US Entry, Driving Requirements, and Practicalities for a Florida Vacation

Customs and Entry Formalities at Florida’s Airports

Many international travelers imagine stepping off a transatlantic flight at Fort Lauderdale or Miami and being on the sand in 20 minutes. That is half true. The airport is close. But between you and that first dip in the ocean stand a Customs and Border Protection officer, an agricultural inspection station, a ride-hail wait, and a set of rental car paperwork rules that differ from Europe, Asia, and Australia. Understanding these entry requirements before you land means those realities do not surprise you. Book the flight first. Read through the entry steps before you enter passport details into the ESTA application.

Clearing Customs at FLL and MIA

Your first physical contact with the United States will be a CBP officer. At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Miami International Airport (MIA), that officer will ask where you are staying, how long you plan to stay, and the purpose of your trip. Have your return ticket accessible. Have your hotel reservation on your phone or printed. The officer will not ask for a paper customs declaration form. For most air passengers, that form no longer exists. You give a verbal declaration. If you carry more than $10,000 USD in cash or negotiable instruments, you must report it using FinCEN Form 105. Failing to do so risks seizure of the funds and a fine.

ESTA vs B-2 Visa and What You Cannot Bring Into Florida

If your passport belongs to one of the 42 countries in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not apply for a visa. You apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization through the official website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The fee was $21 USD and the authorization is valid for two years from approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Each visit is capped at 90 days and the purpose must be tourism, business, or transit. No work. No study. Apply at least 72 hours before departure but ideally two weeks ahead. Denials happen. A denied ESTA leaves you needing a B-2 Tourist Visa from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, a process that costs $185 USD and takes months.

Agricultural Inspection: What You Cannot Bring Into Florida

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services officers screen your luggage for fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, plants, and soil. The state is a major agricultural producer and takes biosecurity seriously. Do not pack apples, oranges, mangoes, meats, or seeds from home. A single citrus fruit found in your bag triggers a fine. Declare any food items when asked. The safest move: bring nothing perishable. Buy what you need after you clear customs.

The duty-free allowance for goods is $800 USD value per person. That includes souvenirs, electronics, and alcohol: one liter per person aged 21 or older. Tobacco allowance is 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars per person aged 21 or older. If you bought more, expect to pay duty and a possible penalty.

Do not arrive without health coverage. A minor emergency room visit in Broward County costs $500 to $3,000 USD without insurance. An inpatient stay runs $20,000 to $50,000 USD or more. Ambulance transport adds $400 to $1,200 USD. The minimum recommended travel medical insurance is $50,000 USD for emergency medical costs and $100,000 USD for medical evacuation. Buy that policy before you leave home. Not at the airport.

Driving in Florida on a Foreign Licence

You can rent a car in Florida using your home country driver's license, provided the license is printed in English. If it is not, you must also carry an International Driving Permit. That permit is not a standalone license. It is a translation document that must accompany your original license. Rental car companies at FLL and MIA check this before handing you the keys. The minimum rental age is 21. Every major company charges a surcharge for drivers under 25. Budget for that fee at pickup.

Insurance You Do Not Already Have

The rental car base rate never includes liability insurance that meets Florida's legal minimums. Florida law requires the vehicle owner to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability. Your own auto insurance or credit card coverage may not satisfy this requirement. Ask your provider before you travel. If you decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you pay for any damage out of pocket. That waiver costs $10 to $30 USD per day. On a two-week trip, that adds up. Decide before you reach the counter.

Local Driving Rules That Will Trip You Up

Right turn on red is permitted after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it. Four-way stops require drivers to yield to the first vehicle that arrived. If two arrive simultaneously, yield to the vehicle on your right. School bus rules are strict. On an undivided highway, all traffic in both directions must stop when the bus extends its stop sign. On a divided highway, only traffic behind the bus stops. Fines for passing a stopped school bus are high.

Sales tax in Broward County is 7 percent (6 percent state plus 1 percent county surtax, as of rates published by the Florida Department of Revenue). That applies to restaurant bills, rental cars, and most retail purchases. Tipping culture is not optional. Restaurants expect 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill. Taxis and rideshares expect 10 to 15 percent. Hotel housekeeping expects $2 to $5 USD per night. Bartenders expect $1 to $2 USD per drink. Factor these costs into your budget.

Connectivity, Getting Around, and the One Mistake to Avoid

Your phone is your primary navigation and ride-hailing tool in Fort Lauderdale. Public Wi-Fi along the beach and Riverwalk is unreliable. A US data plan or eSIM is non-negotiable. U.S. mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer prepaid SIMs for $30 to $50 USD for a 30-day plan. Third-party eSIM providers such as Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad sell data-only plans from $5 to $50 USD depending on data volume and validity. Set this up before you land so you can call a ride from the airport pickup zone.

From FLL to the central beach area, a ride-hail costs $25 to $40 USD and takes 15 to 25 minutes. The public bus (Broward County Transit Route 1) costs $2 but is impractical with luggage. Miami International Airport is a secondary gateway, 45 to 60 minutes north of Fort Lauderdale by car. Once you are in the city, ride-hailing is the dominant mode. The free LauderGO! shuttle and Sun Trolley serve the beach and downtown loops. Their infrequent schedules make them unreliable for tight itineraries. The water taxi along the Intracoastal costs $35 for an all-day pass and is both practical and scenic.

The One Mistake That Ruins A Florida Trip

Booking a hotel deep inland near I-95 or in Plantation under the assumption it is a quick walk to the ocean. It is not. The beach is a 20-minute, $25 ride-hail away with no scenic walking route. Pay the premium for a property on or near the beach in the Fort Lauderdale Beach district, Las Olas Boulevard, or Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. You will spend less on transport and gain back hours of your vacation.

What to Do Before You Book

Open the official ESTA website and check whether your passport qualifies. If it does, complete the application, pay the $21 fee, and wait for approval before purchasing a non-refundable flight. If your passport is not on the Visa Waiver Program list, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and begin the B-2 visa application immediately. While you wait, buy a travel medical insurance policy meeting the $50,000 emergency and $100,000 evacuation minimums, and set up a US data eSIM. Those steps remove the biggest risks: denied entry, uncovered medical costs, and a dead phone at the airport curb.