Travel tips · Myrtle Beach · United States
Myrtle Beach 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: w:User:Isipeoria, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Myrtle Beach has been a working- and middle-class family beach holiday for generations, with families returning to the same oceanfront motels year after year. Southern hospitality is real — expect 'y'all' and friendly chat. The Carolina shag, South Carolina's state dance, is danced to beach music in the clubs of North Myrtle Beach, and winter brings many Canadian and northern 'snowbirds'.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911
Plan a trip to Myrtle Beach
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Things to know
- Alcohol is banned on Myrtle Beach city beaches; drink at the beach bars instead.
- Beach rules on tents, canopies and digging holes vary by town and season; check the signs at beach access points.
- Fill in any holes you dig in the sand, which can trap sea turtles and injure people.
- Leave sea turtle nests and dune vegetation alone and keep off the dunes.
- Cover up with a shirt and shoes when you leave the beach for shops and restaurants.
- Book Golf on the Grand Strand ahead: Book tee times ahead in spring and autumn, especially for weekend mornings.
- Prices drop sharply after Labor Day and before Memorial Day; a week in May or September costs far less than July.
Tipping
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, a few dollars at buffets, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars per day for hotel housekeeping.
Language
English is spoken.
What to wear
Casual beachwear is normal almost everywhere; smarter restaurants in Pawleys Island or Market Common expect neat casual clothes.
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
- Hotels and condos usually include Wi-Fi, and mobile coverage is good along the coast.
- Time zone
- America/New York
The main risks are natural: rip currents (swim near lifeguards and follow posted flags), strong sun, summer lightning and hurricanes between June and November, when you should follow official evacuation instructions. Ocean Boulevard can be rowdy late at night in peak season, and you should not leave valuables in parked cars.
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 Myrtle Beach?
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, a few dollars at buffets, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars per day for hotel housekeeping.
+Can you drink the tap water in Myrtle Beach?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Myrtle Beach?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Myrtle Beach?
English.