El Cid is one of the historic districts of West Palm Beach, laid out in the 1920s along the waterfront south of downtown. The housing stock is largely Mediterranean Revival and Mission, the streets are narrow and heavily planted, and the whole neighborhood looks across the Intracoastal at Palm Beach itself. For visitors who want the geography without the island price, this is the usual answer.
From MIA it is about 66 miles and 65 to 95 minutes, a touch shorter than the island runs because there is no bridge crossing at the end. The route is I-95 north to Southern Boulevard, then east and into the district on Flagler Drive or one of the side streets running off it. Flagler Drive along the water is the pleasant way in and the one most drivers take when time allows.
The fare is quoted before travel from $129 and includes waiting time, tolls, parking and the arrivals meet and greet. Vacation rentals are common here and check-in is frequently self-service through a lockbox, so it is worth giving the exact street address rather than a neighborhood name; several El Cid streets change name or numbering within a few blocks.
Practically, El Cid puts you about five minutes from Clematis Street and Rosemary Square, ten from the Royal Park Bridge onto Palm Beach, and roughly fifteen from Palm Beach International if you are connecting onward. That combination is why a fair number of longer stays base here rather than on the island.
What to expect
- Route: I-95 North to Southern Boulevard, then east to Flagler Drive
- Exact street address used; El Cid numbering shifts within blocks
- Vacation rental and lockbox arrivals handled
- No Intracoastal bridge crossing, so timings hold better in season