First Timer’s Guide to Ultra Miami 2024

Your go-to guide for all things Ultra Music Festival.

Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival have become staples for many avid ravers and festivalgoers around the world. For those who have yet to experience all of Ultra’s magic, Exron Music has created a first-timer Ultra guide, featuring the best places to stay in Miami, what to expect of the culture, the musts and the busts of attending Ultra, and more.

The best UMF sets. The ones you cannot miss.

For the love of the rave Gods, please… see at least one Carl Cox set. The king of trance turns tables every day, usually for hours, throwing down some of the best trance sets of the entire festival. He’s hypnotic and legendary, certainly not one to miss. Last year Eric Prydz showcased his acclaimed HOLO set, a 3D holographic projection perfectly timed to his music. Much of the audience simply stood in awe during the show for it was that mind-boggling. See at least one full set at the MainStage, if not for the artist then for the visuals and pyrotechnics. See at least one set at Resistance for this is the second largest stage and undoubtedly a grand spectacle – last year the ceiling featured massive illuminated beams that would drop and tilt in time to the music, creating this sick, tubular visual vortex that… kind of had a beat to it.

Visit every stage. Every last one.

Although it might be tempting to stay at the MainStage all day, in the thick of battle, vibing in the pit, venture off. Wander. Explore. Frolic through the concrete tropical jungle that is Miami. There are 6+ stages at Ultra, each with completely different vibes, artists, and setlists. Last year, Grimes performed on a smaller stage closer to the water, as did Claude Von Stroke and company from DirtyBird. Resistance threw down some of the best sets for house music, most notably with Adam Beyer. Although the MainStage is awe-inspiring, venture outside of your comfort zone and explore all that Ultra has to offer.

What to expect from the overarching culture of Miami.

Four words: there are no bookstores. Seriously, if you’re into academia and wholesome, quaint activities, or if you’re looking to relax in someplace quiet, predictable, and stable… please take your energy elsewhere. The city does not want you during MMW. Miami is all about living in the moment, having fun, dancing on tables, going sailing with your best friends and watching the sunset over the bay, listening to reggaeton, popping champagne, and enjoying the people, flavors, and idiosyncrasies of a wealthy, fast-paced North Cuba. Miami is the best of three worlds: it has the money of America, the arts of Europe, and the people and zest of Latin America. People go clubbing every day of the week, wear bikinis in the most inappropriate of settings, and no one stops hustling. It’s fast-paced, zesty, fun, colorful, flirty, spicy, sassy, and sexy. It’s Miami, for God’s sake – take the shot of tequila.

Where to stay: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

MMW is one of Miami’s biggest and most profitable annual events. Hundreds of thousands of people attend MMW, many of whom fall into the trap of staying on the beach. Although it might sound novel to lodge on the beach, expect hours of traffic getting in and out of SoBe. The best spots for MMW lodging are Brickell (Downtown but South of the river and a much better area), Coconut Grove (super nice area, cute shops, and a 20-minute Uber drive to the function), and Coral Gables (a little West but think luxurious Miami estates and University of Miami student housing). For those looking to stay as close to Ultra as possible, Downtown is your best bet… but beware. Downtown Miami is the epicenter of the city’s heartbreaking homelessness epidemic. During Ultra, police are present at every corner, but ladies should not be unaccompanied at night. And no matter the good deal or the discount, do not stay in the Wynwood area, which is adjacent to Overtown, one of the scarier neighborhoods in Miami with a total crime rate almost 30% higher than the national average. Overall, the best bet for lodging is without a doubt Brickell. 

Transportation: take the metro!

Yes, there’s public transportation in Miami. The city features an elevated metro train system that can take riders throughout Miami’s inner city, from Downtown to Brickell’s finance district, even to the University of Miami’s campus (cue the flocks of glittered, half-naked and fully-naked UM students embarking and disembarking ‘round the clock). And best of all, the metro is FREE. For those staying anywhere in Miami’s inner city, consider taking the metro rather than Ubering and save time (no traffic) and dollars.

Parking. Yes, expect an expensive sh*tshow.

Parking in Miami on average is anywhere from $25-55, so expect Ultra to be somewhat similar, if not more. If the group has a designated driver who plans on parking Downtown, close to Ultra, leave no valuables in the car for car break-ins in Miami are rampant and un-prosecutable. Expect intense traffic around Ultra’s epicenter and bring cash for parking in the event the attendee does not take Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.

The best places to eat while visiting.

If nothing else, please check out Calle Ocho’s Cuban block. Calle Ocho, or 8th Street, is a traditionally Hispanic neighborhood in West Miami, famous for its delicious Cuban food. For authentic cafe con leche, arroz con pollo, guava y queso pastels, and flan, order takeout or dine-in at world-famous Versailles or, across the street, La Carreta. Some hotspots for Uber Eats include Carrot Express (a local favorite), Pura Vida (for our health and wellness, almond girlies), and Flanagans (take the green cup home as a souvenir if you’re real).

Afterparties and auxiliary MMW events.

Although Factory Town is in Hialeah, a neighborhood rife with crime, it’s probably one of the best EMD venues in Miami, second only to Club Space. Club Space, an infamous terrace club Downtown, will most likely be packed, almost impossible to get into without a table, and $250 at the door. Factory Town will be hosting its own MMW festival and offers an opportunity to continue partying but on a budget. M2, a spot on the beach, is Resistance’s Miami residency and usually features dope artists during MMW. Last year Charlotte DeWitte kicked off the weekend on Friday night with a killer 2 AM set. For more chill spaces, check out Eagle Room and Do Not Sit On The Furniture (think Bruner crowd, posh and collected, mid-thirties to mid-forties).

And finally, under no circumstances should you do any of the below.

1. Take a risk in an unfamiliar city. Be safe, be smart, and honor your life and the lives of your friends. Click here for information on harm reduction, particularly in a festival setting.

2. Drink heavily at the pregame. This festival goes all day. Drinking three mixed drinks at 3 PM means that you might not make it to 11 PM, missing some of the day’s headliners. Prioritize the music over partying.

3. Wear uncomfortable shoes. It is completely feasible to walk 15-30 miles per day during Ultra, standing for 10-15 hours. Bring the rave boots but make sure they’re the comfortable ones. No one wants to leave early because their dogs, or their friend’s dogs, are barking.

4. Do nothing other than Ultra while in Miami. If you do not live in Miami, come earlier and stay later. Take advantage of the weather, the beach, the sunshine, the culture. This is one of the greatest cities in the world. Stop to smell the roses, or in Miami’s case, the heated asphalt and salty sea breeze.

We are less than one month out, Ultranauts… Miami, are you ready?