Best time to go to Florida in 2023 | travelers 🧳 (2023)

Are you planning a trip to sunny Florida soon? Doing a little research before planning your stay will get you the best weather, cheapest prices and least crowded beaches.

The Sunshine State has a lot to offer, and once you know the best time to visit Florida, you'll come home with memories (and a healthy glow) for a lifetime!

We'll show you the best time to visit Florida, no matter what your travel goals are - the sunniest skies, the cheapest flights and rooms, or the least crowded beaches.

Also check out the worst times to visit Florida (you know, if there was such a thing) and travel tips to make your trip perfect. Let us be your guide!

Why you should visit Florida

Sunny Florida (aptly nicknamed the Sunshine State) is home to some of the nation's best beaches and most popular attractions. When you need a dose of warm weather, endless activities or non-stop relaxation, and a touch of the tropics in the contiguous United States, Florida is your destination.

Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country because the state enjoys a warm, subtropical to tropical climate and offers such a wide range of activities and wildlife viewing. There is something for everyone!

Sunbathing beach-goers will appreciate 1,350 miles of pristine coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Families on the go make their way to Florida for its famous theme parks (Disney World, Universal Studios, Legoland, Sea World, and more).

Adventurers love to visit and camp in Florida's national and state parks. Fun activities such as wildlife viewing (including alligators, dolphins, flamingos and more), parasailing, deep sea fishing, hiking, biking, swimming and ziplining await those who love the great outdoors.

South Florida is full of upscale hotels, restaurants and shops.

Portions are steeped in colorful Cuban and Latino culture, perfect for foodies (you must try an authentic Cuban sandwich), coffee lovers, and anyone who loves to dance the night away.

And if you're just looking for quiet solitude while relaxing on the shore, Florida also has some of the nation's most secluded beaches and resorts for a little rest and relaxation. There's every reason to go there - now you just need to know when is the best time to go to Florida!

Overall best travel time for Florida

If you want to plan the ideal trip with great weather and the most options for activities, the best time to visit is FloridaMarch to May.

The spring months offer the most balanced weather conditions, relatively uncrowded beaches and little rainfall - everything you need for perfect beach days, city exploring or theme park trips!

March in Florida sees comfortable, sunny weather with highs in the upper 70's and lows around 64F. The sun shines a little longer from March, the ocean hovers around 75F and spring is in full swing by March.

In mid and late March, the spring break floodgates open with visitors from across the country and around the world. You may see higher prices for flights, rental cars, hotels and activities in March, but it really is an ideal time to visit Florida.

April is even warmer (but not stifling yet) with highs in the low 80's and little rainfall. On average, it rains about 5 days in April in Florida.

That means visiting in April is great if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors - and we know you do! Easter brings a slight increase in visitor numbers and prices, but it's short-lived. Hotel, flight and activity prices drop rapidly after Easter.

May marks the end of spring in Florida with average temperatures rising to a perfect 77F (highs around 87F) and sea temperatures hovering around 81F. The beaches are less crowded as the main tourist flows arrive only in June.

With fewer tourists in May, you can take advantage of reduced prices on hotels, restaurants, activities and flights. It's a perfect time to visit the Sunshine State!

Best travel time for Florida

For a more affordable vacation, visit Florida at the best time - usuallyJanuary FebruaryAndAugust to mid-November.

These are short-lived off-seasons when fewer tourists arrive and prices for flights, rentals, hotels, and activities drop sharply. The overall best time to visit Florida on a budget is hereend of September.

Flights and hotel prices hit rock bottom during this time as children go back to school and the steady flow of tourists is reduced to a trickle. Then the hot summer season begins to give way to a cooler, more temperate autumn.

At the end of winter (January to February) the weather conditions are mild, more spring-like than winter-like. Highs reach the low 70's and lows are near 50F making these months ideal for camping if you're the adventurous type.

January and February offer some of the lowest hotel and flight prices due to fewer tourists traveling to the Sunshine State during these months.

Late summer and autumn (August to mid-November) offer comparatively cheap prices for flights and hotels, as there are fewer tourists at this time.

Compared to January and February (the other best time to travel), you'll experience much hotter weather, more hours of sunshine, and warmer seawater in late summer and fall. These higher temperatures drop steadily as fall rolls in - from highs in the low 90's (August) to a more comfortable 77F (November).

Least busy time to visit Florida

If crowded beaches are your vacation kryptonite, you'll appreciate going during the least busy times of the year – usuallyApril to MayAndmid-September to November.

With the exception of Easter, Memorial Day weekend, and Labor Day weekend, these periods see the fewest tourists and visitors to give you uncrowded beaches, shorter attraction queues, and lower prices on flights and hotels.

April through May mark the end of spring in Florida with sunny skies, little rainfall, and warm temperatures that reach highs of 82°F (April) to 90°F (May). Plan your visit before or after Easter and avoid Memorial Day weekend to benefit from fewer crowds.

If total relaxation and solitude are your goals for the trip, consider remote beaches with fewer tourist attractions (like Siesta Key Beach, St. Lucie, and Cape San Blas).

Mid-September (after Labor Day), October, and November also see fewer tourists for an uncrowded beach or park experience. As demand is lower during these months, prices for flights, hotels, groceries and car rentals all drop - another bonus!

Fall temperatures reach highs of 90°F in September, 84°F in October and 77°F in November. And since you're one of the few at the beach or theme park, you can enjoy those warm temperatures all the more!

Worst travel time for Florida

The worst travel time for Florida is the hottest summer months with the worst weather and rain -June to August.June marks the beginning of FloridasHurricane Seasonand if precipitation and temperatures really increase.

June and July see more than twice as much rainfall as the fall, winter, and spring months. While rain and thunderstorms usually pass quickly along the Florida coast, summer can still expect plenty of rain and cloudy skies that can ruin your daily plans.

The hot temperatures (highs in the 90s) may make your visit less pleasant if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. There are more hours of sunshine and onehigher UV indexduring the summer months so you can expect a sunburn if you forget to soap up with SPF!

While summer is considered the "worst" time to visit Florida, visiting during this time doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself. In fact, many like to visit them in the summer, when the kids are not in school and all the activities are open.

Plan some indoor activities to do for rainy afternoons, stay at a hotel near the beach so you can spend time ashore when the weather is nice, and enjoy Florida's beauty in full summer swing.

More things to consider

You know the best time to visit Florida for your upcoming vacation, but what else should you know to make the most of your vacation? Here are a few tips that will help you plan your trip like a seasoned Florida traveler.

• Know the busiest ($$) holidays.Plan your visit outside of the busiest bank holidays to enjoy a less crowded, more affordable trip with plenty of hotels and flights available. President's Day (late February), Spring Break, Easter, Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July weekend, Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day are some of the busiest times of the year for Florida. Remember: when school is out, you're sure to encounter crowds and higher prices.
• Explore off the beaten track.There are tons of popular restaurants, shops, and things for tourists to do in Florida, but you'll enjoy your trip even more if you venture off the beaten track. With the exception of large theme parks (where you're better off staying local and using all the shops and restaurants), talking to locals is ideal to find their favorite restaurants, fishing spots and secluded beaches. You'll get a taste of what locals love so much about their city and a deeper appreciation of what Florida has to offer.
• Bring the right gear.Whether you're planning a trip to the beach, into town, to a theme park, or to a national/state park, having the right gear makes every trip more enjoyable. Comfortable walking shoes and sandals, light clothing, SPF 30+ sunscreen, a light jacket for cooler nights, sun-protective clothing, and an umbrella are must-haves in Florida. If you're bringing little ones, make sure you pack beach gear to keep them occupied - sand buckets and shovels, castle molds, sand-proof blankets, and collapsable sun canopies are a great idea.
• Always ask for discounts.Most hotels, airlines, rental services, and attractions offer discounts to certain membership groups and print discount coupons in brochures or activity guides. Ask about student, senior, military, corporate, and auto club discounts. Pick up all the activity guides and brochures you're interested in while you're there - you'll always find special offers and discounts ranging from freebies and BOGO deals to whopping discounts on attractions and activities. When in doubt, just ask a member of staff if they offer discounts!
• Pay attention to the warning flags on the beach.Florida's beaches are one of the biggest tourist attractions, but they can be dangerous at times. Follow the helpful beach flag alert system to stay abreast of threats and know when to stay out of the water. Warning flags on the beach are coded as follows:
  • double red: water closed for public use
  • Rot: High hazard (rough surf and currents)
  • Gelb: Medium risk (slightly rough surf and currents)
  • Green: Low risk (calm conditions)
  • Lila: marine pests (jellyfish, sharks, stingrays, etc.)

By following these tips, you can have the best, most affordable Florida vacation, no matter where you travel to.

So what is the best time to visit Florida?

We've covered a lot of information in this guide, so before you go, let's quickly recap the best times to visit Florida.

The overall best time to travel to Florida isMarch to May(Spring). The weather is mild and warm, rain is scarce and activities and attractions are getting underway for the busy summer season.

This time of year offers the best balance – good weather, relatively few crowds (except for Spring Break, Easter, and Memorial Day weekend), and average prices for flights and hotels.

The cheapest time to travel to Florida isJanuary to February(late winter) andAugust to mid-November. The absolute cheapest prices for flights and hotels can be found at the end of September, when the summer season comes to an end, the flow of tourists becomes a trickle and autumn takes center stage.

The least crowded time to visit Florida isApril to MayAndmid-September to November. You benefit from fewer tourists, fewer crowds, shorter queues and more hotel and flight availability during these periods.

Most children go to school, which means fewer families vacation on Florida's beaches and parks. This is the time to enjoy a little R&R on a quiet beach!

The worst travel time for Florida (if wehaveto choose) isJune to August. Temperatures are at their highest during these summer months, Florida's hurricane season is underway, and rainfall is at its highest.

But it's summer in Florida, so not all is bad during this time - you still have plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun and enjoy a variety of Florida's most popular activities and parks!

Now that you know the best time to visit Florida for your travel destinations, it's time to start planning your trip and itinerary. Looking for ideas and activities to keep you busy while you're there? Check out these guides next!

• 24 Best Botanical Gardens in Florida in 2022
• The 15 Best Museums in Florida in 2022
• The 15 best things to do in Orlando