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The Metrobus routes cover the whole Miami-Dade area, but don’t expect them to hold to any schedule, or to come even once every hour. You’ll need the correct change, a token, or a Metropass.

Metrorail is a 21-mile (34-km) elevated rail system running from Hialeah in the north to Dadeland in the south. It serves Downtown, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables. Metromover is a monorail extension of Metrorail that runs a circuit around Downtown (see A Ride on the Metromover).

This electric shuttle service is a fast, scenic way to get around South Beach. There are two separate routes, via Collins and Washington avenues. The cars are airconditioned and smooth.

Taxi meters start at $1.50 and click away speedily at $2 a mile, so they’re not a good deal for long distances. In Fort Lauderdale you may well decide to try a water taxi, just for the fun of exploring the “Venice of America.”

These zippy modes of transportation are definitely the top choices for “doing” South Beach. Many stores will suggest self-guided tours and offer free skating lessons. If you want to ride the American Dream, rent a motorbike.

Car rental in Florida can be expensive, but you can get better deals by looking for fly-drive packages, or by booking through the Internet in advance of your arrival. You’ll need a valid driver’s license, photo ID, and a credit card (cash or a debit card are rarely accepted). Watch out for hidden extras.

Freeways and tollroads in Miami are generally good and fairly easy to negotiate, but the local drivers are another thing. Lane-changing at top speeds is a local sport, as are all sorts of other erratic habits. The result can be myriad fender-benders and some terrible traffic snarls.

There are tours all over Miami, some even include the Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, or a cruise. See www.key2miami.com for more information.

Being a star-studded place, stretch limos are a common sight here, the longer the better.

The grid system of road orientation and numbers (NW, SE, 1st, 2nd, Ave, St, etc) begins Downtown, with Flagler Street as one axis and Miami Avenue as the other. Confusingly, Miami Beach has its own system, as does Coral Gables, and many streets have one or even two extra names.