Florida - parking in Downtown Miami

I am going to be attending a conference in Miami - at the Intercontinental downtown. Most of the hotels I am finding downtown on the loop have parking rates of $30 a day. Since I definitely want a car this trip, I was thinking of staying somewhere outside the city, maybe by the airport. But how much will it cost me to park around there if I drive in? Am I still going to be paying a fortune there, too?

I suggest contacting the intercontinental and your business conference hq. Perhaps they can offer a discounted rate.

Bayside charges $10 or $12 a day, IIRC. A bit if a walk, or you could take the Metro Mover. http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/mover_stations.asp
Parking options in miami: http://www.miamiparking.com/maps/proximitysearch.asp

Just a couple of thoughts.

When I have had to stay in that area i have always used the Metro Mover (free) and parked near another station, for me usually near Brickell Station. A few times I have connected to metrorail there and continued to Coral Gables where i left my car in free parking. Paying the $30 could save you that hassle of course.