With US 1,000 airfare and interest-free fees, traveling to Miami and Orlando presents itself as an affordable alternative. However, it is convenient to consider some hidden and not so hidden costs that could modify more than one budget.
The Visa
Processing the visa for the United States costs u$160. A family of four would spend $640. Generally, visas are granted for ten years, but in some cases, they are only valid for the ongoing trip or for a few months.
Those who have European citizenship can avoid paying the Visa by traveling with the European passport, after processing the ESTA.
Resort fee and parking
Miami and Orlando have a great offer of accommodation in all categories, the rates do not depend on the number of passengers (they are per room) and it is possible to get significant discounts and even offer the rate that one is willing to pay. As an example, with the systems explained in the book Miami Gratis, very good hotels are obtained for $ 30 for four people.
So far the column of the Pro, for the column of the Cons, certain hotels apply something called Resort Fee that under the figure of giving access to certain benefits of the hotel – swimming pool, gym, beach services and lounges – charge per day amounts ranging from $ 5 to $ 15. Obviously the hotel does not contemplate the option that the guest does not use these benefits, so it ends up being a hidden surcharge.
As for parking, hotels on the beach strip and in prestigious areas usually charge amounts ranging from $ 15 to $ 50 per day. To compensate, in this link it is possible to find cheap public parking in Miami Beach
parking-00-sq
Disney and Universal parks charge parking at the rate of $17 and $16 per day respectively. The book Miami Gratis explains some tricks to avoid this cost that in a visit of a week adds up to u$119.
Taxes without refund
In Miami and Orlando the prices in the businesses are reported without Tax and the Tax is 7% and 6.5% respectively. The state of Florida has no tax refund to tourists so there are hundreds of dollars not contemplated in a first look at the price posters.
Eating Out: Gratuity and Tax
Down Ocean Drive, the lunch and dinner deals are tempting: shrimp, buffalo wings, sushi and pastas with exquisite sauces. The prices are reasonable, but do not include the 27% corresponding to the Tax and the standard tip that in many cases is already incorporated into the account.
Cruise Tips
The port of Miami has a great movement of economic cruises ranging from 3 to 15 days and visit very interesting points of the Caribbean such as Jamaica, Mexico, St Marteen and Curacao. Prices per passenger start at $ 140 plus tax and it is a great deal considering that it includes accommodation, transfers, unlimited meals of first class and entertainment.
SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES
What not everyone knows is that cruise ships automatically add a tip of $12 per passenger per day to the passenger’s account. A family of four on an 8-day cruise will be paying $384 not contemplated.
Excess excess
This does not apply exclusively to Miami and Orlando, but to any trip abroad. Each passenger can enter Argentina purchases for an amount of up to u$300 per adult and u$150 per minor. On the surplus of these purchases, you must pay… 50%
Clothing for personal use is outside this franchise although customs employees do not always respect the law
In this link it is possible to find a franchise payment calculator.
For more Miami and Orlando dining tips and savings: Miami Gratis, the “self-paying guide”
