If you're traveling to Miami for smile design, the practical plan is simple: choose the Art Dental Studio location you'll visit, fly into the airport closest to it, and stay near that location or in a well-connected area. Miami International (MIA) is the natural arrival point for our Miami / Hialeah and Kendall locations; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) is closest to Cooper City. Before you book flights, set up your consultation, because your plan decides how many trips you need.
Start here: our page for out-of-town patients
We have a dedicated page on smile design in Miami for out-of-town patients, with the road distances from both airports to each location and how a visit works when you come from far away. This article complements it with the practical side of the trip: arriving, getting around, choosing where to stay and planning your time.
Which airport to fly into
Pick the location first, then the airport. These are road distances measured in Google Maps:
| Location | Address | Closest airport | Distance by road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Hialeah | 18482 NW 67th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33015 | Miami International (MIA) | 17.0 miles |
| Kendall | 12945 SW 112th St, Miami, FL 33186 | Miami International (MIA) | 18.9 miles |
| Cooper City | 10026 Griffin Rd, Cooper City, FL 33328 | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) | 15.3 miles |
Travel time depends heavily on traffic in South Florida, so we don't quote minutes. If your appointment is at a busy time of day, give yourself extra margin.
A tip: if you're flexible on location, compare flights into both MIA and FLL. Sometimes one airport has better schedules from your city, and that can help you choose which location suits your trip.
Getting around
South Florida is spread out, and most trips are by car. Your main options:
- Rental car. The most flexible choice if you're comfortable driving here, especially if you'll have several appointments or want to move around during your stay. Both airports have rental car services.
- Taxi or rideshare. Convenient if you'd rather not drive, particularly on days with an appointment. Plan your pickup with some margin before your appointment time.
- A friend or family member. If someone is coming with you, they can drive you, which is helpful on days when you may prefer not to drive after a procedure. Ask the team whether that applies to your appointment.
Whatever you choose, keep the location's address and phone number handy. You'll find both on each location page.
Where to stay
We don't recommend specific hotels, but these simple rules help:
- Stay near the location you chose. The shorter the trip to your appointments, the less traffic matters. Our location pages for Miami / Hialeah, Kendall and Cooper City show exactly where each studio is, so you can look at the map before booking.
- Or choose a central, well-connected area. If you also want to see the city or visit family, a central area with easy highway access can be a good balance. Check the route to your location on a map before you book.
- Think about your days. If you'll have appointments on several days, a place with a kitchen or a quiet room to rest can make the stay more comfortable.
- Keep your bookings flexible. If possible, choose rates you can change, in case your treatment calendar shifts.
Plan the trip around your appointments
This is the part that matters most. Smile design is completed over several visits, and how many depends on your case: how many teeth are involved and which treatments your plan includes. That's why we don't give a number of days here.
The most practical approach:
- Ask the clinic for the calendar of your case before you book the treatment trip, and build your flights around those dates.
- Don't plan your return flight too tightly after an appointment. A little margin gives you time to rest and for any adjustment that might be needed.
- Ask how the visits can be grouped. The team can help you fit your appointments around your trip, but the clinical sequence always comes first.
- Ask about follow-up. Find out which check-ups need to happen in person and plan for them.
To understand what happens at each visit, read smile design step by step and our smile design process page.
What to bring
- Photo ID and your travel documents.
- A list of your medications and any relevant medical history.
- Previous dental records or X-rays, if you have them. Ask the team which ones are useful.
- Photos of smiles you like, and of your own smile from years past if you'd like to recover something.
- Comfortable clothes, sunglasses and sunscreen. A light layer is useful too: indoor air conditioning can feel cold.
- A list of your questions. It's easy to forget them on the day.
Weather and the time of year
Miami is warm almost all year. Summer is hot and humid, with frequent afternoon rain, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November. Winter months are usually milder and drier, and also busier with visitors, so flights and lodging can fill up sooner. Whatever the season, it's wise to keep an eye on the forecast near your travel dates and to choose bookings you can change if needed.
Your consultation can be in Spanish
The team speaks Spanish and English at all three locations. You can go through the consultation, the plan and the treatment in Spanish, and ask every question in the language you're most comfortable with.
Before you book flights, book the consultation
The most common mistake is buying tickets first and asking questions later. Contact the clinic first: call (305) 922-2262 or send us a message, tell us the city or country you're traveling from and the dates you have in mind, and set up your consultation. At the consultation you'll learn your plan and how many visits it needs, so you can book the rest of your trips with real information.
If cost is part of your planning, ask about the financing options.
The bottom line
Choose the location, then the airport: MIA for Miami / Hialeah and Kendall, FLL for Cooper City. Stay close to your location or in a well-connected area, keep your bookings flexible, and let your treatment calendar, not the other way around, decide your travel dates.
Art Dental Studio has three South Florida locations — Miami / Hialeah, Kendall and Cooper City — with care in English and Spanish. Smile design is directed by Dr. Vivian Menendez, and porcelain veneers are hand-crafted by master ceramist Enrique in the clinic's own lab, working side by side with the doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into?
It depends on the location you choose. Miami International (MIA) is 17.0 miles by road from Miami / Hialeah and 18.9 miles from Kendall. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) is 15.3 miles from Cooper City.
How many days should I stay in Miami?
It depends on your case. At your consultation the team explains your plan and how many visits it needs, so you can plan your trips before you commit.
Can I do my consultation in Spanish?
Yes. The team speaks Spanish and English at all three locations, and you can go through the consultation, the plan and the treatment in Spanish.
