Doral Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Doral

Situated in Miami-Dade County in South Florida, Doral is a municipality spanning approximately 15 square miles. Located five miles west of Miami International Airport and 13 miles west of Downtown Miami, the city sits within a geographic footprint bounded by the Ronald Reagan Turnpike and the Florida Everglades to the west, Medley to the north, the Palmetto Expressway to the east, and the Dolphin Expressway alongside Sweetwater to the south.

The story of Doral began in the late 1950s when real estate pioneers Alfred and Doris Kaskel purchased local swampland to establish a golf course and hotel. Opening in 1962, the Doral Country Club—its name created by combining Doris and Alfred's first names—became the area's centerpiece and hosted the prominent Doral Open Invitational PGA tournament. Residential communities grew steadily around the facility throughout the 1980s, culminating in the official incorporation of the city in 2003.

Driven by its close proximity to the international airport, Doral has developed into a major commercial engine featuring thousands of businesses, import and export enterprises, and banking institutions. It hosts the global headquarters of corporate brands such as Carnival Corporation and Perry Ellis International, as well as the United States Southern Command and a regional branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. The city is also a recognized media hub, housing major production facilities and offices for networks including Univision, Telemundo, and CBS affiliate WFOR-TV.

Visitors to the area can explore active dining, retail, and commercial centers such as Downtown Doral and CityPlace, or visit landmark golf destinations like Trump National Doral Miami. Getting around the city is convenient thanks to free municipal transportation networks. The City of Doral Trolley operates multiple routes, including service to Florida International University, while the Freebee on-demand transit system utilizes electric vehicles to connect travelers to popular local destinations and hotels.

Doral features a tropical climate defined by warm weather year-round. Summers are hot and humid, with heat index values frequently reaching above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the primary wet season runs from May through October. Winters are short, mostly dry, and mild, interrupted only occasionally by brief cold fronts.