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Accommodations

In general, peak seasons are during Christmas/New Year’s holidays and late January through Easter in the state’s southern half, during the summer along the Panhandle and around Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and both time frames in Orlando and Central Florida. Holiday weekends at any point during the year are packed; if you’re considering home or condo rentals, minimum-stay requirements are longer during these periods, too. Fall is the slowest season, with only a few exceptions (Key West is jam-packed for the 10-day Fantasy Fest at Halloween). Rates are low and availability is high, but this is also prime time for hurricanes.

Children are generally welcome throughout Florida, except for some Key West B&Bs and Inns; however, the buck stops at spring breakers. While many hotels allow them—and some even cater to them—most rental agencies won’t lease units to anyone under 25 without a guardian present.

Pets, although allowed at many hotels (one upscale chain, Kimpton, with properties in Miami, Palm Beach, and Vero Beach, celebrates its pet-friendliness with treats in the lobby and doggie beds for rooms), often carry an extra flat-rate fee for cleaning and de-allergen treatments, and are not a sure thing. Inquire ahead if Fido is coming with you.

Apartment and House Rentals

The state’s allure for visiting snowbirds (Northerners “flocking” to Florida in winter) has caused private home and condo rentals to boom in popularity, at times affording better options for vacationers, particularly families who want to have some extra space and cooking facilities. In some destinations, home and condo rentals are more readily available than hotels. Fort Myers, for example, doesn’t have many luxury hotel properties downtown. Everything aside from beach towels is provided during a stay, but some things to consider are that sizable down payments must be made at booking (15% to 50%), and the full balance is often due before arrival. Check for any cleaning fees (usually not more than $150). If being on the beach is of utmost importance, carefully screen properties that tout “water views,” because they might actually be of bays, canals, or lakes rather than of the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic.

Finding a great rental agency can help you weed out the junk. Target offices that specialize in the area you want to visit, and have a personal conversation with a representative as soon as possible. Be honest about your budget and expectations. For example, let the rental agent know if having the living room couch pull double-duty as a bed is not OK. Although websites listing rentals directly from homeowners are growing in popularity, there’s a higher chance of coming across Pinocchios advertising “gourmet” kitchens that have one or two nice gadgets but fixtures or appliances from 1982. To protect yourself, talk extensively with owners in advance, see if there’s a system in place for accountability should something go wrong, and make sure there’s a 24-hour phone number for emergencies.

Bed-and-Breakfasts

Small inns and guesthouses in Florida range from modest, cozy places with home-style breakfasts and owners who treat you like family, to elegantly furnished Victorian houses with four-course breakfasts and rates to match. Since most B&Bs are small, they rely on various agencies and organizations to get the word out and coordinate reservations.

Reservation Services
BedandBreakfast.com. | 512/322–2710, 800/462–2632 | www.bedandbreakfast.com.
Bed & Breakfast Inns Online. | 800/215–7365 | www.bbonline.com.
Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns. | 561/223–9550 | www.florida-inns.com.

Hotels and Resorts

Wherever you look in Florida, you’ll find lots of plain, inexpensive motels and luxurious resorts, independents alongside national chains, and an ever-growing number of modern properties as well as quite a few classics. All hotels listed have a private bath unless otherwise noted.

Eating Out

Smoking is banned statewide in most enclosed indoor workplaces, including restaurants. Exemptions are permitted for stand-alone bars where food takes a backseat to libations.

One caution: Raw oysters pose a potential danger for people with chronic illness of the liver, stomach, or blood, or who have immune disorders. All Florida restaurants that serve raw oysters must post a notice in plain view warning of the risks associated with their consumption.

Floribbean Food

A true marriage of Floridian, Caribbean, and Latin cultures yields the stylized cuisine known as “Floribbean.” (Think freshly caught fish with tropical fruit salsa.) A trip to the Tampa area or South Florida, however, isn’t quite complete without a taste of Cuban food. The cuisine is heavy, including dishes like lechon asado (roasted pork) that are served in garlic-based sauces. The two most typical dishes are arroz con frijoles (the staple side dish of rice and black beans) and arroz con pollo (chicken in sticky yellow rice).

Key West is famous for its key lime pie (also served elsewhere throughout the state) and conch fritters. Stone-crab claws, a South Florida delicacy, can be savored during the official season from October 15 through May 15.

Meals and Mealtimes

Unless otherwise noted, you can assume that the restaurants we recommend are open daily for lunch and dinner.

Reservations and Dress

We discuss reservations only when they’re essential (there’s no other way you’ll ever get a table) or when they’re not accepted. It’s always smart to make reservations when you can, particularly if your party is large or if it’s high season. It’s critical to do so at popular restaurants (book as far ahead as possible, often 30 days, and reconfirm on arrival).

We mention dress only when men are required to wear a jacket or a jacket and tie. Expect places with dress codes to truly adhere to them.

Contacts
OpenTable. | www.opentable.com.

Health

Sunburn and heat prostration are concerns, even in winter. So hit the beach or play tennis, golf, or another outdoor sport before 10 am or after 3 pm. If you must be out at midday, limit exercise, drink plenty of nonalcoholic liquids, and wear both sunscreen and a hat. If you feel faint, get out of the sun and sip water slowly.

Even on overcast days, ultraviolet rays shine through the haze, so use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and have children wear a waterproof SPF 30 or higher.

While you’re frolicking on the beach, steer clear of what look like blue bubbles on the sand. These are Portuguese men-of-war, and their tentacles can cause an allergic reaction. Also be careful of other large jellyfish, some of which can sting.

If you walk across a grassy area on the way to the beach, you’ll probably encounter the tiny, light-brown, incredibly prickly sand spurs. If you get stuck with one, just pull it out.

Hours of Operation

Many museums are closed Monday but have late hours on another weekday and are usually open on weekends. Some museums have days when admission is free. Popular attractions are usually open every day but Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Watch out for seasonal closures at smaller venues; we list opening hours for all sights we recommend, but these can change on short notice. If you’re visiting during a transitional month (for example, May in the southern part of the state), it’s always best to call before showing up.

Money

Prices here are given for adults. Substantially reduced fees are almost always available for children, students, and senior citizens.

Credit Cards

We cite information about credit cards only if they aren’t accepted at a restaurant or a hotel. Otherwise, assume that most major credit cards are acceptable.

It’s good to inform your credit-card company before you travel to prevent it from putting a hold on your card owing to unusual activity—not a good thing halfway through your trip. Record all your credit-card numbers—as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen—in a safe place, so you’re prepared should something go wrong.

Both MasterCard and Visa have general numbers you can call if your card is lost, but you’re better off calling the number of your issuing bank, since MasterCard and Visa usually just transfer you to your bank; your bank’s number is usually printed on your card.

Reporting Lost Cards
American Express. | 800/528–4800 | www.americanexpress.com.
Diners Club. | 800/234–6377 | www.dinersclub.com.
Discover. | 800/347–2683 | www.discovercard.com.
MasterCard. | 800/622–7747 | www.mastercard.com.
Visa. | 800/847–2911 | www.visa.com.

Packing

Northern Florida is much cooler in winter than southern Florida, so pack a heavy sweater or more. Even in summer, ocean breezes can be cool, so it’s good to have a lightweight sweater or jacket.

Aside from an occasional winter cold spell (when the mercury drops to, say, 50), Miami and the Naples–Fort Myers areas are usually warm year-round and extremely humid in summer. Be prepared for sudden storms all over in summer, and note that plastic raincoats are uncomfortable in the high humidity. Often, storms are quick, often in the afternoons, and the sun comes back in no time. (This also means that it’s best to get in your beach time earlier in the day; if it’s nice in the morning in August, go to the beach. Don’t wait.)

Dress is casual throughout the state—sundresses, sandals, or walking shorts are appropriate. Palm Beach is more polos and pearls, Miami is designer jeans, and elsewhere the Tommy Bahama--esque look dominates. Even beach gear is OK at a lot of places, but just make sure you’ve got a proper outfit on (shirt, shorts, and shoes). A very small number of restaurants request that men wear jackets and ties, but most don’t. Where there are dress codes, they tend to be fully adhered to. Take note that the strictest places are golf and tennis clubs. Many ask that you wear whites or at least special sport shoes and attire. Be prepared for air-conditioning working in overdrive anywhere you go.

You can generally swim year-round in peninsular Florida from about New Smyrna Beach south on the Atlantic coast and from Tarpon Springs south on the Gulf Coast. Bring a sun hat and sunscreen.

Safety

Stepped-up policing against thieves preying on tourists in rental cars has helped address what was a serious issue in the mid-1990s. Still, visitors should be wary when driving in unfamiliar neighborhoods and leaving the airport, especially near Miami. Don’t leave valuables unattended—and that can include food and drinks while you walk the beach or go for a dip. And never leave handbags, cameras, etc., in your vehicle. Visitors have reported theft of belongings while stopped for meals as they travel to or from the airport. Don’t blatantly stow valuables in your car trunk just before walking away, either, since thieves can be adept at popping lids. And don’t assume that valuables are safe in your hotel room; use in-room safes or the hotel’s safety-deposit boxes. Try to use ATMs only during the day or in brightly lighted, well-traveled locales.

If you’re visiting Florida during the June through November hurricane season and a hurricane is imminent, be sure to follow safety orders and evacuation instructions from local authorities.

Taxes

Florida has no state personal income tax, instead heavily relying on tourism revenues. The state sales tax rate in Florida is 6% (with exceptions of most groceries and medicine that go untaxed), combined with local taxes so that the total sales tax rate is between 6% and 7.5%. Hotel taxes, often called “bed taxes,” “resort taxes,” or “transient rental taxes,” vary. In Central Florida including Orlando, for example, taxes on purchases range from 6.5% to 7%. A 6% resort tax is imposed on all hotel rooms in addition to the sales tax.

Palm Beach County has raised its bed tax to 6%, for a combined total of 12% with state sales tax. In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the bed tax is 5%, for a combined total of 11%.

Time

The western portion of the Panhandle is in the Central time zone, and the rest of Florida is in the Eastern time zone.

Tipping

Tip airport valets or hotel bellhops $1 to $3 per bag (there typically is also a charge to check bags outside the terminal, but this isn’t a tip). Maids often get $1 to $2 per night per guest, more at high-end resorts or if you require special services, ideally left each morning since the person servicing your room or suite could change from day to day during your stay. Room service waiters still hope to receive a 15% tip despite hefty room-service charges and service fees, which often don’t go to the waiters. A door attendant or parking valet hopes to get $1 to $3. Waiters generally count on 15% to 20% (on the before-tax amount) or more, depending on your demands for special service. Bartenders get $1 or $2 per round of drinks. Golf caddies get 15% of the greens fee.

Visitor Information

Florida welcome centers, with maps and citrus juice, are on Interstate 10 (near Pensacola), Interstate 75 (near Jennings), Interstate 95 (near Yulee, north of Jacksonville), and U.S. 231 (near Campbellton), and in the lobby of the New Capitol in Tallahassee.

Contact
Visit Florida. | 850/488–5607, 866/972–5280 | www.visitflorida.com.

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