Going to Florida end of February/ beginning of March. TIPS PLEASE?

I've never been before: we're planning on flying into Miami renting a car and going from there. Our trip must include Key West. I'm coming from Sweden so i'm looking for some sun! Any tips and restaurants, hotels and just transportation tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks!Going to Florida end of February/ beginning of March. TIPS PLEASE?
If you're renting a car be prepared to spend money. The valet parking in Miami hotels starts at $25 and can go as high as $35-$40. Just wanted to let you know so youre not surprised. Depending on how you feel and whom you're traveling with... why not save your money an use the cab and bus systems. You will save so much money using these. Instead of 25 per day, you will spend that much every two or three days just using the cabs and even less on the buses.



As far as beaches... it depends on what you're looking to get into. For a family oriented type of feel, go to Miami Beach. Miami Beach is very touristy as it is along the major hotel strip. If you would like to be with the beautiful people... hit South Beach. South Beach has more of a young feel, but it is still somewhat touristy. If you're going in March prepare to be alongside the college kids, and the majority of 20 somethings. Or... if you're feeling adventurous... try Haulover Beach. This is the nude beach... there are more locals than tourists but Miami in general is always going to have a large population of tourists.



For hotels... again it depends on budget and how many people. Try tripadvisor.com to see the traveler's opinions of the hotels in Miami, and also the restaurants.



I am not familiar with key west, but when you choose a hotel as the concierge about day trips to these places.



I am going to Miami in April and can't wait!!! Have fun!
just to make it fun....since Miami- Key West is one and only one high way . (i made this a couple of time ) go from Miami to Key West stopping in every beach-hotel-restaurant down the road .the last time I made it in three days. but one regular driving is about two hours.
everything is fantastic. till Key West .including Key West
once in Key West .I highly recommend the boat shuttle to dry Tortuga's for snorkeling

I am from Miami, been there done that.
full fuel Your car's tank to Key West and full fuel Your car's tank on Key West for Your drive Back .Going to Florida end of February/ beginning of March. TIPS PLEASE?
its very simple ..and easy to drive in the states ..though you might find the traffic a bit slow ....out of miami ..left to key largo ...make sure you stop and have a trip on the african queen ..then just head south ...great trip ..islands and bridges all interlinked ...key west is well worth the effort ...when you go back ..carry on up coast ..go to the space centre ..then cocoa beach ..up to daytona beach ..then head to orlando ...over to the gulf side ..sarasotta is great ..then head south ..work you way back via alligator alley to miami ....you will encounter 4 way stops ..they go ..you go ...one at a time ....there are no roundabouts !!!!!..and if you are at traffic lights and you want to turn right and the light is on red ..providing no traffic is coming or its signed no turn on red ..then you can ...and dont stop on a main road to ask directions ..pull off of road ...AND KEEP ALL DOORS LOCKED AT ALL TIMES ..PARKED OR DRIVING ..YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
GO SCUBA DIVING !!! go see some crocodiles and alligators :) you can also drive to disney world in orlando , its like a 3 hour drive but WORTH IT even if your an adult :)
bring an umberella - it might not rain much in sunny florida but when i went we got caught up in the rain and when it rains in florida it rains alot!

poppy x
The very southern part of Florida may be warm enough to sunbathe on the beach but it will probably be too cool to swim in the ocean. Northern Florida can be quite chilly in February (Pensacola is almost 1000 kilometers north of Key West, and is more than 1200 kilometers by road). It will still be much, much warmer and sunnier than Sweden during winter.



First tip: Collect your rental car the morning after you fly to Miami. You will be jet-lagged plus possibly worse on arrival and it will be late afternoon by the time you get to your hotel.



The highway system is very well developed. A few roads and bridges have a toll so keep some small bills %26amp; coins available to pay them.



This is a website for British on holiday in Florida. They of course drive on the left at home so renting a car in the USA (or Sweden) is more of a challenge than it will be for you.



Second: Make certain the rental car is fully insured. This is true for anyone renting a car abroad - no matter which country they are visiting.



Third: Check with your health insurance to find out if it covers you in the USA. If yes then take proof of coverage with you. If no or not sure then get trip medical insurance, which is cheap and sold by airlines %26amp; travel agents. The USA has wonderful medical care but it isn't cheap.



Last practical tip: Swedish citizens can travel to the USA for up to 90 days at a time as a tourist or for some business purposes by registering for ESTA %26gt; before %26lt; their trip begins. The cost is US$14, which is similar to the fee for Australian ETA program.



https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/withou鈥?/a>

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/visaservices鈥?/a>



Registering is accomplished online, you don't need the details of your trip, and the confirmation is valid for multiple trips to the USA over two (2) years so don't wait until the last minute.



Florida is a tourism destination and there are many, many resources for visitors. The State of Florida and almost every city/town has tourism links on their websites and you can order info %26amp; maps (free) mailed to you in Sweden. Best known are the theme parks like Disney and Universal, but there are many attractions scattered across the state. It mostly depends on what you want.



Northwest Florida is known for snow-white sand and turquoise water:



http://www.visitpensacolabeach.com/

http://www.emeraldcoast.com/

http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/



If you make it to Pensacola New Orleans is a 4 hour drive, and late February to March 8th is Mardi Gras:



http://frenchquarter.com/

http://www.mardigras.com/

http://www.mardigrasguide.com/



If you have not yet purchased airline tickets then consider getting an "open jaw" ticket that will let you fly to one place (ex. Miami) and home from another (ex. Pensacola or New Orleans). Then arrange the rental car for drop-off at the other location. That will allow you to not have to drive a really long way back to Miami just to fly home.



I hope you have a great trip!