Best Miami places to find free WiFi

Miami has amazing spots and cozy corners where you can connect to WiFi for free.

If you don't have WiFi at home, or just need a change of scenery during this time of remote working, here are some options around town – from picturesque coffee shops to parks to rest stops.

(Photo courtesy of Igor Ovsyannykov)

To keep up with latest news, sign up for the daily Miami on the Cheap newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter and visit our Facebook group page.

The Miami area has almost 4,000 WiFi hotspots available. Just check out the map here to find your nearest location. 

There's also an extensive list of Open WiFi Spots. Click here to browse by city or state.  

Here are other ways to stay online:

Miami-Dade County Public Library System

All Miami-Dade County Public Library branches offer two ways to use free WiFi. You may bring your own device and connect to the internet or, with a library card, have access to desktop computers and tablets/laptops.

There's a third option, but it's not available at all branches. It's “Drive-Up Wi-Fi.” Just park at one of the designated Drive-Up WiFi spots at any participating library – no library card required. It is very easy to connect, and all you need to do is to find the library location’s name in the list of available networks and follow the simple instructions. Here is a list of all the participating libraries. 

Coffee shops

• Capital One Café, 50 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables — Open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 305-506-9000.
• Bebito's Cafe, 1504 Bay Road, No. 106, Miami Beach — Open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 786-353-2829.
• Imperial Moto Café, 7299 NW Second Ave., Miami — Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 305-364-5083.
• Brewing Buddha Cafe & Arthouse, 8219 SW 124th St., Miami — Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 786-842-3342.
• Panther Coffee, all locations — For more information, call 305-677-3952.
• La Colada Gourmet, 1518 SW Eighth St., Miami — Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information call: 305-873-4007
• Finca's Coffee, 5030 NE Second Ave., Unit 402, Miami — Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 305-741-0107.
• Our Grounds, 10714 SW 113th Pl, Miami — Open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Saturdays-Sundays. For more information, call 786-353-2997.
• Suite Habana Cafe, 2609 N. Miami Ave., Miami — Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. For more information, call 786-387-9771.

Restaurants

• Borsalino Miami, 119 SE First Ave., Miami — This edgy restaurant offers a dine-in experience and free WiFi. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 786-536-4181.
• Under the Mango Tree, 737 Fifth St., Miami Beach — This restaurant is now offering indoor and outdoor seating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 786-558-5103.
• ALL DAY, 1035 N. Miami Ave., Miami — You can experience sit-down dining and connect to the free WiFi, daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 305-699-3447.
• MIAM Cafe, 2750 NW Third Ave., Suite 21, Miami — This is a great spot to grab lunch and connect to your virtual meeting. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 786-703-1451.
• Time Out Market Miami, 1601 Drexel Ave., Miami Beach — The world-renowned market is now open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Wednesdays-Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 786-753-5388.

Fast-food restaurants & other chains

Businesses that typically offer internet access include Starbucks, McDonald's, Walmart, Panera Bread, Dunkin’, Buffalo Wild Wings, and the Apple Store. Your mileage may vary, but it may be worth making a phone call and finding out! Many places offer internet use to customers through an app or by having them agree to terms at the website login. You may also want to ask if this perk is available at curbside.

AT&T

AT&T customers (including prepaid customers) can use a hotspot that is included in some of the more expensive plans. But the company is also offering free WiFi access to everyone at its public WiFi hotspots. Look for “att-wifi” or “attwifi” on your device’s list of networks.

AT&T also has a program that offers internet access to low-income families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. AT&T’s Access program has been expanded to include families participating in Head Start or the National School Lunch Program.

Comcast

Until further notice, Comcast’s Xfinity will offer all internet users access for the next 60 days. Search for “xfinitywifi” network and download the Xfinity WiFi Hotspots app, or look for the nearest connection on Xfinity’s website.

Comcast is pausing its data plans for customers, with no disconnections or late fees, and every customer will have access to unlimited data at no charge. Non-Xfinity users will need to accept “Terms and Conditions” to access the network to receive free unlimited access. Comcast announced in December that it was extending COVID-19 support and free access to more than 1.5 million public Xfinity WiFi hotspots.

Municipalities 

Throughout Miami-Dade County, cities such as Sunny Isles Beach offer free WiFi spots through local internet providers. If you aren’t sure, call your local Chamber of Commerce and find out if your city of residence (or of work) has this service. 

Parks

What? Yes, many public parks are plugged in and offer free WiFi. Locally, we have Evelyn Greer Park, 8200 SW 124th St., Pinecrest, and Westwind Lakes Park, 6805 SW 152nd Ave. Miami, to name a few. There's also PAMM Museum Park, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

Travel centers & rest stops 

Maybe you don’t typically visit those rest stops that are located near your home, but they usually offer free WiFi to weary travelers. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, WiFi access is currently available at its Welcome Centers, as well as at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza on Florida's Turnpike. But be sure to read the fine print, as there's a time limit!

Grocery stores 

Whole Foods provides an awesome and free WiFi connection, as do Publix and Sam’s Club. Your shopping times might be limited, but call and ask your store manager if WiFi is available outside the brick-and-mortar store.

A word of caution

If you are using public WiFi, practice safety. Do not enter any sensitive information and always look for secure sites (https). Don’t use the “connect automatically” option, as this can expose information. And enable the two-factor identifier on frequently used sites so you can avoid hacks.

More Useful Resources

• Free food distributions for residents in need
• Libraries loan laptops, toys & other gear for free
• How to get four more free at-home COVID-19 testing kits by mail
• $125 toilet rebate for eligible Broward residents
• Veterans Day freebies and deals in South Florida
• Free DIY bike repair equipment in Weston
• Free homework help from libraries
• Free recycled exterior paint for eligible Broward residents
• Can't make it to library? Check out a Bookmobile or Technobus near you!
• Free or discount museum entry with SNAP card