Orlando Tourist Information: Your Resource

Orlando Tourist Information and Travel Tips

Safety tips - driving and travelling around Orlando

Familiarize yourself with the orlando surroundings before setting out on a day trip and carry yourself with confidence
Try to blend in with the locals as much as possible
If you get lost and need to check your map, go into a shop as opposed to checking your where abouts in the street
If you are travelling alone don't tell anyone and if possible let a relative know your holiday itinerary.
When going out at night only use well lit streets, never take short cuts through areas you don't know well.
Leave valuables at home where possible. Keep important documents, passport etc on your person whenever possible Carry as little cash as is necessary and keep a small reserve hidden elsewhere for emergencies.
Pickpockets are rife on public transport, never let your bags out of your site If you are in a car and it breaks down, wait for the police.
Make an attempt to learn local traffic signals. Carjacking is a crime for the oportunist, drive with your car doors locked and don't drive in bad neighbourhoods at night.
If you are likely to be travelling alone at night it may be wise to hire a cell phone if you do not already have one. If you are hit by another car do not get out, indicate that you will pull over to a well lit side of the street, although rare 'bump and rob' attacks do still happen.
It is an offence to drive without wearing a seatbelt and small children (under 40lbs) must be fastened securely in a car seat. (most rental companies will hire car seats)
Use public beaches only and do not stray onto private land. Trespassing is an offence and you could be arrested or in worst case the land owner could shoot at you.

Florida laws and driving regulations

You should carry your driving licence and rental documents with you at all times
Florida law requires all passengers of cars and vans who are over the age of 6 to wear seat belts. Passengers 16 and above will be fined individually for violating this provision. Drivers will be held responsible and fined for passengers under the age of 15 years who are found unrestrained.
Children under the age of 3 years must be properly secured using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint seat. The seat must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. Children under 6 years of age can not be left unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle for a period in excess of 15 minutes.
Florida Speed Limits Residential Areas 30 MHP Highways & other roads 55 MHP Rural Interstate Highways 70 MPH
If you are in an accident (and the damage is minimal) at night or you are in a deserted area indicate to the other driver to follow you and drive to a poulated area near by.
If stopped by the police pull over immediately, turn off the engine, stay seated and follow the officers instructions.
Headlights must be used during rain.
All drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus. You should remain stopped until all children are clear of the road. Violation of this law is subject to a mandatory hearing. When the warning lights are flashing the speed limit in front of every school is 15 mph
Drinking alcohol and driving is strictly forbidden and enforced in all states.
Some of the major highways are toll roads often called turnpikes, but most are free.
Parking lights must be used at night by any vehicle on a road outside town.

Tourist information offices & visitors centers in Orlando & Florida

Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau
6700 Forum Drive Suite 100 Orlando, Fl. 32821
Telephone: 800-551-0181
Ask for brochures, guides or maps and a copy of the Orlando Magicard that is good for discounts on attractions, meals, hotels and more.

Kissimmee-St. Cloud - Convention & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 422007 Kissimmee, FL 34742-2007
Telephone: 1-407-847-5000 Telephone: 800-327-9159 toll-free in USA
Fax: +1-407-847-0878

Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau
400 N. Tampa St., Ste 2800 Tampa, FL 33602
Telephone: +1 813-223-2752 Telephone: 1-800-44-TAMPA toll-free in USA
Fax: +1 813 229-6616 Email: info@visittampabay.com

Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 511 / MM31 Oceanside Big Pine Key FL 33043
Telephone: 800-USA-ESCAPE toll-free in USA Telephone: +1 305-872-2411
Fax: +1 305-872-0752 Email: lkchamber@aol.com

Daytona Convention & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 910 Daytona Beach, FL 32115 Telephone: 1-800-854-1234 toll-free in USA
Fax: +1-904-225-5478

Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
1850 Eller Drive, Suite 303 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Telephone: +1 (954) 765-4466
Fax: +1 954-765-4467 Email: gflcvb@co.broward.fl.

Public Telephones

The US telephone system is different than that of most other countries, if you don't know what to look for, you can spend a lot of money on telephone fees. If you need to make a call from a public phone box use a credit card as opposed to coins, if this isn't possible use a call box owned by a major service provider like Southern/Pacific Bell or Bell Atlantic as many phones operated by private concessionaries charge exorbitant rates.

Telephone cards are available in the US from all major gas stations, drug stores and newstands, they come in denominations of $5, $10 or $20.

First aid kit
We recommend that you take with you a basic first aid kit to cover you in the event of stomach upsets, headaches, sunburn, cuts and grazes etc. Also remember to pack any prescribed medication, this should be carried in your hand luggage. You may also be required to carry a copy of your prescription with you.

Familiarize yourself with the orlando surroundings before setting out on a day trip and carry yourself with confidence

Try to blend in with the locals as much as possible

If you get lost and need to check your map, go into a shop as opposed to checking your where abouts in the street

If you are travelling alone don't tell anyone and if possible let a relative know your holiday itinerary.

When going out at night only use well lit streets, never take short cuts through areas you don't know well.

Leave valuables at home where possible. Keep important documents, passport etc on your person whenever possible Carry as little cash as is necessary and keep a small reserve hidden elsewhere for emergencies.

Pickpockets are rife on public transport, never let your bags out of your site If you are in a car and it breaks down, wait for the police.

Make an attempt to learn local traffic signals. Carjacking is a crime for the oportunist, drive with your car doors locked and don't drive in bad neighbourhoods at night.

If you are likely to be travelling alone at night it may be wise to hire a cell phone if you do not already have one. If you are hit by another car do not get out, indicate that you will pull over to a well lit side of the street, although rare 'bump and rob' attacks do still happen.

It is an offence to drive without wearing a seatbelt and small children (under 40lbs) must be fastened securely in a car seat. (most rental companies will hire car seats)

Use public beaches only and do not stray onto private land. Trespassing is an offence and you could be arrested or in worst case the land owner could shoot at you.

You should carry your driving licence and rental documents with you at all times

Florida law requires all passengers of cars and vans who are over the age of 6 to wear seat belts. Passengers 16 and above will be fined individually for violating this provision. Drivers will be held responsible and fined for passengers under the age of 15 years who are found unrestrained.

Florida Speed Limits Residential Areas 30 MHP Highways & other roads 55 MHP Rural Interstate Highways 70 MPH

If you are in an accident (and the damage is minimal) at night or you are in a deserted area indicate to the other driver to follow you and drive to a poulated area near by.

If stopped by the police pull over immediately, turn off the engine, stay seated and follow the officers instructions.

Headlights must be used during rain.

All drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus. You should remain stopped until all children are clear of the road. Violation of this law is subject to a mandatory hearing. When the warning lights are flashing the speed limit in front of every school is 15 mph

Drinking alcohol and driving is strictly forbidden and enforced in all states.

Some of the major highways are toll roads often called turnpikes, but most are free.

Parking lights must be used at night by any vehicle on a road outside town.

Florida Facts

The state gem is the moonstone.

In 1970 the moonstone became Florida's state gem, chosen to celebrate mans first step on the moon.