E-reader devices vary in their ability to show our maps. To get the most out of the maps in this guide, use the zoom function on your device. Or, visit http://media.lonelyplanet.com/ebookmaps and grab a PDF download or print out all the maps in this guide.
This map was taken from our country guide. If you want to discover more about the locations highlighted here, head to our website to buy books, download PDFs or find out about our full eBook offerings. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ebooks
Currency
US dollars ($)
Language
English, also Spanish in Miami and South Florida
Money
ATMs widely available everywhere.
Visas
Nationals qualifying for Visa Waiver Program allowed a 90-day stay without a visa; all others need visa.
Cell Phones
Europe and Asias GSM 900/1800 standard is incompatible with USAs cell-phone systems. Confirm phone can be used before arriving.
Driving
Drive on the right; steering wheel is on the left side of the car.
Your Daily Budget
Budget less than $100
Dorm beds/camping: $2030
Supermarket self-catering and cheap eats
Beaches are free
Avoid a car; stick to one place and bike
Midrange $150250
Budget to midrange hotels: $80150
Mix of in-room meals and seafood feasts
Target theme park/beach shoulder seasons
Rental car: $4050
Top End over $300
High-season beach hotel/resort: $250400
Miami gourmet dinner (for two): $150300
All-inclusive, four- to seven-day theme-park blowout: $15004000
When to Go
High Season (MarAug)
South Florida beaches peak with Spring Break.
Panhandle and northern beaches peak in summer.
Orlando theme parks peak in summer.
Summer wet season hot and humid (May to September).
Shoulder (Feb & Sep)
In South Florida, February has ideal dry weather, but no Spring Break craziness.
With school in September, northern beaches/theme parks less crowded, still hot.
Prices drop from peak by 20% to 30%.
Low Season (OctDec)
Beach towns quiet until winter snowbirds arrive.
Hotel prices can drop from peak by 50%.
November to April dry season is best time to hike/camp.
Holidays spike with peak rates.
Websites
Visit Florida ( www.visitflorida.com ) Official state tourism website.
My Florida ( www.myflorida.com ) Links to state parks.
Florida Smart ( www.floridasmart.com ) Comprehensive Florida links.
Miami Herald ( www.miamiherald.com ) Main daily newspaper.
Lonely Planet ( www.lonelyplanet.com/florida ) Pretrip planning and fellow-traveler advice.
Exchange Rates
Australia | A$1 | $1.06 |
Canada | C$1 | $1.02 |
Europe | | $1.45 |
Japan | Y100 | $1.24 |
New Zealand | NZ$1 | $0.81 |
UK | UK1 | $1.63 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com .
Important Numbers
Country code | 1 |
International access code | 011 |
Emergency | 911 |
Directory assistance | 411 |
Arriving in Florida
Miami International Airport
Metrobus Every 30 minutes 6am-11pm; Miami Beach 35 minutes
Shuttle vans $2026
Taxis $38 to South Beach
Orlando International Airport
Lynx bus Every 30 minutes 6am-10:30pm; downtown 40 minutes, Walt Disney World 70 minutes
Shuttle vans $2030
Taxis $3360. More to Walt Disney World.
Tampa International Airport
HART buses Every 15 minutes 5:30am-11:30pm weekdays, every half-hour 7am-8:30pm weekends; 40 minutes to downtown
Shuttle vans $1232
Taxis $25
Green Florida
Until recently, Florida wasnt known for conservation, sustainable lifestyles and ecotourism, but thats changing fast. Use these resources to get in touch with local issues and to help do your part by traveling with a light footprint.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP; www.dep.state.fl.us ) State-run agency tackles ecological and sustainability issues; a wealth of practical information.
Green Lodging Program ( www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging ) DEP-run program recognizes lodgings committed to conservation and sustainability.
Florida Sierra Club ( http://florida.sierraclub.org ) Outdoors and advocacy group.
Florida Surfrider ( http://florida.surfrider.org ) Grassroots surfer-run nonprofit dedicated to protecting Americas beaches; 11 Florida chapters.
Greenopia ( www.greenopia.com ) Rates ecofriendly businesses in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale.
Creative Loafing, Green Community ( http:cltampa.com/tampa/green ) Tampas alternative weekly tracks green issues and promotes eco-events.
Going Green Tampa ( www.goinggreentampa.com ) Farmers markets, alternative transportation and more around Tampa.
Orlando & Walt Disney World
Includes
Why Go?
Play quidditch with Harry Potter, disappear into the Twilight Zone in a haunted elevator, whip through the air on a sea monster. In Orlando, the Theme Park Capital of the World, its all about high-adrenaline fun wrapped up in the mystyique of storytelling and fantasy Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort (including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and the waterpark Aquatica cluster within 15 miles of one another, and Legoland is an hours drive. Their carefully constructed worlds, dripping with illusion and magic and filled with rides, shows and parades, promise escape from the everyday, the ordinary, the real, and folks flock here by the thousands looking for just that.