I may be biased about Florida travel, since I live in this wonderful state and love to explore different destinations here!
Where to Visit Within Florida?
There are a lot of great areas to consider for your travels. If you’ve never been to Florida, the possibilities may seem overwhelming. Here are some of my posts that may help you decide where you want to vacation in Florida.
Top 5 Cities in Florida will help you choose from among our largest cities, if urban travel is your thing. Cities such as Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami have very different vibes, so it’s good to research ahead before deciding which one to visit.
Overrated Florida Travel Destinations and Classy Alternatives is a good post if you’ve heard good things about some areas, but prefer to avoid the overcrowded and more touristy spots.
Heading to Florida for our mild winters? Many people like to escape the cold and snow, and come to Florida in the winter. Here are the Best Winter Locations in Florida.
Popular Florida Travel Posts
What to Expect When Visiting Florida
If you’re a US Citizen visiting Florida, you’ll find that it’s not too different from most other US states, except that it’s often hot and flat! If you’re coming from overseas, some things may be unexpected, so I’ll cover everything I can think of here.
Weather: Florida has mild, generally sunny weather year-round. Most of peninsular Florida is below the frost line, so you won’t get ice and snow except occasionally in the northern part of the state, and even that is rare. Summers can be brutally hot and humid, though. Generally, coastal locations get a better breeze and are more tolerably. Orlando and its theme parks are super hot during summer break. Bring cool clothes, comfortable but breathable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock!
Language: English is the official language anywhere in the United States, including Florida. However, our proximity to Latin America means we have lots of Spanish speakers as well. In the larger cities, it should be easy to find someone who speaks Spanish almost anywhere you go.
Money: The currency here is the US Dollar. ATMs are everywhere, so it’s easy to get money out as long as your bank account supports it. Commonly-accepted credit cards are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. In Florida, as in the rest of the US, tipping is expected at restaurants (generally 20% or higher) and for certain services such as hotel housekeeping, beauty and hair treatments, and others.
Transportation: Visitors from Europe may be surprised to find we don’t really have train transportation here in the US. I mean there is some, but not like what you may be used to! Most visitors will choose to rent a car, unless they will be staying on property at a resort and not going very far. If you plan to drive, make sure to have your driver’s license in your possession. And make sure your rental car company accepts an international driver’s license, too. You can find out more at the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.
Flights are offered to many airports, the most popular of which are Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville. If you are flying from England, TUI now has a terminal at the Melbourne International Airport, which is useful if you’re taking a cruise that starts in Port Canaveral or other central Florida locations. It’s also a good choice for theme park visitors who may want to avoid Orlando.
Florida Vacation Destinations
Already know where you want to go? It’s probably covered below. Here are some posts to the most popular areas in Florida.
Orlando: You may be coming to Orlando for Disney World or Universal Studios. They are popular attractions for many kinds of travelers. But if you’re looking for something different, try these Off the Beaten Path Orlando Attractions.
Destin: A popular spring break spot in the panhandle, Destin serves couples and families as well, and is a great beach spot for all ages. Find out some really Fun Things to Do in Destin.
Cocoa Beach: Located on the east coast about halfway down the peninsula, Cocoa Beach is a town with just enough to do and yet not feel overly commercialized. Here are some Amazing Family-Friendly Things to Do in Cocoa Beach, as well as our favorite Cocoa Beach Restaurants.
Sanibel Island: Sanibel is THE place to be if you love seashells. Learn more in our Sanibel Island Visitor’s Guide.
Tequesta and Jupiter: Looking to get away from it all without going too far? Try Tequesta. With a small-town feel, you’ll get to experience what Florida truly feels like without all the hustle and commercialism.
Florida Keys: How low can you go? This chain of islands is the southernmost part of the entire United States. Plan your trip using our Florida Keys Itinerary, and if you’re staying in the middle keys, here are the Best Restaurants in Marathon and also the Best Places for a Beer in the Keys.
