5 Mistakes to Avoid on a Florida Vacation, According to Locals

When was the last time you went on a trip to Florida?

If there was ever a state whose reputation precedes it, it might just be Florida.

And while you might think you know they’re beaches, theme parks, and all the family fun that awaits around every corner in the sunshine state, there’s always another surprise in store in this area.

Known for outdoor adventures, watery escapades, and cool little beach towns you can enjoy all year long, everyone chooses this state as the perfect vacation spot each year.

But we talked to locals, and according to them, you might not know this state as well as you think. Do you know why they shut off the lights on the beach for a few months of the year? Or where to go to paddle a kayak through a lagoon that has a blue glow at night?

And have you tried their crustacean that’s tastiest when dipped into a creamy mustard sauce? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve collected invaluable tips from real people who’ve been to Florida and got the mouse ears to prove it.

They’ve shared their mistakes, and we’ve learned from them… so you don’t have to! Keep reading to learn about the 5 mistakes Floridians say you shouldn’t make!

Don’t Ignore Tampa’s Cuban Culture

Miami might be well-known as the country’s largest Cuban diaspora and the most famous Cuban restaurant in the land, Versailles. But you can find many Cuban cultures, not to mention great Cuban sandwiches, at spots like Florida Bakery–north in Tampa.

Head to the historical streets of Ybor City in downtown Tampa to see a famous statue of José Martí, one of the island’s most influential revolutionary leaders.

And visit Columbia Drive in West Tampa, a shabby street with all kinds of Cuban treasures in the form of sandwich shops, bakeries, and restaurants selling specialties like tamales and ropa vieja.

Whatever you do, don’t leave this city without picking up a loaf of fresh-out-the-oven Cuban bread, which is baked daily at the famous La Segunda Bakery.

Don’t Forget To Pause For That Sunset

There’s nothing like a golden hour in Florida, but the sunset itself might just beat out everything else. Locals across the state love to quote famous Floridian Jimmy Buffett when it comes to quitting time: “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!” So why not do as the locals do?

At the end of the day, slow down to enjoy one of life’s greatest pleasures. Five o’clock is Florida’s unofficially “official time” to kick back and relax with a cold beverage and await the splendor of the setting sun.

So be sure to leave some room in your itinerary to soak in this simple yet stunning Florida treasure.

Don’t Bypass The Border Towns

Travelers who are driving down I95 to Florida from the north are usually so focused on getting to the south side of the state and the theme parks in Orlando that they bypass one of the state’s prettiest stretches in North Florida, just south of the Georgia border.

In this area, you’re free to pedal a bike along the miles of oak-lined pathways in Amelia Island, camp behind the dunes on an undeveloped barrier island at Little Talbot Island State Park, and soak up the surf culture and quintessential Florida beach town vibes in Atlantic Beach, the most charming of the Jacksonville Beaches.

Locals say that North Florida is most definitely worth a detour.

Don’t Interfere With The Wildlife

This is a big one, folks! Florida’s many alligators ARE unbelievably cool, but only when left undisturbed in their natural habitats. You shuldn’t ever meddle with Florida’s wildlife in any way. Even if you think it’s an innocent activity, like feeding seagulls at the beach.

It can have a drastic negative impact on the sunshine state’s fragile ecosystem. Instead, you should choose some educational activities that allow you to experience Florida’s wildlife in a conservational context.

For example, at Juno Beach’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center, you can book a nighttime beach walk to view the sea turtles when they come ashore to lay eggs, all while learning about why the animals are so essential to the planet as a whole and what you can do to preserve them.

Don’t Skip Out On Orlando’s Food Scene

Don’t just assume that the best food in Orlando can be found at its theme parks! There’s theme park Orlando, and then there’s the actual city itself, about 15 miles north of Disney and Universal Studios.

Here, thriving neighborhoods like Thornton Park, College Park, Winter Park, and the Mills 50 district, known for its great Asian eats, are just a few of the destinations for eating exceptionally well in this city of eclectic culinary influences ranging from Laotian and Indian to Ethiopian and Moroccan.

MICHELIN Guide Florida recently awarded several restaurants in Orlando with their first Michelin stars, including the Japanese omakase spot Soseki and seafood and a hot spot for stake: Knife & Spoon. But you can also eat very well at some other Orlando faves, like gastropub The Ravenous Pig and Prato, which is well known for Italian wood-fired grub.

Don’t Miss Out On Their Bioluminescence

Pro Tip: You don’t have to travel to Puerto Rico or some other exotic place to see the phenomena of a bioluminescent bay. The marvel exists right in the state of Florida!

During the hot summer months in the Indian River Lagoon, near Titusville on Florida’s east coast, the presence of single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates in the waters pushes them to glow blueish when you paddle a kayak during after-dark tours with A Day Away Kayak Tours.

It’s nothing short of mystical because the streaking mullets look like underwater rockets in the bioluminescent waters that shimmer with flashes all around you.

Don’t Forget The State’s Hurricane Season

If you just got an unbelievable deal on a Floridian vacation, ask yourself why. Do the dates fall within hurricane season? The state’s official hurricane season begins in June and runs through the end of November.

And while we’re not saying you shouldn’t visit during this time, locals live here year-round and manage the ups and downs of the weather just fine, you should just be aware that vacation chaos may ensue.

Luckily, hurricanes tend to give you plenty of time to anticipate them so you can get out of dodge. A good rule to follow is this: Don’t panic until you see that the locals are starting to.

When you see them going into overdrive, clearing grocery and home improvement store shelves, that’s your queue to pack up and head back home until the storm has passed.

While all these “mistakes to avoid” seem valid, we have one of our own to add: DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA! With all the beautiful sights around, it would be a shame to not have anything to show for it!

Have YOU made any of these mistakes on your last trip to this beautiful state? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

And if you’re a big fan of Florida, we recommend you also read: 7 Underrated Florida Vacations You’ll Love