Explore Florida: Your Comprehensive Travel Guide From Visa Requirements To Must-Visit Places In The US State

Travel Florida: With the ICC T20 World Cup taking place jointly in the USA and West Indies, Florida can be your multipurpose vacation destination this year.

Experience the mesmerizing beauty of Florida's 1300 miles of coastline and stunning beaches. ( Image Source :Canva )

If you have been into Hollywood movies, Florida must have been on your travel list forever. With hundreds of miles of coastline and picturesque beaches, Florida has been popular as the Sunshine State. With the ICC T20 World Cup taking place jointly in the USA and West Indies, Florida can be your multipurpose vacation destination this year. The 'Sunshine State' has much to offer you including the world’s best beaches, historical landmarks, natural wonders, and some of the best amusement parks to make your trip unforgettable.

Visa Process And Requirements:

A foreign national has to obtain a US Visa before travelling to the United States which will differ depending on the purpose of travel. Each kind of visa has its own process and requirements. As the USA does not employ a visa on arrival for Indians you also have to apply for a US Visa if you are willing to discover the pristine beaches of Florida.  

Types Of Visa:

United States Of America offers visas in two major categories:

1. Immigrant Visas: This visa type caters to foreign nationals who are required to immigrate for long durations or permanently for purposes such as family-based, fiancée visa, employment-based, and adoption.

2. Non-Immigrant Visas: This is the most popular visa category that can be granted to foreign nationals willing to enter the USA temporarily. One can apply for a non-immigrant visa for business, tourism, student exchange, transit, and media/journalism.

Visitor Visa (B-2):

If you wish to explore the serene beauty of Florida, a Tourism Visa, also known as a Visitor Visa, comes under the non-immigrant visa category. A B2 Visa is generally for tourism, attending any conference or event, meeting friends or family, or for social service. To apply for B2, you have to submit an online application- Form DS-160. It also requires you to schedule the interview with the embassy and bring the printout of the form. This visa will be granted for 10 years with multiple entries under a 6-month stay. You have to pay approximately ₹15,500 Visa fee online while submitting the online application form. 

Documents Required For Visitor Visa:

• Non-immigrant Visa Application form in print (DS-160)
• A passport with a validity of six months from the date you intend to stay in the United States
• One 2x2 inch photograph 
• Payment receipt
• Proof of funds to support your trip
• Your travel itinerary 
• TAX and PAN details

Points To Be Noted:

1. General visa processing time is around 5-7 business days, although due to the high demand for USA visitor visas, it may take a few weeks as well. It is advisable to apply around 6-8 weeks before your trip.

2. If you fall under the age group of 14 to 79, you must schedule your interview after applying for the visa online, although people under the age of 13 and over 80 generally do not require an interview.

3. It is suggested not to make your final flight or stay bookings until you receive your visa.

4. You will have 30 days to complete your application process online, after that your application will be closed 

Cape San Blas beach sunset. (Image Source: Florida Tourism)

 

Travel Logistics:

The fastest and most accessible way to reach Florida is to fly, which may take around 20 to 30 hours depending on your flight schedule and layover and may cost you around Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000. Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa are among the busiest international airports in Florida where you can find direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. It is advisable to verify the availability of direct flights as it can vary by the season. Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, Delta and British Airways Operate regularly on this route. 

Technically, it is possible to reach Florida by road as well, although it will be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. You would also face several issues while crossing multiple international borders. If you choose a months-long luxurious sea voyage to reach your destination, then Miami Port will be your arrival point. However, it will be heavy on your pocket.

While Florida offers a vast variety of tourism hotspots, shopping, and landscapes, it also has a lot of transportation options to travel within the state. You can easily rent a car with your international driving license and explore cities conveniently. You can use taxis and bikes through apps like Uber and Lyft, similar to Uber-Rapido or Ola in India. Trolleys, taxis, and buses are also available and will not cost you much.

Florida's bus service will be your best and cheapest way with multiple bus operators like Greyhound and Megabus running on busy routes. Florida has lots of beaches and ports- hence, boats, ferries, and cruises are also well-suited options if you believe in slow travelling.

In terms of accommodation, Florida offers a range of options from luxury to rustic retreats to waterfront properties. While hostels, homestays, and Airbnb are some cheap and budget-friendly ways to spend your nights, five-star hotels, villas, resorts, and boutiques cater to high-end travel. You can use online sites to book your stay in advance and find some deals to make it more pocket-friendly.

As Florida is a US state, English is the official Language, making it easy for most tourists to communicate. However, Spanish is also widely spoken in some regions of the state. You can plan a 5 to 7-day trip to Florida, which may cost you around Rs 1,50,000 including all your expenses.

White sand beach of St. George Island State Park. (Image Source: Florida Tourism)

Best Time To Travel:

As Florida is a warm state, March-April and September-October are the best months to visit. You may find calm weather with not-so-extreme windy conditions making your visit enjoyable. However, May-June and November are considered to be the cheapest months to fly to Florida.

 

Must Visit Places In Florida:

If you are catching Florida, the southernmost state of the USA, which has more than 1300 miles of coastline, beautiful beaches are awaiting to relax your eyes. Apalachicola, Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Panama City Beach, Pensacola Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Cape San Blas Beach and Indian Rocks are a few wonderful beaches that will not disappoint you when it comes to scenic landscapes and fun.

Another top travel hotspot of Florida is Walt Disney World Resort, which receives more than 50 million visitors each year. It has four amusement parks, Disney Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon among many other hotspots.

You can also visit the Kennedy Space Center if you are a space and adventure enthusiast. John F. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island and has been NASA’s crucial launch site since 1968. You can also experience a live rocket launch making your visit historical and memorable for a lifetime.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida. (Image Source: Kennedy Space Center)

 

Florida has several natural parks, and springs to shield you from blazing sun. Silver Spring State Park, established in the 1870s, is one of them where you can not only witness crystal clear water and mesmerizing sunset and sunrise views, but you will also have options to experience water activities like kayaking and boating.

Florida is not only about beaches or amusement parks; it has a rich history and museums to preserve those historical moments. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, History of Diving Museum, and Tampa Bay History Center are some, you can't miss out on visiting. St. Augustine is America’s oldest city where you can experience how the city culture was established in America. With serene beauty, this city has the remains of the 1500s and aesthetic cafes and points to amaze you.

Florida beckons year-round with magical views of the sun dipping into the sea, and forests of palm trees to give you the experience of the world’s best holiday destination. It is said that Florida is the place where the world goes on vacation.  

Key Largo Island and St. George Island State Park, are heaven on earth for sea enthusiasts, where one can enjoy water activities like boating, diving, fishing, and snorkelling. Relaxing on the sand and watching the calm sea with no hustle of daily life makes it a world-famous vacation destination.

When Florida has everything to make your visit memorable, Miami will captivate your heart. Miami is a global city and a tourist hub hosting global festivals, street art workshops, and a five-star experience of all the luxury you are looking for.

Everglades National Park, Crab Island, SeaWorld Orlando, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are key visitor magnets you cannot miss along with your love of Cricket.