Florida — The Sunshine State
Florida Travel Guide
Florida, known as "The Sunshine State" and immortalised in countless films like Miami Vice in the 1980s, is a state in the southeast of the United States of America.
Florida is a Spanish word meaning el campo que florece, which translates as: The Land of Flowers. The state animal is the Florida Panther. The capital of Florida is Tallahassee.
Location:
Florida consists of the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys and the mainland section known as the Panhandle, and is situated in the southeast of the USA. The Atlantic Ocean lies along the east coast, while the Gulf of Mexicoborders the west and south coasts.
At its southernmost tip, the state of Florida features a chain of islands called the "Keys". The most famous are the Florida Keys, connected by 42 bridges. At the end of this island chain lies Key West — just 140 kilometres from Cuba. Key West is also home to the southernmost point of the continental USA.
Welcome to our Florida travel guide.
History of Florida
- The Spanish first landed on the peninsula in 1513, after which it became a Spanish colony named Florida.
- Spain claimed both the peninsula and the northern mainland territories from 1565 to 1763, and again from 1784 to 1821.
- On 22 February 1819, the Adams–Onís Treaty was signed between the United States and Spain and entered into force on 10 July 1821. Under the terms of the treaty, the USA received the territories of Florida in exchange for renouncing all claims to Texas.
Weather & Climate in Florida
Florida is divided into two climate zones:
The northwestern region has a humid subtropical climate, while the rest of the state is humid tropical. Between June and November, Florida is frequently hit by severe tropical storms and hurricanes. Winters are warm, with temperatures around 25°C. Snow is virtually unknown in Florida.
Getting There & Transportation
There is a wide range of charter and scheduled flights to Florida. Major cities such as Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Orlando are served by direct flights from Europe. You can compare hotel prices directly at booking.com.
To explore Florida's stunning landscapes, we strongly recommend renting a car. It's best to arrange this from home, as insurance cover in the event of an accident tends to be higher when booked in advance. To drive in the USA you must be at least 21 years old.
Always observe posted speed limits. Avoid parking in disabled bays or no-parking zones. If you do receive a ticket for illegal parking, speeding or a similar offence, make sure to pay it promptly — ignoring fines can cause complications on future trips to the USA.
Important note: American police officers expect drivers they have pulled over to remain in the vehicle, wind down the window and keep both hands visibly on the steering wheel.
Entry Requirements for the USA, Vaccinations & Practical Info
German citizens participate in the US Visa Waiver Program and may therefore enter the USA as tourists, business travellers or in transit for up to ninety days without a visa, provided they:
- hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the duration of the trip
- travel with a regular airline or shipping company
- can present a return or onward ticket
- hold an electronic travel authorisation ("Electronic System for Travel Authorization" — ESTA). Information is available at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Entry by land from Canada or Mexico is also possible under the Visa Waiver Program. In these cases there is no requirement to present a return or onward ticket or an electronic travel authorisation.
Enhanced security measures apply to all flights to the USA. Travellers should allow at least 3 hours before departure to complete all checks in time. Check with your airline in advance which items are permitted in carry-on luggage. Airlines require the following details for issuing flight tickets and boarding passes: full name (including all given names as they appear in your passport), date of birth and gender.
Since 1 January 2003, the checked baggage of all airline passengers has been X-rayed. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises travellers not to lock their suitcases, so that secondary inspections can be carried out. The TSA has the right to open all items of baggage.
Since 5 March 2003, European airlines have been legally required to provide US immigration authorities with flight and reservation data for their passengers. In addition to this reservation data, since October 2005 passengers have been required to provide, upon entry, the address (street name and number, city, state, zip code) at which they will be staying during their time in the USA (for round trips, the first address applies). Travellers who refuse to provide an address may be denied entry.
Since 30 September 2004, new entry regulations have been in force. At the port of entry — whether airport or seaport — fingerprints are digitally scanned and a digital portrait photograph is taken from every traveller, including those who do not require a visa.
Vaccinations:
Standard vaccinations should be reviewed and updated before travelling.
In the USA, medical care, hygiene standards and access to medication are generally not a problem. However, do not underestimate the large distances that may need to be covered to reach the nearest hospital. Medical treatment is expensive and always requires upfront or direct payment. Taking out travel health insurance before departure is strongly recommended, as is having a reliable credit card.
