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Florida Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Florida travel guide?

Then you’re in the right place!

With so many things to see and places to visit, it’s no wonder that Florida is the second most-visited state in the U.S., right behind California.

The Sunshine State has so much to offer travelers, from beautiful beaches to world-class theme parks to exciting cities to breathtaking cultural sites. You can’t really go wrong when planning a Florida vacation but you might feel a bit overwhelmed with all the travel ideas you’ll find online.

Don’t worry — wherever you choose to travel in Florida, we’ve got you covered.

During your trip, you’ll probably want to take some time to visit a few of the popular Florida beaches scattered throughout the state.

Even if you’re visiting more land-locked destinations like North Central Florida, you’re still just a short ride away from popular shores like Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, and more.

Want to see the sun set over the water?

You’ll definitely want to visit the Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle with destinations like Destin and Panama City Beach.

Need an island getaway?

Grab a Florida Keys travel guide and head down to the southernmost point in the United States, Key West. The laid-back vibes will make you feel like you’re a whole world away.

Moreover, any Miami travel guide will tell you that the South Florida city is one of the state’s top destinations.

You’re likely aware of the city’s glamorous nightlife and beaches but it’s also definitely worth visiting if you’re interested in Hispanic Heritage Travel. You’ll find tons of opportunities to hear live Latin music, taste culinary favorites like the Cuban sandwich and Argentinian meats, and learn more about the city’s Latin roots at museums like the Freedom Tower and HistoryMiami.

One other advantage of planning a trip to Miami is the city’s central location. You’ll find tons of great day trip ideas to destinations West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and the Everglades in our guide below.

The planning stage of any trip always comes with tons of questions about safety and accessibility.

When it comes to travel safety, you can feel at ease when planning a trip to Florida. You won’t run into a ton of crime in most tourist destinations but it’s always helpful to keep your wits about you in crowded areas and cities.

Also, be sure to pay attention to all weather warnings, particularly during hurricane season. If you have to travel during this time, keep your eye on the forecast and be aware of any evacuation plans at your accommodation.

In regards to accessibility, most popular attractions and activities offer accommodations for people with disabilities. The major theme parks are particularly known for their accommodations, offering everything from wheelchairs to Braille guides to accommodations for support animals.

Many of the state’s beaches and parks are also very accessible and some even offer beach wheelchair rentals. Check the website for your chosen activity to learn more.

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Florida, a must-visit destination when traveling America.

Note: This ultimate Florida guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Florida Map

Use this Florida tourism map to begin planning your trip to this incredible country!

Florida travel map

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

Florida Travel Guide Destinations

Looking for the best Florida vacation destinations? The following Florida visitors guides can help!

Best Florida Tours

Explore local culture with a Florida tour guide through these unique excursions:

  • Florida – Miami Everglades Dune Buggy Ride (Homestead, Florida)
  • Key West Full-Day Power Adventure: Sailing & Watersports Package (Key West, Florida)
  • Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran (Key West, Florida)
  • 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
  • Helicopter Night Tour Over Orlando’s Theme Parks (Kissimmee, Florida)

Renting A Car In Florida

Need a rental car for your Florida trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

Their comparison tool does the homework for you, so there’s no need to have up 10+ tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. Actually, you can save up to 70% using their tool!

Public Transportation In Florida

Getting around Florida by train, bus, or ferry?

Omio is a must! You can use this tool for all of your public transportation needs when traveling around Florida.

The site is straightforward and user-friendly — and you can pre-book your tickets in advance at a discount.

They even offer flight and car deals!

Florida Hotels

Click here to browse the best Florida travel hotels!

Prefer self-contained stays?

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local properties:

Florida Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a Florida tour. When visiting Florida — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Florida travel itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks.

Florida Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in Florida.

Q: What is the best month to go to Florida?

Late winter through spring, specifically February through May, is usually the best time to visit Florida.

The state can get chilly in the late fall and winter months (particularly north of Tampa) and the summer and fall months bring hot, humid weather, and hurricanes.

Temperatures top out in the high 70s during March and April, but you’ll definitely run into more crowds around this time due to the spring break season and Easter holidays.

May is a great time to avoid heavy crowds and visit the state before the sweltering summer heat kicks in.

Q: What are the best places to stay in Florida?

The best place to stay in Florida definitely depends on the kind of trip you’re looking to take.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, glamorous city break, head to Miami. This bustling South Florida city offers incredible beaches, exciting nightlife, diverse culture and an awesome art scene.

If your number one priority is some chill beach time, stay in Miami Beach in one of the quieter, more laid-back areas away from South Beach and the Art Deco District.

For the full Miami experience, head to South Beach, where you’ll be steps away from the city’s top restaurants, clubs and beaches.

While in Miami, you can visit Little Havana and Calle Ocho, the city’s Cuban neighborhood, to learn more about the Cuban-American community and sample some delicious, authentic cuisine. You’ll also be just a short drive away from historic homes Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and the Deering Estate.

If you want to check out some of Florida’s world-famous theme parks, you’ll want to book a stay in the Orlando area. You’ll be just a short drive away from exciting amusement parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and more.

Not a fan of roller coasters or costumed characters?

There’s plenty of great day trips you can take from Orlando. The Kennedy Space Center, the Everglades, and Daytona Beach are just a short drive away from this Central Florida city. Whether you’re visiting with kids or adults, you’re bound to have a good time in Orlando.

For something a bit more laid-back, head to Sarasota, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

With an incredible art scene, gorgeous beaches, and plenty of natural wonders to explore, Sarasota is a fantastic place to relax.

The city is home to the Ringling Museum of Art, featuring tons of historic paintings and sculptures from John Ringling’s personal collection, as well as the Ringling Circus Museum, chronicling the history of circus arts.

Feel your cares melt away on Sarasota’s white sand beaches or take a ride out to barrier island destinations like Siesta Key and Long Boat Key.

Looking for beautiful hiking trails?

Spend some time exploring Myakka River State Park where you can spot tons of local wildlife and take a scenic treetop canopy walk.

Q: How much money do you need for a trip to Florida?

Your budget for a trip to Florida will definitely depend on your destination.

While the average traveler spends about $187 USD per day in Florida on transportation, accommodations, food, and other expenses, this can vary from city to city.

You’ll likely spend the most in theme park destinations like Orlando or more upscale beach towns like West Palm Beach and Sarasota.

Of course there are plenty of other, more budget-friendly beach destinations in the state such as St. Petersburg and Cocoa Beach.

If you have some flexibility in your plans but want to stick to a specific budget, do some research to find the best deal for your money.

Q: How many days do you need in Florida?

If you want to see as much of the state of Florida as you can, hitting multiple destinations, you’ll probably want to plan for a two-week trip. This will give you enough time to visit Miami, the Florida Keys, the Everglades, some of the Gulf Coast beaches, and spend a few days in the parks in Orlando.

If that sounds like a bit much, you can easily tackle one destination, like Key West, over a long weekend.

A week-long trip will also give you plenty of time to relax as well as a few days to dedicate to exploring your destination of choice.

Q: What are the best things to do in Florida?

Over the last 50 years or so, Florida has quickly become synonymous with themed entertainment.

The state is home to six of the best theme parks in the world, according to Theme Park Insider. Whether or not you’re a fan of roller coasters and pyrotechnics, these parks are worth checking out for their innovation and storytelling magic.

Disney fans will obviously want to spend some time in Walt Disney World, which boasts four theme parks, two water parks, and 25 resort hotels on a property the size of San Francisco.

A few miles away at Universal Orlando Resort, you can step inside movies and TV shows like Harry Potter, Transformers, and more at their two theme parks.

If spending all day in a theme park seems like a bit much for you, there’s still plenty of cool experiences to check out. Head to some of the weird and wonderful sites in Central Florida like WonderWorks, an interactive indoor park in an upside-down building you’ll have to see to believe.

Florida is also home to some of the best beaches you can find when traveling the United States, attracting millions of visitors every year.

In fact, TripAdvisor voted St. Petersburg Beach the best in the country in their Travelers’ Choice Awards, noting its wide, white sand beaches and clear blue waters as the best of the best. The beach’s location on Florida’s Gulf Coast also allows you to watch the sun set over the water every night.

Beyond St. Pete, other top beach destinations include Destin, Naples, and Clearwater. Just make sure to pile on the SPF; they don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing!

Beyond the beach, Florida has tons of natural wonders to explore.

Everglades National Park brings in tons of tourists every year, hoping to catch a glimpse of some the area’s animal inhabitants like alligators, river otters, and egrets.

The park makes up much of the South Florida area, making it a perfect day trip from Miami or Naples.

Airboat rides are probably the most popular way to explore the Everglades, giving you a chance to get up close and personal with the local wildlife.

It’s also a great destination if you’re a fan of canoeing or kayaking. There are also plenty of trails to explore if you’d rather see the Everglades on foot.

Q: Where is Florida?

Florida is located in the Southeastern region of the United States.

It shares borders with the US states of Georgia (east) and Alabama (west). It also shares borders with the Atlantic Ocean (east) and the Gulf of Mexico (west).

Q: Are credit cards accepted in Florida?

Credit cards — mainly Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted around Florida. That being said, it is always wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments and in case of emergency.

Q: Can you drink the tap water in Florida?

Yes, you can drink the tap water in Florida.

Q: What is the local currency in Florida?

The local currency in Florida is the US Dollar (USD).

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