Mowando

Region

Florida

The most accessible American Sunshine State from Europe — Miami Beach Art Deco and tropical beaches, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando (the two most visited theme park complexes in the world), Keys and Key West (the southernmost US), Everglades (mangroves and alligators).

4.50

Florida is one of the most touristic US states — a 65,000 km² subtropical peninsula, 22 million inhabitants, 130 million annual visitors, year-round warm climate, 1,350 km of beaches, the world's most visited theme parks. It's also the most Latin American of US states (28% Spanish-speaking, mainly Cuban in Miami, Venezuelan and Colombian), heritage of immigration waves since 1959 (Cuban revolution) to today.

The region organises around three complementary hubs. Miami and the South-East (Miami Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables, Wynwood) — beach and cultural hub: tropical beaches (South Beach 13 km, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles), Art Deco architecture (Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, 800 listed buildings), Little Havana (Cuban, Calle Ocho, Versailles café), Wynwood (street art, galleries, breweries), Design District (luxury), music scene and nightlife (LIV, Story, Club Space), Cuban and Latin gastronomy. Orlando and Central (Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista) — world entertainment capital: Walt Disney World (4 parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom + 2 water parks, the world's most visited tourist complex, 58 million visitors/year), Universal Orlando (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, 21M visitors), SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Center (Atlantic coast 1h east). Keys and South (Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Key West) — a string of 1,700 islets linked by the Overseas Highway (US-1, 200 km, 42 bridges including the Seven Mile Bridge), Key West sitting 145 km from Cuba at the far south. Everglades (UNESCO national park, 6,100 km², mangroves, freshwater marshes, alligators, panthers, birds) west of Miami.

The pitch is clear: Florida is the par excellence beach + family entertainment + Latin vibe US option. Direct flights from Paris (10h), mandatory ESTA, tropical climate guaranteed October to April. It's the most European-visited US state (Brits first, then Germans, Canadians and French), notably for Disney + beach packages selling at €2,000-4,000/week for a family of 4. Plan 10-14 days for the classic Miami + Orlando + Keys formula, 7 days minimum for Miami + Keys.

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Situation

Où se situe Florida ?

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Frequently asked questions

How many days for Florida?+
10-14 days for the classic formula. Ideally: 4 nights Miami (South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana, 1-day Everglades excursion), 2-3 nights Keys (Key Largo snorkelling John Pennekamp + Key West bohemian vibe via Overseas Highway), 4-5 nights Orlando (minimum 2 Disney days + 1-2 Universal days, or Disney 3 days + Kennedy Space Center 1 day). In 7 days, focus on Miami + Keys (5+2) or Miami + Orlando (3+4). In 14-21 days, add 2-3 days Naples/Marco Island (west coast, Gulf of Mexico) or Tampa/Clearwater Beach (west coast).
What's the best time to visit Florida?+
The dry season (December to April) is best: ideal climate (22-28°C), low humidity, blue sky, no hurricane risk, sea at 24-26°C. It's also high season: Miami Beach hotels €350-700/night, Disney Orlando €250-450/night, flights €800-1,200 return. March is Spring Break (US universities at South Beach, Daytona Beach: very festive vibe, avoid for families). May and November offer excellent compromise: pleasant weather (28-30°C), -30% fares, limited hurricane risk. Avoid June-October: crushing heat (32-35°C, 40°C feels-like), 85% humidity, daily 2-6pm storms, serious hurricane season (Ian 2022, Irma 2017).
Disney or Universal Orlando: which to choose?+
Disney World (4 parks: Magic Kingdom most visited worldwide 21M/year, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom + 2 water parks) remains the par-excellence family option — absolute magic, total immersion, FastPass+ management with My Disney Experience app. $109-189/day/person by date and formula, Park Hopper for multi-parks +$85. Plan minimum 3 days. Universal Orlando (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay) targets kids 8-10+ and adults — Wizarding World of Harry Potter (2 parks linked by Hogwarts Express), adrenaline simulators, pop culture vibe. $109-149/day, costly Express Pass (FastPass equivalent) $80-200 extra/day. Plan minimum 2 days. Disney + Universal combo over 5-6 days = ultimate formula but €3,500-5,000 for 4 people for 1 week.
How to get to the Keys from Miami?+
The Keys are reached only by road via the Overseas Highway (US-1) — 200 km of island chain linked by 42 bridges (longest being the Seven Mile Bridge between Knight's Key and Little Duck Key, 10.9 km). From Miami, plan 1h30 to Key Largo (first islet, 100 km), 4h to Key West (270 km, far south). Essential car rental from MIA. No direct public transport. Miami-Key West Greyhound bus ($40-60, 4-5h, impractical). Domestic flights: Silver Airways Miami-Key West ($180-350 return, 1h, but Key West Airport very small). Recommended itinerary: Miami → Key Largo (John Pennekamp snorkelling, one of America's finest reefs, 1 night) → Islamorada (big game fishing, 0-1 night) → Marathon (Seven Mile Bridge, dolphins, 0-1 night) → Key West (2 nights, Mallory Square sunset, Duval Street, Hemingway House, Southernmost Point).
What budget for Florida?+
Reference budget €150-200/day/person. Flights Paris-Miami €500-1,200 return by season. Accommodation: Miami Beach 3* €200-400/night, 4* boutique €300-700, Disney Orlando official hotel €250-500/night high season, Key West B&B €150-280/night. Parks: Disney $109-189/person/day, Universal $109-149, SeaWorld $100-140, Kennedy Space Center $75. Food: diner breakfast $12-25, lunch $18-35, dinner $40-70 pre-tip (Joe's Stone Crab Miami $100-180/person). Transport: car hire $40-80/day, gasoline $3.50-4.50/gallon, Florida road tolls $5-15 by trip. Total budget family of 4 for 10 days: Miami 4 nights + Keys 2 + Disney 4 = €8,000-15,000 excl. flights by hotel category and Disney formula.

Our verdict

Florida is the par excellence beach + Disney + Latin vibe US option. The most popular 10-14 day formula: Miami 4-5 nights (South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana), Keys 2-3 nights (Key Largo snorkelling + Key West bohemian vibe), Orlando 4-5 nights (Disney + Universal). Favour December to April for dry season (22-28°C, no hurricanes), avoid June-November (heat, humidity, hurricanes). Direct Paris-Miami flight 10h (Air France, American). Stay at Miami Beach Ocean Drive or Collins Avenue (Art Deco hotels €200-700/night), in the Keys at Key Largo (bayside resorts) or Key West (charm B&B), at Orlando in an official Disney hotel for FastPass bonus and total magic (€250-500/night, 4 parks + 2 water parks). Book Disney and Universal 2-3 months ahead, popular restaurants (Joe's Stone Crab in Miami, Versailles in Little Havana, Mallory Square in Key West) likewise. For families, plan €2,500-4,500/week in the all-in Disney + beach formula.

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