Nicknamed the Sunshine State, it's true when they say summer (and adventures) never really end in Florida.

From world-famous theme parks and exhilarating sporting events to tropical islands and city streets filled with Latin and Caribbean sights, sounds and smells, Florida has it all. Follow your Intrepid leader as you wander the vibrant streets of Little Havana using all five senses as your compass. Zip through Everglades National Park on an airboat in search of alligators and manatees. Or eat and drink your way through the historic Española Way. More adventures are waiting for you off the mainland in the Florida Keys, from kayaking in coastal mangrove forests to exploring colourful coral reefs and uncovering the history of Key West. 

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Highlights of Florida

A Cuban sandwich from a shop in Little Havana, Miami

Discover the culture of Little Havana

Little Havana is the cultural heart of Miami's Cuban community. Go on a behind-the-scenes tour with a local guide to discover the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this vibrant neighbourhood. Start your day at a local cafe with a strong Cuban coffee, tuck into empanadas and pastelitos for lunch, tour a working cigar factory, or simply wander the streets to see beautiful Art Deco architecture and colourful graffiti. When the sun goes down, swap the coffee for a rum on the rocks to the rhythm of Latino beats. 

A traveller taking a photo of mangroves in Everglades National Park

Search for wildlife in Everglades National Park

Hop aboard an airboat, strap on your lifejacket and get ready to discover Everglades National Park, the USA’s largest sub-tropical wilderness. Feel the breeze on your skin as you whizz through luscious coastal mangroves, vast marshes and swampy cypress domes (forested wetlands) while on the lookout for unique flora and fauna. If you're lucky (and you can only say this from the safety of a boat!) you might spot one of the larger residents in the Everglades including alligators, crocodiles and manatees.

A person kayaking in Key Largo

Kayak around Key Largo

When you’re lounging on a beach in Key Largo, you might be mistaken to think you're on some paradise island in the Caribbean. Jump in a kayak to get a different perspective of Key Largo and other nearby islands as you paddle all the way down to Marathon Key. You'll dodge low hanging branches as you glide through thick mangrove forests and learn about the ecosystem. Keep a lookout for stingrays, sea turtles, barracuda, nurse sharks and manatees in the crystal clear shallows.  

Colourful architecture in Key West, Florida

Uncover the history of Key West

You wouldn’t suspect it now, but Key West has a fascinating history and was once a hotspot for pirates, smugglers and poachers. Uncover the secrets and stories of the island and explore historic buildings like the former residence of American writer, Ernest Hemingway or the Little White House – where former President Harry. S Truman spent his winters. Wrap up a day of walking with a favourite Key West tradition: an Original Sloppy Joe Sandwich and a Sloppy Rita (Hornitos Resposado Tequila, Gran Gala, sour, orange juice and club soda). 

A sailing ship in the waters surrounding Key West at sunset

Sail around Key West at sunset

No trip to the Florida Keys is complete without experiencing a Key West sunset – they’re not famous for no reason! Surely there’s no better way to soak up the last bit of sun than from a sailing boat. Cruise into the open ocean and feel the cool ocean breeze on your skin before anchoring in a prime spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Pair this with a cold beverage, good company and the soundtrack of waves lapping against the boat, and you have yourself an unforgettable evening. 

Colourful graffiti murals at Wynwood Walls in Miami

See the street art of Wynwood Walls

Wynwood Walls was established in 2009 by artistic legend, Tony Goldman. Journey through this immersive open-air installation museum to marvel at large-scale street art and learn about the stories behind each piece. The walls and alleyway galleries are plastered with spectacular graffiti by some of the world’s most famous street artists. If you’re hungry for more art, there are plenty of murals, mosaics and hidden art installations to discover in the streets of downtown Miami. 

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Florida FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

If you’re travelling to Florida from other states or overseas, the main airports are Orlando, Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville. These airports are serviced by most major commercial US airlines. Orlando and Miami have regular flights from the UK and Europe. You may also be able to take a train interstate with companies like Amtrak and Brightline, depending on where you’re coming from. 

If you're driving to Florida, you can take one of three interstate highways: I-95 or I-75 from the north, and the I-10 from the west. 

Mainland Florida is well connected and easy to get around by car or public transport. Bus companies like Megabus and Greyhound offer daily services to popular cities around Florida including Orlando, Miami and West Palm Beach. It’s an affordable and comfortable way to get around.

If you’re planning on travelling in the north and south or to the Florida Keys archipelago, you might be better off renting a car if you're not travelling as part of a tour. Although there are good public transport networks, having a car allows you to travel around with ease and you won't have to rely on buses or trains. 

Learn more about how to get to the Florida Keys

Northern parts of Florida such as Jacksonville and Tallahassee have a temperate climate with seasonal weather variation, including below-freezing temperatures and a chance of snow in winter. Central and southern areas like Miami and the Florida Keys have a tropical maritime climate and only two seasons: wet (summer/fall) and dry (winter/spring). Florida summers are generally very hot and humid with daily highs often reaching the mid-90s (°F). 

The wet season is hot and human with average daytime highs hovering around 91 °F. Thunderstorms are common, as well as the occasional hurricane, between June and September when it’s particularly muggy. The dry season starts in December through May; it's dry and sunny throughout most parts of the state with daytime highs averaging a pleasant 75°F (24°C) in the south, and a cooler 64°F (18°C) in the north

Learn more about the weather in Florida

Because of its sub-tropical climate, you can have an amazing vacation in Florida any time of year. March to August is the busiest time of year, especially down south around Miami when throngs of students head down for spring break. Theme parks are also packed during summer. If you don’t handle the heat too well, avoid going between June and September as this is when it’s most humid. Hurricane season peaks from mid-August to mid-October. 

The low season is from October to January and it’s much easier, and often cheaper, to book accommodation and tours. The coldest months are November through January, and although it’s never freezing, if you want to make the most of Florida’s beaches and turquoise waters, the warmer months may be best. February, March and September are the shoulder seasons when you have a good balance between weather and smaller crowds.

There is so much to see and do in Florida including attending these epic and fun-filled annual events: 

  • Florida Folk Festival 
  • Miami F1 Grand Prix 
  • Winterfest Boat Parade 
  • Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival 
  • Sugar Sand Festival

What to pack for Florida really depends on the type of vacation you want to have.  Weather-wise, summer in Florida is hot, wet and humid so pack plenty of t-shirts, shorts, skirts and tank tops, as well as a lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho. Winter is mild so pack similar items, plus a couple of warm layers such as jeans or sweat pants and a sweater for when the temperature drops in the evening. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll want to bring a comfy pair of shoes to explore on foot, a bathing suit, a day pack and a reusable water bottle.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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