Travel tips · Tampa · United States
Tampa 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: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Tampa's identity comes from its cigar-making past: Cuban, Spanish, Italian and Afro-Cuban workers built Ybor City and West Tampa, and their clubs, bakeries and dishes remain. The city is relaxed and sports-loving, with the NFL's Buccaneers and NHL's Lightning, and once a year it turns pirate for Gasparilla.
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, though many locals prefer filtered water for taste.
- Emergency
- 911
Plan a trip to Tampa
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Things to know
- Dress for the heat, but carry a layer for air-conditioned restaurants and theatres.
- Leave the protected Ybor City chickens alone; they have right of way on the pavement.
- On the Riverwalk and Bayshore, keep right and watch for cyclists and runners.
- Gasparilla is a big, boozy party; expect crowds, beads and road closures along Bayshore.
- Smoking cigars is welcome in Ybor's cigar lounges but banned inside most restaurants.
- Book Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ahead: Tickets bought online in advance are usually cheaper than at the gate; safari truck tours sell out on busy days.
- Summer and early autumn bring the lowest hotel prices, in exchange for heat, storms and hurricane risk.
Tipping
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, and 15–20% for taxis, rideshares and tours. Check the bill: some restaurants add an automatic service charge for groups.
Language
English and Spanish are spoken.
What to wear
Shorts, sandals and light fabrics are fine almost everywhere. Smarter restaurants such as Bern's expect neat casual or business-casual clothing.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink, though many locals prefer filtered water for taste.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés and the airport, and US networks cover the whole metro area.
- Time zone
- America/New York
Visitor areas are generally fine, but keep an eye on belongings in Ybor City late at night and use rideshares between districts. The bigger hazards are natural: summer heat, frequent lightning storms (leave the beach or water when you hear thunder) and hurricanes from June to November — follow official instructions if a storm approaches.
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 Tampa?
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, and 15–20% for taxis, rideshares and tours. Check the bill: some restaurants add an automatic service charge for groups.
+Can you drink the tap water in Tampa?
Tap water is safe to drink, though many locals prefer filtered water for taste.
+What plugs are used in Tampa?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Tampa?
English and Spanish.