Florida
Go for beaches, theme parks and the Everglades, with each region suiting a different kind of trip.
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Most of Florida is a peninsula in the southeastern US, with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Its coastline stretches about 1,350 miles, the longest of any lower-48 state before counting barrier islands. People come for the beaches, theme parks and boat trips, and for the sun.
Each region makes a different trip. Miami and Fort Lauderdale suit beach time and city nightlife. Orlando is built around Walt Disney World. St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest settlement of European origin still lived in on the US mainland. The Florida Keys run south of the mainland on a road that links the islands. The Everglades is a large tropical wilderness covering about 1.5 million acres. Distances are long, so choose two or three regions. The cooler months from November to April are the most comfortable. Summer is hot and humid, and hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. A week covers two regions, and ten days or more lets you combine three.
Florida in five
- Watch the hurricane seasonThe season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the greatest threat is August to October. Check the National Hurricane Center forecast before you book and again before you fly.
- Schedule outdoor time before afternoon stormsAfternoon thunderstorms are common from late spring to early autumn, and central Florida has earned a reputation for lightning. Do beach and park time in the morning and keep the afternoon for indoor plans.
- Rent a car for the KeysKey West is about 160 miles by road from Miami, and the Overseas Highway (US 1) is the way in. The drive takes several hours, so book a car before you arrive.Florida Keys
- Pack for July heat and humidityIn late July, average highs are in the low 90s °F (32 to 34 °C), and highs rarely go above 100 °F (37.8 °C). Pack light, breathable clothes and a light rain layer for the afternoon storms.
- Check red tide warnings before swimmingRed tide, a toxic algae bloom, has been an issue on the southwest coast. Check local warnings before you swim or fish there, including around Naples.Naples
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Florida, the full guide
Miami
- Best for: Beach days, nightlife
- Price band: $$$$
- Art Deco hotels line Ocean Drive
- Miami Beach sits on barrier islands reached by causeway
- Lincoln Road is a pedestrian mall
Skip if you want quiet streets or cheaper rooms.
Orlando
Most trips to Orlando center on Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort, with full days of rides, shows and parades in Central Florida.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World, near Orlando in central Florida, is a resort with four theme parks and two water parks, popular with families and Disney fans.
Tampa
Tampa suits a few city days built around the Riverwalk and Ybor City, with Gulf beaches within driving distance.
Things to do in Florida
See all attractions in Florida
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for visa-waiver countries, visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected at restaurants and bars, typically 15 to 20%
- Time
- Eastern Time, or Central Time in the western Panhandle. Daylight saving observed
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMild, cool north
- FebruaryMild, warm south
- MarchWarm, mild
- AprilWarm, rising
- MayStorms begin
- JuneHurricanes begin
- JulyHot, stormy
- AugustPeak hurricanes
- SeptemberStill hurricane risk
- OctoberHurricane risk
- NovemberMild, season ends
- DecemberMild, holiday crowds
Right now in Florida
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 95%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Florida
03:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°20°98%Monday: Rain. High 23°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue27°22°23%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Wed30°21°48%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Thu29°21°20%Thursday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri29°21°6%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat29°20°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun27°20°12%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 11:17 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Everglades National Parkabout 1 hour by car from MiamiBoardwalks and wildlife viewing in a vast tropical wilderness of about 1.5 million acres, with alligators and wading birds.Read the guide
- Key Westabout 3.5 to 4 hours by car from MiamiSnorkel or dive the Florida Reef, a living coral barrier reef and the only one of its kind in the lower 48.Read the guide
- St. Augustineabout 1.5 to 2 hours by car from OrlandoFounded in 1565, and still lived in, making it the oldest European-origin settlement on the US mainland.Read the guide
- Naplesabout 2 hours by car from MiamiGulf beaches on the southwest coast, with red tide warnings to check first.Read the guide
Before you go to Florida
Rules for Florida, checked
- Visa Waiver travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Check the rules on the official CBP ESTA site before you book.Source
- Declare fresh fruit, plants and food at US entry. The rules come from US Customs and Border Protection and the USDA, so check them before you pack.
- Feeding alligators is illegal in Florida. Keep your distance from them at lakes, canals and in the Everglades, where American crocodiles also live.
- Coral is protected in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, so do not touch the reef or stand on it.
All Florida guides
When to goBest time to visit Orlando: heat, storms and crowds by monthHead to headDisney World vs Universal Orlando: which resort fits your tripWhere to stayWhere to stay in Orlando: five bases for theme park trips
Where to stayWhere to stay in Miami: five bases, from South Beach to BrickellItineraryMiami in 3 days: beach, murals, Little Havana and a day outWhen to goBest time to visit Miami: dry season, hurricanes and crowds by monthPlan around Florida
ESTA, visa rules and what to carry to the border
Read the guideMoney and costsDollars, card use and what a day costs
Read the guideGetting aroundDriving the state, the Keys and getting between cities
Read the guideWhere to stayBases for Miami, Orlando, Tampa and the Keys
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for maps and ride apps in cities and parks
Read the guideFlorida FAQ
How many days do you need in Florida?
Plan for at least a week and pick one or two regions. The state is large and spread out, and Miami to Key West alone is about 160 miles by road.
Which Florida city is best for a first trip?
Miami for beaches and nightlife, Orlando for Walt Disney World, and Tampa or St. Petersburg for a Gulf coast base. Pick one base, then add a second region only if you have a car.
Is the drive to Key West worth it?
Yes, if you can stay at least two nights. The Overseas Highway runs through the Keys, and the Florida Reef lies just offshore, with John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park near Key Largo.
When is the best time to visit Florida?
November to April is cooler, with fewer afternoon storms than summer. In January, average lows run from the low 40s °F in north Florida to above 60 °F from Miami south.
Do I need a car in Florida?
A car makes the Everglades, the Keys and beach towns easier to reach. Downtown Miami, Ybor City in Tampa and Old Town Key West can be explored on foot.
Are there alligators in Florida?
Yes. American alligators live in lakes, rivers and marshes across the state, and American crocodiles are found in the south, including the Everglades. Keep pets and small children away from the water's edge.