If you’ve booked a holiday to Florida and don’t know what to pack, then you’ve come to the right place. Although, of course, the most important thing to take to Florida is a sense of adventure.
Clothes
Unfortunately, this can’t simply be a list of clothes as what you need will vary wildly depending on the time of year and activities planned. Instead, we’ll pose some questions that will help you decide for yourself.
What will you mainly be doing in Florida?
If you’re visiting Disney World, then shorts and flip-flops are a great outfit choice, but not so much if you’re attending a gala. You also won’t be shocked to learn that high heels and suits do not lend themselves easily to a theme park.
Are you taking part in any activities that might require specialised clothing?
Many common Florida sporting activities have specialised clothing, like wetsuits, mouth guards, or jodhpurs, and if you already have them at home, it’ll be cheaper than buying or renting in the US.
What’s the weather forecast?
As mentioned in the infographic, the weather can be extremely interchangeable, even within the same state. On some days in Florida, the weather can change from blazing sunshine to torrential downpour in just a few hours.
Toiletries
Check which toiletries are provided by your hotel before travelling as that can save you lugging shampoo, conditioner, and even moisturiser in your suitcase. This reduces luggage weight (leaving more room for souvenirs) and stops any leakages in transit.
No matter when you travel, make sure to pack sunscreen, because Florida sunshine is strong at all times and you don’t want to take your chances.
Important Documents
There are many important documents that you need when travelling to the US, including your passport, US visa, and travel insurance. Check that you have all of them in your hand luggage before you leave the house to avoid a panic at the airport.
Money
Hopefully, you’ll already have realised that you need to get some US dollars in order to travel to Florida, but most exchange places won’t give you notes smaller than $20 or change unless you ask specifically.
Most people won’t think anything of this, quite reasonably assuming that they’ll get change the first time they buy something, but what if you need to tip a taxi driver or bellhop before you go to a shop? You’ll also need quarters for washing machines, parking meters, and arcades, but shopkeepers are understandably reluctant to hand you $5 worth of quarters.