Calle Ocho (Little Havana)

This half-day tour takes you outdoors for the best Miami has to offer.  You will explore the most interesting and diverse neighbourhoods in the city. See the sights at your own pace and adapt your tour with your guide, who will be happy to offer suggestions based on your preferences. 

Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District is a must-see for any architecture aficionado or art enthusiast. A colourful, unique, and vibrant neighbourhood, offering interesting décor at every turn.  There are over 800 Art Deco buildings concentrated in the area, ensuring variety is inevitable and the ensemble spectacular. 

This outdoor urban graffiti art museum is a landmark of Miami, and no art trip in the city would be complete until you have visited it. It attracts artists and visitors from around the globe, offering the chance for artists to showcase work publicly, and for visitors to get that perfect Instagram shot. 

Coconut Grove has hugged the shoreline of Biscayne Bay since 1873, and is the bohemian oasis of Miami. Under a tropical canopy, there sits rows of boutique shops and restaurants. The Grove contains many points of interest, including The National Tropical Botanical Garden, The Barnacle Historic State Park, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The latter injects Italian Renaissance into an American setting and is a must for any visit to Miami. 

Frequently called "The City Beautiful", Coral Gables has much to offer. In particular, the Venetian Pool is a historic public swimming-pool that has been a landmark of Coral Gables since its opening in 1924. The pool was created in Mediterranean Revival style,  from which it gains its Venetian namesake, the quintessential city of Italy. Enjoy a dip in the pool in truly unique surroundings!

Here, you will find authentic Cuban culture that extends beyond Cuban coffee, cigars, and rounds of dominoes. Little Havana is teeming with colourful murals, live Latin music, and pop-up art exhibitions. 

Discover Miami’s vibrant Little Havana neighbourhood with its colourful murals, lively music, and authentic Cuban influence in this delicious 2.5-hour cultural and food-tasting experience. 

On your private tour, you will: 

Explore the vibrant area of Little Havana in Miami on this fabulous private tour around the famous Calle Ocho (8th Street). You’ll enjoy several tastings at authentic cafes, street food vendors and ‘hole-in-the-wall’ bars, as well as learn all about the fascinating history and cultural evolution of Little Havana. You’ll even see a cigar-rolling demonstration! 

Your 2.5-hour tour begins with meeting your expert private guide at the statue of Cuba’s national hero, Jose Marti, the Cuban political activist, poet and philosopher. You’ll be greeted with a Guava and Cream Cheese Pastelito to start with, a traditional sweet pastry to enjoy as your guide introduces the tour. 

Learn about tensions between Castro and JFK as you pass the monument to the Bay of Pigs, hear about the different waves of immigration at the statue of Nestor Izquierdo, and later as you visit the amazing Rooster Alley with its famous street art and the vast mural of the rooster by Medelin Perez Noa, the symbol of Little Havana. 

Little Havana is also famed for its blended religion. You’ll see the statue of the Virgin Mary beneath a Ceiba tree, representing a blend of Catholic saints and traditions from the West African Yoruba religion of Santeria. The worship of Orishas, like Oshun, is still commonplace in Little Havana. 

Stopping by the Walk of Fame – honouring artists like Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz, it’s time for a yummy taco al pastor! Tacos are famous Mexican street food, al pastor meaning ‘shepherd style’. The Latin influence in Little Havana is undeniable – with Spanish being spoken everywhere, including on the radio and in the newspapers! 

Visit the Maximo Gomez Park, fondly known as Domino Park where you’ll see many locals playing Dominos, a favourite Cuban game, then stop for a traditional Cuban sandwich, washed down with a mojito at a famous, family-run Cuban bar with lots of history. 

Wander past the historic Tower Theatre towards the Cuba Tobacco Company run by the Bello family for over 100 years, where you’ll be greeted warmly with a Cuban coffee to watch a fantastic cigar rolling demonstration, with time for souvenir shopping too! 

Your last stop will be at the famous Ice-Cream shop located in the heart of Miami's Little Havana neighbourhood.  You will have a chance to try the secret recipe of a Cuban grandmother. 

After a deliciously filling and fascinating tour, your guide will help you get to where you want to go next – whether that is back to your hotel or to continue exploring the art galleries of Little Havana!