Travel tips · Fort Lauderdale · United States
Fort Lauderdale travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: KeanoManu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Fort Lauderdale calls itself the yachting capital of the world, and boats shape daily life, from the Boat Show to drawbridges opening across the city. It is a mix of snowbirds from the northeastern US and Canada, a large Caribbean and Latin American population and one of the country's best-known LGBTQ+ communities in Wilton Manors. The wild spring-break era ended in the 1980s; today the city is calmer and more upmarket.
Key facts
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911
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Things to know
- Follow lifeguard flag colours; red means dangerous currents, and double red means the water is closed.
- From March to October, sea turtles nest on the beach; leave nests alone, and keep lights off and curtains drawn on the beachfront at night.
- Do not feed iguanas, ducks or other wildlife.
- Cover up with a shirt or cover-up when you leave the beach for shops and restaurants.
- Be patient at drawbridges; boats have right of way, and openings are part of local life.
- Hotel prices drop sharply from May to October; summer is warm and quiet if you can live with storms.
Tipping
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 a drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars for beach chair attendants and Water Taxi crews. Some restaurants include gratuity automatically.
Language
English and Spanish are spoken.
What to wear
Beachwear on the sand, casual resort clothes elsewhere; smarter restaurants on Las Olas expect neat casual dress.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and at the airport; mobile coverage is good across the county.
- Time zone
- America/New York
Visitor areas are generally safe, but do not leave bags unattended on the beach or valuables visible in cars. Natural hazards matter more: swim near lifeguards and heed rip-current flags, protect yourself from strong sun, leave the beach when lightning approaches, and follow official guidance if a hurricane threatens between June and November.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Fort Lauderdale?
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 a drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars for beach chair attendants and Water Taxi crews. Some restaurants include gratuity automatically.
+Can you drink the tap water in Fort Lauderdale?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Fort Lauderdale?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Fort Lauderdale?
English and Spanish.