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If you’re thinking of visiting Miami Florida, the top question on your mind might be: “Is Miami Safe?”

In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know to make the best possible decision for yourself or your family when it comes to a vacation in the seventh-largest city in the U.S.A.

I recently spent a couple of days here and I agree that Miami has plenty of allure with its gorgeous beaches, fabulous weather, colorful culture, and awesome attractions.

It’s no wonder that over 24.2 million tourists visit the city each year.  But for all Miami’s fame and popularity, it’s also known for high levels of crime.

According to Neighborhood Scout, Miami has one of the highest crime rates in America: 35 per one thousand residents.  Those numbers are concerning.

However, millions of tourists enjoy Miami each year.  That seems like a disconnect, doesn’t it?

However, one thing that statistic tells us is that it IS possible to travel safely to Miami.

Read on to learn more about how to stay safe and have an awesome time while visiting the City of Miami whether traveling solo or as a family.

By the end of this post, you’ll know which areas of this popular destination to avoid, which are safe, and a list of important safety tips.

Let’s dive in!

Is Miami Safe For Visitors?

Although Miami is known for its high level of violent crimes, it is also a tourism hot spot.

This lets us know that it is totally possible to visit Miami safely and have a great time while you’re there.

However, you should think through how to keep yourself and/or your family safe while in South Florida’s most major city.

The most common crimes tourists may encounter while visiting the Miami area include petty theft such as pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and property rental scams.

It is also possible to experience tropical storms and hurricanes, especially between June and October.

In order to stay safe in Miami, you should book a vacation rental or hotel in a safe neighborhood.

Leave your valuables at home and don’t flaunt your wealth.  And keep a close eye on your belongings while you are out and about, especially in crowded areas.

If you practice common sense and situational awareness and follow the safety tips included at the end of this post, you should be able to visit Miami safely!

Is Miami Safe For Families?

Yes!  Miami is considered safe for families.

As mentioned in the point above, you should be careful to book accommodations for your family in a safe area and follow safety tips.

Miami is a popular destination for families and offers many great family-friendly tourist attractions.

There are incredible museums, aquariums, cruises, state parks, beaches, and water sports activities available.

Popular spots to visit as a family include the Miami Zoo, Monkey Jungle, Venetian Pool, the Children’s Museum, and Sunny Isles Beach.

Is Miami Safe For Solo Travelers?

Yes! Miami is also considered safe for solo travelers.

As already mentioned, it is important to implement safety precautions and be smart and responsible.

Stay alert to what is going on around you and avoid walking around at night by yourself.

Be sure to book a hotel in a safe area, take extra precautions when drinking (don’t leave food or drinks unattended), and avoid doing activities in bad neighborhoods.

Is Miami Safe At Night?

Miami can be safe at night, depending on what area you are in and what activities you are doing.

According to a US News report on several major cities in the United States, most serious crimes occur at night.

These can include robbery, driving while impaired, murder, and rape/assault.  Therefore, it’s a good idea to take extra precautions at night.

Some fun and safe activities you can enjoy after dark while in Miami include a Big Bus tour of the city or attending an opera, ballet, or concert in downtown Miami.

Is Miami Beach Safe At Night?

Miami Beach is generally safe for tourists at night, however, it is best not to go out alone. Instead, walk in a group and stick to known safe areas. 

The beach itself is closed for safety reasons, but the larger area is reasonably safe.

I was just in Miami Beach in February and it’s one of the area’s busiest months.  I felt safe while walking around at night, although I did have a few individuals that tried to stop me to ask if I wanted to buy drugs, so just be aware of that. 

Some great nighttime activities you can enjoy without putting yourself at risk include going on a Big Bus tour, meandering down Ocean Drive, going on a sunset cruise, etc.

What Part Of Miami Is The Riskiest Or The Most Dangerous?

The following areas are considered the most dangerous neighborhoods in Miami.  Avoid visiting these areas during your visit.

Model City

Model City, also known as Liberty City is one of the areas to avoid in Miami.

It is considered a poor neighborhood and is densely packed with people.  Approximately 25,000 people live there.  It is often cited as one of the most sketchy areas in Miami.

Little Havana

Little Havana is another one of the most densely populated Miami neighborhoods.  It has about 56,000 residents and is a hot spot for Cuban culture.

Unfortunately, Little Havana has a strong gang presence. Many car break-ins occur here.

If you visit Little Havana, stick to the South of 8th Street (Calle Ocho) and 22nd Avenue.  Don’t walk around in other areas of Little Havana.

Little Haiti

Little Haiti is a primarily Haitian neighborhood known for its great Haitian culture and cuisine.

Unfortunately, the area has many incidences of gun violence and shootings.

Downtown

Downtown Miami is another one of those dangerous places that experience high violent crime rates.

Although there is a strong police presence here, it is best to avoid walking around at night, especially if you are alone.

Street gangs, panhandlers, and homeless people make this area a security risk.

Over Town

Street gangs are also a problem in the historic Over Town neighborhood.  It is located near downtown Miami.

Allapattah

Allapattah is also a heavy crime area in Miami and is best avoided.

West Flagler

West Flagler is a small area known for petty crimes, burglary, muggings, and car theft.  Avoid walking alone here after 9 pm.

You may also wish to avoid Upper East Side, South Coconut Grove, and Wynwood.

What Part Of Miami Is The Safest?

If you are looking for Miami’s safest neighborhoods, this list should help!

It is a good idea to book accommodation and activities in one of these key areas.

These are the safest places in Miami and often have high security and are considered safe both during the day and during the night.

Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove is one of the best places to look for a hotel or vacation rental.

This neighborhood is safe for visitors and is only a short drive from the Miami International Airport.

Police presence is high in this area, which helps keep crime way down. 

This friendly neighborhood has a tranquil laid-back vibe. It’s a great place to go cycling and walking.

Fisher Island

One of the safest areas in Miami is Fisher Island.  This private island is located near South Beach.

It can only be accessed by boat or ferry, so if you are a tourist, you will need to have an invitation to go there.

The island has a large number of security guards and a 24-hour marine patrol.

Coral Gables

Another one of the best areas for safety in Miami is Coral Gables.

This neighborhood features many gated communities which help protect against burglaries.

There are also neighborhood crime watches and mobile police patrols.

Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne is a luxuriously wealthy area of Miami near Brickell’s Coast.

This neighborhood is very exclusive.

Is Miami Crime Rate High?

Yes, Miami’s crime rate is high.  In fact, Neighborhood Scout ranks the city 8 out of 100 for safety.

In other words, Miami is safer than only 8% of US cities and less safe than 92%.

Miami’s crime rate is 88% higher than other communities in Florida.  However, there is more to the picture.

Neighborhood Scout compared Miami’s overall crime rates to those of other US cities of a similar size and found that it ranked in about the middle of the pack for safety.

The best neighborhoods in Miami have a low crime rate.  Tourist areas are generally safe.

Where Miami ranks poorly is for its incidence of violent crime (such as aggravated assault, murder, rape, etc), property crime, and motor vehicle theft.

The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Miami is one in 169, of property crime one in 35, and of auto theft one in 245.

As for the homicide rates in recent years, Miami had 61 homicides in 2020, but only 47 in 2021 and 2022.

The rate of homicides being solved (the clearance rate) increased from 47% in 2021 to 70% in 2022. This is a promising trend!

Is Miami Safer Than NYC?

Miami has a higher crime rate than NYC.

According to Neighborhood Scout, Miami has a crime index of 8 (with 100 being the safest), while the crime index for New York City is 15.

The crime rate in New York amounts to 25 crimes per 1000 residents, while in Miami there are 35 crimes per 1000 residents.

New York is one of the safest cities for its size and population, whereas Miami is average.

Something to keep in mind, however, is that there are safe and unsafe neighborhoods in both cities.

It is entirely possible to enjoy a safe visit to both or either of these cities.

Miami Safety Tips

In order to stay safe while in Miami, consider implementing the following safety tips:

1. Know who to call in an emergency: Miami has a strong police presence so it is a great idea to have these numbers saved in your phone.

Call 911 for emergencies, 311 for answer center lines, and 305-579-6111 to contact law enforcement in non-emergency situations.

2. Be situationally Aware: Take note of your surroundings, keep your belongings close, and walk with confidence.

Stay alert when walking, biking, and shopping, especially in crowded downtown streets.

3. If you are carrying valuables, use a rental car or taxi rather than public transportation.

4. Leave non-essential valuables at home (such as expensive watches, jewelry, and electronics).

Make use of your hotel safe for documents and valuables you need with you.

5. Avoid walking around at night.  If you do go out, stick to well-lit areas and safe locations.

6. Never leave your food or drinks unattended, do not accept drinks from strangers (no matter how friendly or attractive), and drink responsibly.

If you plan to get drunk, do so in your hotel room or in the company of a trusted friend who has agreed to stay sober in order to watch out for you.

7. Book your hotel or lodging in a safe neighborhood. If you use Airbnb or an alternate lodging option, check reviews to make sure it is safe.

8. When at the beach, beware of purple flags.  These indicate that stingrays or jellyfish are in the water.

You don’t want to get stung!

9. The weather can be really hot, so be sure to put on sunscreen, wear light-colored clothing made from airy fabrics, and wear a hat and sunglasses.

Take frequent breaks from the sun and heat to avoid sunstroke and sunburns.

Is Miami Safe – Conclusion

As you can see, Miami has some security concerns.

There is a high incidence of violent crime, auto theft, and property crime.  However, most of these crimes occur in certain dangerous neighborhoods.

If you avoid these areas and follow common sense safety tips, there’s no reason why you can’t have a great and safe trip to Miami.

After all, Miami receives over 24.2 million tourists each year.  It is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the state.

Despite the city’s risky areas, millions of tourists have an awesome time exploring this vibrant city.

There are a ton of things to see and do while you are here including visiting the beautiful sandy beaches, enjoying the nightlife, or heading off to Everglades National Park.

If you exercise caution, Miami can be a safe place to vacation.

Enjoy!