Is Little Havana Safe? Why You Shouldn't be Scared to Visit This Miami Neighborhood

Is Little Havana safe?

One of the most asked questions about Little Havana, and even Miami in general is whether it’s safe for visitors and tourists.

Visiting Little Havana can be such an incredible cultural experience.

Here you will be able to enjoy and immerse yourself in Cuban culture, food, and activities. Enjoy some classic Cuban eats, hand roll your very own Cuban cigar, or take a walk down the famous Calle Ocho.

Check out this post for all the fun things to see and do in Little Havana

Is Little Havana safe? One of the most asked questions about Little Havana, and even Miami in general is whether it's safe for visitors and tourists. As a female traveler who has visited Little Havana myself, I am here to answer all your questions regarding the safety of Little Havana. I hope this post eases your fears and encourages you to visit this the vibrant neighborhood of Little Havana in Miami!

If you are unsure about visiting Little Havana on your own, the Little Havana Food and Walking tour is a great way to experience Little Havana in a group.

You’ll have a guide with you at all times plus you’ll get to learn all about Cuban culture, the neighborhood of Little Havana, and enjoy some incredible Cuban food too.

It’s a great way to experience Little Havana, and it’s got almost 4000 reviews and is rated 5 stars so you know it’s an awesome tour!

Before we get into answering all your questions about the safety of Little Havana, it is important to keep in mind that even though lots of tourists visit Little Havana, it is in fact a home for many.

Make sure to treat the locals and the neighborhood with respect when visiting.

BTW if you’re planning a trip to Miami you might also want to check out these posts:

Now let’s get to answering your question, is Little Havana safe?

Is Little Havana Safe for tourists?

As someone who has visited Little Havana myself I can say with 100% confidence that Little Havana is safe for tourists to visit.

There are actually areas of Miami that are much sketchier and dangerous than Little Havana.

The neighborhood of Little Havana was originally populated by Cuban refugees. To this day it remains highly populated by Cubans and is rich in Cuban culture.

This historic neighbourhood will give you a glimpse into the heart of Cuba, from the culture, to the architecture, art, history, music and of course the food! It is a colorful & vibrant neighborhood that you definitely won’t want to miss out on.

Little Havana is full of family owned shops and restaurants and they have such friendly locals.

Enjoy an authentic Cuban meal at the famous Versailles restaurant and have a drink at The Ball and Chain.

Both are super highly recommended spots that are very friendly to tourists.

You will absolutely love your visit to Little Havana and you will feel safe the entire time you are there.

You can check out this post for all the top things to see and do during your visit to Little Havana Miami.

I visited Little Havana with a friend and we felt completely safe as two females alone in Little Havana.

However, if you are unsure about visiting Little Havana on your own I definitely recommend booking yourself in with the Little Havana Food and Walking Tour which will take you through Little Havana with a knowledgeable guide.

Like most places, there is some crime in Little Havana.

There is a higher gang presence here than some other neighborhoods in Miami, and car break-ins are prevalent.

It is not recommended to leave valuables in your car when you visit Little Havana.

Do not let this fact scare you off though.

Little Havana is no less safe than most parts of Miami and if you respect the locals they will respect you.

In fact, you might find yourself getting into a long conversation or two with locals while you’re there.

Most of them are really so friendly!

What are the safest parts of Little Havana?

Although Little Havana in general is not dangerous, there are some areas that are friendlier for tourists.

8th Street especially (Calle Ocho) is very touristy and you will find it to be a very friendly part of Little Havana.

The best and safest parts of Little Havana for tourists are west of NW 22nd Ave and south of 8th street.

This is the central part of Little Havana and the most popular area for tourists.

Is Little Havana safe to visit at night?

It is true that Little Havana is far less dangerous today than it was in the past, however it is still not recommended for tourists to wander through the neighborhoods late at night.

You will especially want to avoid visiting East Little Havana (east of 17th Ave) at night as it is the area with the highest crime rate.

Gang activity is still a concern in these areas and it is best to avoid at night.

Tips for Staying Safe in Little Havana

Although Little Havana is in general very safe for visitors, there are some things you will want to keep in mind when visiting any new neighborhood, city, or country.

Here are my top tips for staying safe in Little Havana:

Be aware of your surroundings
Do not keep valuables in your car: This might seem like common sense but I do not recommend keeping valuables in your car when visiting new places.
Do not use Uber carpool: It is always safest to order Ubers on your own rather than splitting with strangers, especially in a new city.
Avoid walking down alleys and small empty side streets
Do not visit alone: Always travel in pairs or small groups rather than alone
Avoid wandering the streets at night

Final Thoughts

Like any new place you visit, the idea of visiting Little Havana may intimidate you.

As a female traveler who has visiting Little Havana myself, I hope I’ve made you feel a little more at peace about the safety of Little Havana.

Little Havana is not a dangerous place, and in fact is an incredible, vibrant, colorful, and culturally rich place to visit.

Take the regular precautions that you would normally take in visiting a new place and have respect for the locals and you will have a wonderful time visiting Little Havana.

If you are planning on visiting Miami soon you might also want to check out these posts:

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