The ability to travel somewhere unique and not have to layover is an absolute blessing. Luckily, for those who live in South Florida, there are loads of unique destinations via a direct flight.
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
Here is my definition of "unique".
As it pertains to this article, "unique" means any of the following:
A brand new destination in which residents of South Florida have never had direct access to.
A route previously canceled by an airline for poor performance (not Covid-19 related reasons) which has now been resurrected.
An exotic destination which is only accessible directly from the USA via MIA or FLL.
A commonly shared yet exotic destination which feature the shortest year-round direct flights to and from MIA or FLL.
As always, I highly recommend you browse hotel selections on TripAdvisor. Hands-down the best way to choose your stay.
9 Most Unique Non-Stop Destinations from Miami & Fort Lauderdale
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (VVI) - 7 Hours
Why go?
Bolivia is awesome. I explored La Paz and Uyuni (along with the Potosi district) in-depth. I spent only one night in Santa Cruz, but it seemed like a lovely city. Fly to Santa Cruz, immerse yourself in culture, and then hop over to Uyuni (in March or April) for the most spectacular sites your eyes will ever see.
When to go?
Year-round. March or April for Salt Flat reflections in Uyuni, Bolivia.
Why is it Unique?
A route previously canceled by an airline for poor performance (not Covid-19 related reasons) which has now been resurrected.
Who can fly you there?
BoA from MIA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $400+
Where can you stay?
Manaus, Brazil (MAO) - 5 Hours
Why go?
Manaus is a massive city in the middle of the Amazon, the largest rainforest in the world. If you're not a fan of the outdoors, don't bother. If you like the outdoors, then start planning your itinerary today.
When to go?
July through October for the "Dry" Season
Why is it Unique?
An exotic destination which is only accessible directly from the USA via MIA.
Who can fly you there?
AA from MIA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $500+
Where can you stay?
Bozeman, Montana (BZN) - 5 Hours
Why go?
Fishing, Skiing, and Hunting. Oh and Yellowstone National Park is less than 2 hours away.
When to go?
Year-round
Why is it Unique?
A brand new destination in which residents of South Florida have never had direct access to.
Who can fly you there?
JetBlue from FLL - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $150+
Where can you stay?
Fort-de-France, Martinique (FDF) - 3.5 Hours
Why go?
Most people have never heard of Martinique. It's a French island in the Caribbean with volcanoes, surfing, beaches, scuba diving, rainforests, world class unique lodging, and great people. Oh and they only accept Euros and all street signs are straight from France.
When to go?
November to April for dry season.
Why is it Unique?
An exotic destination which is only accessible directly from the USA via MIA.
Who can fly you there?
AA from MIA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $500+
Where can you stay?
Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe (PTP) - 3.5 Hours
Why go?
Just like Martinique but a bit less developed and more rugged. It also features an incredible off-shore destination called Terre-de-Haut. WOW. Contact me for more tips on these beautiful islands! I recommend combining FDF and PTP into one trip!
When to go?
November to April for dry season.
Why is it Unique?
An exotic destination which is only accessible directly from the USA via MIA.
Who can fly you there?
Air France from MIA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $500+
Where can you stay?
St. Lucia (UVF) - 3.5 Hours
Why go?
One of the most exotic islands in the Caribbean, St. Lucia is also hard to reach from almost every city in the US. Ladera Resort is incredible.
When to go?
November to April for dry season.
Why is it Unique?
A commonly shared yet exotic destination which feature the shortest year-round direct flights to and from MIA.
Who can fly you there?
AA from MIA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $450+
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.
Why is it Unique?
A commonly shared yet exotic destination which feature the shortest year-round direct flights to and from MIA.
Who can fly you there?
AA from MIA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $250+
Where can you stay?
Dubai, UAE (DXB) - 14-16 Hours
Why go?
Dubai is impressive. Read that.
When to go?
Year-round.
Why is it Unique?
A brand new destination in which residents of South Florida have never had direct access to. It used to fly from FLL, but MIA is a far better operation.
Who can fly you there?
Emirates from MIA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $700+
Where can you stay?
Portland, Oregon (PDX) - 6.5 Hours
Why go?
The Oregon coast and Mt. Hood are right there. Boom.
When to go?
Summer for surfing, hiking, and camping. Winter for skiing.
Why is it Unique?
A brand new destination in which residents of South Florida have never had direct access to.
Who can fly you there?
JetBlue from FLL - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $180+
Where can you stay?
