Florida’s strengths include long and wide beaches, handsome palm trees and the great entertainment of vibrant cities. Read Rantapallo’s destination guide and plan your own holiday.
In Florida, the beaches are wide and the palm trees are crowded
The state of Florida is a palm-filled beach resort that also offers tourists plenty of activities. A Florida vacation is quickly spent not only lying under a palm tree by the turquoise waters, but also exploring the area’s delicious food culture and, of course, shopping.
The southernmost state of the United States , Florida, is located mainly on a peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico on the west side and the Atlantic Ocean on the east side. Florida is a popular destination for beach vacationers, with more than a thousand miles of sandy beaches and sunshine all year round. Florida has in vain been branded only as a seniors ’paradise. There is plenty to do in the lively state for travelers of all ages, whether you are interested in water sports, shopping, culture or nature tourism. The nickname for the state is Sunshine State .
Florida’s most famous cities include Miami Beach, known for its colorful art deco, Miami with its skyscraper skyline, quieter Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, famous for its theme parks. Other well-known destinations include the South Key Islands and the Everglades Swamp. From Florida, numerous cruise ships operate across the Caribbean, and coastal cities serve as a gateway for many vacationers on a cruise.
Artists thrive in Key West, Florida.
When should you travel to Florida?
Florida summers are hot and humid, winters are similar to Finnish summers. The southern tip of the state has a tropical climate and the rest of Florida has a subtropical climate. The best time to travel to Florida is during the winter months, when the climate is pleasantly warm and there are no tropical storms on the move.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from July to November, when storms from the sea can also land in Florida. In general, however, hurricanes have already weakened upon arrival in Florida and rarely do storms strike the area with severe destruction. Even then, most of them can be warned in good time.
Combine a beach vacation and a road trip
The range of activities in Florida is endless. There are plenty of activities for the active holidaymaker, especially in water sports, golf and hiking.
Sun worshipers thrive on numerous long sandy beaches with good facilities and turquoise waters. Even the wildest dreams of a shopper can be realized in numerous shopping paradises with a suitable selection for both the budget traveler and the luxury lover.
Florida is perfect for those who like car travel. There are enough different destinations in a state the size of Finland, even for a month’s trip. Car rental, clothing and electronics can be considerably cheaper in price than in Finland, but in general the price level in large cities in Florida is in Finland.
Be sure to drop in the restaurants
In Florida, as elsewhere in the United States, leaving a tip in a restaurant is not voluntary. The service fee is left at 15-20 percent of the tax-free balance of the invoice, at the bar counter for a dollar per drink. A taxi driver, bag carrier and car parker will also be given tips. In a taxi, it is appropriate to round to the next even number, a few dollars will suffice for a bag carrier and a car parker. It is also polite for the hotel cleaner to leave a couple of dollars per sleeping night.
Before traveling to Florida, you must complete an ESTA electronic travel authorization , which is mandatory for all visa-free visitors to the United States. ESTA is an automated system by which authorities verify the eligibility of individuals to travel to the United States.
Florida is predominantly English-speaking, but due to the significant Caribbean minority in the state, some parts of Florida also get along well in Spain.
THE BEST OF FLORIDA
Florida’s Key West is a destination for the casual vacationer.
The best vacation cities in Florida
- Fort Lauderdale – “Florida Venice” known for its long sandy beach and canals
- Key West – a bohemian small town surrounded by oceans
- Miami – a colorful blend of skyscrapers and Latin areas dripping from the sky
- Miami Beach – a masterpiece of art deco architecture
- Naples – a hidden hideaway for the rich on the west coast of Florida
- Orlando – a choice of amusement park lovers
The best ways to explore Florida
- Rent a car and experience the versatility of Florida in the form of a road trip.
- Book enough time and plan a route that fits your schedule.
- Chat with locals. The people are friendly and helpful.
- Experience the sea in the form of a boat trip or water sports.
- Enjoy fresh seafood at the open-air restaurant and dine on course at Key Lime Pie.
- Spend the day at the amusement park reveling.