Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuel Uquillas.
Manuel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We are a Hispanic couple passionate about sharing the beauty and culture of Miami. My name is Manuel, and I’m originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador. My wife, Keren Morales, is from Havana, Cuba. We both have been in the tourism industry for over seven years, and interestingly, that’s how we met.
Even before we started dating, we shared the same dream — to one day create our own tour company. We got married in 2021, and soon after, we decided it was time to turn that dream into reality. At that time, I was working as a tour guide for a boat company, and Keren was managing the office for the same company. Together, we realized we wanted to build something of our own, something that reflected our passion, warmth, and dedication to showing the best of Miami.
One day, we decided to take a leap of faith. We visited a Ford dealership and ordered a custom-made van designed exactly to our liking. Four months later, while I was at work, I received the call — our van was ready. That was the moment everything changed. I left my job to dedicate myself fully to building our dream, and that’s how Sunny Miami Tours was born.
Today, we proudly welcome visitors from all over the world, offering small-group and private tours led with heart, culture, and local insight. Our mission is to make every guest feel like a friend discovering Miami with locals who truly love this city.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In every business, challenges come in seasons. Fortunately, Miami is a city that welcomes visitors from all over the world year-round, which gives us many opportunities to grow. However, one of our biggest ongoing challenges is making sure we fill every available spot on our tours.
We currently operate with two vehicles, allowing us to host up to 28 guests per tour. We offer tours at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and we’re excited to soon launch a 6:00 PM evening tour to give travelers a new way to experience Miami’s beauty.
Our goal is always to keep our tours full so that more people can enjoy what we’ve created — a small-group, personal experience that captures the heart of the city. While it can be challenging at times, it also motivates us to keep improving, connecting with more partners, and reaching more guests every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m Manuel, co-founder of Sunny Miami Tours and a passionate tour guide and real estate professional. I’ve been guiding visitors through Miami for over seven years, and I truly love sharing the city’s history, culture, and hidden gems. I specialize in the Art Deco District of Miami Beach and in the history of the Cuban community, which holds a special place in my heart — especially because my wife, Keren, is from Havana. Learning about her culture has made me even more passionate about telling the story of Miami’s diversity.
In addition to running Sunny Miami Tours, I’m also a licensed real estate agent, now working full-time in the real estate industry. My goal is to continue growing professionally, expanding my wings while always staying connected to the city that has given me so many opportunities.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, we see the tourism industry especially in a destination like Miami becoming increasingly focused on personalized, sustainable, and experience-driven travel. Travelers are moving away from large, impersonal tours and are looking for authentic, small-group experiences that allow them to truly connect with the local culture, history, and community.
At Sunny Miami Tours, we believe the biggest shift will be toward eco-friendly and tech-enhanced tourism. Guests will expect smoother booking experiences, real-time communication, and more digital integration before and during their tours. At the same time, there’s growing awareness about environmental responsibility, so offering tours that respect and protect local ecosystems — like our Everglades experiences — will be increasingly important.
We also expect a rise in partnerships between local businesses and travel platforms, as travelers continue to seek trusted, curated experiences from companies that truly know their city.
Overall, the future of our industry will belong to companies that combine personal touch, sustainability, and innovation, and that’s exactly where Sunny Miami Tours is heading.
Pricing:
- miami city tour $45
- miami city and boat tour $65
- everglades wildlife experience $65
- key west day trip $75
- little havana walking tour $60
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunnymiamitours.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymiamitours/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578278374801
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunnyMiamiTours2021
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/home/3fVGeIT1vvCDK775nCBojg
Image Credits
PICTURE CREDITS (KEREN MORALES)
