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25 Best Weekend Getaways from Miami (Within a 3 Hour Flight)

  • Writer: Jordan Hinsch
    Jordan Hinsch
  • Jul 29, 2019
  • 10 min read

Updated: Sep 14, 2024

Those who reside in South Florida are blessed to live in an area where over 25 million people vacation every year. But just like anyone else, we all need to get away. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for locals in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties within a 3 hour flight. More importantly, these trips are all possible without having to take a vacation day (for you M-F 9-5'ers), it just depends what you want to do.


Before reading, be sure to note three important airport identifiers in this post:

MIA refers to Miami International Airport

FLL refers to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

PBI refers to Palm Beach International Airport


As always, I highly recommend you browse hotel selections on TripAdvisor. Hands-down the best way to choose your stay.



The Bahamas - 30 Minutes to 2 Hours


Exploring in Eleuthera
Exploring in Eleuthera

Why go?

  • Turquoise waters, friendly people, and close proximity to Florida make the Bahamas a popular destination.

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.

  • May to August to avoid crowds and surcharges.

  • November to February to avoid the summer heat.

Who can fly you there?

*Nassau (NAS)

*North Eleuthera (ELH)

*Governor's Harbor (GHB)

*Marsh Harbour (MHH)

*Exuma (GGT)

*Bimini (BIM)

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?

Notable Events

  • Bahamian Carnival - First Weekend in May

  • Junkanoo - 2nd Thursday in December



Turks and Caicos (PLS) - 1.5 Hours


Why go?

  • World's best beach and incredible diving, enough said.

When to go?

  • December to June to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.

  • April to May to avoid crowds and surcharges.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



Puerto Rico - 2.5 Hours to San Juan (SJU), 2.5 Hours to Aguadilla (BQN)


Why go?

  • Surfing, culture, and hiking. Oh and you don't need a passport to travel.

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.

  • April to June to avoid the busy winter and the upcoming rainy season.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $125+

Where can you stay?



Grand Cayman (GCM) - 1.5 Hours


Why go?

  • Caves, spas, beaches, and boats.

When to go?

  • March to June to avoid crowds and surcharges.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) - 1.5 Hours


Why go?

  • Caves, beaches, delicious food, and bobsledding.

When to go?

  • November to January for the best weather.

  • April to June to avoid crowds and surcharges.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $250+

Where can you stay?



Cancun, Mexico (CUN) - 1.5 Hours


Why go?

  • Your money goes a long way: all-inclusive hotels, nightlife, and activities.

When to go?

  • December to April for the best weather.

  • Avoid March Spring Break travel if you wan't to be at peace.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



Belize City, Belize (BZE) - 2 Hours


Why go?

  • Mayan Ruins, Great Blue Hole, beaches, diving/snorkeling, abundance of islands, and wildlife.

When to go?

  • November to April for dry season.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $250+

Where can you stay?



Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) - 2.5 Hours


Why go?

  • Mayan Ruins, volcanoes, and waterfalls.

When to go?

  • November to April for dry season.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $225+

Where can you stay?



Costa Rica - 3 Hours to San Jose (SJO), 2.5 Hours to Liberia (LIR)


Nosara, Costa Rica
Nosara, Costa Rica

Why go?

  • World-class surfing, untouched rainforests, unique wildlife, and great food.

When to go?

  • December to April for dry season.

  • April to August to avoid crowds and surcharges.

Who can fly you there?


*San Jose (SJO)

*Liberia (LIR)

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $225+

Where can you stay?



Colombia - 3-4 Hours to Bogota (BOG), Cartagena (CTG), or Medellin (MDE)


Why go?

  • Experience a fun part of South America with lots to do outdoors.

When to go?

  • December to March for dry season.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



Aruba (AUA), Bonaire (BON), & Curaçao (CUR) - 3 Hours


Sunset in Aruba
Sunset in Aruba

Why go?

  • The ABC islands feature beautiful beaches and some of the safest neighborhoods in the Caribbean.

When to go?

  • Year-round! It's a naturally dry climate south of hurricane belt.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



Guadeloupe (PTP) - 3 Hours


Aerial View of La Toubana Hotel & Spa
Aerial View of La Toubana Hotel & Spa

Why go?

  • No, this is NOT Guadeloupe, Mexico. This is a beautiful French island deep in the Caribbean. USD is not accepted.

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $400+

Where can you stay? My personal recommendations are below



Martinique (FDF) - Just Over 3 Hours


Exploring in Martinique
Exploring in Martinique

Why go?

  • The closest thing to Europe on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. They only accept Euros and French is the primary language. It is a relatively wealthy but beautiful island. Top-notch hotels and restaurants are two of the many highlights. Don't forget to hike a volcano!

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $400+

Where can you stay? My personal recommendation is below



Antigua (ANU) - Just Over 3 Hours


Why go?

  • Nice hotels, nice people, and a fun-filled carnival.

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $350+

Where can you stay?



St. Thomas (STT) - 2.5 Hours


Why go?

  • It's a great stopping point to take a boat to the British Virgin Islands such as Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms

  • April to June to avoid the busy winter and the upcoming rainy season

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



St. Martin/St. Maarten (SXM) - 3 Hours


Why go?

  • The frequency of cruise ships has resulted in an above average nightlife along with nice beaches. You can also stand on the famous beach near the airport and get blown away, literally.

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms

  • April to June to avoid the busy winter and the upcoming rainy season

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



St. Kitts (SKB) - 3 Hours


Why go?

  • Rainforests, monkeys, volcanoes, and water sports.

When to go?

  • December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms

  • April to June to avoid the busy winter and the upcoming rainy season

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $330+

Where can you stay?



Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) - Just Over 3 Hours


Boston
Boston

Why go?

  • History and cool summertime temps!

When to go?

  • Summer for the best weather, but peak rates for solid hotels.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) - 1.5 Hours


Why go?

  • Art, culture, and a clean city.

When to go?

  • Summer for the best weather, but peak rates for solid hotels.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $150+

Where can you stay?



Key West, Florida (EYW) - 1 Hour Flight or 3.5 Hour Drive


Why go?

  • Don't visit for the beaches, you'll be disappointed. Visit for the history, culture, and the crazy/unique people.

When to go?

  • Year-round!

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $150+

Where can you stay?



Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) - 2.5 Hours


Why go?

  • Not just country music, but all types of music. Live music at every bar by the most talented cover bands you'll ever hear. Be prepared to drink, a lot.

When to go?

  • Summer for the best weather, but peak rates for solid hotels.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $125+

Where can you stay?



New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY) - 2 Hours


Why go?

  • Jazz, Cajun cuisine, casinos, and nightlife.

When to go?

  • Year-round! February for Mardi Gras. April for Jazz Fest.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $150+

Where can you stay?



New York, New York (JFK, LGA, EWR, ISP, HPN) - 3 Hours


Why go?

  • Sure, most Florida residents, including myself, come from New York. Why not go back for a nice weekend during the summer to see the sights in the city that never sleeps? Or take a trip during the holiday season and see the tree at Rockefeller Center and a Broadway play.

When to go?

  • Summer for the best weather, but peak rates for solid hotels.

  • Winter for Christmas festivities!

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?



Orlando, Florida (MCO) - 1 Hour Flight or 4 Hour Drive


Why go?

  • Disney World & Universal Studios.

When to go?

  • Winter to avoid the stagnant heat and mosquitoes.

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $120+

Where can you stay?



St. Augustine (JAX) - 1.5 Hours


Why go?

  • The first city in the USA. Visit for history, culture, and some very cool architecture.

When to go?

  • Year-round!

Who can fly you there?

How much will it cost to get there?

  • Airfare: $150+

Where can you stay?


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Hey! I'm Jordan, a native New Yorker who is addicted to adventure travel, photography, content creation, investing, and fitness. Read on, enjoy, and Never Run Out of First Times!

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