Miami
8 hostels · dorms from $12
A vibrant Latin city of beaches and Art Deco.
Points of interest
- South Beach
- Wynwood Walls
- Little Havana
- Vizcaya
- Everglades nearby
State guide
Things to do in Florida
Miami's Art Deco beaches and Little Havana, Orlando's theme parks, the Everglades, the Overseas Highway to Key West, rocket launches on the Space Coast, crystal-clear springs and manatees.
15
Hostels across its 4 main cities
8.0
Average, from 13,963 reviews
1,300+ km
Of coastline
Beaches, theme parks and the Keys
Florida is the Sunshine State, a long peninsula with more than 1,300 kilometres of coastline, warm weather all year and some of the most visited attractions on Earth. It is far more varied than its beaches suggest.
Miami is a vibrant, Latin American-influenced city, with the pastel Art Deco hotels of South Beach, the street art of Wynwood and the Cuban cafes of Little Havana. Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, home to Walt Disney World and Universal, which opened Epic Universe in 2025. From Miami, the Overseas Highway hops across more than 40 bridges to Key West, the laid-back island at the southern tip of the continental USA.
Inland, the Everglades is a vast subtropical wetland of alligators and wading birds. Central Florida's freshwater springs are clear enough to see the bottom, and manatees gather in them in winter. On the Space Coast, you can watch rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center. Give Florida at least a week. Winter and spring are best; summer is hot, wet and hurricane season.
Where to base yourself
Miami for the south and the Everglades, Orlando for the theme parks, and Key West for the Keys.
Orlando
3 hostels · dorms from $24
The theme park capital of the world.
Points of interest
- Walt Disney World
- Universal
- Kennedy Space Center nearby
Key West
2 hostels · dorms from $250
The laid-back island at the end of the Overseas Highway.
Points of interest
- Mallory Square
- Duval Street
- Hemingway House
- Dry Tortugas
Tampa
2 hostels · dorms from $45
A Gulf Coast city with Cuban roots.
Points of interest
- Ybor City
- Riverwalk
- St Petersburg and Dalí Museum nearby
Regions of Florida
Miami and the Keys in the south, Orlando in the centre, the Gulf Coast in the west and the Panhandle in the north-west.
Miami and the south-east
Beaches, nightlife, Cuban foodMiami, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
The Keys
Islands, snorkelling, sunsetsThe Overseas Highway to Key West.
Everglades
Wetlands, alligatorsThe vast subtropical wilderness.
Orlando and central Florida
Theme parks, springsDisney, Universal and the springs.
Space Coast
Rocket launches, beachesKennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach.
Gulf Coast
White sand, sunsetsTampa, St Petersburg and Sarasota.
Panhandle
Quiet beachesPensacola and the Emerald Coast.
Things to do
Things to do in Florida
In Miami, walk the Art Deco Historic District and the beach in South Beach, see the murals of Wynwood Walls, drink a Cuban coffee on Calle Ocho in Little Havana and visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Take an airboat or ranger-led tour in Everglades National Park, or cycle the Shark Valley loop.
Drive the Overseas Highway to Key West, snorkelling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on the way. In Key West, watch the sunset at Mallory Square and take a boat or seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park.
In Orlando, spend a day or two at Walt Disney World or Universal. Visit Kennedy Space Center and watch a launch if one is scheduled. Swim with manatees at Crystal River in winter, and in St Petersburg, visit the Dalí Museum and the white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast.
More on things to do in Florida
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Florida's beaches are mostly free, from South Beach to the Gulf Coast. Wynwood's street art outside the Walls, Little Havana and the Art Deco district cost nothing to explore. Sunset at Mallory Square in Key West is free.
Watching a rocket launch from the public beaches of Cocoa Beach and Titusville is free.
In Miami, the downtown Metromover is free. Everglades National Park charges entry, plus a $100 surcharge per international visitor aged 16 and over from 2026.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Miami's Cuban food is a highlight: try a Cuban sandwich, croquetas, pastelitos and a strong cafecito. Florida's seafood is excellent, especially stone crab claws (October to May), grouper sandwiches and conch fritters.
Key lime pie comes from the Keys, and Florida's oranges and citrus are famous. The Gulf Coast has fresh fish shacks, and Orlando has a huge choice of restaurants.
Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants, and check bills, as some add a service charge.
Nightlife
Going out
Miami has some of the biggest nightlife in the USA, with clubs in South Beach and downtown, and bars in Wynwood and Brickell. Some Miami clubs stay open until 5am.
Key West's Duval Street is a famous bar crawl. Orlando has bars downtown and at Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk.
Spring break brings big crowds to beach towns in March.
Getting around
Getting around
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa have big international airports. Brightline trains run fast between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando airport. Miami has Metrorail, including a link from the airport.
A car is the easiest way to get around the rest of the state, and essential for the Keys and the Everglades. Many highways have tolls, so get a toll pass with your hire car.
The Panhandle, west of the Apalachicola River, is on Central Time.
Costs
What Florida costs
Florida can be expensive, especially Miami Beach, Key West and the theme parks. Prices peak in winter and spring, and drop in summer and early autumn.
Sales tax is 6 per cent statewide, plus county taxes, reaching 7 per cent in Miami. Hotels add tourist taxes. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Theme park tickets are the biggest cost. Everglades National Park has a $100 surcharge for international visitors from 2026.
Safety
Safety and scams
Florida is generally safe for visitors; take normal city care at night in Miami.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking from August to October: follow local warnings and evacuation orders. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms and lightning. Rip currents are dangerous on many beaches, so swim near lifeguards.
Do not swim in lakes or canals, where alligators live, and use strong sun protection. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Music festivals, art fairs and rocket launches.
Staff pick
29 Aug – 1 Nov
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
Orlando
Pick out your favorite costume to trick-or-treat through Key West and around Dolphin Theater at the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular. The event features a trick-or-treat…
Staff pick
25 Sep – 31 Oct
Creatures of the Night
Tampa
Tampa Bay’s top Halloween event, Creatures of the Night, invites ghouls and goblins of all ages to enjoy spooky entertainment, eerie characters, and themed…
Staff pick
17 October
Come Out With Pride
Orlando
Head to the largest LGBTQ+ event in Florida to show pride and support the community during Come Out With Pride in Orlando. The event…
Staff pick
6–8 November
EDC Orlando
Orlando
Welcome to EDC Orlando, the electrifying dance music festival that transforms Tinker Field into a vibrant wonderland of lights, music, and energy. With over…
Staff pick
6 Nov – 3 Jan
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration
Orlando
Soak up the holiday cheer as the park is transformed into a winter wonderland during SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration. The event features over three million…
Staff pick
7–8 November
Fall Fiesta in the Park
Orlando
Hundreds of artists, crafters, and food vendors line the shores of Lake Eola for this long-running downtown Orlando tradition, now in its 55th year.…
Staff pick
15–22 November
Miami Book Fair
Miami
Engage with your favorite authors at the Miami Book Fair, where there are over 450 authors reading and discussing their work. Thousands of readers…
Staff pick
6–10 January
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Orlando
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a magical event that draws runners from around the world to the most magical place on Earth.…
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Florida, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Seashell International Hostel And Motel
Key West
Rooms from $74 a night
See dates and book
Island House South Beach
Miami
Rooms from $37 a night
See dates and book
Viajero Miami
Miami
Dorms from $26 a night
See dates and book
Monumental Hotel Orlando
Orlando
Rooms from $35 a night
See dates and book
Gram's Place BnB/Hostel
Tampa
Dorms from $52 a night
See dates and book
Palm Villa Hostel
Tampa
Dorms from $45 a night
See dates and book
Not Your Average Hotel
Key West
Dorms from $250 a night
See dates and book
Beds&Drinks
Miami
Dorms from $23 a night
See dates and book
Casa Rosa All Women's Hostel Miami
Miami
Dorms from $12 a night
See dates and book
Bposhtels Orlando Disney
Orlando
Dorms from $28 a night
See dates and book
Posh South Beach
Miami
Dorms from $15 a night
See dates and book
Miami River Inn by Renzzi
Miami
Rooms from $42 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is the best time, warm and dry, though busier and pricier. Manatees gather in the springs from November to March. Summer is hot, humid and wet, and hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Dry, manatee season
Feb
Dry
Mar
Spring break, Ultra
Apr
Pleasant
May
Warm
Jun
Rainy season, hurricanes
Jul
Hot, wet
Aug
Peak hurricane risk
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Drying out
Nov
Pleasant
Dec
Art Basel
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Miami, rounded. North Florida is cooler in winter.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Miami prices.
Treat these as a guide. Theme parks and Key West cost more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Florida questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is hurricane season in Florida?
From June to November, peaking from August to October.
How do I get from Miami to Key West?
By car along the Overseas Highway, around three and a half to four hours, or by bus or plane.
How do I get from Miami to Orlando?
By Brightline train, in around three and a half hours, or by car.
How much does the Everglades cost for international visitors?
The entrance fee plus a $100 surcharge per person aged 16 and over, from 2026.
Do I need a car in Florida?
For the Keys, the Everglades and most of the state, yes.
When is the best time to visit Florida?
November to April.
Can you swim with manatees?
Yes, at Crystal River, with licensed operators, mainly in winter.
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