Miami is often nicknamed the “Capital of Latin America” for good reason. Over two-thirds of Greater Miami’s residents are of Hispanic or Latino origin, with communities from Cuba, Nicaragua, Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and beyond.
Walk through the city and you’re as likely to hear Spanish as English, see signs for cafecitos (Cuban coffees) in ventanitas (walk-up windows), or encounter Latin music pulsing from storefronts. This vibrant Latin American influence is not a recent trend, but a core part of Miami’s identity built over decades.
From the arrival of Cuban exiles in the 1960s to the flourishing multicultural neighborhoods today, Miami’s Latino heritage pervades its history, neighborhoods, cultural institutions, and daily traditions.
TL;DR – Latino Heritage in Miami
- Cuban migration in the 1960s reshaped the city’s identity
- Neighborhoods like Little Havana, Doral, and Hialeah showcase Latino roots
- Media, business, and politics are powered by Latino leadership
- Traditions thrive in food, music, and festivals like Calle Ocho
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History: Cuban Migration and Miami’s Identity
Miami’s transformation into a Latino cultural capital began in the late 1950s with the Cuban Revolution. After Fidel Castro took power in 1959, waves of Cuban exiles fled to Miami seeking freedom from the new regime.
In the fifteen years following the revolution, roughly 500,000 Cubans – including many professionals and business owners – arrived and settled in Miami. The U.S. government welcomed these refugees, enacting the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 to support their resettlement.
The Freedom Tower in downtown Miami became the Cuban Assistance Center, earning the nickname “Ellis Island of the South” for processing and aiding incoming Cuban families. This 1925 Mediterranean Revival tower, now a museum, stands as a proud monument to the Cuban exile experience and Miami’s openness to immigrants.
The influx of Cubans utterly reshaped Miami’s demographics and economy. In 1960, only about 50,000 Hispanics lived in Miami; by 1980, that number had swelled to 580,000, largely due to Cuban immigration. Cuban entrepreneurs established countless businesses – from restaurants and bakeries to banks and media outlets – helping revitalize the city’s economy.
The growing community also retained its language and customs, making Spanish a fixture of daily life. By 1980 Miami was well on its way to becoming a bilingual, bicultural city. Cuban-Americans gained significant political influence as well, culminating in the election of Miami’s first Cuban-born mayor in 1985 and the community’s continued representation in local and national government.
Subsequent decades brought additional Latino groups to Miami, further enriching its cultural tapestry. In the late 1970s, political turmoil in Nicaragua (and elsewhere in Central America) led many Nicaraguans to settle in Miami. This included both middle-class exiles from the Sandinista revolution and later those fleeing economic hardship.
A 1970s immigration wave also arrived from Haiti (a Francophone Caribbean nation), though Haitian influence is distinct from the Hispanic narrative. Then in 1980 came the Mariel boatlift, in which around 150,000 more Cubans were brought to Miami in a matter of months. By the 1990s and 2000s, new Latin American communities established themselves: Colombians escaping conflict, Venezuelans fleeing political and economic crises, and others from virtually every Spanish-speaking country.
All of these groups have left a mark on Miami’s identity. Today, the city’s Hispanic population is a rich mosaic – in the 2020 Census nearly 70% of Miami’s residents identified as Hispanic or Latino (about half of those of Cuban origin).
This multicultural reality – Cubans alongside Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and more – has turned Miami into a true melting pot of Latin America. The Latino heritage is not just a historical footnote, but the driving force behind Miami’s modern identity as an international, multicultural metropolis.
Neighborhoods: Little Havana and Beyond
No neighborhood embodies Miami’s Latino heritage more than Little Havana (La Pequeña Habana). Located just west of Downtown, Little Havana became the heart of the Cuban exile community in the 1960s.
As Cuban refugees settled en masse near the old Freedom Tower processing center, they formed a tight-knit enclave that soon earned the moniker “Little Havana,” after their beloved capital city. What was once a quiet residential suburb transformed into a bustling barrio filled with Cuban-owned homes and businesses – a home away from home for exiles striving to rebuild their lives. Little Havana is often described as Miami’s Ellis Island, a place where generations of immigrants launched their American journey.
Its streets are lined with ventanita coffee counters, cigar shops hand-rolling Cuban cigars, and family-run botánicas and bakeries. Spanish is the lingua franca on the sidewalks and in storefronts. Elderly Cuban men gather in Máximo Gómez Domino Park to play heated rounds of dominoes under the shade, surrounded by murals of Cuban patriots and tropical symbols. This neighborhood’s authenticity, warmth, and palpable history make it one of Miami’s most iconic cultural districts.
At the center of Little Havana is Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), the main artery and symbolic heart of Cuban Miami. A colorful rooster statue emblazoned with “Welcome to Calle Ocho” greets visitors in Little Havana. This lively strip is so emblematic that Calle Ocho has become shorthand for the neighborhood itself. The street is lined with Cuban cafes (each proudly serving their version of the perfect cafecito or guava pastelito), fruit stands selling tropical mangoes and mamey, and music spilling out of record stores and bars.
Tourists and locals alike stroll under the royal palms to admire the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, where sidewalk tiles honor Latin music legends like Celia Cruz. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Calle Ocho is the second-most popular tourist destination in all of Miami – a testament to Little Havana’s draw.
Indeed, nowhere else can visitors so immediately feel the spirit of Latin America in the city’s sights, sounds and flavors. From the aroma of Cuban coffee to the rhythms of salsa music echoing from open doors, Little Havana offers an immersive cultural experience that feels like a slice of Havana itself.
While Little Havana remains the symbolic soul of Latino Miami, the broader city is home to many other thriving Hispanic communities. Just to the west lies Sweetwater, a small city affectionately nicknamed “Little Managua” for its large Nicaraguan population.
Beginning in the 1980s, Sweetwater became a hub for Nicaraguan exiles and now prominently features Nicaraguan restaurants, bakeries, and an annual festival celebrating Nicaraguan independence. Likewise, the suburban city of Doral, near the airport, has earned the nickname “Doralzuela” as a center of the Venezuelan diaspora.
Doral is home to the largest Venezuelan community in the U.S., a city of about 80,000 where Spanish dominates in shops and arepa cafés abound. Stroll through Doral’s malls and you’ll catch the scent of fresh arepas (cornmeal patties) and see Venezuelan tricolor flags on hats and jerseys – Venezuelans have recreated a piece of home there, with added security and comfort in their new country.
Other parts of Miami-Dade also showcase specific Latino influences: Hialeah, a massive working-class suburb, is overwhelmingly Cuban (over 95% Hispanic) and is known for its Spanish-language strip malls and cafés on every corner. Allapattah, a neighborhood north of downtown, is nicknamed “Little Santo Domingo” for its many Dominican residents and restaurants (the scent of Dominican-style roasted pork and plantains wafts through its streets).
There is also a sizable Colombian community spread through areas like Kendall and West Miami, evidenced by Colombian panaderías (bakeries) serving pandebono cheese bread and shops selling fútbol jerseys of Colombia’s team. Argentine steakhouses can be found in spots like North Beach, and Mexican taquerías and Central American pupuserías dot the city’s landscape as well. In short, each Latino group has left its imprint on Miami’s neighborhoods.
The result is a patchwork of cultural enclaves – some officially designated, others informal – that collectively form a vibrant multicultural mosaic. Neighborhood by neighborhood, the Latino heritage in Miami is not monolithic, but a rich tapestry of varied Latin American traditions coexisting in one metropolitan area.
Cultural Institutions
The influence of Latino heritage in Miami extends beyond residential enclaves and into the city’s key institutions – from museums and memorials to media and business. Many of Miami’s cultural institutions actively celebrate and preserve the history of its immigrant communities.
A prime example is the Freedom Tower, mentioned earlier, which has been preserved as a historic landmark and museum. This grand tower (a National Historic Landmark) now hosts the Miami Dade College Museum of Art & Design and features exhibits honoring the Cuban exile experience.
Visitors can walk through the very halls where Cuban refugees once received medical checkups and documents, gaining insight into the courage and hardships of those first arrivals. Nearby, the Bay of Pigs Museum & Library (in Little Havana) commemorates the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion veterans and the struggles against Castro’s regime, reflecting how history and activism remain alive in the community.
Even Little Havana’s streetscape itself is like an open-air museum: monuments such as the Memorial Boulevard (with busts of Cuban independence heroes) and countless murals of Latin American icons serve as everyday cultural touchstones.
Miami’s arts institutions also reflect its Latin soul. The Tower Theater on Calle Ocho – one of the city’s oldest theaters, dating to 1926 – now functions as an arts cinema and cultural venue showcasing Latin American films and hosting events for Spanish-speaking audiences.
The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami and local theater troupes often perform works rooted in Hispanic heritage. There’s also the Institute of Cuban Culture and various cultural centers that host lectures, gallery exhibits, and concerts celebrating everything from Spanish flamenco to Andean folk art.
Meanwhile, the HistoryMiami Museum in downtown contains extensive archives and exhibits on the city’s immigration waves, including oral histories of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Haitian, and other immigrant families who built modern Miami.
Perhaps no institutions demonstrate Miami’s Latino influence more than its media and business sectors. The city is a major hub of Spanish-language media for the entire United States and Latin America. Two of the largest Spanish-language television networks – Telemundo and Univision – base significant operations in Miami.
Telemundo, for instance, is headquartered in Miami with a massive high-tech studio complex in Doral. From there, Telemundo produces telenovelas, news, and sports programs that are broadcast to millions across the Americas. Univision also has major studios and production facilities in Miami, making the city a primary production center for Spanish-language content.
These media giants not only employ thousands of Miamians (from anchors and producers to set designers), but they also culturally anchor the city as a voice to the wider Latin world. It’s not unusual that a local Miami news broadcast on Channel 23 (Univision) might be as highly rated as any English-language news, reflecting the bilingual nature of Miami’s media consumption.
In radio and music, Miami similarly leads: Latin music stations dominate local airwaves, and the city has given rise to stars like Gloria Estefan, who with the Miami Sound Machine helped bring Cuban-influenced pop music to global ears in the 1980s. Today, Miami continues to be a launchpad for Latin music artists and a host city for Latin Grammy events and Premios Juventud awards, underlining its stature in Latin pop culture.
The Latino community’s impact on economics and politics in Miami is also profound. Entrepreneurial immigrants have turned Miami into a thriving center of commerce with Latin America, earning it the “Gateway to the Americas” reputation. Many Latin American companies base their U.S. or hemispheric headquarters in Miami, and trade volumes through the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport owe much to connections with Latin markets.
Cuban-Americans in particular established many small and medium businesses over the decades – from the ubiquitous ventanita coffee stands to real estate and banking firms – fueling job growth and urban development. Culturally specific industries, like the production of Cuban cigars or the import of Latin American foods, also flourish here (e.g. Goya Foods has major operations in Miami).
Politically, the voice of Latino Miami has been decisive. Cuban-Americans became a powerful voting bloc in local elections by the 1980s, demanding attention to issues like U.S.–Cuba relations and bilingual education. They and other Hispanic groups have since risen to prominent leadership positions – for example, Cuban-Americans have served as mayors of Miami, Miami-Dade County commissioners, and members of Congress for decades.
This representation has meant that Miami’s governance often prioritizes multilingual services and international outreach. It’s noteworthy that in 1973, Miami elected its first Hispanic mayor (Puerto Rico-born Maurice Ferré), followed by its first Cuban-born mayor (Xavier Suarez) in 1985 – milestones that signified the political empowerment of the Latino community.
Today, one cannot discuss Miami’s power structure without acknowledging the influence of Latino politicians, business leaders, and activists who shape the city’s future.
Traditions: Food, Music, and Festivals
Latino heritage in Miami shines most joyfully in the city’s everyday traditions – especially its food, music, and festivals. Food is perhaps the most delicious expression of culture, and Miami’s cuisine is famously infused with Latin flavors.
A first-time visitor must try the Cuban staples that locals cherish. At almost any street corner you can order a thimble of strong, sweet Cuban coffee (a cafecito or colada) from a take-out window, pairing it with a guava and cheese pastelito (pastry) or a crispy empanada.
The Cuban sandwich is Miami’s signature lunch: roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed between buttery Cuban bread – a perfect marriage of textures and tastes. Little Havana’s countless cafeterias serve up comfort foods like ropa vieja (shredded beef stew) and maduros (sweet plantains), reflecting recipes passed down from Abuela.
Beyond Cuban cuisine, nearly every Latin American nation’s food can be found in Miami, thanks to its diverse communities. In Doral, Venezuelan areperas serve hot arepas filled with cheese and avocado; Nicaraguan eateries offer gallo pinto (rice and beans) with grilled steak and fried cheese; Colombian bakeries tempt with pandebono and arequipe sweets. Peruvian ceviche, Argentine empanadas, Mexican tacos, Dominican mangú – the list is endless.
These foods are not just meals but a way for immigrant families to preserve their heritage and share it with neighbors. Miami’s restaurant scene, from humble food trucks to upscale Latin-fusion bistros, is a direct reflection of its Hispanic heritage and the city’s role as a culinary crossroads of the Americas.
Music and dance are another beloved facet of Miami’s Latino traditions – essentially the soundtrack of the city. Stroll through Little Havana and you might encounter impromptu salsa dancing in a plaza or the sounds of a son Cubano trio playing classic Buena Vista Social Club tunes on the sidewalk.
The influence of Cuba’s musical legacy is especially strong: this is the birthplace of the Miami Sound Machine, and Cuban-American artists like Gloria Estefan helped popularize Latin music across the U.S. In neighborhoods like Allapattah or Wynwood, you might hear merengue and bachata from Dominican clubs. In South Beach and Brickell nightclubs, Latin beats from reggaeton to Latin trap often dominate the dance floors, drawing international crowds.
Live music is a staple of community gatherings: mariachi bands serenade at Mexican Independence Day celebrations, and Colombian vallenato or Brazilian samba may enliven other cultural events. Miami’s Latin music scene isn’t confined to one genre but is a vibrant mix that mirrors the diversity of its people. It’s common for annual events to feature a salsa stage, a Latin rock stage, and folkloric dance troupes all at once.
Dance, too, is integral – from formal flamenco performances in theaters to casual open-air domino park rumbas, where locals dance on the street. This everyday presence of Latin music and dance keeps cultural traditions alive for younger generations and invites everyone to share in the joy.
Finally, Miami’s festivals and celebrations put Latino heritage front and center on a grand scale. The city plays host to some of the nation’s largest Hispanic festivals, drawing visitors from far and wide. The crown jewel is the annual Calle Ocho Festival, a one-day street fiesta each spring that caps off the Carnaval Miami festivities.
Begun by Cuban exiles in 1978 as a small local block party, Calle Ocho has grown into the largest Hispanic street festival in the United States, attracting over one million visitors to Little Havana’s 15-block stretch in a single day.
During the Calle Ocho Music Festival, Little Havana erupts in a carnival of live Latin music on multiple stages – you’ll find salsa orchestras belting out brassy tunes, reggaeton stars pumping up crowds, merengue bands, Latin rock groups, and Caribbean steel drum ensembles all sharing the spotlight.
The energy is electric: people of all ages dance on the asphalt, domino tables move onto the street, vendors serve everything from Cuban sandwiches to Peruvian ceviche, and the air is fragrant with churros and grilled meat. What began as a showcase of Cuban culture has expanded to celebrate all Latin American and Caribbean cultures in Miami.
It’s a day of unity in diversity – flags from dozens of countries wave above the crowds, and stages spotlight not only Cuban performers but also Colombian cumbia, Puerto Rican salsa, Venezuelan folk dance, and more. This festival encapsulates Miami’s Latino spirit: joyful, welcoming, and proudly multicultural.
In addition to Calle Ocho, many other festivals and traditions highlight the Latino calendar year in Miami. Each month, Viernes Culturales (“Cultural Fridays”) brings a mini-festival to Calle Ocho, closing a few blocks to traffic for an evening art walk and street party.
At Viernes Culturales, which started in 2000, locals and tourists mingle to enjoy live Latin music, open art galleries, folkloric dance performances, and food kiosks under the stars – a regular celebration of Little Havana’s heritage that keeps the neighborhood’s artistic spirit thriving.
Another cherished tradition is the annual Three Kings Parade each January in Little Havana, which honors the Latin American celebration of Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day). This parade features colorful floats, costumed Wise Men, music and candy for children, attracting thousands of families and reaffirming the importance of Hispanic religious and family customs in Miami.
Throughout the year, almost every Latin American country’s independence day is feted in some corner of Miami: from Mexican September 16 fiestas to Dominican and Colombian independence events in the summer, where communities gather in parks with traditional foods, music, and flags.
There are also larger events like the Miami Hispanic Heritage Festival each October, which spans a week of cultural expos and concerts, and the Cuban Sandwich Festival and Arepa Challenge, fun foodie competitions that playfully pit different Latin recipes against each other.
Even outside of explicitly cultural festivals, Miami’s major events carry Latino influence – for instance, at the city’s huge Carnival celebrations and New Year’s festivities, Latin genres and Spanish-language performances are always prominently featured.
FAQ
Why is Miami called the Capital of Latin America?
Because over two-thirds of residents are Latino, and the culture shapes daily life.
Which neighborhood is most famous for Cuban culture?
Little Havana, especially Calle Ocho, is the symbolic heart of Cuban Miami.
What Latino groups live in Miami today?
Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Colombians, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and many others.
What’s Miami’s biggest Latino festival?
The Calle Ocho Festival, the largest Hispanic street festival in the United States.
The influence of Cuban migration and other Latino communities has made Miami a place where one can travel across Latin America in a day, simply by exploring its neighborhoods and participating in its festivals.
This cultural richness not only gives Miami its unique identity and energy, but it also offers visitors a deeply rewarding experience of immersion. Travelers can taste authentic Cuban coffee, dance under the stars to a live mambo band, chat with artisans in Spanish at a street fair, and learn the history of exiles who rebuilt a city, all in one trip.