12 Essential Florida Vacation Mistakes You Must Avoid: Insights from a Local

The biggest and most common mistakes travelers make in Florida — and how to avoid them.

You don’t have to be a travel expert to plan a trip to Florida, but there are some insider tips that are worth knowing before you embark on a vacation to the Sunshine State. For starters, Florida isn’t all beaches and theme parks, though there’s nothing wrong with hitting both of those places during your getaway. As a lifelong resident, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Read on for 12 mistakes to avoid on your next Florida vacation.

1. Only Spending Time at the Beach

While there’s no doubt that Florida’s beaches are world-class, failing to venture beyond the coast and deeper into the state’s vast array of offerings is one of the biggest mistakes visitors can make.

Inland Florida will impress even the most outdoorsy and adventurous nature lovers — there’s abundant wildlife in the Everglades, state parks, and even an underwater national park — while the state is peppered from coast to coast with museums, festivals, and other unique experiences.

Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales boasts 250 acres of lush gardens and a bell tower, the historic streets of St. Augustine transport visitors back in time, and quaint towns like Mount Dora beckon with hometown charm. You can even watch a NASA rocket launch at the Kennedy Space Center.

The beach is certainly a highlight of any Florida vacation, but don’t miss out on all the inland adventures that await, too.

2. Or, Conversely, Not Spending Any Time at the Beach

If you plan a trip to Florida with no beach day on your itinerary, you’re doing it wrong. There’s a lot to love about the state beyond its sandy stretches, but that doesn’t mean you should leave the beach out of your vacation altogether. It is one of Florida’s main attractions, after all, and skipping it will leave your trip incomplete. Plus, with more than 600 miles of beaches in Florida, you’re guaranteed to find one that’s perfect for you.

3. Assuming It’s Always Warm and Sunny

Yes, Florida is called the Sunshine State, but the weather here isn’t always perfect. Winters can get chilly, especially in northern Florida, and in the summer months, you can expect a thunderstorm almost every afternoon like clockwork. It’s a fact of life during Florida summers, but it doesn’t have to dampen your plans — these squalls form, storm, and pass, usually departing as quickly and unexpectedly as they arrive. Just don’t forget to factor them in and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.

4. Forgetting to Wear Sunscreen

It’s not always sunny in Florida, but due to the state’s subtropical location, the sun’s rays are quite powerful, even on overcast and cloudy days. Getting a sunburn is a quick, painful, and entirely avoidable way to ruin your trip, so apply (and reapply) protection during your visit. Make sure to use reef-safe sunscreens, especially if you’re going to be at the beach. And while you’re at it, pack some after-sun lotion and bug spray, too — mosquitoes and other insects are another fact of life in Florida.

5. Assuming All Theme Parks Are in Orlando

This may blow a non-Floridian’s mind, but not all of Florida’s theme parks are actually located in Orlando. The roller coaster-filled Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, for example, is situated in Tampa, while the Legoland Florida Resort can be found in Winter Haven.

It’s also worth noting that many “Orlando” theme parks are actually located in surrounding cities, like Kissimmee. Even the Walt Disney World Resort and its classic theme parks have addresses in Lake Buena Vista, not Orlando proper. Only the Universal Orlando Resort — home of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — as well as SeaWorld Orlando and its sister park Discovery Cove, are located within Orlando’s city limits.

6. Or, Thinking Orlando Is Only Good for Theme Parks

Orlando is best known for its plethora of theme parks and attractions, but there’s a lot more to the city than park-hopping. You can book airboat rides, comedy shows, or bike tours; learn about the environment at Gatorland; or meet artisanal vendors at East End Market. Ride The Wheel at ICON Park for a new perspective on the destination, or venture out to nearby cities like Winter Park or Winter Garden for a break from the touristy commotion.

7. Missing Out on Florida’s Wilderness

Florida’s beaches and theme parks are spectacular, but its natural environment is unlike anything else on Earth. Adventurous travelers who crave wild flora and fauna should check out Silver Springs State Park, birthplace of the glass-bottom boat tour; tube down the river in Rainbow Springs State Park; dive or snorkel in Devil’s Den, a prehistoric spring; take a clear kayak tour on Crystal River and paddle alongside manatees; enjoy boating in the Florida Keys; or hike at Rock Springs Run State Reserve. Get off the beaten path in Florida, and you’ll reap rich rewards.

8. Interfering With Wildlife

Florida’s alligators are cool — when they are left undisturbed in their natural habitats. Don’t interfere with Florida’s wildlife in any way, as even seemingly innocent activities like feeding seagulls at the beach can drastically impact the state’s delicate ecosystem. Instead, opt for educational activities that let you experience Florida’s wildlife in a conservational context. At Juno Beach’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center, for example, you can book a nighttime beach walk to watch sea turtles come ashore and lay their eggs, all while learning about why the animals are so vital to the planet at large and what you can do to save them.

9. Forgetting to Account for Hurricane Season

While hurricanes can have a devastating impact, they usually provide some time to prepare. Many Floridians are equipped with a hurricane kit, shutters, and an evacuation plan for worst-case scenarios. For most people, however, facing a hurricane isn’t on the vacation agenda. Don’t forget to take Florida’s hurricane season into account when planning a trip. Hurricane season stretches from June through November, though peak season typically occurs from mid-August to late October. There’s no guarantee a hurricane will form, but don’t be blindsided if one does pop up on the radar.

10. Skipping the Florida Keys

Need a tropical island getaway but don’t want to leave the country? Head to the Florida Keys. The archipelago stretches about 120 miles off the state’s southern tip from Key Largo all the way to Key West, home of the southernmost point of the continental United States. Each of the Keys is breathtakingly beautiful, offering some of the best of Florida in one laid-back, scenic package.

11. Not Asking If the Fish Is Fresh

Florida has plenty of culinary highlights, and fresh fish tops the list — grouper and mahi-mahi are the real crowd pleasers if you’re new to seafood. Just don’t assume that every time you see fish on a menu in Florida, it’s locally sourced and fresh. If it’s not the catch of the day or confirmed to be sourced from the nearby Gulf or the Atlantic Ocean, don’t order it. It’s an unspoken rule in Florida: You’re asking for disappointment if you eat anything other than fresh, locally caught fish.

While we’re on the topic, fresh-squeezed local citrus is another non-negotiable. Florida orange juice is exported around the world for a reason — it’s like liquid sunshine. Oh, and denying yourself a thick slice of Florida Key lime pie during your visit would be a sin.

12. Not Slowing Down for Sunset

There’s nothing like golden hour in Florida, but sunset itself might just beat it. Locals across the state love to quote famous Floridian Jimmy Buffett when it comes to quitting time (or longing for it): “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.” Do as the locals do: At the end of the day, slow down and enjoy one of life’s greatest pleasures. Five o’clock is Florida’s unofficial time to kick back with a cold one and await the splendor of a setting sun, so make sure you leave room in your itinerary to soak in this simple yet exquisite Florida treasure.