicas of their natural habitats. The attraction routinely hosts field trips and offers frequent educational programs. There's something to satisfy the inner biologist in everyone!

Any discussion of after-hours Miami inevitably makes South Beach its focus. This strip of high-rent real estate, distinguished by streamlined Art Deco structures, issues a siren’s call to celebs and glitterati. Their eager response is invariably a nocturnal pilgrimage to see-and-be-seen, following hours spent on the beach, in the gym and at the salon. South Beach is full of chic , already-unique bars and dance clubs constantly seek to out-do each other with designer interiors, top-of-the-game DJs and mystiques fashioned around wealthy, beautiful or famous patrons (even better if they’re all three). Outward show – indicated by exclusivity and visual splash – often marks these venues, although the velvet rope isn’t necessarily stretched as tightly as it may seem at first glance .. As Mynt, Pearl and Skybar ably prove, lounges are, by far, Miami’s hottest scene.

For more info see Miami nightclub guide for all the hot spots.
http://miami.nightguide.com/

The above tops provided by Go4Less are intended as a guide only. Go4Less accept no responsibility for any jobs or housing accepted by students through these contacts.