Fort Lauderdale Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida - FL, USA)

With its reputation as a party city, its great beaches and solid tourist infrastructure, Fort Lauderdale is an appealing destination for both American and international visitors. The city of Fort Lauderdale boasts great restaurants, lively nightclubs and an internationally recognized gay and lesbian scene, so it isn't difficult to see the its appeal.

Travel information on Fort Lauderdale can be found easily on the Internet or in popular guide books.

Tourism and Tourist Information

Fort Lauderdale is well geared towards tourists and negotiating the city is a stress-free affair. However, first time visitors may need specific information that isn't available in the guide books. The staff at Fort Lauderdale's visitor bureau have extensive knowledge of the area and can answer any query visitors might have.

Fort Lauderdale Visitors Bureau
Address: 100 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, 33301, USA
Tel: +1 954 765 4466
Open hours: daily

Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center
Address: 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, 33316, USA
Tel: +1 954 765 4466

Language

Over 300 languages are spoken in the USA, including over 170 that are indigenous to the area, with the most commonly spoken language in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and throughout the US being English.

Visas

For details on whether you will require a visa for travel to Fort Lauderdale it is sensible to check with your nearest consulate or embassy for information specific to your country. There are a number of different types of visa available, with tourists visiting Fort Lauderdale normally needing a non-immigrant visa that permits temporary stay.

Working

There are several categories of non-immigrant visas available to those wishing to work in Fort Lauderdale and Florida temporarily. Working without a visa in Fort Lauderdale is forbidden and there are harsh penalties for those who are caught breaking this law. Persons wishing to work in the Fort Lauderdale need to apply for the relevant visa in their home country and usually need a letter from their prospective employer in the US, together with other documentation.

Tipping

Tipping is common Fort Lauderdale although it is only necessary if you consider service to have been satisfactory. When dining in Fort Lauderdale restaurants, a 15 percent tip is usual, although service charge are often included in the bill. Bars generally provide a tips tray at the counter.

Taxes and Refunds

Most states in the US have a sales tax of between seven and eight percent on goods and services although some states have no tax at all. Sales tax is not reclaimable by tourists leaving Fort Lauderdale, unless the relevant working visa is held.

Smoking

A few decades ago locals in Florida and Fort Lauderdale accepted smoking in most public places without any fuss, but nowadays things have changed. Smoking is no longer permitted on public transport and most restaurants always feature non-smoking areas.