Tips for Travelers

Visas and Officialdom

Entering the United States: Non–U.S. citizens will need the following to enter the country:

• a valid passport (make sure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your travel date)

• a valid visa or visa waiver (check with the U.S. embassy or consulate to find out if your country is one of the 27 with whom the United States has a reciprocal agreement on visa waivers; otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa in advance at your local U.S. embassy or consulate)

• a return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to support yourself while in the United States

Contact the U.S. embassy in your country for further details, as enforcement of restrictions has tightened up considerably since September 11, 2001. You can also consult the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services online at www.uscis.gov [1].

Entering Florida: The primary restriction on entering Florida [2] from Georgia or Alabama is that the import of nonnative produce, livestock, and plants is tightly monitored. If you have any of those items in your vehicle, you need to check in at the Agricultural Inspection Station at the state line.

Access for Travelers with Disabilities

Along with California, Florida is one of the leaders in making public places accessible to people with disabilities. Even the beaches and nature trails have wheelchair access, and visitors who are hearing-impaired or blind will find that most of the major attractions have the technology to make them not only accessible but enjoyable. Although there may be some locations that are less accessible than others, particularly some historic buildings, by and large, travelers with disabilities will find Florida both accommodating and welcoming.

Traveling with Children

At its core, Florida [2] is a family-friendly destination. Although there are numerous opportunities for adults to indulge themselves in grown-up activities and sophisticated pursuits, every major city in Florida has at least a few attractions expressly designed to capture the interest of children. Most hotels—especially those in Central Florida and the Atlantic and Panhandle beaches—have lodgings designed with families in mind, ranging from multibed suites to full apartment-style lodging. Kids’ menus are commonplace in all but the most upscale restaurants. The only places where children aren’t accommodated or allowed are in some small romantic lodgings in the Keys.

Women Traveling Alone

Women traveling alone in Florida should exercise the same caution they would in any major city. With the exception of some bars during spring break or some of the more decadent aspects of Bike Week, women should feel comfortable traveling anywhere in the state.

Senior Travelers

Not surprisingly, Florida is among the most prepared states in the country when it comes to the needs of senior travelers. Some destinations like Naples [3] and Miami Beach [4] seem to have been expressly designed for them. Almost every attraction and hotel offers discounted rates for senior citizens, and Florida’s sizable population of retirees guarantees that activities and dining options designed for older visitors are available widely.

Gay and Lesbian Travelers

Fort Lauderdale, Key West [5], and South Beach [6] are some of Florida [2]’s most noted gay and lesbian travel destinations, and there are dozens of gay-owned and gay-friendly hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs in each of those cities. As a rule, Florida is generally quite tolerant, and with the exception of rural areas and parts of the Panhandle, gays and lesbians should encounter very few problems.

The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association or IGLTA (800/448-8550, www.iglta.org [7]) is a great resource for information on gay- and lesbian-friendly accommodations and businesses around the world, and maintains an online-accessible database.