Embarking on a Miami Adventure!

Embarking on a Miami Adventure!

Last year, one of my financial goals was to travel to the US. However, we ended up spending two months in Europe instead. This was my second European trip of the year, so the US trip got postponed until now!

We decided at the end of the year to travel to the US with my boyfriend’s sister and her boyfriend. We found a cheap flight on Spirit Airlines for $220 round trip from Guatemala to Fort Lauderdale, FL, plus $30 for a suitcase on the way back since we plan on doing a lot of shopping.

I used to joke about middle-upper class Guatemalans who go to Miami just to shop, but after living in the jungle for over a year, I understand the allure. Consumer goods are limited here; if you need a fridge, there are only a few options, often overpriced and outdated. Clothes shopping is even more challenging, with most items coming from secondhand sources like the “paca,” which offers donated clothes from the US in bulk. It’s cheap but not ideal for finding quality items.

You can find popular brands in Guatemala City, but they come with a 20-30% markup. When flights are only $220, going to the US for shopping makes sense. Miami isn’t usually a budget-friendly destination for us, but this trip should be manageable. We won’t pay for accommodation since my boyfriend’s father has a house there that we can stay in for free for two weeks. Plus, we’ve rented out our room on Airbnb for $800, covering our flights and trip to Guatemala City.

The Miami house comes with a car, so instead of an expensive taxi, I rented a car for a day from the airport. This way, we’ll return it after our shopping spree starts. Despite these savings, the trip will still be costly. Remember, if renting a car, you need proof of insurance. Otherwise, rental companies will impose hefty daily fees.

I’m not a big shopper, but my boyfriend has pointed out that I wear the same clothes all the time. I’ve also lost over 10 pounds from running, so I need some new items. As I don’t plan to go to Europe this year, this US trip is my chance to shop affordably. Here’s my shopping list:

LAPTOP: I bought a basic laptop three months ago, but I dislike it. In my village, I can resell electronics at a reasonable price. I sold my old laptop to our maid for $200, so I expect to get 80% of the purchase price for this one. I’m considering a super slim Asus UX21, which costs around $800, plus a laptop case. My last Asus laptop lasted almost four years, so I trust the brand. $900 with accessories.

RUNNING SHOES: I need new running shoes, about $100, as my current ones are worn out. I’ll test the new pair there to ensure they fit well. I also want an armband for my iPod and perhaps a running bra, totaling around $150.

BATHING SUIT: Living by the beach, I need a nice bathing suit since mine have lost their stretch. I plan to spend about $100 on this.

CLOTHES: I need t-shirts, jeans, maybe a dress, and some formal tops or blouses. I love dresses but need practical clothing for the jungle. Budget: $500.

UNDERWEAR: Since I’m not traveling abroad for a while, I want to stock up on 100% cotton underwear which is hard to find here. Around $80.

FLIP FLOPS: My favorite flip-flops broke, so I need a new pair. Ipanema’s Anatomic models are comfy and sturdy, costing about $12. Including shipping from Amazon, about $20.

LUGGAGE: I may need a new bag, especially since we’re flying without luggage to avoid extra fees. An empty soft bag can be useful, or a small suitcase with wheels. Maybe around $150.

MISCELLANEOUS: There will likely be other items like gadgets or books. Since plane weight is limited, I hope it won’t be too much. Budget: $100.

Total: around $2,000.

Fortunately, the flight and accommodation costs are covered, likely saving more than the flight’s cost compared to buying the same items in Guatemala.

The plan is to travel light, with just the clothes I’m wearing, flip-flops, and a small backpack with essentials. The rest I plan to buy there. A day or two at the mall should be sufficient, and I’ll pre-order some items online to have them ready for our arrival. This gives us time to return anything if needed.

OTHER EXCITING PLANS:

I’m thrilled about this trip as I’ve never been to Florida. Most of what I know about Miami comes from watching Dexter.

ROAD TRIP TO THE KEYS: Having a car means taking a road trip to Key West, possibly staying overnight, enjoying Key lime pie, seafood, swimming, and exploring. I wonder if you can see Cuba on a clear day?

THE BEACH: Although I live by the beach, it’s in a remote area. I’m excited to see the ocean, walk or run along the coast, people-watch, and enjoy a change of scenery.

REAL ESTATE: As a real estate enthusiast, I’m curious about Miami’s properties, like houses with artificial canals and Art Deco architecture. I did some research and found affordable options. I might come back with a new rental property, or at least enjoy seeing different houses and imagining life there.

SEAFOOD BUFFETS: During a previous US trip, we loved Chinese buffet restaurants for their variety and value. Miami reportedly has excellent buffets with crab legs, oysters, and raw fish, so we’re excited to indulge.

CONCERT: I’ll check for any concerts or events in town, hoping to catch something interesting.

After so much travel, I look forward to staying in one place, getting to know it well, and enjoying the small details you’d miss on a shorter visit.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO MIAMI? WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS? WHICH IS THE BEST MALL?