Known by some as the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale is renowned for its canals, beaches, and year-round summerlike weather. It’s the third-largest city in the Miami Metropolitan Area, and an incredibly popular destination for tourists and snowbirds.
If you’re ready to experience a city that sees 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, read on about Fort Lauderdale. Just be sure that you protect yourself with visitors medical insurance prior to leaving for your trip.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers visiting Fort Lauderdale – FAQs
Visitors medical insurance is international travel health insurance for tourists visiting the United States from another country. It is designed to allow insured individuals to access necessary medical care for an affordable price while traveling outside of their home country.
Do I need visitors medical insurance for Fort Lauderdale?
So long as you are not an exchange visitor on a J1 visa, visitors medical insurance is not legally required for you to visit the United States. However, when you consider how incredibly expensive US healthcare is, you likely cannot afford to go without it.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before visiting Fort Lauderdale?
Even the most careful person can’t always avoid breaking a bone, catching the flu, or suffering some other unexpected medical malady while traveling abroad. The problem is American healthcare is unaffordable without health insurance coverage, and your domestic health insurance is unlikely to be accepted in the US.
This is where visitors medical insurance comes in. It can protect you from having to pay massive medical bills out of your own pocket if you become sick or get injured while visiting the USA.
Fort Lauderdale’s Most Popular Activities
There’s a lot to see and do when you visit Fort Lauderdale. When you’re building your trip itinerary, consider adding some of the following activities.
Spend Time at the Beach
It would be a crime to visit Fort Lauderdale and not spend at least part of a day at one of the city’s glorious beaches. Some of the most popular options include Hollywood Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Las Olas Beach. You can look out over the Atlantic Ocean from the warm sands, go for a swim, and relax the day away as you people-watch.
Take a Canal Cruise
You don’t have to stick to the roads to get around Fort Lauderdale. A network of canals winds through the city, providing an interesting perspective of its neighborhoods and waterways. You can book a variety of different canal cruises to experience them yourself. Some are narrated tours that are open to the public, and others are luxurious private charters.
See the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
Originally built in the 1920s, the Bonnet House is a Mediterranean-style mansion that today functions as a museum detailing the history of the estate. Throughout the surrounding grounds are beautiful gardens featuring a variety of orchids, palm trees, and bougainvillea. You can even take in views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Shop Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard is an upscale shopping district in Fort Lauderdale that plays host to myriad retailers, restaurants, and art galleries. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s an excellent place to window-shop, and the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat in the middle of your day.
Experience History at the Stranahan House
This museum in downtown Fort Lauderdale was originally built as a home in 1906, making it one of the oldest remaining structures in the city. Today it functions as a museum that details the history of Fort Lauderdale from its days as a Native American settlement all the way to its development as a tourist destination. There are also exhibits and artifacts from the Stranahan family.
Key Guidelines for Visitors to Fort Lauderdale
Crime and Safety
Fort Lauderdale’s crime rate is 34% lower than the national average in the US, making it a relatively safe city to visit. But like all large American cities, there are areas where crime is more likely. Choose a hotel or rental in an area of the city where you feel comfortable, don’t walk alone at night, and be careful about flashing valuables or large amounts of cash.
Getting Around
Although you can of course rent a car or drive your own vehicle, there are several other options to get around Fort Lauderdale during your visit. The Sun Trolley is a free public transportation service that offers seven different routes to many of the city’ most popular attractions. Broward BCycle allows you to rent bicycles from 40 stations around the area to explore at your own pace. Finally, Fort Lauderdale’s most unique transportation option are its water taxis, which utilize the city’s extensive canal system to reach various points of interest.
Best Time to Visit
As Fort Lauderdale is fairly warm and sunny all year long, the best time to visit depends on your priorities. If you want to party with big crowds and hang out on the beach all day, visit in the summer. If moderate crowds and plenty of festivals are what you’re interested in, come in the spring or fall. If you’d rather spend time exploring outside and seeing holiday decorations while wearing shorts, consider visiting in the winter.
Before You Visit Fort Lauderdale – Do This
- Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Fort Lauderdale is sunny almost all year long.
- Avoid spring break, the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day unless you want to deal with massive crowds on the beaches.
- Be a prepared traveler and purchase visitors medical insurance ahead of time.