You are not too far from the beach.
No matter where you are in Florida, you’re never more than sixty miles away from the nearest beach. 

Not all of its water is salty.
There are plenty of freshwater spots to enjoy and explore when the temps soar. There are rivers teeming with wildlife and springs for cooling off and diving. Local favorites include the Rainbow River, Ichetucknee Springs, and Devil’s Den.

Tourist towns still offer gems.
Despite the kitsch and corporations vying for your tourists, there are plenty of great spots doing their own thing. Take the time to research your Florida destination before you go to seek out the cool local spots. Skip the chain restaurants, department stores, and tacky souvenir shops and discover the real Florida.

Sunpass.
Planning on driving while in Florida? to get just about anywhere in the state you’ll need to drive. If you plan on visiting any of the major metropolitan areas, we recommend getting a Sunpass. Many of the toll booths are being converted to bill-by-plate, which means that, unless you have a compatible toll pass, you’ll receive a bill in the mail for your tolls plus an administrative fee.

Set your watch to the afternoon storms.
At 3 or 4 in the afternoon, daily summer storms roll in and clear out in under an hour. Non-locals take the first drop as a sign to leave, but Floridians know to take this opportunity to find a bar nearby to wait it out. Keep an umbrella handy when heading out for the afternoon, and you’ll be dry before dinner.

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”
If it’s your first time visiting the southeastern U.S. and you’re visiting between March and October, you’ll finally learn what this phrase truly means. The humidity makes the air downright swampy, and every Floridian has their own favorite descriptor for the air. To counteract the heat, every home or business you enter will have the A/C blasting on max; even in August, you’ll need a sweater indoors.

Bugs.
They are worst in the early morning and evening, and at any time near standing water. Pack the bug spray, or risk becoming a feast.

High summer prices.
Florida is a popular destination for families, prices can soar during the summer months when kids are out of school. If you can, we recommend visiting in milder months like March, April, and late October, when the weather is warm but not brutally-hot. You’ll feel more comfortable, save money, and be surrounded by fewer people. There´s no state income tax because it’s not the tourist season.