SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA

Ahhhhh!  we had a grand time in South Beach, Florida over the past few days!

South Beach is a prime destination, with its blue sky and ocean, its palm trees, its sun and humidity, the beautiful bodies, and a nightlife that minds no clock.

Whatever is your fancy... be it smoking a fine cigar, or dancing to any one rhythm, perhaps admiring expensive choppers and fancy cars, or tanning on white sand, or simply people watching, South Beach has got it.

We went from the refined music of Carlos Averhoff at the Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club, to the wild and loud Mangos Bar facing the beach.  From Salsa dancing at Yuca to a night of beers and cigars at the Sand Bar in Coconut Grove.

For any of you planning to visit South Beach, here's my recommendations:  1. take comfortable shoes.  We walked and walked, and then walked some more.  Of course you have the option to rent a car, or the very popular scooters, but the bus service is only $1.50, and if you're adventurous and willing to get some exercise that'll save you some money; [not that you won't have to spend it on something else!];  2.  Save up! and take lots of money with you!  South Beach is not cheap... I repeat.. NOT cheap.  Average meal for two people, we found out:  $40.  It doesn't matter what you eat or whether it is breakfast or dinner, it was in the neighborhood of $40 every time... and up!;  3.  Different subject:  Find your way to the Cocowalk in Coconut Grove, which is inland and south of Miami center, but as cool and fun as South Beach itself;  4.  Don't sacrifice many things just to see Little Havana, 'cuz.. to be honest, there isn't much to see there;  5.  You MUST go to Mangos.  Perhaps more than once.  ;)  heh  6.  There are tons of hotels, from mildly expensive to ridiculous.  We stayed at Tropics Hotel and Hostel, one block away from the beach, right in the middle of all the action, in a private room with a private bathroom, and for a very reasonable price.  I would recommend it any time.

Here's some pictures, in case you want to be tempted....

THE BEACH

 

MANGOS MAMBO BAR - gosh this place is fun! the cigars helped, and so did the Red Stripes I'm sure, but ... gosh this place is fun!  ;)

 

 

AROUND TOWN

 

 

AT THE ARTURO SANDOVAL JAZZ CLUB

 

 

IN LITTLE HAVANA

 

IN COCONUT GROVE -  We went to Coconut Grove to attend the Ife-Ile Cuban after party, and thanks to it discovered all sorts of other fun stuff!

 

 

YUCA CLUB - No big difference really between this club and any club here in LA.  No major tourist attraction but fun for purposes of a Salsa fix.

 

SOUTH BEACH FROM THE AIR