text:
Flores (Guatemala)

Flores is a town in Petén, Guatemala. The town proper is an island on Lago Petén Itzá (la isla), connected to land by a causeway (el puente), on the other side of which lie the twin towns Santa Elena and San Benito. All three are often referred to as Flores, and are grouped in one article here accordingly.

Understand
For many, the main reason to visit Flores is its proximity to Tikal, the most famous Mayan ruins in Guatemala, or as a starting point for trips around Petén. But the city itself is a wonder — dense with colonial, red-roofed buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, a historic church and Spanish plaza, and restaurants that are easy to stumble upon walking the city's charming streets. Most will find that this island city is more than just a take-off point, but a memorable attraction in itself.

Before it was a Spanish colonial town, Flores, or Noh Petén, was the capital of a Maya kingdom - the last to be defeated by the Spanish conquistadores, more than 200 years after Columbus first arrived in the Americas. The resemblance of the Itzá in the name of the lake to Chichen Itza in modern-day Mexico is no coincidence - the builders of Chichén Itzá moved their capital to Flores Island after being defeated in the Yucatán.

Flores is a quiet and peaceful place, and probably one of the safest places in the sometimes wild north. Santa Elena and San Benito require a little more caution, but offer a more authentic experience of a Guatemalan town, complete with traffic, litter and street food.

By plane

TAG and Avianca both run flights from Guatemala City (daily and three times a week respectively), but are often delayed in both directions. TAG also runs five flights a week from Cancún, and two flights a week from Mérida.

A taxi from the airport to Flores costs Q20 (quetzales), or Q10 per person, whichever is larger. It is about 2 km from the airport to the Flores causeway.

Shuttles to Tikal meet every flight.

By bus
Buses from Guatemala City and Belize City as well as various other destinations all over the country (as well as cities in Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua) stop at the is 1.5 km south of the causeway to Isla Flores.

Many small buses from outlying villages of the region also run to the hidden at the heart of the Santa Elena's sprawling indoor/outdoor Old Market (Mercado Viejo), much closer to the island.

From Antigua Guatemala
There are numerous travel agencies in Antigua offering trips to Flores as a one way or a day trip (to Tikal) with return. The one way is usually a ticket with the one of the bus companies (in the below) and a shuttle transfer to the bus company's terminal in Guatemala City from Antigua. They also offer round trip/return by bus or by plane with shuttle transfers to bus station or airport on both ends. From the bus station or airport in Flores the shuttle takes travelers to Tikal for a guided tour and than back into town for the return trip back to Antigua via Guatemala City.

As of June 2024, there are two main transport packages connecting Flores and Antigua: A direct shuttle that leaves Flores for Antigua at 06:00 (Q300, 10-12 hours), and 21:00 overnight bus to Guatemala city plus shuttle connection to Antigua, which is supposedly faster because it avoids traffic by running at night (Q350, 10 hours). These are the approximate going rates, but different travel agencies may quote competing prices for you, and it may sometimes be negotiable.

From Guatemala City
From Guatemala City (travel time: 8 to 10 hours), you have the following options (some may be badly out of date). As of June 2024 the going rate for buses on this route seems to be Q200-250. Some services leave only once a day, though there's at least one that has several departures in both morning and evening.

From Cobán
Monja Blanca has a nice bus with movies for Q50 to Guatemala City from Coban

From Cobán (travel time: 5 to 7 hours), there are a few through Fuente Del Norte local buses, or you can use the frequent public microbuses (colectivos) that operate along the highway between Coban and Santa Elena. If you choose the microbus option (total fare: Q70) you will have to change to another microbus at Sayaxché after you take a quick boat or maybe the ferry across a river. The colectivo option may actually be quicker, because if there is a backup for the ferry, you can quickly pay a couple Quetzals for a boat ride across.

There are also tourists shuttles offering direct door-to-door service from Flores to Cobán for around Q100. The road from Cobán is very scenic; it's a smooth paved ride all the way (though windy for about an hour out of Coban).

From Belize City
From Belize City, you have the following options:

 * There are tourist shuttle buses from the Belize City water taxi terminal to Santa Elena: Autotransportes Del Norte (ADN) at 9:30AM or San Juan Express at 09:30 and 14:30, ~US$25 (Dec 2014), travel time: 5 hours. These buses do not make any stops in Belize; if you are travelling from San Ignacio or Belmopan, you must use the option below.
 * Take a local Belize bus (BZ$9 in Dec 2014) to Benque Viejo (3 km from the border). Then take a taxi to the border (BZ$20/4 persons, in Dec 2014), walk across, and continue to the Melchor de Mencos bus station (5 min away), where there are frequent microbuses (Q30, in Dec 2014) and the occasional pullman coach to Santa Elena. Approximately US$11 and 6 hours travel time in total.
 * There are private transfer from Belize City to Tikal or Flores by San Ignacio Shuttles, prices varies on the number of people.

From other locations
There are other travel agencies that offer or book onward shuttles and/or guided tours to Antigua, Guatemala City, Tikal, Uaxacatun, Lanquin, etc:

Get around
Walking is the most common way to get around, and circling the whole island takes about 15 minutes. It is an easy walk to Santa Elena and San Benito from Flores, about 10 minutes along the sidewalks of the causeway. Otherwise, auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks), vans and buses are an option. As of June 2024, the standard fee for an auto-rickshaw in the Flores/Santa Elena/San Benito seems to be Q10-15, but if you have a lot of luggage or squeeze in two people, the fare might be more. Rates also go up at night.

The towns of San José and San Andrés, located on the northern shores of the lake, can be reached by hiring an expensive boat. The once-regular passenger boat service has been reduced following the improvement of the road - it's now easier to take the regular van or bus service there from the Santa Elena market, which at one point cost Q7 and takes around 30 minutes. These buses leave when they are full, and will be packed to capacity and often beyond! A chicken bus goes once an hour; these are more comfortable and slightly cheaper, but take longer.

There are regular boats to San Miguel, a small village directly north of Flores. In June 2024 a boatman quoted the price as Q10. They leave from a pier at the north end of the island

Tourist boats are moored behind Hotel Santana, and run to Petencito Zoo or are available for lake tours. Prices are not fixed, and haggling with the boatmen is a must.

Talk
The Itzá Maya language was once commonly spoken here, but is now just about extinct, and the common tongue of the Flores area is Spanish. Many, but not all, people working in the tourism industry have good English as well.

Do

Buy
As of June 2024, almost all of the ATMs in the Flores area are of the yellow "5B" brand, which is notoriously expensive (reportedly charging about Q50 per transation PLUS 7.5% of the withdrawal amount, and often going through with the transaction anyway even if you press "cancel"). There are two on the island, which anyone can point you to. There is also a BI brand ATM in the same shop as one of the 5B ones, and it only charges about Q30 per transaction, though some MasterCard users have reported it charging them for their transaction but not actually producing the cash (!). If you are determined to withdraw cash another way, the BAC Bank in Santa Elena can do it at the teller's desk (there is no BAC ATM). Take a number for the customer service desk and say you want to do a retiro de efectivo con tarjeta. There is no charge, but you MUST bring your passport.

You can also get souvenirs in the shops in Flores, but the prices and selection are better elsewhere in the country, so only worth checking out if this is your only stop in Guatemala.

Eat
Most of the restaurants on the island are on the expensive side by Guatemalan standards, though of course quite reasonable compared to North America or Western Europe, with mains often around Q100 or so. The cheapest food nearby is the street food around the Mercado Viejo in Santa Elena, but also check for local food stands in the Parque Central of the island and in the little park at the midway point of the causeway. Failing that, the taquerias at the entrance to the island are cheaper than most nicer restaurants, and there are some more cheap places on the second floor of the MayaMall at the Santa Elena end of the causeway. There's also a supermarket in this mall which has much better prices than the small grocery stores on the island.

The below listings may be badly out of date.

 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station
 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station
 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station
 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station
 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station
 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station
 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station
 * For the more budget-minded with not-so-sensitive stomach there are many street food sellers after the dusk usually all repetitively offering grilled chicken with spring onions and complimentary tortillas (for around Q20) adjacent to the Santa Elena Bus Station

There's a supermarket on Calle 30 de Junio opposite Hotel Petén that is open 24hrs, and a large grocery store "La Torre" in the new mall just across the causeway towards Santa Elena.

Sleep
Most travelers will stay on the island of Flores, but there are also options in Santa Elena and San Benito, as well as just across the lake in San Miguel. There are now many hostels and hotels, and they can generally all be found on booking aggregator websites/apps. Just be sure to check the location, as some that aren't on the island will still be listed as "close to the center".

Stay safe
The island of Flores is considered very safe, locals acting as if crime is not an issue here. Santa Elena is considered a bit dodgier - you will notice security guards outside of pharmacies and banks, some of them armed - but robberies or attacks on individuals are reportedly very uncommon, especially in the daytime.

If you can't swim, stay out of the water - it gets too deep to stand almost immediately, and the swimming piers can be tricky to get back up onto.

Connect
As of June 2024, Flores has good 4G cell coverage and just about all tourist accommodations offer free Wifi (of varying quality).

Go next

 * Autotransportes Del Norte (ADN) and San Juan Express operate morning buses respectively at 06:00 and 07:00 from the Santa Elena bus station. Tickets can be purchased from the bus companies at the bus station in Santa Elena and at third party agencies.
 * Beware that some third-parties sell bogus tickets. Receptores Turisticos Peteneros S.A. on Calle 15 de Septiembre in Flores sells legitimate tickets (posted on sign at Q180, though offered for Q100 in November 2019) and includes shuttle transportation from the entrance to Flores at 06:00 that connects with the 07:00 bus to Belize City.
 * Caye Caulker and San Pedro ferry tickets can be purchased with the bus tickets, but note that buses are no longer permitted to drop off passengers at the ferry terminals and therefore passengers must arrange a taxi (US$5 as of November 2019) from the Belize City bus terminal to the ferry terminals.
 * Guatemala City
 * Has departures from Flores at 22:00 (Q200 - Dec 2010). The bus leaves from Santa Elena. Contrary to previous reports, this bus does not go to Flores. A taxi to the bus terminal in Santa Elena should cost you no more than Q35. Very comfortable seating and excellent service. Don't bother with San Juan Express, its just a tourist trap. All the locals use Altobuses del Norte or any of the other bus companies leaving from the Santa Elena bus terminal.
 * Has three departures from Flores, at 09:00 (Q190), 10:00 and 21:30 (Q150). This buses also pick up the passengers in Flores, in the same place as ADN.

 * Tikal - this park is a major attraction in Guatemala, and is located 60 km from Flores. Open: 06:00-18:00 (after 15:00 arrivals gain free re-entry the following day). Admission: Q150. To avoid crowds and experience the rich wild-life at its best try to arrive around 06:00-07:00.
 * El Remate – A small village 30 km from Flores with a nice, calm and rural atmosphere, and normally less crowded than other places in the area, making it a nice alternative base for those exploring Tikal and the region. All minibuses from St. Elena to Tikal (US$1) stop here. However, some large buses (US$0.30) only stop at a crossing 7 km from El Remate, so ask first. Taxis are available for US$20 from the airport/Flores.
 * Motul de San José - a largish Mayan site just north of San José. Buses, minivans, and tuk-tuks operate to the site. The ruin has a few stelae with visible glyphs and a number of large overgrown pyramids.
 * Ixlú is a small Mayan site near the Melchor de Mencos junction on the way to Tikal. It is only of interest to the die-hard fans of Mayan sites. There are a number of overgrown mounds, and a few badly damaged monuments. The best preserved monuments have been moved to Flores central park.
 * El Peru, AKA Waká, AKA the formerly elusive Site Q, can be seen on a three-day trip from Flores.
 * Holtún is a small archaeological site 60 km from Flores on the way to Melchor de Mencos and the Belizean border. A broad, but unmarked path leads to the site. Locals can give directions. The site contains tree and vegetation covered temples. Painted masks adorn the inside of one of the temples, but this part is off limits to tourists (unless you can get a permit from the guard in charge). The part open to tourists also has masks, but these are not as impressive.
 * Uaxactún an archaeological site beyond Tikal, with some interesting ruins. Take the bus from Santa Elena bus terminal, which passes through Tikal. Insist that you are not visiting Tikal and the Tikal Park guards may not charge you the full Tikal entrance fee just to go through. Uaxactún is a small jungle hamlet laid out around a former airstrip. There is a single hotel but take your own mosquito net. The food in the hotel restaurant is terrible, you may be able to persuade one of the local women to prepare you fresh chicken, rice, and tortillas. Best to spend two nights, with one full day to explore the ruins, with groups on both sides of the airstrip.
 * El Mirador - Flores is the base for tours to the site of the largest Mayan temples, El Tigre and La Danta. This archaeological site deep in the rain forest near the Mexican border is of huge significance and can only be reached by foot and mule train - a five day round trip trek. Expect to pay US$150-500 (shop around) for the entire package including guide, food, mules and transport to Carmelita, the starting point. An extra day allows further travel along much of an ancient raised causeway to the ruins at Nakbé, which is around 3.5 hours away and 5 km closer to Carmelita. Any agency in Flores or Santa Elena can arrange tours to these places.
 * Yaxhá is an archaeological site 73 km from Flores on the way to Melchor de Mencos and the Belizean border. 62 km from Flores, just after Holtún, turn off on to the dirt road to Yaxhá (11 km). The site is not as popular as Tikal, but is well worth the trip. In addition, you may find that you are the only visitor, which offers a very different kind of experience from that of wading through the crowds at Tikal. There is ongoing restoration work at the site. The entrance fee covers Yaxha, Naranjo, and Nakum. The sites are very far apart and without a vehicle, impossible to do in one day.

 * Topoxté is a small site on an island on the west shore of Lago de Yaxhá. It can be reached by lancha (boat), costing around Q100 for the 15-minute journey.
 * Nakum is an impressive site some 20 km north of Yaxhá. From here it is a one day walk to Tikal, but you will need a guide. This site is undergoing extensive reconstruction and has an acropolis that is larger than that of Tikal. You can get there in the dry season with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. To get here, you have to pay the entry fee at Yaxha.
 * El Parque Natural Ixpanpajul - a 5-minute drive from Flores (US$5 by taxi), which has a canopy tour, a walking loop with suspension bridges and, in addition, offers horse riding and camping facilities.
 * Palenque in Mexico. Various travel agencies offer packages to Palenque in Guatemala or varying standards. You can choose to do it independently though, as follows:
 * Take the 05:00 Pinata bus from the Santa Elena bus terminal to La Técnica - the last stop past Bethel. It takes approximately four hours. The last couple are on an unpaved but beautiful road - just be glad you're in the bus and not in a minivan! They'll stop at the immigration checkpoint for you, and this is the last time you can change your Quetzals into Pesos. There is no exit fee for Guatemala.
 * There's then a five minute boat journey across the river to Frontera Corozal. It should cost Q15 (locals) but you'll end up paying Q20!
 * There will then be comfortable combi vans waiting on the far bank to take you to Palenque. You can leave your bags in the combi and go on to immigration. It's up the bank, follow the road around to the right then straight on for about 100 metres and immigration is on your left.
 * Neighboring towns - Don't forget that aside from Flores and Tikal, there is more to see and do around Lake Peten Itza, particularly the locals in some quaint neighboring towns. On the north shore of the lake, just across from Flores are San Andrés and San José. These two lovely little towns boast a similar architecture to that of Flores but set on the side of very steep terrain, which makes for quite a dramatic street stroll with beautiful views of the lake. The people of both towns are very lovely, polite and helpful. Why not come across and have a chat with the locals to practice your Spanish? And if this is out of your lingual reach, you could take intensive Spanish classes in either town along with culturally enriching home-stays. To get there, just head to the bus terminal in Santa Elena (10 minutes on foot) and wait for one of the very frequent local buses (colectivos). Local buses to and from run between 06:00 and 17:00, ask at the station for which one to take.

title: Flores (Guatemala)


text:
Flores (Indonesia)

Flores (Portuguese for 'flowers') is an island in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Cities

 * — launching point for Komodo Island and diving and snorkeling
 * — Home to Manggarai ethnic minority interesting local villages. A cooler climate 1,100 m above sea level.
 * — is one of the best areas in Nusa Tenggara to see indigenous architecture of the local ethnic minority Ngadha. A cooler climate 1,200 m above sea level.
 * — diving/snorkeling center, the second Labuan Bajo without the influx of tourists
 * — lazy capital of the Island and departure point for ferries to West Timor
 * — launching point for trek up Mount Kelimutu
 * — diving/snorkeling center and easiest place to fly in and out of Flores
 * — port town on the eastern end of the island with a large Catholic community and Portuguese influences

Other destinations

 * — home of the Komodo dragon, a very rich marine fauna and magnificent remote landscapes. The National Park includes smaller islands such as Kalong Island, Kanawa Island, and Seraya Island (see Labuhan Bajo page for more details)
 * — traditional village in a spectacular mountain valley.
 * — the famous three-colored lakes

Understand
Flores is located east of Sumbawa and west of the Solor Archipelago (which includes Adonara, Lembata and Solor) and the Alor Archipelago. To the southeast is Timor. To the south, across the Sumba strait, is Sumba and to the north, beyond the Flores Sea, is Sulawesi.

Labuan Bajo is the most crowded by tourists due to the Komodo Island. The Portuguese set their first major establishment in Larantuka. The largest town is Maumere. There are many tribes and sub-tribes in Flores, the two most well-known is Manggarai in the West and Ngadha in the Central.

Travelers who have enough by the invasion of tourists in Bali are highly recommended to check out Flores as the next destination.

Religion
Flores is almost all Catholic and represents one of the "religious borders" created by the Catholic expansion in the Pacific and the spread of Islam from the west across Indonesia. In other places in Indonesia, such as in Maluku and Sulawesi, the divide is more rigid and has been the cause of bloody sectarian clashes.

Talk
There are many languages spoken on the island of Flores, all of them belonging to the Austronesian family. In the centre of the island in the districts of Ngada and Ende there is what is variously called the Central Flores Dialect Chain or the Central Flores Linkage. Within this area there are slight linguistic differences in almost every village. At least six separate languages are identifiable. These are from west to east: Ngadha, Nage, Keo, Ende, Lio and Palu'e, which is spoken on the island with the same name of the north coast of Flores. Locals would probably also add So'a and Bajawa to this list, which anthropologists have labeled dialects of Ngadha.

Portuguese traders and missionaries came to Flores in the 16th century, mainly to Larantuka and Sikka. Their influence is still discernible in Sikka's language and culture.

By plane
There are six airports distributed along the 354 km of Flores island, the main ones being at Labuanbajo and Maumere. Both have regular services to Denpasar (Bali), Lombok, Kupang (West Timor) and various minor islands in Nusa Tenggara. Other airports include: Turelelo (Bajawa) Soa Airport, Frans Sales Lega Airport in Ruteng , H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende , and Gewayantana Airport in Larantuka

By boat
Pelni ships call at Labuanbajo, Maumere, Larantuka and Ende and link the island with other parts of Indonesia. Numerous other ships also serve Flores, including the ASDP ferry from Labuanbajo to Sape (Sumbawa) and the wooden ferries from Larantuka to the islands of Adonara and Lembata in the Solor archipelago. Check the Pelni website but double-check with the local office, because arrival and departure times are flexible.

A number of companies, most notably Perama, organise 4 day sailing trips between Lombok or Bali and Flores which take in Komodo and Rinca, with prices between Rp 1 and 2 million. Creature comforts are few, with accommodations usually consisting of a thin reed mat on planks, and safety equipment is minimal to nonexistent. A Perama boat sank in 2011, fortunately near the shore and so there were no casualties.

By bus
Overland travel is a possibility as well, although it is a long haul from most places. From Mataram (Lombok), a combined ticket including all buses and ferries costs Rp 340,000. The journey takes over 24 hours and has a buffet meal included in the price on Sumbawa. Most buses leave Mataram in the afternoon to meet the morning ferry from Sape to Labuan Bajo. Crossing Sumbawa at night they speed on the empty roads, so instead of slumbering the hours and miles away it could be a rather stressful journey. To Bima (Sumbawa), the bus is 'executive class', while the 2 hours from Bima to Sape are done in a crammed minibus. Instead of buying a combined ticket, it a viable alternative is to do the trip step-by-step (see ). This is only marginally cheaper (315K Rp), but does give increased flexibility in case something goes wrong (e.g. bus breaks down). In this case, the journey from Mataram to Labuan Bajo has three legs:

1. Bus from Mataram Terminal Mandalika to Bima. Several buses take the same route, but they all seem to depart daily at 14:30-15:00h. You can buy a ticket at an office in the bus station (ignore the touts), although this still seems to be a tour operator instead of the bus company itself. Price is 225K Rp, but there is likely some room for negotiation. The bus drives to Labuhan Lombok, then goes on the ferry to Poto Tano, Sumbawa (be sure to get back on the bus before the boat finishes docking; it will drive straight off the ferry and won't wait for you). It then continues on to Bima, stopping somewhere between 21:00-24:00h for an included buffet dinner. The bus should arrive in Bima between 3:00-6:00 in the morning.

2. Get a minibus from Bima to Sape. Foreigner prices seem to be 30K, but locals pay between 5K-10K.

3. Take the ferry from Sape to Labuan Bajo, Flores. Listed price is 60K Rp. There is only one ferry daily, which departs at 10:00h (although reports online state the schedule varies, and that there might also be a second ferry in the afternoon). The journey takes about 5-7 hours. If you're doing this entire trip in one go, you'll likely be quite tired at this point, but the boat does have a limited supply of reasonably comfortable mats for you to sleep on for an extra 25'000 Rp (just grab one and someone will come to collect money from you later).

Get around
Bemos, small vans with seats facing each other, operate linking all the main towns. It is an incredible way to see the island and the driving ensures it is an exhilarating journey if you don't mind the heat, dust and being squashed next to an old dear with a chicken. A distance that looks short on the map can still take hours in reality, so be patient and try to enjoy the journey.

For transportation between towns in Flores, your accommodation or tour agents will mention "Travel" as one of the option, which is a shared car. This is usually this is a 6-seater SUV. Sometime they would pick up travelers along the way if the route and rate are right.

See
The two most famous tourist attraction in Flores island are:

 * Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park
 * The crater lakes at Mount Kelimutu usually reach from Ende. The colours change on a regular basis with aqua/turquoise, green, red and chocolate brown reported. This amazing natural phenomenon is thought to be caused by chemical reactions of minerals in the lake triggered by volcano gas activity.

Do
Flores has good snorkeling and scuba diving in several locations along the north coast, most notably Komodo and Riung. However, the coral reefs of Riung are slowly being destroyed due to the destructive practice of local fishermen using dynamite and locals selling shells to visitors. The Komodo National Park is held up as a role model for other parks throughout the world, and the reefs and marine life are in nearly pristine condition.

Flores also has a growing Eco-tourism industry, where you can visit traditional villages, stay with local families and join in eco-friendly activities such as bird watching, trekking and participate in dances.

If you receive an invitation to attend a wedding or other similar event, do not miss it. Those are the best way to learn about the Manggarai or Ngadha cultures. Ask for what to bring along, and what not to do (e.g. is photography permitted?)

Drink
Since majority of the population of Flores are non-Muslim, alcohol consumption is part of the culture here. The most popular drink is arak or sopi or moke which is made from the distilled palm sap. Unlike in Bali and Java that have a long-standing bad reputation regarding arak contamination, Flores is said to have high quality arak even though there are no labels or brands. Regardless, in the absence of formal quality control, tourists would be wise to abstain from home-brewed arak.

If you come to the city Ende, be sure to try their kind of Indonesian coffee 'Kopi Ende'. It is coffee beans and ginger toasted together and brewed like normal coffee.

Stay safe
There are different hospitals (called "Rumah Sakit") and health stations (called "Puskesmas") on the island. The best hospitals are Siloam Hospital in Labuan Bajo, in Cancar (near Ruteng) in the western part and in Lela (near Maumere) in the eastern part of the island. If you decide to go hiking you should be aware of some dangerous snakes.

Go next

 * Alor Archipelago
 * West Timor and then Timor Leste (East Timor)
 * Sumba
 * Bali
 * Lombok

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Flores (Indonesia)


text:
Florianopolis

Florianópolis ("Floripa" for short) is a coastal city in southern Brazil, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina. Most of the city's area consists of the island of Santa Catarina, connected to the mainland by two bridges, and only a small part of the island can really be called urban—the rest is full of gorgeous beaches and nature, including a large lagoon. Though famous for its beaches, Floripa also has great hikes and beautiful forested mountains. Here you can enjoy the outgoing culture and natural beauty of coastal Brazil in a less dangerous place than Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, or Recife.

Florianópolis gets busy in the summer, when its population of about 500,000 swells with tourists (both domestic and foreign) to 1.5 million. Naturally, this causes lots of traffic and generally strains the local infrastructure, so it's better to come in the off-season if you can. Make sure to visit when the weather is nice so you can enjoy all the outdoor activities.

Understand
Florianopolis is on an island of 424.4 km² (54 km by 18 km) (163.9 square miles) in the Atlantic Ocean, and a small peninsula of 1210 km² on the mainland of southern Brazil. Three bridges link the island to the continent, including the Hercílio Luz Bridge, a landmark of the city.

Florianopolis has become a popular destination in Brazil for people who are looking for superb beaches, beautiful scenery, interesting culture and friendly people. It has also experienced a real estate boom, with Brazilians looking for a better quality of life away from the chaos of the big cities, especially from the states of São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. The City proper has an estimated population of 420,000 people. The Greater Florianopolis metropolitan area is home to about 1 million people.

The northern beach resorts Jurerê, Daniela, Canasvieiras, Brava and Ingleses get very busy during the summer and there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and other conveniences for the tourist. Eastern beaches, like Joaquina, Mole and Moçambique are among the best surfing beaches and popular with young people. Beaches heading south include Campeche, Armação and Morro das Pedras, which are all very beautiful and also good for surfing. Isolated and unspoilt beaches, like Lagoinha do Leste and Naufragados, can be found at the southern end of the island and can only be reached only by trail. Lagoa da Conceição is a famous natural attraction, and the centerpiece of the island; it is relatively shallow, with high winds making it a world-class location for windsurfing. Peri Lagoon is quieter, on the other hand, and great for nature walks.

Florianopolis is quite modern with large shopping malls, chain and high-end restaurants and many bars and nightclubs. The highway system serving the city is very good, though traffic can get bad in the tourist season.

The island is known as "Ilha da Magia" or Magic Island, probably because of its incredible natural beauty, more than 100 beaches with 42 being well known, rocks, mountains, lakes, lagoons, waterfalls, bays, inlets, rich houses and buildings and young population and visitors. Florianópolis is also known for its high standards of living since it is located in the rich area of Brazil. Since the attraction is also heat, the best months to visit the island are December–March. The winter in South Brazil might be cooler than tourists expect.

Climate
Florianópolis has a subtropical climate with defined seasons. There is no dry season, but it rains more in summer. The summer months are hotter, sunny and humid, and in the summer, the sea has a pleasant temperature for swimming. There may be occasional showers of rain, which only last for a few minutes and then sunny weather returns. The average temperature reaches up to 29 ºC (84 ºF) in January and the lows can be 20 ºC (68 ºF) in December.

Winters, despite being drier, are quite cold, windy and unsuitable for spending time on the beach, with the exception of surfers, since at this time the ocean waves get higher. Average temperatures at this time vary between average highs of 21 ºC (70 ºF) and average lows of 13 ºC (55 ºF).

Talk
Although Florianópolis is the second most visited city by foreigners in Brazil, most locals are monolingual Portuguese speakers, as in practically all of Brazil. Due to the strong number of tourists coming from Argentina and Uruguay, Spanish is also used in many hotels and tourist facilities. However, you are unlikely to find English speakers except in a few very touristy hotels.

By plane

 * The Brazilian airline LATAM provides international and domestic services to Florianópolis. Flights are available from JFK International (NYC), Miami, Madrid, London, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris and main cities in South America. Most of the flights require a connection in São Paulo.
 * Airlines Gol, Avianca and Azul operate domestic flights to the city. Gol also operates destinations in South America, like Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Santiago.
 * Summer months (December through March) several daily charter flights arrive from Argentina and Chile.
 * Summer months (December through March) several daily charter flights arrive from Argentina and Chile.

By bus

Destinations include:
 * São Paulo – Many early morning and late afternoon connections for around R$125, 12 hr.
 * Foz do Iguaçu – The night trip takes around 12-14 hr. There are several late afternoon/evening connections for R$180-350. Instead of the expensive leito bus, you might just opt for a flight, which costs the same.
 * Ciudad del Este – Two daily connections. From Ciudad del Este at 15:30 and 17:00, 14-15 hr, GS.270,000.

By car

 * You should use the Route BR-101 (cross Brazil from north to south), the entrance to Florianopolis will be at km 206. From there read the signs and get the express route BR-282 which leads to Florianopolis.

Get around
From the city center, dozens of buses go to all the beaches on the island. The bus system has drawbacks since transfers are necessary at regional terminals to get around. The cost for riding the buses is R$6 (June 2023), and it takes about 35-60 minutes to get from the city center to the beaches. Additionally, there is an air-conditioned yellow bus (Linhas Executivas) that goes direct to downtown from the main beaches for R$15 (June 2023). A car is recommended to explore all the beaches and places of interest. There are car rentals on the island and at the airport. Renting can be expensive (R$120/day with A/C), but can be worthwhile as it makes exploring the island more convenient. During the high season traffic can be intense, and could easily take 2 hours to get to the beach from the city center.

See

 * Anhatomirim Island and its Fortaleza de Santa Cruz
 * Forts - Constructed as early as 1739, the forts served to protect the city from possible Spanish attacks.
 * Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (1742)
 * Fortaleza de Santo Antônio (1740)
 * Fortaleza Santana (1761)
 * Fortaleza São José da Ponta Grossa (1740)
 * Anhatomirim Island and its Fortaleza de Santa Cruz
 * Forts - Constructed as early as 1739, the forts served to protect the city from possible Spanish attacks.
 * Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (1742)
 * Fortaleza de Santo Antônio (1740)
 * Fortaleza Santana (1761)
 * Fortaleza São José da Ponta Grossa (1740)
 * Fortaleza de Santo Antônio (1740)
 * Fortaleza Santana (1761)
 * Fortaleza São José da Ponta Grossa (1740)

Beaches

There are a total of 42 beaches in Florianopolis. The best known are:
 * North
 * East
 * South
 * East
 * South
 * East
 * South
 * East
 * South
 * South
 * South
 * South
 * South
 * South

Do

 * Paragliding at Mole Beach, Lagoa da Conceição
 * Scuba-Diving at Praia Mole, Praia do Santinho, Praia dos Ingleses
 * Sandboarding at Joaquina, Lagoa Sandboard
 * Surfing at Barra da Lagoa, Praia da Joaquina, and Praia Mole
 * Windsurfing at Lagoa da Conceição
 * Kitesurfing at Lagoa da Conceição
 * Hiking at Lagoa do Peri, Naufragados, Lagoinha do Leste, Costa da Lagoa, Barra da Lagoa
 * Stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoa da Conceição
 * Stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoa da Conceição
 * Stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoa da Conceição

Florianópolis is a destination for beaches and outdoor activities—when it rains, there's not much to do.

Eat

 * Seafood - This coastal city is known widely for its fresh seafood.
 * Portuguese Food - The city had been colonized by the "cultura açoriana". Their food is delicious.
 * Italian Food - Macarronada Italiana is the main spot. Great. But there are many other good choices as well.
 * Downtown- There are great "per kilo" buffets with amazing food, salads, and fruit. You can get a full meal with a fresh juice for under R$6. It's good for the budget traveler and to get a sense of where many locals get a quick bite.

Drink
Most of the nightlife is concentrated around the beaches in the summer. During the winter, the night life is concentrated in Lagoa da Conceição, where most of the bars and clubs are located.

Budget

 * Albergue da Juventude, Rua Duarte Schutel 227, +55 48 225-3781. Hostelling International hostel is 10 minutes away from the bus terminal and close to the beach. Prices vary according to season.
 * Albergue da Juventude, Rua Duarte Schutel 227, +55 48 225-3781. Hostelling International hostel is 10 minutes away from the bus terminal and close to the beach. Prices vary according to season.
 * Albergue da Juventude, Rua Duarte Schutel 227, +55 48 225-3781. Hostelling International hostel is 10 minutes away from the bus terminal and close to the beach. Prices vary according to season.

Splurge

 * Nexus Surf, Tel. +1 310 256-4339 (from outside of Brazil) / +55 48 9626-9029 (from within Brazil), directly in front of Praia Mole beach, just minutes outside of the charming Lagoa downtown area. Offers unique vacation packages that include accommodations (wireless internet, international phoneline and air conditioning standard), rental car, surf lessons, adventure sports activities, guided nightlife access, local cell phone, and breakfast service.
 * Nexus Surf, Tel. +1 310 256-4339 (from outside of Brazil) / +55 48 9626-9029 (from within Brazil), directly in front of Praia Mole beach, just minutes outside of the charming Lagoa downtown area. Offers unique vacation packages that include accommodations (wireless internet, international phoneline and air conditioning standard), rental car, surf lessons, adventure sports activities, guided nightlife access, local cell phone, and breakfast service.

Stay safe
As a coastal tourist town and a summer tourist destination, Florianópolis is safer than most large Brazilian cities. Many tourist areas are well policed and safe, and you'll see people walking around and using their phones outside, even at night. But this is still Brazil, there are still favelas, and robberies do happen, so know where you're going and take sensible security precautions:

 * Be mindful of your personal belongings, especially in busy tourist areas, beaches and on public transport;
 * Pay special attention to your valuables, such as cash, passports and electronic devices;
 * Don't trust strangers, especially those who seem excessively helpful;
 * Avoid showing valuables such as clothes, jewelry or expensive watches that make you stand out;
 * Avoid withdrawing and carrying large amounts of money.

Currents
Some beaches in Florianópolis can have strong currents, especially in the winter months, between May and September, when the waves tend to be bigger, and on the beaches to the east of the island (such as Joaquina, Ingleses, Praia Mole, Barra da Lagoa, Armação and Campeche), which are more directly exposed to ocean winds. It is important that you follow the advice of local lifeguards, respect safety flags and avoid swimming in unsupervised areas.

Stay healthy
As elsewhere in Brazil, some beaches in Florianópolis are not suitable for bathing, and conditions can change from day to day. On the day of your visit, check the map of the bathing report (in Portuguese, relatório de balneabilidade) of the state's Environment Department (IMA).

Go next

 * Balneário Camboriú
 * São Joaquim
 * Laguna
 * Garopaba

title: Florianopolis


text:
Florida

Florida is the southernmost state in the continental United States of America. Known as "The Sunshine State", over a century ago it became a popular winter destination for the well-to-do from colder climates; it has grown to become the second-most visited state in the nation. Tourists have long been drawn to Florida by its white-sand beaches and unique and diverse cities. Since the mid-twentieth century, world-class theme parks and attractions have become a top draw as well. In the 21st century, Florida has become the preferred retirement destination for rich Americans from all over the country.

The state's roots in agriculture are still relevant, with oranges being a chief export. Untouched natural landscapes teeming with wildlife exist in vast areas, sometimes very close to cities, and there are miles of rivers and trails for the intrepid visitor. Some of Florida's best secrets are charming small towns and other places in secluded locations, away from the crowded tourist areas but certainly worth seeing.

Cities
Below is a selection of some of Florida's most notable cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions.

 * – The state capital and thriving college town home to three schools, including Florida State
 * – The "Venice of America" with its expansive canal system, also known for beaches and boating
 * – Sprawling city encompassing large beaches, world-class museums, and award-winning golf
 * – The center of Caribbean and Latin American culture, famed for its beachfront nightclubs
 * – The theme park capital of the world also features exciting dining, a lively arts scene, and ample recreation
 * – White-sand beaches draw tourists to this town of ancient shipwrecks and military fighter jets
 * – The oldest city in the country is home to two more-than 400-year-old Spanish forts, restaurants, and shops
 * – Large Gulf Coast metro area home to bustling nightlife as well as famed natural sites
 * – Ritzy town home to the rich & famous, featuring high-end shopping and beautiful beaches

Other destinations

 * – Historic island at the north end of the state, with excellent golf resorts and a lively downtown
 * – A massive marine park protecting a wide range of animals and coral reefs
 * – The longest stretch of unspoiled beach on the Atlantic coast, near rocket launches
 * – Massive, vital, and delicate ecosystem protecting a great variety of plants and animals
 * – Chain of islands stretching into the Caribbean, offering tropical scenery and a laid-back lifestyle
 * – 12 islands along the Gulf Coast, featuring excellent beaches and sea turtles
 * – Extensive inland forest giving visitors a taste of old Florida charm
 * – The "happiest place on earth", encompassing 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and countless other amenities

Understand
While Florida is considered to be part of the South, it originated not as a British colony, but as a Spanish one. As a result, the state has a unique history. Although Florida was a founding member of the Confederate States of America, and like other Southern states shared the experience of slavery and racial segregation during its history, today, Florida is a very diverse state. It is almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, and contains a number of regions with slight cultural differences of their own that contribute to the state's diversity. Therefore, no one accent dominates in the speech of its residents, and it's often said that Florida is the only state that gets more "Southern" the farther north you go, and that is indeed true in a cultural sense.

History
Florida was inhabited by Native Americans for over 13,000 years before the arrival of European explorers, colonists and slavers. It is estimated that there were some 350,000 inhabitants, of many tribes, when the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in 1513 in search of, according to legend, the Fountain of Youth.

The first European settlement dates back to the 1560s with St. Augustine, established in 1565, holding the distinction of being the oldest permanent European settlement in what is now the United States. However, this early settlement did not lead to the same level of rapid colonization that took place in the British colonies to the north, as the climate made large-scale settlement, especially inland, difficult for Europeans who were used to milder climates. Attempted settlements by Europeans, such as the New Smyrna Beach colony owned by a British man who employed former inhabitants of the Balearic Islands, were not always successful as challenges of climate and disease took their toll on the residents, who themselves ultimately moved to St. Augustine. From this time onward the state would not see large-scale economic and population expansion until Florida's statehood in the 19th century, when agriculture — including notably orange trees — and later tourism would achieve important roles in the state's economy.

Along with the climate challenges, battles and competing claims for the region posed a challenge to the region's settlers. However, many Africans and African-Americans moved to Florida during the territory's early years because King Charles of Spain had issued a royal proclamation freeing all slaves who fled to Spanish Florida, if they converted to Catholicism.

Native Americans, including members of the Calusa tribe, fought effectively to defend their tribal lands from European colonization of the region; therefore it was some time before Europeans established colonies. However, once Europeans took control of the Florida region, oppression and killing of Native Americans — often as a result of war or disease — was tragic as it was in many other regions of the Americas. Following substantial depopulation of the state's native tribes, the Seminole tribe moved in and established themselves in Florida in the 18th century, though several conflicts between the Spanish, attempting to maintain Florida, and Americans attempting to annex the region, made an already disputed territory's political situation complex for Native Americans and settlers. Native Americans living in Florida fought hard and continued to guard their independence after Spanish Florida was ceded to the United States in 1821.

The new territory of the U.S. was a slave plantation economy, much like the rest of the South at the time; the Seminoles gladly welcomed runaway slaves and accepted them into their tribe. However, after the Second Seminole War, almost the entire tribe was deported west of the Mississippi River as part of the Trail of Tears.

Florida was admitted to the Union as a slave state in 1845, but seceded and joined the Confederacy with the rest of the South in 1861. Largely untouched by the American Civil War, the state enforced Jim Crow segregation laws against its then very large (approximately 44%) black population for a century after the Confederates' defeat. By the early 20th century, Florida had more lynchings per capita than any other state.

However, there were three 20th-century migrations that fundamentally changed the character of Florida, to the extent that many people no longer consider much of the state to be culturally Southern: the move of one-fifth of the state's African-American population to the Northern United States as part of the Great Migration during the first decades of the 20th century; the arrival of an increasing number of white retirees from the North after the spread of air conditioning in the 1950s; and the arrival of several waves of Cuban immigrants after the victory of Fidel Castro in 1959, who established themselves primarily in South Florida, particularly Dade County. Florida has also seen major influxes of Latino immigrants from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Central and South America, and Mexico, and there have also been many Haitian immigrants.

Culture
Florida is geographically the southernmost of the contiguous United States, and it is a unique blend of societies. The Florida Panhandle, much of North Florida, rural areas of Central Florida, and the Florida Heartland remain part of the cultural region of the South, where you will find traditional southern cooking, entertainment, dialect, and lifestyles, much as you would expect in states like Georgia or Alabama. Generally, the further south you go in the state, the more unlike the South it seems, and although Southern culture can be found in every region of the state, it is not always prevalent.

Cities such as Tampa and Orlando offer the feel of the South, alongside many other cultures. There are a lot of Southerners in these areas, but also many people who are from other areas like the Midwest or the Northeast. Miami, on the other hand, is unique in that it feels like a cross between an American metropolis and a major Latin American city (like Rio or São Paulo). There are some Seminole Native American reservations and villages throughout southern Florida, namely in the Everglades, and their indigenous culture can be experienced by visiting a shop and browsing arts and crafts. The southernmost Florida Keys offer yet another flavor, full of the casual, slow-paced atmosphere of beach life. In short, Florida is a full-fledged region of the United States in its own right.

Much of the southern part of Florida is inhabited by people of Hispanic or Latino origin. The region that is substantially to in places majority Hispanic or Latino extends north to Orlando. There are large Cuban and Puerto Rican populations in Miami and the south side of Greater Orlando, respectively. The white population is higher to the north, and by the northern border with Georgia and Alabama, the Hispanic/Latino population is very low. The Black or African-American population is primarily on the mainland and throughout the state, with historically Black communities and history in the Daytona Beach metro area, Jacksonville, and Gadsden County in the Panhandle. The ethnic diversity of Florida, while not particularly cosmopolitan outside of certain urban centers, has contributed substantially to the culture, with Spanish spoken in some areas, but in the north, a tendency toward American cuisine and English language exists with few alternatives and much of the population of this region are known by outsiders as "rednecks." There are smaller communities of ethnic minorities including those of Anglo- or Franco-Caribbean or Middle Eastern origin, but these have a smaller impact on the state's culture than the largest ethnic groups.

Due to a combination of factors, despite the state's high urbanization relative to many other Southern states, it does not lean as "liberal" as many comparably urban and ethnically diverse states in the North. The state is considered to be on the tipping point between left and right, but despite the prominently right-wing government that scraped through the 2018 elections, the state as a whole is middle of the road for the U.S. Orlando, state capital Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale and college town Gainesville lean left while most of Miami, Tampa-St Petersburg, southwest Florida, parts of the east coast and rural inland and Panhandle lean conservative when compared with demographically similar communities in other parts of the country. However, almost all regions of the state are politically diverse.

Landscape
Florida's coastline is world class, with several gorgeous beaches, bays, and estuaries. The Floridian landscape is extremely flat, however, with lakes and wetlands scattered throughout most of the state, though a mixture of ecosystems distract from the lack of topography. The only exceptions are parts of Highlands, Polk, Lake, and a few other counties in the center of the state where rolling hills are common. The highest point in the state is the Britton Hill on the Panhandle, and the  Iron Mountain in Polk County is the highest point on the Peninsula.

Florida's cities tend to be big, sprawling, and well-developed, but not as close to each other as an atlas might imply. Despite being a densely-populated state, there are fortunately still several expanses of wilderness left, although these are often near or between populated urban areas.

Some rural parts of the state grow citrus and sugar cane, but farmland tends to be in regions outside the usual tourist areas. The Florida Panhandle and most of North Florida consist of farmland and pine trees, but as you travel south, you'll see more wetlands and urbanization, culminating at the Everglades in the far south of the state near Miami. The Florida Keys are a small chain of tropical islands with their own unique geography.

Climate
Florida is known around the world for warm and sunny weather and this has led to the state being a major tourist destination. Florida has the mildest winters on the US mainland, and retirees and temporary residents known as "snowbirds", flock to the state in the cold season. Coastal areas experience gentle breezes during the summer, and the beach is usually the coolest place to be.

While those coastal breezes are a welcome relief from the scorching temperatures, they are also the cause of a well-known Florida weather feature: thunderstorms. While the storms are often brief, they are common, and anyone visiting Florida during the rainy season (mid-June to September) should plan a few indoor activities in the afternoons as a backup. Florida's thunderstorms occur every day during the rainy season and typically form 20-30mi (32-48km) inland and either move toward the center of the state or toward the coast. Due to this, rain can be occurring just a few miles inland from the coast, while those at the beach experience a beautiful day.

While the storms cool the air, bringing a welcome though often short relief to stifling temperatures, many produce considerable amounts of dangerous lightning and some bring hail, high winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) or more, and tornadoes. See the "stay safe" section for thunderstorm safety. Many tourist areas, such as Walt Disney World, have multiple attractions available even during downpours.

The spring is the driest time of the year, leading to wildfires nearly every May and early June.

The six-month hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and Floridians have learned to be ready when a storm threatens the area. If you plan on visiting during the months of June through November and especially during the peak of the hurricane season from August through October, stay aware of the news and weather advisories. Information is available from the National Hurricane Center. Cyclones are unlikely but possible in the month of May.

From June through October is the hot and wet season in Florida. High temperatures are often in the 80s to 90s F and lows  in the 70s. The Bermuda High pumps in hot and unstable tropical air from the Bahamas and Gulf of Mexico, which help create the daily thundershowers that are typical in summer months in Florida. Intense but very brief downpours are common in summer in much of Florida. Normally, the wet season starts to fade by early November in northern Florida and reaches southern Florida by late November.

From December through April the weather in much is Florida is mild and often dry. The dry season (or winter) is often the driest and most sunny season in Florida, Average high temperatures range from the low 60's in northern Florida to the mid 70's F in far southern Florida. Overnight lows fall to the middle 40's in northern Florida to near 60 F in far southern Florida. A few times each winter, a strong cold front may drop temperatures to near freezing across northern Florida, though in many years there is no freeze at all from central Florida southward. In the driest months, Florida often has long periods of rainless weather, and by April drought conditions with brush fires and water restrictions in place are sometimes.

Tourist information

 * Visit Florida website

Talk
English is the official language of the state. However, Spanish is the native language of approximately 20% of Florida residents, and the further south you go, the more Spanish speakers there will be. In some parts of South Florida, Spanish is the preferred language in everyday activities. Miami is most notable, where nearly 80% of residents do not speak English as their native language and 30% do not speak any English at all. Tampa also has a sizable Spanish-speaking population, and neighborhoods where it is almost exclusively spoken. Like anywhere where there is a large presence of another language, expect Spanish words or expressions used or calqued into everyday English.

Gullah, a distinctive English-based creole, is spoken by some African-American communities along the northeastern coast, near the border with Georgia.

Native-born non-Hispanic Floridians from the northern part of the state will usually speak with a Southern accent. However, after the migration of millions of Americans from all over the country to the central and southern parts of the state, the Southern dialect is becoming diluted with other accents. Residents of Miami often speak in a distinctive accent with strong influences from Cuban Spanish.

By plane

 * - your choice airport for Disney World and the other attractions in Central Florida. Located south of downtown Orlando, this airport offers tons of car rentals and free shuttles to Disney and Universal for visitors. Being centrally located it serves as a hub or focus city for Jetblue, Frontier, Southwest and Spirit Airlines. There are international connections from South America, Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Europe and the middle east.
 * - the biggest airport for travel in South Florida, it's the best option for trips to the Everglades or Miami's beaches. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and the most popular entry point with a wide variety of flights from Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Cuba and Mexico.
 * - serves the Gulf Coast, namely the Tampa Bay area. There are direct flights offered from all over the U.S. and from a number of international destinations in Canada, Cuba, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
 * - the fourth-largest airport in Florida, and another valid option to consider with many domestic low-fare carriers such as Allegiant, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
 * - primary airport for travel in North Florida, serving Amelia Island and historic St. Augustine.

Other large airports can be found in Pensacola, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Saint Petersburg/Clearwater, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Key West, Gainesville, Melbourne, and Sanford. There are many more airports throughout Florida that may get you closer to your destination; watch for these smaller airports while researching your destination.

By car
Three Interstate highways connect Florida with adjacent states:

 * I-10.svg Interstate 10 (I-10) enters Florida from Alabama near Pensacola and passes through the center of the Panhandle and across North Florida until its terminus in Jacksonville. Interstate 10 is most convenient for travelers from Louisiana, Texas, and areas farther west.
 * I-75.svg I-75 also enters Florida from Georgia and passes through the center of the state until the Tampa Bay area, after which it follows the Gulf of Mexico coast (10-20 mi/16-32 km inland) to Naples, where it heads due east across the Everglades to Fort Lauderdale. Interstate 75 is most convenient for travelers arriving from Atlanta and the Midwest.
 * I-95.svg I-95 enters Florida from Georgia just north of Jacksonville and parallels the Atlantic coast, never more than 25 miles inland, until its terminus south of downtown Miami. Interstate 95 provides the most convenient route for people from the East Coast, New England, eastern parts of Canada. Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area are all serviced by I-95, with access to Orlando provided via Interstate 4.

 * I-4.svg I-4 does not cross any state line but is still called an interstate. It crosses the state from Gulf to East coast, passing from Tampa in the west through Orlando and ending at the western boundary of Daytona Beach. It curves to the north on its easternmost segment. The road, particularly on the north side of Orlando, is notoriously dangerous, and the frequent thunderstorms in addition to ongoing road work don't help with this concern. The speeds on this road are high and speed limits are ignored by most, but as a quick route there are few comparable alternatives and it does a good job of connecting the suburbs.

Additional major highways entering Florida include:
 * US 1.svg US-1 enters Florida north of Jacksonville and snakes along the east coast between Interstate 95 and the Intracoastal Waterway/Atlantic Ocean. Unlike I-95, US 1 continues past Miami and is routed over a series of bridges (including the famous Seven Mile Bridge) through the Florida Keys to its terminus at Key West.
 * US 27.svg US-27 enters Florida from western Georgia and provides access to the state capital, Tallahassee, before routing through mostly rural areas of the peninsula. Down the center of the state between Florida's Turnpike and Miami, US 27 is a primary trucking route, and as such this route can be a hassle while dealing with heavy traffic.
 * US 98.svg US-98 enters Florida near Pensacola and remains close to the Gulf of Mexico coast until the Panhandle meets the Florida peninsula at the "Big Bend" area. Unlike I-10 to the north, which runs through the interior of the Panhandle away from the coast, US 98 provides a scenic drive and convenient access to the beaches. After leaving the Panhandle, US 98 runs diagonally down the peninsula to West Palm Beach through primarily rural areas.
 * US 231.svg US-231 enters Florida from Alabama and crosses the Panhandle north-south to its southern terminus at Panama City Beach. US 231 provides convenient access to the Panhandle from the Midwest via it connection with Interstate 65 in Montgomery.
 * US 301.svg I-301 enters Florida just north of Jacksonville and was once the main route from the Northeast. It is a very scenic alternative to I-95 with a lot less traffic. Exiting I-95 at Santee, South Carolina motorists can follow US 301 through Georgia and into Florida and connect to I-95 again in Jacksonville for Atlantic coast destinations, or continue on to join I-75 at Ocala for Tampa and the Gulf coast.

By bus
Many bus companies operate services to Florida from neighboring states and from the major airports in the states. Service is most frequent along the interstates from large cities in neighboring states. See By bus under Get around for a list of bus companies serving the state.

By train
Amtrak has two services to Florida:

 * Amtrak Auto Train (Trains #52 & 53) carries passengers and automobiles between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida (north of Orlando), effectively serving as a car-rail link to Florida from the Washington, D.C. metro area. This train makes no stops between Lorton & Sanford and is a way to cut back on the extra mileage and wear and tear on the car.
 * Amtrak Silver Service (Trains #91 & 92 and #97 & 98 respectively) are two routes that both begin in New York City and end in Miami. The trains follow the same route heading to Florida, except in North and South Carolina. Within the state, the trains run the same line from Jacksonville to Kissimmee. There, they split again, and the Silver Star (Trains #91 & 92) diverges to head west towards Lakeland and Tampa while the Silver Meteor (Trains #97 & 98) continues south towards Winter Haven. Both routes meet again further south and serve the rest of the stations along Florida's east coast to Miami.

By boat
Florida is possibly the largest state for cruise ship vacations in the United States. Cape Canaveral, Tampa, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale are all popular starting ports, with cruises heading throughout the Caribbean. There are also many short-term casino cruises that depart from Pinellas County and around South Florida.

Ferry service is also available to and from the Bahamas, with service between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport, and between Miami and Bimini.

By car
Traveling by car is the most common and most convenient way to get around the state for travelers and locals alike. For the traveler car rental agencies are abound in Florida and many are available at every major airport. Orlando, in particular, is known as the "Car Rental Capital of the World". With Florida being the most visited state in the US, car rental rates here are among (if not the) lowest rates in the country due to sheer volume.

 Florida's major highways include:
 * I-4.svg Interstate 4 (I-4) crosses diagonally from Tampa, heads east through Plant City and Lakeland, then continues northeast past Kissimmee, Walt Disney World, and Orlando, before ending at Interstate 95 near Daytona Beach. Interstate 4 is the most travelled highway in Florida and due to the large volume of traffic, high speeds (70 mph,112 km/h outside of urban areas), construction, and large number of tourists it is also the most dangerous highway in the state, in terms of the number of accidents.
 * I-10.svg & US 90.svg I-10 and US-90 enter Florida from Alabama near Pensacola and travels across the Panhandle, past Tallahassee and Lake City, and through rural North Florida to its terminus at I-95 in Jacksonville. US Hwy 90 straddles I-10 through the northern Florida Panhandle, going through the cities and towns as a local surface street/highway while I-10 goes straight through bypassing the cities and towns. US Hwy 90 continues past the I-95 corridor in downtown Jacksonsville and ends at FL A1A at Jacksonville Beach.
 * I-75.svg I-75 enters Florida from Georgia and runs south through the center of the peninsula past Gainesville and Ocala before crossing just east of Tampa, where it then parallels the Gulf coast past Bradenton, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples, after which it travels due east across the Everglades (a section known as 'Alligator Alley') to the Miami suburbs.
 * I-95.svg I-95 enters Florida from Georgia, north of Jacksonville, and travels down the Atlantic coast past St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale before ending at US 1 just south of downtown Miami.
 * Florida's_Turnpike_shield.svg The Florida Turnpike is a toll road that runs from I-75 south of Ocala, through Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale before ending south of Miami. It provides the easiest access to Orlando and southeast Florida for persons entering the state via I-75 or I-10.
 * I-275.svg I-275 is a secondary Interstate that runs from I-75 north of the Tampa area, past downtown Tampa and Saint Petersburg, where it crosses the 5.5-mile-long (8.8km), 193 foot-tall (58.8m) Sunshine Skyway Bridge before it rejoins I-75 south of Bradenton. Interstate 75 does not provide access to these areas, it instead passes through rural and suburban areas 10 miles east of Tampa.
 * US 1.svg US-1 is a historic and scenic highway that travels down the Atlantic coast between I-95 and the ocean before being routed over a series of bridges (including the famous Seven Mile Bridge) through the Florida Keys to its terminus at Key West.
 * Florida A1A.svg FL-A1A runs parallel to US Hwy 1 as the coastal highway along the east coast. It serves the beach communities as a local street (such as Collins Ave in Miami Beach or Ocean Dr in Ft Lauderdale) in the offshore islands/keys along the entire east coast. It is fragmented and does not run continuously from South Beach to Fernadina Beach. It runs concurrent on US Hwy 1 in places where it is not a separate road.
 * US 27.svg US 27 is a well-traveled alternative to Florida's Turnpike and runs from Miami, along Lake Okeechobee and through the mostly-rural Heartland of Florida before continuing through Ocala, Gainesville, and Tallahassee.
 * US 41.svg US 41 runs west from Miami on a scenic 2-lane journey through the Everglades, and then travels along the Gulf Coast, around the east side of Tampa Bay, and north into Georgia.
 * US 98.svg US 98 enters Florida from Alabama at Pensacola and travels a very scenic route along the Gulf Coast of the Panhandle, after which it continues diagonally across the peninsula to its terminus in West Palm Beach.

By plane
Flying may be a more reasonable option for crossing large expanses of the state especially between South Florida (Miami and Ft Lauderdale) and the Panhandle (Pensacola and Tallahassee) while others will be relatively short (Ft Lauderdale to Orlando). Silver Airways and Atlantic Airlines offer the most point to point intrastate connections between large and small airports in different route combinations. American Airlines/American Eagle operates intrastate flights from their base in Miami to Jacksonville, Key West, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee and Tampa. To a lesser extent Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit have flights from their base in Ft Lauderdale and Orlando to Ft Myers, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee, and/or Tampa.

By bus
The bus is not the most glamorous way to get around the state, but it can be the cheapest. There is fairly frequent service from Orlando (as a 'de-facto' hub) to Naples (via Tampa Bay, Ft Myers); South Florida (W Palm Peach, Ft Lauderdale, Miami); Jacksonville (via Daytona Beach, Ft Pierce); and the Panhandle (via Gainesville, Ocala, Tallahassee) with multiple companies. Others offer connections to the Keys through Miami-Dade and north towards Jacksonville along I-95 without going through Orlando. Check schedules. Many of the smaller companies, county bus services, and those connecting rural towns are not listed, check the article of your destination and the schedules of the company for all the transportation options. Information on transit (local public transportation) can be found here:

There are a number of local and regional public transportation agencies that offer intercity bus services throughout the state. Information on transit can be found here.

By train

 * Brightline Train At Ft Lauderdale Station.jpgAmtrak Silver Star (Trains #91 & 92) and Silver Meteor (Trains #97 & 98) - This is a relatively expensive option but will suffice if other means are not possible. Both routes span from Jacksonville to Miami. While the two routes are slightly different, they both stop at the following stations: Jacksonville, Palatka, DeLand, Winter Park, Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Sebring, Okeechobee, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami. The slight difference between the two routes is that the Silver Star detours to Lakeland (to/from the north only) and Tampa (to/from the south only) while the Silver Meteor proceeds directly to Winter Haven from Kissimmee.

By ferry
A high speed ferry service, the Key West Express, operates from the cities of Fort Myers and Marco Island with daily service to the Historic Seaport district of Key West. The ferry ride takes approximately 3½ hours and the Fort Myers vessels have a capacity exceeding 300 passengers. Amenities include outdoor sundecks, flat-screen TVs, galley service and a full bar.

See
The in Cape Canaveral was America's spaceport for the manned missions to the Moon and the Space Shuttle. The Visitor Complex contains spacecraft displays, two IMAX movies, the Astronaut's Hall of Fame, exhibits chronicling the history and future of space exploration, and a Space Shuttle Launch Experience.Florida has a long and complex history and is worth visiting for those interested in historical travel. , founded by the Spanish in 1565, is the United States' oldest permanent European settlement. It contains a large colonial fort, multiple attractions and site detailing its history, countless restaurants and bars, and plenty of shops in its small, walkable downtown. Florida's Lighthouses are numerous, historic, and beautiful; take some time to visit these iconic images of the coast. in downtown Saint Petersburg, this is one of the largest Holocaust museums in the U.S. and exhibits a box car used by Nazis to transport prisoners to extermination camps like Auschwitz. , also in downtown St. Petersburg, is the largest collection of Dalí artwork outside of Europe.

Sports are popular in the state of Florida, and particularly well-known is near FL-92 and I-95 in Daytona Beach. The famous speedway venue is home of the number one event in stock car racing, NASCAR's Daytona 500 (February), along with other events throughout the year. Spring Training baseball occurs throughout the state in late February and March, and offers the ability to watch your favorite players for discount prices (front row tickets can be purchased as low as $15-20) and in smaller, more intimate venues.

is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world and an engineering masterpiece crossing the mouth of Tampa Bay. Two long fishing piers beside the bridge, the approaches of the previous bridge, are renowned among local fishermen and provide a less expensive alternative for saltwater fishing.

(pronounced ee-bor) is one of the largest party districts in the country, with countless bars, restaurants, clubs, and cigar stores, located near downtown Tampa, easily accessible by car or with the free and historic streetcar service. Ybor City has a very historic and authentic feel, with a combination of Latin and Italian influence. Not just a nightlife district, however, with many cultural sights and restaurants open during the day.

Wildlife
Alligators, crocodiles, manatees, bears, armadillos, dolphins, spoonbills...Florida's diverse array of habitats are home to a variety of wild animals.

Alligators and their relatives can be seen in captivity at the Alligator Farm in Saint Augustine, and the, which was expanded to better accommodate riverboats, is also an excellent place to see wildlife. An abundance of marinas and boat tours that exist in the cities north of Orlando have access to this river. It's lined with trees of various species, along with a variety of bird life. To see wild alligators, try Everglades National Park or Myakka River State Park, and you can see manatees at Blue Spring State Park or Weeki Wachee Springs.

in Orlando is full of Florida's most unique animal and is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the state.

Unfortunately, with all the exotic wildlife come a host of insects, especially during the May-October period. These are often encountered outdoors, especially in forested areas, during the summer and are attracted by that season's hot, humid weather, so if you visit between May and early fall, expect to encounter mosquitoes or even "lovebugs". Lovebugs, which are typically seen for just a few weeks during spring and fall, are completely harmless except for the mess they make on moving cars, and are so named because they are seen in pairs. Even more developed areas, if near forests, can attract mosquitoes.

Along with the fauna is flora in its abundance (and variety) due to the warm and wet climate.

Itineraries

 * US-1 and Interstate 10 go through the state.
 * Lake Ashby Boardwalk crosses a portion of Lake Ashby in Volusia County, Florida, before entering the rainforest.

Do
"If you can't find something to do in Florida, you're just boring"

- Guy Fieri

 * Go to the beach! You have numerous options here: Panama City Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, St. Pete Beach, West Palm Beach and Siesta Key are some of the best.
 * Visit Florida's world class theme parks and water parks.
 * Walt Disney World - The most visited resort in the world, home to four theme parks, two water parks, and shopping, dining, and hotels galore.
 * Universal Orlando - Disney World's biggest competitor, these two theme parks are home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
 * SeaWorld in Orlando and Legoland in nearby Winter Haven.
 * Busch Gardens in Tampa.
 * Visit Everglades National Park, a place like no other on Earth, and take an airboat ride through the swamps. A drive across the Everglades on US 41 is a great way to get a sense of the park's size and scenery. Check out Everglades City for great attractions.
 * Explore some of the more than 150 Florida State Parks. The only three-time winner of the National Recreation and Park Association's Gold Medal for state park systems. Get a Florida State Parks Annual Pass for free admission to most of the state parks, or discounted admission at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
 * Visit the Seminole or Miccosukee Native American reservations throughout the state. Here you can find out about their history and culture, try their food, and gamble in the casinos on their land, which include several Hard Rock Casinos.
 * Go scuba diving or snorkeling through the many coral reefs, sunken vessels, and diverse array of sea life off of Florida's coasts. The most colorful fish can be seen in the tropical waters of Miami and further south.
 * Go hiking or backpacking in the many state and national parks and forests that have nature trails suitable for hiking and camping. A particularly good option is the Florida National Scenic Trail, a network of 1400 miles (2253 km) of hiking trails throughout the state. The most popular section of the trail is the 110-mile (177-km) loop encircling Lake Okeechobee.
 * Go fishing, with some of the best fishing action in the world (both salt and freshwater). Several large and tough fighting species such as Sailfish, Tarpon, and Largemouth Bass can be found lurking in water throughout the state.
 * Take a Cruise from the Port of Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, or Cape Canaveral on longer cruises run by the likes of Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line or Disney Cruise Line. There are also short nightly casino cruises in various places.
 * View a rocket launch, which are visible from virtually anywhere in the Peninsula when skies are clear. But the best viewing is up-close from Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, Canaveral National Seashore, or Titusville.
 * Check out the Florida State Fair, held every February near Tampa. It hosts an exposition of counties, where each Florida county has a display and a representative to answer questions. In addition, the fair has animal displays and shows, an exhibition dedicated to citrus, various dance & cheerleading competitions, and a large selection of rides and games.

Eat
Florida's cuisine is a mix of many influences and its styles vary across the state from North to South. North Florida has a more Southern style; South Florida a more Caribbean one. There specifically, early Spanish and African cuisines have been given a new spin with the impact of Cuban and other Caribbean cultures, as well as from "snowbirds" escaping the Northern U.S. winters. Being on a peninsula, Florida's chefs have always had access to fresh seafood, and the long growing season provides fresh native vegetables almost year round.

 * Citrus is a main export, and a tourist is apt to see many roadside stands offering free samples of orange juice and fruits to be shipped or carried home. Florida also grows grapefruit, avocado, mango, papaya, passion fruit, kumquat, coconut and other tropical fruits. These often provide the base for sauces and marinades and are also used in marmalades, soups, and desserts. Official state welcome centers located on I-10, I-75, and I-95 as you enter Florida offer free samples of orange juice to all visitors, a tradition that goes back decades.
 * Strawberries are another popular fruit in Florida. Plant City, off I-4 east of Tampa, is the center of the Florida strawberry industry, where during the peak season (Feb-Mar) many roadside vendors offer flats (16 pints/12 lb/5.4 kg) and half-flats of strawberries for a small fraction of grocery store prices. Since most stands are owned by the individual farmers, the fruit sold was often harvested that morning or the day before. Fresh Florida strawberries are a treat no tourist should miss, at least if you visit in-season.
 * Grouper is a very popular seafood caught in Florida's coastal waters. Fresh grouper is offered in many coastal cities, where local restaurants buy it straight from fishermen, and it is often served fried or grilled on a sandwich. State inspectors have cracked down to ensure that all restaurants offering "grouper" are in fact serving grouper, and not another less expensive white fish. Snapper, snook, tarpon, marlin, and shark are other Florida fish that you can find at coastal restaurants, although they are not nearly as ubiquitous as grouper.
 * Southern food is available throughout most of North and Central Florida. Barbeque is popular throughout the state, with many small "barbeque shacks" to choose from. Any platter costing over $10 ($15 for ribs) should be avoided as the less expensive restaurants are almost always best. Sweet tea is also common throughout the state, although unlike most areas in the South, you have a choice between sweet and unsweet tea. Boiled peanuts, which taste nothing like a regular peanut, can be found at roadside vendors and are certainly worth trying. Dishes such as fried chicken, grits, okra, biscuits & gravy, and collard greens can also be found in restaurants and buffets throughout the state.
 * Cuban food is common in the Miami and Tampa areas, with the most common dishes being the Cuban sandwich, flan, and black beans & rice.
 * Local specialties, not readily available in many other locales, include alligator. It is healthy and most say it tastes like chicken, and it is often prepared like chicken nuggets. Key lime pie, found elsewhere now, is a Florida Keys invention, made from the local key limes.

Florida bans indoor smoking in restaurants, but it is allowed outdoors unless the establishment prohibits it.

Drink
Alcoholic beverages abound throughout the state. However, five rural counties in the northern third of the state are "dry counties", and no alcohol is sold in them. Stand-alone liquor stores are often built into strip malls, supermarkets, and pharmacies, and most grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores sell beer and wine. Bars and clubs are popular throughout the state, with Miami Beach being well-known for a variety of themed and upscale bars with innovative mixed drinks. Unique bars and clubs can also be found in downtown Orlando and the nearby tourist areas closer to the theme parks and resorts of Disney and Universal.

No visit to Florida is complete without a cup of their famous orange juice.

Like every other U.S. state, the purchase and possession age for alcohol is 21 and it's fairly well enforced. Underage drinking "stings" are frequent in most tourist areas. Florida allows smoking in bars, including those that serve food, but the bar must get less than 10% of their revenue from food.

Buy
Florida is increasingly becoming a major destination for shopping. The Orlando and Miami areas are home to a plethora of shopping malls, including many outlet malls home to shops selling brand-name products for discounted prices. There are also a large number of stores selling souvenirs, although most are not locally produced. The Kissimmee area near Orlando, especially, has a much larger number of retail stores than is typical of U.S. cities. While traditionally these shops catered largely to American families on vacation, most now serve foreign shoppers who flock to these malls to buy products significantly cheaper than at home. It's not uncommon at some shopping malls in Orlando to encounter tourists from around the globe, especially on weekdays when most Americans are working. In the last few years, Brazil has become the largest source of international visitors to the state, with many coming on shopping group tours and sometimes wearing matching shirts. Due to this, major shopping centers in the Orlando and Miami areas now offer services in Portuguese.

Most goods for sale in the state are subject to sales tax. In most of the state the rate is 7%, but it varies from 6-7.5% (6% state sales tax and up to 1.5% local sales tax). This rate is almost never listed on the advertised or displayed prices.

Respect
If you're using a boat or other vehicle, like a jetski, in the water, it may be necessary to significantly reduce speed in areas inhabited by manatees and/or dolphins. Fast-moving vehicles can cause harm to a manatee's respiratory system.

Misuse of recreation areas has caused record manatee deaths in 2021.

Internet
Essentially all hotels offer Wi-Fi internet access for guests, and almost always for free; some even have Ethernet ports for higher-speed wired connections. Many businesses also have free Wi-Fi. This even includes some clothing/department, grocery, and convenience stores in addition to the more typical restaurants and shopping malls. All the main airports have free Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi internet access is also available at public libraries. It's almost always free for everyone with their own device (laptop, smartphone, tablet). Computers set up for internet access by patrons require a username and password to access; nearly all libraries will issue a "guest pass" for non-cardholders, though there is occasionally a nominal fee. Use of library computers is subject to time limits which vary widely.

The large majority of "internet cafes" in the state are actually nominally illegal casinos, set up for online gambling in an attempt to circumvent gambling laws. Such internet cafes do not have typical computers for general use. Instead, they are usually enclosed in a slot machine-style cover with only a few buttons to press, and set up to only view gambling websites. Patrons pay for short periods of time, sometimes using odd methods like buying prepaid phone cards. After a high-profile crackdown on an operator of dozens of such internet cafes, the state banned the opening of all new internet cafes in 2013.

Stay safe
Dialing 911 at any telephone will reach the emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.). Any phone connected to a U.S. network, regardless of whether or not it has a paid account, must be able to dial 911 if it is connected to the network, and such calls are always free.

Crime
Florida has varying crime intensity from city to city. In certain areas of the large cities it may not be safe to walk alone or even in small groups at night, although these are the exceptions and most of Florida is safe for visitors. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. If the area doesn't feel safe, then it probably isn't.

Clip joint operators who trick visitors into paying large amounts of money for low-quality services may use local police to shake down voyagers under a Florida law that requires bar and restaurant patrons pay a disputed bill first and take it up later with their credit card company.

Weather
Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes, though they don't hit the state every year. You might want to check the hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida during the Hurricane Season, which runs June 1 to November 30.

Few places in the world experience more frequent lightning strikes than Florida. The summer thunderstorms in Florida produce frequent lightning, which kills people each year and injures many more. Stay indoors during a thunderstorm and never seek shelter under a tree. Most casualties occur on golf courses, but lightning strikes everywhere. If you must go outdoors during a storm, try to stay away from any tall object, especially trees or anything made of metal.

Occasionally, thunderstorms will bring hail, high winds, and tornadoes. While the historical number of tornadoes in Florida is somewhat high, the overwhelming majority have occurred during hurricanes (Hurricane Jeanne alone spawned over 200 tornadoes in Florida). While some do occur during winter cold fronts and summer thunderstorms, 99% of them are weak (F-0/F-1). Thus, while statistics may suggest otherwise, tornadoes are not a big hazard in Florida.

Watch where and when you swim. While the beaches are great they sometimes harbor rip currents, bacteria, and jellyfish. Always check with the lifeguard stand or ranger station before heading in if no one is in the water or if the waves are rough.

Red tide is the name for harmful algal blooms that can occur on Florida's Gulf coast. They cause fish kills and water discoloration, and release toxins into the air that cause respiratory irritation. People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, should avoid areas where red tide is occurring. Swimming in water afflicted by red tide can cause skin and eye irritation and is not recommended.

Heavy rain can make the roads dangerous. Although many highway drainage systems in Florida are well-designed by necessity, it can be almost impossible to see through your windshield during the worst rainstorms. Light and torrential rain can be a hundred feet apart, so when you hit heavy rain, it's common for vehicular traffic to slow to speeds as low as 20 mph if necessary, even on major interstates. However, there are a few drivers who ignore the protocol and drive fast anyway. Even though it's common, it's illegal to drive with hazard lights on in the rain. Use them only if you are completely stopped.

Wildlife
Alligators are a threat throughout Florida (even in inland areas like Orlando and the Walt Disney World), and it should be assumed that they are present in all stagnant or slow moving freshwater. Never swim in any lakes or rivers unless signs tell you swimming is safe, and beware when approaching the water anywhere. Do not allow children or pets to approach the water's edge.

Bears and Florida panthers, common before the arrival of Europeans in Florida, are now both endangered in the state. If you do see either, back off slowly or keep your distance, and make yourself appear larger by waving your arms above your head. When hiking, make lots of noise to avoid startling an animal, and always keep small children close to you. Both species are endangered and protected under Florida law, and harassing or injuring one (even in a vehicle accident) will result in prosecution.

Volusia County is known for a high number of shark attacks, but they can occur anywhere in the state, so be careful when surfing. Even so, the number of attacks are less than 50, with a fatal attack every 2-3 years, amongst millions of visitors and residents who swim in the ocean. Swimming near dusk and dawn is the most hazardous.

Lionfish are a poisonous and invasive fish that are now present on reefs throughout Florida. They can be identified by their red-and white striped bodies and poisonous spines. Stings are extremely painful and often require hospitalization. Due to their status as an invasive species, any sighting of lionfish should be reported to wildlife management authorities immediately.

Jellyfish are also sometimes common at the beaches, and venomous snakes can be found year round across the state, so it is good to be wary of both.

Consulates
A large number of countries have consulates in and around Miami, with a much smaller number in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. Full listings for these consulates and honorary consulates are in the articles for the cities where they are located. Always call ahead to determine if the consulate offers the services you require, such as passports, visas, and other official documents, as these services are increasingly being centralized at other locations. Some websites are available only in Spanish.

Go next

 * Georgia - Heading out of Florida to the north is Georgia, with the historic city of Savannah and the resort beaches of Jekyll Island close by.
 * Alabama - North of the Panhandle is Alabama, with the historic port of Mobile and popular resort town Gulf Shores a short drive away from this region of Florida.
 * Caribbean - The islands of the Caribbean are accessible by boat and plane from across Florida and offer a variety of both relaxing and adventure travel amidst a tropical paradise. For those interested in visiting the Bahamas, many owners of small boats will make the day-long trip to the island chain, and several small airlines offer flights for under $70 each way.

title: Florida


text:
Florida (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Florida:

Argentina

 * A neighborhood of the Vicente López Partido, Buenos Aires

Cuba

 * Florida (Cuba) - a city in Camaguey (province)

United States of America

 * Florida - "The Sunshine State"
 * Florida (Massachusetts) - a town in Massachusetts
 * Florida (Puerto Rico) - a town in Puerto Rico

Uruguay

 * Florida (Uruguay), a city in the department of the same name

title: Florida (disambiguation)


text:
Florida (Massachusetts)

Florida is a small town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

Understand
The town of Florida is one of the least populated Towns in all of Massachusetts. As such Florida does not have any restaurants,Gas Stations, Bars, Our much of anything in the way of businesses. Most of the businesses a traveler would look for in that case will be found in the neighboring city of North Adams. Route 2 (The Mohawk Trail) is the only main road in town, because of this most of the towns population is concentrated along this route.

History
Most of what is now Florida was originally a grant to the town of Bernardston, Massachusetts made sometime before 1771. The town was first settled around 1783 by Dr. Daniel Nelson. The town was incorporated and named "Florida" in 1805.

Get in

 * Florida is located on the Mohawk Trail (Route 2) east of North Adams.

Get around
The only way to get around Florida is by car our by Foot. There is no public transportation into or out of the town.

See

 * Hoosic.jpg East portal of Hoosac Tunnel, January 2005.jpg

Sleep

 * For more hotels and motels look to North Adams.

title: Florida (Massachusetts)


text:
Florida City

Florida City is a city in Florida. It is one of the southernmost cities in the contiguous 48.

By plane
Miami International Airport in Miami.

By car
US Route 1 (South Dixie Highway), the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) and Route 997 all run right through Florida City.

Eat
Many national chain restaurants are available for quick burgers, pizza and so forth, also:

Go next
Biscayne National Park is right nearby.

title: Florida City