It was my first year working in public schools and April vacation couldn’t come fast enough. Boston was deep into winter with no end in sight. I needed to get away, and I especially needed to see the sun, but I also had bills to pay.

I opened up Google Flights and gave myself a budget of $200 to go anywhere I wanted. I was traveling solo, so the decision was 100% mine. I decided to go to Miami for the warm weather, the beach, the nightlife, and the Everglades. (Honorable mentions go to Houston, Myrtle Beach, and Chicago.) This was my first solo trip, so I wanted to go somewhere safe where it would be easy to meet people.

My total budget for the trip was $600. Keep reading for tips to make the most of your trip to Miami: 5 ways to save money and 5 things that are worth the extra cost.

5 Tips for Saving Money in Miami

1.) Check prices for flights to Fort Lauderdale

I flew roundtrip from Boston to Fort Lauderdale for $154 – significantly cheaper than flights to Miami would have cost. Fort Lauderdale is a destination in its own right, and you can drive from Fort Lauderdale to Miami (or take public transportation) in less than an hour.

I used Google Flights for my initial search, then when I found the flight I wanted I booked directly through the airline.

I flew on Spirit Airlines. I know it’s not for everyone, but if you don’t mind packing light and sitting in a smaller seat, you can save a lot by picking a budget airline.

But pay attention: budget airlines charge for add-ons that are usually included in your ticket price on other airlines. Carry-on bags and checked bags will incur a hefty fee. Note that the fees listed on their website are one-way, so for a round trip flight you will need to pay that fee twice!

Spirit allows one free “personal item” – essentially any bag that you can fit under the seat in front of you. For my trip to Miami, I checked the measurements online and used a backpack that was within the acceptable limits for a personal item. I also brought a string backpack and a small purse so that I would have options when I got there.

You will be charged for snacks and drinks on the plane, so bring an empty water bottle or buy one at the airport that you can refill.

2.) Stay in a hostel

I had an awesome time at SoBe Hostel in Miami Beach. Prices vary depending on when you are going, but I paid about $20/night.

Unfortunately, there is no kitchen at this hostel, but there is free breakfast every morning and a bar onsite to grab a drink before a night out. (When I went, they actually offered free dinner too, but I think they have stopped doing that now.)

The hostel offers events every day (walking tours, pool parties, bar crawls on a party bus, great rates for the best nightclubs). They also provide bikes and beach equipment for guests to rent.

I had an early morning flight back to Boston, so I booked an Airbnb close to the airport for my last night ($24).

3.) Go to the beach

It’s sunny and warm, the water’s clear, and it’s absolutely free. If you came to Miami to escape the cold, take advantage of every sunny second. Depending on when you go, you are likely to run into spring breakers, but if that’s not your thing you are sure to find a quieter spot as you continue along the beach.

And, if you feel so inclined, South Beach allows topless sunbathing…

3.) Visit Wynwood

Wynwood is Miami’s arts district. Spend an afternoon living the hipster life: stroll through Wynwood Walls, get lunch at a food truck, and check out the craft breweries.

For the best experience, check out the Wynwood Art Walk every other Saturday night.

5.) Explore South Pointe Park

The beach near South Pointe Park was about a five-minute walk from my hostel. I walked there on my first day, and I loved it so much that I started and ended most days there.

For morning people like me, there’s nothing better than a peaceful walk along the beach with views of surfers taking on the waves, sea birds diving for fish, and cats poking their heads out from under rocks. During the day you will see massive cruise ships come and go through the channel next to the park. In the evening you can find a spot on the rocks to have a picnic and watch the sunset across the bay.

5 Things that are Worth the Extra Cost

1.) Rent a car if you are leaving Miami

Until about two weeks before my trip, I was not planning to rent a car. There is an extensive public transportation system in southern Florida that makes it possible to get where you want to go without too much hassle. However, the farther along I got with my itinerary, the more I realized that it would be worth it to just rent a car for the week. Some of the things I was most excited about – the Everglades, Key Largo – would be nearly impossible without a car.

I still saved money by getting an economy car and booking at a rental agency that was not at the airport. This just meant that when I got to the airport I had to take a shuttle to get to my car. Honestly, this ended up being a huge inconvenience, so I would recommend spending a little more and picking an agency that is at the airport so you can jump right into your vacation when you arrive.

But plan carefully and make sure it’s worth it! Parking was hard to find in South Beach, where I was staying, so I had to pay for a parking pass from my hostel.

2.) Food

Treat yourself to a least one excellent meal during your trip. Maybe get yourself a Cuban sandwich in Little Havana (I enjoyed La Carreta). In South Beach, check out the Naked Taco. After dinner, find the elevator and go up to HIGHBAR, the elegant rooftop pool and lounge. (Then look over the back of the building into the Versace mansion!)

3.) Go on a bar crawl

Drinks are very expensive in Miami Beach. You will order a $14 margarita and find out it comes in a 10 oz cup. If you are going to drink, just accept that this will probably be a larger expense than you are used to.

The best nightclubs will likely have long lines and high cover charges, and it is hard to know as an outsider which spots will be worth the time and money. Joining a bar crawl will get you into great bars and nightclubs faster.

As a solo traveler, I was nervous to go out alone, but one of my roommates invited me to join the hostel’s bar crawl one night, and I had a blast! A party bus (complete with music, disco lights, and poles) showed up at the hostel and brought us around to three totally unique bars in Miami Beach – a karaoke bar, a speakeasy-style bar, and a reggaeton club.

4.) Visit the Everglades

This was the most touristy part of my trip, but I just embraced it and ended up having a lot of fun. I drove to Gator Park for an airboat tour and gator show, which was pretty hokey, but I got to see tons of animals!

Then I continued to shark valley and was planning to go for a bike ride, but I didn’t have any cash for a bike rental (big travel mistake!) so I walked instead. It was still fun, and I got to see a lot of alligators in a more natural environment, but I could have seen much more on a bike.

5.) Try an Airbnb experience

The only part of my trip that I booked in advance was paddleboarding in the bay, and it ended up being the best night of my whole trip.

My guide, Cara, took me and one other solo traveler out into the bay, gave us a quick paddling lesson, and then led us through the canals past the most beautiful houses in Miami as the sun set.

Cara took a lot of pictures during the tour and shared them with us over drinks after we got back. I’m not a fan of posing for the perfect Instagram shot, but Cara did a great job of capturing spontaneous moments from the tour without interrupting our paddling.

This paddleboarding tour was my first Airbnb experience, but now I always check Airbnb when I go to a new place!

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Hope you found this helpful. Best of luck on your travels!