Beating the Winter Sun Prices: Miami & Punta Cana Twin‑Centre part 1

I was looking for a reasonably priced winter sun destination for December for me and my wife, Becky. Direct flights to the Caribbean were extremely expensive, so I decided to “beat the system” by creating a two‑centre holiday via the USA.

I found good‑value flights with American Airlines, staying in Miami for 3 nights, then flying on to Punta Cana for 4 nights. It turned out to be a brilliant combination.

Stop 1: Miami Beach on a Budget We stayed at the Henrosa Hotel on Miami Beach on a bed and breakfast basis.

Getting There From the airport there is a direct bus to near the hotel, costing just 2.25 USD per person each way, with a journey time of just under 45 minutes depending on traffic. Very easy and very good value.

On arrival at the hotel we had to pay a resort fee of 28 USD per room per day, which included free Wi‑Fi, a reserved spot on the beach and some other amenities. This is worth factoring into your budget, as it does add up.

The Hotel Henrosa is an Art Deco property dating back to the 1930s, with a characterful lobby area where you can help yourself to cold water plus tea and coffee.

Around 40 rooms in total We stayed in room 306, a spacious double with bathroom, TV, safe and small fridge Windows do not open due to the building being listed The location is excellent for the beach, shops, restaurants and bars. During our stay we went to Lincoln Road Mall and spent time on the beach watching sunsets and cruise ships sailing by.

Breakfast & Eating Out Breakfast was the main disappointment. You could only order one item from the breakfast menu; anything extra was at an additional cost, and juices were not included in the complimentary breakfast.

Breakfast was actually served at another hotel, around a 5–10 minute walk away, in a nice restaurant with beach views if you sit at the front. Watching roller skaters glide past in the morning added to the Miami vibe.

While in Miami Beach, we hired a car for the day so we could visit a shopping mall and Walmart for groceries. We picked up some good bargains and enjoyed trying Cuban food, plus Rosetta bakery for dinner.

Overall, Henrosa felt best suited to younger couples and party‑goers due to its Collins Avenue location. We would probably try a different area of Miami next time, as the resort fee was a bit off‑putting.

After 3 nights, it was time to head to the Caribbean.