Florida FAQs

Find out all you need to know about visiting Florida.

When is the best time to visit Florida?

The best time to visit Florida is from November to early May with the clearest skies, most sunshine and comfortable temperatures averaging 17-28°C in south Florida. Christmas, spring break and Easter are always very busy tourist periods. June to September is the hottest, rainiest period with temperatures over 30°C, often oppressive humidity with regular storms and overcast conditions. This is the worst time of year to visit Miami and southern Florida. August to October is peak hurricane season with windy conditions and occasional strong storms. Note that temperatures vary considerably between the south and the north. As far north as Tampa and St Augustine, temperatures can dip down to just 10°C December to February so it’s too cold for beach holidays. The best time to visit the central and northern Florida coast is October-November and March-May, while the southern resorts closer to Miami are usually warm throughout the year.

What is the official language of Florida?

English is widely spoken in Florida, while Spanish is also widely spoken in parts of Miami and southern Florida.

How do I manage my travel money in Florida?

The official currency of the USA is the United States dollar (USD). Cash, credit, and debit cards are widely accepted, and cash machines are easy to access.

What places combine well with Florida?

Florida can be combined with Georgia and Alabama to the north. Florida also makes a good stopover en route to Latin America and the Caribbean.

What are the main cultural events in Florida?

Miami has a busy events calendar, especially from November to April when the climate is best. South Beach hosts a jazz festival in January and a large wine and food festival in February. Key Biscayne hosts the huge Miami International Boat Show in February, and in March, Calle Ocho Music Festival is the USA’s biggest Latino celebration, staged in Little Havana.

Key West hosts many festivals – Mile O Fest music festival and Key West Food and Wine Festival in January, while Hemingway Days celebrates the famous author in July. Key Lime Festival in July and Key West Lobsterfest in August are two of the best food festivals, while Fantasy Fest is a wild 10-day street party in October.

On the west coast, Naples has a wine festival in January, and Tampa has an entertaining pirate festival in January, followed by a large music festival in February. Fort Lauderdale holds its Tortuga Music Festival in April and Winterfest Boat Parade in December. On the east coast, Jacksonville has a jazz festival in May and a Thanksgiving light show in November, while St Augustine hosts a big music festival in September.