Florida, the "Sunshine State", is located on
a large peninsula at the southern extremity of the eastern coast
of the United States. It is just over 1000 miles south of New York
City. This flat sandy spit of land is approximately 100 miles wide
by 400 miles long. It is blessed with a very hospitable semi-tropical
climate and has over a thousand miles of ocean shoreline with many
hundreds of miles of white sand beaches.
Florida Climate
Florida has a semi-tropical climate. It becomes oppressively hot
and humid during the months of June through August. Expect temperatures
to exceed 90 degrees F (32 C) and humidity to hover near 100 percent.
The most pleasant weather is usually found during winter months
between December and March when temperatures are more likely around
75 degrees (25 C) and the humidity becomes bearable.
It rains nearly every day in most months (perhaps less during the
winter), but the showers are generally short and the sun usually
quickly reappears. Hurricane season lasts from August through late
October. During these months, fierce tropical storms can bring dangerously
high winds and inundating rainfalls.
Florida is the sunshine state and also the Thunderstorm and Lightning
State. Due to the abundance of warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico
and the hot tropical sun, conditions are perfect for the formation
of thunderstorms. Every year, many injuries and fatalities are caused
by lightning strikes on Florida golf courses and
beaches.
Nature has not endowed Florida with many mountains, rolling hills
or panoramic vistas, as its terrain is rather flat. But it has gorgeous
white sand beaches and blue lagoons lined with palm trees and tropical
flora.
Florida Travel Tips
Air
Travel is a necessity in the USA
Air Travel is frequently the most practical method of covering the
large distances between sights in the USA. It is the fastest, the
most convenient and frequently the most economical means of transportation.
Trains are not a good choice
in the US
Trains are not as popular in the USA as they are in many other countries.
They are an acceptable choice only for short or medium distance
travel in certain areas. In many major cities, commuter trains provide
good passenger service from suburban communities to the downtown
metropolitan centers. The East Coast corridor from Boston to Washington
DC through New York City and Philadelphia is well serviced by the
high speed Metroliner. In other parts of the US, train service may
be infrequent or even non-existent.
Busses
are an economical option
Bus transportation is a great option for urban or suburban transit,
but bus service can be very limited in rural areas. The
Greyhound Bus line offers inter-city and transcontinental
bus service. It can be an inexpensive alternative to other forms
of travel if you are willing to put up with the discomfort of long
rides with minimum comforts.
Cars are almost a necessity
In many parts of the USA where public transportation is inadequate
or non-existent, a car is a practical necessity. In most large cities,
the major shopping centers and sports or entertainment facilities
are usually located in the suburban communities far from the metropolitan
center. Without a vehicle, sightseeing, shopping and touring can
be very inconvenient.
Hitchhiking
is not permitted in most states
Hitchhiking is illegal in many states. You may occasionally see
a person trying to "hitch a ride" along an interstate
or at the entry to a toll road, but they are often risking a fine
if apprehended by a police patrol.
Bicycles
are a good way to see the USA
If you have enough time, you can bicycle across parts of the USA
and enjoy the scenery. Just remember that bicycles are not as common
in the US as they are in many other countries, so car and truck
drivers are not as accustomed to bicyclist on the roads. Be cautious!
Bicycles are banned from the freeways and interstate highways, but
are permitted on all other roads. Many cities and towns have off-road
bicycle paths and trails.
USA Visa
The US State Department administers
all US visas
A United States embassy or consulate in your home country is
the best place to get complete and accurate information about visas.
Another good source of information can be found on the web pages
maintained by the US State Department. We will try to explain the
basic information here, but the rules are complex and continuously
changing, so you should not use us as your final source of information.
There are many types of visas
Visas generally fall into one of three categories. Visitor visas,
also known as tourist visas, are the easiest to obtain. They permit
the recipient to visit the USA for up to three months, but do not
permit the visitor to work in the USA. Temporary employment visas
are severely restricted and thus more difficult to get. They permit
the holder to work in the USA for a set period of time usually between
six months and five years. Immigration visas allow the recipient
to permanently live in the USA, to work in the USA and to enjoy
most of the privileges of citizenship. Depending on the individual
circumstances, Immigration visas can often be difficult or even
impossible to get.
No visa required for some tourists
Most tourists and business travelers to the USA will require
no visa or a simple visitor visa. The State Department currently
allows residents of 26 countries to enter the USA without a visitor
visa under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. If you hold a valid passport
of one of the following countries and wish to visit for 90 days
or less, you are not required to obtain a visitor visa: Andorra,
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
How to get a visitor visa
If you permanently reside in any other country or plan on staying
more than 90 days, you must get a visitor visa before entering the
USA. You must apply for the visa at a US embassy or consulate in
your home country. You will be required to show evidence that you
maintain a permanent residence or have strong ties in your home
country. Such evidence could include ownership of property or a
business in your home country, family ties, a permanent career,
a letter from a US resident assuming responsibility or other factors
that indicate that you will return to your home country within 90
days. You must present sufficient evidence to convince the examining
officer at the US embassy that you will return to your home country.
The Disney Corporation is one of the largest employers of cultural
exchange students in the USA. Au pair jobs are available through
a number of temporary employment agencies overseas.
Temporary
employment visas
There are many categories of temporary employment visas that apply
to a wide variety of circumstances. They cover executives transferred
from overseas offices, specialty occupations, seasonal agricultural
workers, entertainers, artists, teachers, religious workers, certain
trainees and cultural exchange workers. If you have special job
skills or you are a famous entertainer or artist, you will probably
have little trouble obtaining a temporary employment visa. Otherwise,
you may find it difficult to obtain an employment visa.
Working while touring the US
Young people often ask us about the possibilities of working in
the USA while touring the country. The best possibilities are in
the student visa or cultural exchange programs. Student visas (J-visas)
are available to students that are accepted into an approved educational
program in the USA. They do not automatically allow employment but
many work-study provisions are available. Cultural exchange visas
(Q-visas) include temporary employment in the USA, but you must
have a job with an approved cultural exchange employer before you
apply for the visa.
Safe Tips in The States
The USA is not a dangerous place
Forget what you saw in the movies. You are safe in the USA. Learning
a little about our cultural differences is the only "weapon"
you'll need for trouble-free travel. Despite the news reports about
tourist troubles on Florida highways and the availability of handguns,
the United States is a relatively safe place. Remember: the "horror
stories" make interesting news because they are unusual events.
The typical crime victim in the USA is not a sweet little grandmother
or a European tourist. Most crime victims are single, unemployed,
young men. Members of their own families usually kill murder victims.
Our gun crimes scare people. Some people even avoid a trip to the
USA for fear of a bullet. Don't worry, you will find little danger.
All cities have "good" and "bad" areas. Talk
to locals to get an idea of where the "bad" areas are
located and avoid them especially at night. "Drive-by"
shootings only occur in the neighborhoods full of gang conflicts.
Most Americans have never seen a shooting except in the movies.
Some precautions when driving in the
US
You can take a few precautions. Remember that the USA is a car-dependent
country. Public transportation outside of large cities is non-existent
or unreliable. You should rent a cell telephone for your travels.
Call 911 for the police and emergencies services anywhere in the
USA. If you have no cell phone, carry a large sign that says, "Call
Police-Send help" in case of a breakdown. Remember to lock
your car doors, store valuables in the trunk, and do not stop for
strangers. Police officers who stop drivers for traffic violations
will always be in a marked police car and will be in uniform.
Carjacking and Bump and Rob attacks
are rare
You should be careful about a "bump and rob" attack. Although
it is rare, some criminals steal cars and valuables by bumping a
target car. When the driver gets out to assess the damage and exchange
information, the thief and his companions rob the victim. If you
are bumped by another car, pull into a well-lit area with other
people around before getting out. If you are uncomfortable with
the situation, call 911 on your mobile phone.
Carjacking tends to be a crime of opportunity. Don't give criminals
a chance. Keep your car doors locked and don't drive in bad neighborhoods
late at night. Check your maps before setting out. Carjackers look
for cars which slow down or stop to ask directions. It is best to
park in well-lit, heavily traveled areas. Always check with local
residents to find out which parts of town are unsafe.
Some
caution for single women travelers
Attitudes toward women in the USA are different from customs in
some other countries. Women entering a bar or even a restaurant
or café alone can be perceived as "looking for company."
Women alone, or even in pairs, may wish to avoid places that have
a mostly male crowd. If a place makes you uncomfortable - leave!
Florida Attractions
White
Sand Beaches
There are a lot of beaches to choose from in Florida. The state
is surrounded by ocean on three sides and has over 800 miles of
beach front with thousands of miles of additional shoreline on the
many bays and inlets. As is common along most of the eastern coast
of the US, the Florida beaches are usually located on long narrow
islands or sand bars separated from the mainland by back bays or
salt water marshes. The beaches are usually accessible via long
bridges or causeways.
It would be impractical to describe every beach in Florida, so we
will limit this page to some general descriptions. The beaches can
be categorized into three general locations: the Atlantic beaches,
the Gulf Coast beaches and the Florida Keys.
The Atlantic Coast beaches on the eastern shores of the state offer
the best surf and attract the most tourists. Miami, Fort Lauderdale,
Palm Beach, Daytona and Jacksonville are the most popular. They
offer high rise hotels, nightspots, and plenty of tourist diversions.
If you seek excitement, entertainment and nightlife these are good
beaches for you. If you want more sedate accommodations, you might
prefer Cocoa beach or the Saint Augustine area.
The Gulf Coast beaches on the western coast offer warmer, calmer
waters and great sunsets. Clearwater beach, just outside the Tampa
- Saint Petersburg area, is the only highly commercialized beach
on the Gulf coast. The remaining beaches tend to attract more full
time residents and "snow birds" or visitors seeking to
escape the usual tourist crowds.
The Florida keys, as they call the archipelago of tropical isles
that stretch more than a hundred miles south of Florida into the
Gulf of Mexico, offer some unique beaches. They are extremely shallow
with rough coral bottoms and calm crystal clear water. It is possible
to wade out hundreds of meters from shore in the shallow waters
and watch the colorful fishes swim around your feet. Snorkeling
and fishing are the favorite activities in the keys.
Silver
Springs Florida
Silver Springs is a hidden treasure in north central Florida that
is usually missed by most tourists. It is located near Ocala, Florida
just 75 miles (120 km) north of Orlando. Located at the headwaters
of the Silver river, the springs gush nearly 550 million gallons
(over 2,000 million liters) of crystal clear water every day creating
the largest natural artesian spring formation in the world. The
waters of Silver Springs and the nearby Silver River are so transparent
that this has become a favorite location for the filming of underwater
scenes in many movies and television shows.
You can visit Silver Springs and view the underwater creatures in
a glass-bottomed boat, take a jungle cruise, visit the wildlife
park, petting zoo and alligator farm. You can stroll through the
botanical gardens, watch an animal show and listen to a concert.
The price of admission is about $30 for the whole day including
all features. The park is open 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM every day
of the year. This is great entertainment for the whole family.
Florida Activities
Spring
Break
Every year around the middle of March, the colleges and universities
across the United States close for a week and provide their students
with a short vacation known as "Spring break". Hundreds
of thousands students flock to Fort Lauderdale and several other
Florida beaches for the annual "Spring break" parties.
For several weeks, it resembles Carnival on the beach. The bars,
beaches and the streets fill with thousands of revelers celebrating
around-the clock parties.
If you are planning a quiet family vacation on the beach, then be
sure to avoid Fort Lauderdale, Daytona and Panama City during mid
March. On the other hand, if you are young, single and looking for
some wild excitement that is the place to go.
An archipelago of thousands of small islands, known as "the
keys" stretch along coral reefs over 150 miles below the southern
tip of Florida. It is possible to drive "over the ocean"
on 42 bridges and causeways connecting the keys until you reach
Key West 119 mile out on the Gulf of Mexico.
Over 1000 square miles of swampy grassland, known as the Everglades,
cover the lower tip of the peninsula. It is teeming with tropical
birds, animals and fishes.
Florida Sport Fishing
Sports or recreational fishing is popular throughout the United
States but nowhere are the opportunities so great as in Florida.
The hundreds of miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and the
Gulf of Mexico plus the myriad of bays, inlets and marshes provide
countless possibilities for salt-water fishing.
The thousands of inland streams, rivers and lakes provide a similar
array of fresh-water fishing opportunities. Everywhere you go in
Florida, you see men women and children dangling fishing lines off
the sides of bridges, piers, causeways and river banks. Charter
fishing boats are available in nearly every coastal town and on
many inland lakes and rivers. Unless you are fishing on a licensed
charter fishing boat or from a licensed fishing pier, you will need
a Florida fishing license. Non-residents can purchase a 3-day fishing
license for $7 or a 7-day license for $17. Separate licenses are
required for salt-water or fresh-water fishing. You can purchase
licenses at most fishing tackle stores.
Charter fishing boats are a great way to experience a fishing adventure
in Florida. You won't need fishing gear, bait or a license. Just
go and have fun!
Large charter boats take 100 or more anglers out into the Atlantic
or Gulf of Mexico from many harbors. They usually depart at 8AM
for either four-hour or eight-hour trips. Some boats also depart
at 1PM for afternoon four-hour trips.
It costs about $25 for the half-day trip and $40 for the eight hours.
Fishing tackle and bait are supplied. Take plenty of sun blocker!
The crew stores your catch on ice and cleans the fish upon return
to the dock. Often, a nearby restaurant will cook your fresh fish
and supply the side dishes for a modest fee. |
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